Ah, Bubbles…  tiny, floating and rising to the top with grace and speed as if to greet or announce impending celebration.    This may sound like a description of Champagne, and it would be if I were sitting in France and drinking one of its vintages.   But instead, since I am located in Napa Valley, what […]

Driving through the Carneros Region of Napa County easily triggers feelings of romance.    Despite the sun’s warmth on your skin, you are cooled by gentle maritime breezes, the air is tinted with aromas of ripening grapes and for as far as your eye can see, you are surrounded by rolling hills populated by endless vineyards.  […]

Twenty years ago I spent my first summer studying in Mexico.   I found the people warm, enlightening, generous in spirit and gifted at taking time to enjoy that which matters most:   family, daily life, that which they have and that which surrounds them.    It was an easy lifestyle to embrace:  so I returned the two […]

As the 4th of July approaches, there is a spirit of independence and celebration in the air in Napa Valley.   The first sense of freedom came when our heat wave broke on Monday evening, which sent the triple digit temperatures of the weekend packing.    As Napa Valley residents seem to breathe a collective sigh relief, […]

The mild cooler days of June are seemingly gone this week as our temperatures here in Napa Valley have quickly climbed into the 80’s and might well hit 90 degrees by the end of the week.   As the temperature increases, people are spending longer hours out in their backyards in the evening.    Perhaps you are […]