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QUENCH Live! My new Live Streaming Show has Launched!
Quench Recap: Ballers
In my last episode of Quench, we toasted to my friend and colleague, Karen MacNeil, and her latest project, Share and Pair Sundays, celebrates wine’s singular role as a food partner and conversation-starter, facilitating the joy and connection we all crave.
We also solved the problem of pairing asparagus and wine, explored our March Madness wine bracket, and sat down with Hailey Jackson Hartford-Murray and Ben Fine of Jackson Family Wines. We chatted about their dedication to women in the industry AND La Crema’s partnership with the WNBA. I hope you’ll check out the full episode!
QUENCH Live Next Episode: Wednesday, April 16 at 5:30pm PST
Talking Dirt!
It’s Earth Month! And if you know me, you know I’m a planet-hugger always looking for ways to buy, explain, and amplify sustainability efforts in the wine industry and beyond. Very simply, taking care of the planet results in the best of everything, from our health to food and wine quality.
On my upcoming episode of Quench, I’ll be featuring delicious wines with award-winning sustainability practices, as well as some earth-friendly food and wine pairings.
With my guest, Anna Brittain of Napa Green and RISE Climate & Wine Symposium, we’ll explain what these wineries are doing – and just importantly – NOT doing – to protect the environment AND make better-quality wines. From critters to carbon, some of it’s ancient, some modern, all of it incredibly interesting and uplifting.
I’ll be streaming Live from my YouTube channel and LinkedIn Page on Wednesday, April 16 at 5:30pm PST / 8:30pm EST. Join us!
Talking Dirt: What We’re Drinking
The wines I’ve selected for this episode come from wineries who have been recognized for their efforts and leadership in sustainability in the wine industry. As we taste through the wines, I’ll talk about their approach to sustainability and how that impacts the wine and the land.
Chandon Réserve Blanc de Blancs, By the Bay
Chandon was recently recognized by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance with the 2025 California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Environment Award for continually pushing the boundaries of sustainability.
Pine Ridge Chenin-Viognier
Recognized by Napa Green with a RISE Leadership Award for their transition to dry farming to conserve water. They’ve also moved to the super lightweight glass for the Chenin-Viognier, and their carbon footprint on the wine is very low.
Clif Family Winery Valle di Sotto Zinfandel
Also recognized by Napa Green with a RISE Leadership Award for their scope 3 emissions inventory, and packaging and carbon and waste reduction. This Zinfandel is from their big ranch in the Oak Knoll district, where a lot of their amazing sustainability work is taking place.
For wine lovers, a subscription to my video wine course is a gift that keeps on giving, in new knowledge and pleasure all year long.
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A Hospitality Professional’s Comment Submission on the Alcohol & Health Studies Informing the Dietary Guidelines for Americans
UncategorizedPlease see my comment letter below. The public comment period ends February 14, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET. If you would like to comment you can do so here, and feel free to reference or utilize any parts in this letter if they are helpful to you. Visit this LINK to access other public comments. Comments are due February 14, 11:59 […]
The BEST Thanksgiving Turkey Technique
Food & Wine Pairing, Holiday TraditionsRather like our American melting pot culture, our Thanksgiving turkey approach is a crazy quilt of inputs and experiments refined. And we’re not done! I’m also eager to gain more feedback and words of wisdom. But here are our must-dos.