The history of French fries is long and convoluted, with many countries claiming to be the birthplace of this delicious and popular snack. According to one legend, French fries were first created in Belgium in the winter of 1680. The story goes that the Meuse River froze, preventing anglers from catching fish. To compensate for their lost livelihood, the fishermen cut potatoes into strips and fried them in oil. These fried potato strips were a hit and became a popular nationwide snack. Another legend claims that French fries were first created in France during the 18th century. This story is o ..read more

After a year and a half renovation, Materra | Cunat Family Vineyards is preparing to debut their new 10,000-square-foot tasting room in June. The new venue emphasizes Materra’s slogan “Bringing People Together”; in addition to the grand tasting room, there will now be a catering kitchen, cozy lounge, art gallery and individual tasting rooms that can accommodate up to 10 guests for a more intimate experience with a private group. “We’re keen on leading with hospitality; making people feel welcome and like they belong at Materra. It gives us an opportunity to really create transformative experie ..read more

Any project in which Dave Phinney has a hand is sure to intrigue. From avant-garde wine labels to risk-taking in the vineyard to unique tasting experiences, Phinney continues to disrupt norms with his creatively irreverent take on the wine industry. His Orin Swift Cellars is no exception. As winemaker, creative director, and founder of the brand that honors his father and mother (Orin is his dad’s middle name, and Swift is his mother’s maiden name), Phinney has gathered an international fan base that clamors for every new release. Each aromatic, complex, and full-bodied Orin Swift wine becomes ..read more

Imagine the opportunity to sit alongside a Napa Valley winemaker, vintner, and chef whom all rely on local ingredients to really understand the thoughtful connection between wine and food. This is what guests can expect at these small, intimate Winery Lunches at Somerston Estate that are hosted once a month through October. During the experience, guests will be served a selection of Somerston’s limited production library wines, large formats, and current releases only available at the winery. “When you attend a Somerston Estate Winery Lunch, you get unprecedented access to our considerabl ..read more

Nestled in a private valley within the eastern hills of the Coombsville AVA of Napa Valley, Shadybrook Estate stands as a testament to the artistry of winemaking. The estate’s sun-drenched Rapp Ranch Vineyards are where rows of vines burst with leaves cradling clusters of ripening grapes grown in an ancient volcanic caldera on hills at the base of the Vaca Range. At the heart of this viticultural haven, the winery beckons visitors to a winery Yelp named “best winery in California.” Built a decade ago, this state-of-the-art winery’s architecture echoes country club sophistication to provide an ..read more

Founded in 1870 and owned by the Wheeler family until 2006, Wheeler Farms was a productive agricultural site, growing fruits, walnuts, and wine grapes, establishing the region as an agrarian Eden. Farmer and winegrower John Hoffman Wheeler was also one of Napa’s earliest wine industry pioneers, producing 100,000 gallons of wine and brandy from 1885 until Prohibition. Today, current proprietors Daphne and Bart Araujo honor the property’s legacy as they maintain and advance their organic and biodynamic farm, vineyards, and state-of-the-art winemaking facility. This upholding and celebration of h ..read more

The cool-climate Carneros region, where Napa and Sonoma meet, has been Frank Family Vineyards’ second home since acquiring their 67-acre Lewis Vineyard in 2000. Lewis Vineyard, along with some of the region’s top grape growers like Andy Beckstoffer and the Sangiacomo Family, provide Winemaker Todd Graff with exceptional quality and unparalleled depth when creating Frank Family’s expansive lineup of world-class Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and méthode champenoise sparkling wines. Starting this March, Frank Family is offering a one-of-its-kind, appellation-specific tasting experience that will featur ..read more

This simple, healthy, and delectable dish will add a burst of color and flavor to any meal as an appetizer or side dish option. Since they only take about 10 minutes to prepare, this recipe allows me to cook while visiting with my guests. I usually blister the peppers when everyone arrives and is gathered in the kitchen.  I serve them on a cutting board and drizzle with the balsamic glaze for a dramatic finish.   Blistered Pepperswith Balsamic Glaze EQUIPMENT NEEDED Large cast iron skillet Tongs A platter or board for serving   INGREDIENTS 1-pound mini sweet peppers 1 tablesp ..read more

Spring is all about renewal, and as the first bud breaks in Napa Valley, it reminds one of man’s symbiotic relationship with nature. St. Supéry doesn’t take this for granted, as the certified Napa Green 100% Estate Grown winery encourages guests to celebrate nature and the new season during winery visits. “We encourage guests to wander through our demonstration vineyard and gardens during their visit,” said CEO Emma Swain. If guests book a tasting, they should leave extra time for this, which ties the experience together. For example, this spring, one of St Supéry’s featured experiences is “Ta ..read more

For decades, Napa Valley has been a mecca for creatives and for the most obvious of reasons: its natural beauty, its culture of fine dining and wine, its sophisticated and varied venues, and for the well-connected and affluent patrons who live in and regularly frequent the region. Much time and effort have gone into creating the valley’s music-friendly spaces and experimentation over the years with music genres, ensemble types, repertoire, and setting, some venues long-established, others improvised in winery and park settings. Decades of refinement have resulted in a diverse and sophisticated ..read more