Hi Reader, Here’s a little secret: Some of the best wine trips happen after the crowds head home. Instead of being rushed through flights or competing for a patio table, you can actually take your time, chat with winemakers, and soak it all in. ✨ Honestly, that’s when wine country feels most special. ✨ Here are five destinations that shine when you skip the peak season. 🍇 Dry Creek Valley, CaliforniaSonoma is a magnet for summer crowds. Come in the shoulder season for tastings that feel more...
16 days ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, Let’s be real. Wine country trips can add up fast. Between tasting fees, bottles you just have to bring home, and maybe a cheese plate (or three), your budget can disappear faster than a chilled rosé on a hot day. You might know the usual money-savers like tasting passports or case discounts. But today, I'm spilling some of the lesser-known ones I’ve learned after years of visiting wine regions. 🏨 Check Hotel Perks FirstBefore you even start mapping out tastings, ask your hotel if...
23 days ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, I don’t know about you, but I’ve definitely felt the pinch of higher travel costs lately. 💸 The good news is that a wine vacation doesn’t have to be expensive. I’ve found plenty of destinations where the pours are generous, the tasting fees don’t make you cringe, and the vibe is refreshingly down-to-earth. These spots may not have the same name recognition as Napa or Bordeaux, but they’re proof you can sip well without overspending. 🌊 New Buffalo, MichiganThe Lake Michigan Shore...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, “Farm-to-table” gets thrown around a lot. But in Québec? They actually mean it. We’re talking dinners in the fields where ingredients are grown, wine from just down the road, and chefs who plan menus by strolling through the garden instead of scrolling a supplier list. I just wrote about a few of these places in my first feature for Food, Wine & Travel Magazine. And along the way, I picked up a few lessons that might help if you want to try hyper-local wine and food experiences on...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I get this question all the time: How do you actually bring wine home from a trip? Most of the time, I’ll check a suitcase and leave extra room for bottles. But…cobblestones and stairs don’t mix well with giant luggage. 🧳 And sometimes I want way more wine than I could possibly fit (like those few cases I bought in Italy 🍷🇮🇹😬). Luckily, there are plenty of ways to get bottles home safely. Here are my go-tos: 🧳 Packing in Your Suitcase Bubble-wrap sleeves ($10–20): reusable,...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, I’m not a coffee drinker, so the whole pumpkin spice craze isn’t really my thing. 🎃☕ But this time of year, I do find myself reaching for more red wine. 🍷 With fall creeping in up north, it’s also one of my favorite times to plan trips to destinations known for red wine. Let’s talk about five wine regions that do red really well. 🏰 Montepulciano, ItalyThis historic hilltop town is home to Vino Nobile, one of Tuscany’s great reds. Wander medieval streets, explore historic cellars,...
2 months ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, When I first started taking wine notes, I was so intimidated. 😬 I thought I needed to describe wines like “wild strawberries picked at dawn” or call out obscure aromas like “freshly sharpened pencil shavings.” Here’s the truth: wine tasting notes don’t have to be complicated. You don’t need fancy words, just a system that helps you remember what you liked (and what you didn’t). And bonus: they’ll help you learn your preferences and even improve your tasting skills over time. Here's...
3 months ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, Did you know there’s a whole island of wine less than 20 minutes from Québec City? Île d’Orléans is famous for its fresh produce. Many of the city’s top restaurants source from here. And thanks to the microclimate created by the St. Lawrence River, wine grapes can thrive here too. The river helps keep frosts at bay and stretches the season just long enough for the grapes to ripen. So, you’ll find everything from crisp whites and rosés to sparkling and ice wine on the island. On my...
3 months ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, Fall might just be the perfect wine travel season. 🍂 I love that the weather’s cooler, the crowds are lighter, and the vineyards turn into a kaleidoscope of color. Plus, if you time it right, you might even catch the harvest in action.🍇🚜 Here are five destinations that bring peak fall wine vibes, plus guides to help you plan. 🍏 Hudson Valley, New YorkApple orchards, farm markets, and vineyards with mountain views. Pair your wine tasting with fall foliage drives.👉 Hudson Valley...
3 months ago • 2 min read