All About Wines
Fine Dining
Estate visits, cellar tours, and tastings. WSET Level 2 certified.
The best meals aren't just about food. They're about the room, the service, the moment everything comes together. Here's where I document the tables worth every reservation.
I Paid $125 to Watch Someone Behead a Bottle of Sparkling Wine
A château in Carneros built by the Taittinger family, four sparkling wines, caviar, and a sword. I booked The Art of Sabrage out of pure curiosity and I have thoughts about the $125.
The 50-Year-Old Winery Still Setting Virginia's Standard
Founded in 1976 on a 900-acre Piedmont estate that once belonged to a Virginia governor and his friend Thomas Jefferson, Barboursville Vineyards has spent five decades building the case for Virginia wine. A first visit, a flagship blend, and a restaurant saved for next time.
The Sweetness of Doing Nothing, Specifically in Oakville
The $175 estate tour at Far Niente in Oakville covers the 19th-century stone winery, the historic wine caves, and a private seated tasting of the Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon with local cheese. For an afternoon in the Napa Valley, I haven't found a better way to spend it.