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Bucolic Buellton in Central California

Bucolic Buellton in Central California

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After the winter rain, super blooms are transforming California’s landscape into pastures and hills blanketed with Spring wildflowers on full display. In the charming town of Buellton in Santa Barbara County, the verdant green hills offer vibrant yellow mustard flowers. Buellton in Central California is an idyllic getaway for tasting some of the state’s best wines and culinary fare. It also offers some unique experiences that you won’t find anywhere else. We stayed overnight at the renovated Santa Ynez Valley Marriott offering spacious wine county designed rooms. What makes this property desirable is its sparkling swimming pool. It’s the largest...

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5 Green Tequila Cocktails You Can Make for St. Patrick’s Day

5 Green Tequila Cocktails You Can Make for St. Patrick’s Day

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Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day! Find your lucky green hat and “go green” this holiday with green cocktails with a Mexican twist. Tequila isn’t just for Cinco de Mayo! Tanteo® Tequila has shared with us five of their favorite green tequila cocktails you can make for St. Patrick’s Day or anytime of year. Sláinte! 1. PEPINO DIABLO Recipe: 2 oz Tanteo® Jalapeño Tequila 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice 1 oz Cucumber Purée ¾ oz Agave Nectar Rim with Tanteo Jalapeño Salt Directions Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake well and pour into an ice-filled, salt...

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Last Minute Valentine’s Day Cocktails

Last Minute Valentine’s Day Cocktails

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Love is in the air this Valentine’s Day! If you’re looking for a last minute cocktail to impress your sweet, we’ve got three Valentine’s Day cocktails that are sure to impress! MEZCAL MAMA @TheNewYorkEDITION (with Gem & Bolt mezcal) 1.5 OZ GEM & BOLT MEZCAL 1.5 OZ JASMINE TEA 0.75 OZ FRESH LIME JUICE 0.5 OZ AGAVE SYRUP 0.25 OZ BENEDICTINE 3 OR 4 RASPBERRIES SHAKE ALL INGREDIENTS & STRAIN OVER ICE. GARNISH W/ 3 OR 4 RASPBERRIES 1-800-SENSUAL @ HerNamewasCarmen 2 OZ STRAWBERRY INFUSED JAJA BLANCO TEQUILA 0.5 OZ FINO SHERRY 0.75 OZ LEMON JUICE 0.75 OZ RASPBERRY 0.75...

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Tips to Throw the Best Parties this Awards Season

Tips to Throw the Best Parties this Awards Season

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It’s awards season, which means that it’s time to celebrate the talent behind all your favorite movies and television shows. Planning to host friends for a watch party? Here is how to bring the elegance and excitement of Hollywood right into your living room: • Encourage evening wear: While your guests may not be delivering acceptance speeches to millions of viewers nationwide, that’s no reason for your crew not to look their best. Invite friends to wear their most fabulous frocks so everyone can feel glamorous like those on screen. • Lay down the red carpet: In your walkway...

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Sparkling Wine and Spirits Gift & Cocktail Ideas for the Holidays

Sparkling Wine and Spirits Gift & Cocktail Ideas for the Holidays

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Holiday parties and celebrations are all around! Sparkling wine, spirits and cocktails are a must when entertaining. Here are some holiday cocktail recipes you won’t want to miss! Best buys are included below. Cheers!  Simple sparkling wine and spirits cocktails recipes for single-serves and crowds. Sparkling Holiday Punch   A bubbly and festive addition to all holiday festivities. 8 oz. Chambord Liqueur 8 oz. Cranberry Juice 2 chilled bottles Korbel Brut Cranberries Pour ingredients into a large punch bowl or pitcher and stir. Top with raspberries or cranberries. Herbarium Holiday Pitcher A refreshing and light break from heavy holiday indulgences. 4...

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La Crema, A Class Act

La Crema, A Class Act

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There is nothing better than an oaky buttery glass of chardonnay at the top of the cocktail hour, well that is unless it’s something bubbly. While working on an article about BraytonHughes Design Studios I discovered they had done design work for La Crema and it inspired me to pull a bottle of their Chardonnay into my rotation. Wow!” had I forgotten how much I enjoy their wine. It was clear that I needed to go behind the scenes and find out makes La Crema tick. Craig McAllister, Head Winemaker at La Crema was kind enough to speak with...

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Holiday Baking and Wine Pairings

Holiday Baking and Wine Pairings

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There are few holiday traditions as sweet as baking a selection of treats to share with family and friends. This is especially true for the California winemaking family the Mondavis as it is for families across America. As the season begins, Janice Mondavi, wife of third-generation CK Mondavi and Family co-proprietor Marc Mondavi and their four daughters, Angelina, Alycia, Riana and Giovanna, always set aside time to gather for an afternoon of holiday baking. Their Grandma Rosa was an incredible cook, and the tradition continues through the generations. It should surprise no one that in this household, instead of...

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4 Favorite Dishes You Didn’t Know Pair with Champagne

4 Favorite Dishes You Didn’t Know Pair with Champagne

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While you may think of Champagne as just for toasting, experts point out that it can actually be quite food-friendly. “Champagnes with a higher proportion of Chardonnay in their blends — such as the signature style of Champagne Taittinger — can be particularly versatile when it comes to food pairings,” says Chicago-based sommelier, Belinda Chang. For this purpose, Chang recommends the family-owned and operated champagne house, which offers a distinctive, light and delicate style, a longer aging period before release and sustainable production processes. “Every self-respecting foodie and wine geek knows to pair Champagne with a towering icy plateau...

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Mionetto’s Last Minute Thanksgiving Cocktail and Entertaining Tips

Mionetto’s Last Minute Thanksgiving Cocktail and Entertaining Tips

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Pop the bubbly…we’re less than 24 hours away from Thanksgiving! Mionetto has shared with us some of their favorite spritz cocktails to kick-off your Thanksgiving holiday celebration. Spritz is Italy’s most popular aperitivo cocktail. The Mionetto Spritz is as easy to make as 3-2-1…pick the one that suits your taste!  Mionetto’s Prosecco is one of my favorites. It has the right amount of bubbles and is not too sweet. The Mionetto Aperol Spritz, Mionetto Elder Flower Spritz and Mionetto Limone Spritz cocktail recipes follow the holiday entertaining tips. Cin Cin! Mix It Up With a DIY Garnish Bar Cart...

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The Chemistry Behind Humboldt Distillery

The Chemistry Behind Humboldt Distillery

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What defines a mad scientist, one could say is his passion for his craft. In this case, Abe Stevens is the chemist behind Humboldt Distillery and mad about distilling organic spirits in the small town of Fortuna, California. With a degree in chemistry and biochemistry, this fifth generation Humboldt county proprietor is concocting award-winning craft spirits. Abe founded his distilling playground in 2012 after several years of working in the pharmaceutical industry. He was ready to take a break and contemplate where he was headed next. He says it’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment he made a decision,...

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Go Fig or Go Home with Black Infusions Vodka

Go Fig or Go Home with Black Infusions Vodka

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Martini’s… shakin’ not stirred. Highballs…on the rocks or straight up? Whatever your poison there are a plethora of choices when it comes to selecting ones five o’clock libation. Let’s put beer and wine aside for a moment and take a look at the spirits industry. It’s on fire. According to a recent report by Grand View Research, Inc.,” the global craft spirits market is expected to reach USD 80.43 billion by 2025.” Michael Davidson is the owner and CEO of Black Infusions and is celebrating five years with his Distilled Spirit Specialties. He’s developed a product that is taking...

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Old Fashioned with a Twist

Old Fashioned with a Twist

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Cocktail trends may come and go, but one staple remains a fixture on drink menus two centuries after its invention – the Old Fashioned. There are many competing stories about the origins of the “first” true cocktail recipe, but nearly all agree that the modern-day cocktail was first mixed in the early 1800s, and the recipe was generally the same Old Fashioned recipe still mixed in bars around the world today: liquor, sugar, water and bitters. Bourbon is traditionally the spirit of choice for an Old Fashioned, but contemporary versions may substitute virtually any type of liquor, from rye...

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