On Leaving my Job...

                       

Bravery has been a recurring theme for me this year. The word was bestowed upon me in Costa Rica by my Intuitive Painting instructor and it has really resonated with my experiences thus far. I recently exercised my bravery when I resigned from my job. I have been contemplating this for a while now and never felt quite ready.

I knew I wanted to move on but feared what would happen. Work has been my security for years. Wine has been a passion of mine for years and it turned into numbers and conversions. The art was still there, but buried under sales goals and science. I surprised myself the first time I spoke to a client about chemical reactions in wine. I laughed at myself when I practiced saying the technical names of chemical compounds so I wouldn't mess up in a meeting. And then, all of a sudden, it became second nature and I found myself playing with wine. It was fun, messy and rewarding. I'm going to miss that the most. The magic enchanted me.

But, my soul has been urging me to move on. I'm not quite sure where I am headed, but I am not worried, my hope is strong. I know that travel is on the horizon and that is when I am at my best. I am going away for a month to sort some of this out and just relax. It's surprising how much space a job takes up in the brain. It will be strange at first to taste a wine without thinking about it technically. Most important, I will have time to travel to places I crave and stay home and solidify the life I have been creating. This scares and excites me at the same time. I am ready to venture into the unknown.

Farewell magical, technical and tasty wine industry. Thank you for expanding my brain farther than I thought possible.

Pintxos and Txakoli: San Sebastián's Perfect Pairing

                                   

San Sebastian's food scene is a lively display of artful, gastronomic hedonism. The main characters in this scene are pintxos; small bites of delicious food prepared in mouthwatering variations.

When I walked into my first pintxos bar, I was a bit intimidated. On the bar, there were dozens of plates filled with amazing finger foods and the choice was hard. The bartender handed me a plate and I chose mussels with a pico de gallo on top with a glass of Rioja. I watched as people made their choices and sipped on beer or wine and then left. When I was finished, I went up to pay and was shocked that my bill was only €3! 

The next place was very similar but their specialty was anchovies. I chose an anchovy skewer with pickles and a green olive. The briny taste of the pickles mellowed the saltiness of the anchovy and the green olive was the perfect finish, like an olive in a really good martini. I ordered white wine with this bite and knew I had fell in lust with a new way of eating.

Then, I found the pintxos bar that would become the favorite of my trip. Zeruko is a small unassuming place with mind blowing food. Part of their charm is that they incorporate molecular gastronomy for those who really want to geek out on their food. What kept me returning were the sea urchins topped with roe and olive oil and their gold dipped artichokes stuffed with scallops. I could.not.get.enough!! I also learned about a local wine called Txakoli which is poured with a dramatic raise of the arm into the glass below; this is to let the small bubbles settle. The wine is a light, refreshing white with the perfect amout of acidity to pair with some of the more heavy seafood bites. The staff was kind and knowledgeable and never tired of my many questions. 

The charm of San Sebastián was solidified by the pintxos experience. It is such a lively and social way to spend an evening. Perfect strangers or friends meet around a bar filled with food, choose their bites and sip their drinks while chatting. Each night, I met lovely people and learned about the various parts of the world they had travelled from. Travel never ceases to amaze me when it comes to the people I meet, especially when I am alone. Everyone's story is fascinating in their own right and the pintxos experience was like a large moving dinner table.

Every time I travel, I try to find a place or dish that commemorates the taste and feel of the region I am visiting. The Basque proved to be geniuses when it comes to capturing the feel of their region. Everything I ate tasted fresh from the sea and the wine paired perfectly with the abundant flavors. From my time in San Sebastián, I will always refer to pintxos and Txakoli as the most unforgettable tastes.

In Catania: At Least the Food was Good

                                 

                                 

I travelled to Sicily with 2 dear friends before a work conference. We stayed in Catania and planned on walking around, sipping cappuccinos and eating delicious seafood. We were able to do all of these things, but not in the way we expected...

At the arrival gate, we searched for our names on the signs being held up by drivers. I had spent some time communicating with the hotel about our arrival and they assured me that a driver would be there to pick us up. I didn't see our names or the hotel's name on any of the several signs. We looped 3 times with no luck. However, the hotel did send me detailed directions for taking the bus just in case I needed them. So, we hopped on the bus and arrived a bit later only to be told by the front desk, that our driver was looking for us at the airport. We laughed an exhausted laugh and checked into our room to figure out dinner for the evening.

Catania is located on the Southeastern portion of Sicily and is a port town where seafood is abundant. We were told to go to a certain restaurant near the center of town for "amazing seafood". I think all of us were too tired to try to translate the Italian menu, so we had the waiter pick for us and soon we had Prosecco, oysters and bread in front of us. The more I ate the heavier my eyelids became and it was apparent we were not going to last much longer. But we wanted to toast our first night in Sicily together and found a wine bar and ordered Campari spritzers to commemorate our journey. Soon after the clinks of the glasses and a short cab ride, we were all asleep.

The next morning, the clouds had found a comfortable spot right above Catania and we decided to venture into the city for some shopping and lunch. Shopping was limited but we did find an amazing place to eat lunch. The sun started peaking through and we found patio seating and ordered arancinis. Arancini is a large fried ball of various flavors of risotto. They are delicious. We ordered 3 different flavors--eggplant, pistachio and spinach. All wonderful and savory. 

After lunch, we walked around the city and found that it is full of graffiti and litter. I was planning on taking pictures of history and found my camera roll full of graffiti instead. There were a few times when we felt like we needed to get out of an area quickly only to find ourselves in a likewise situation. It was adventurous and we were happy to hop on a bus back to the hotel.

That night, we decided to eat dinner near the ocean away from the city and hopefully redeem the day, especially since we were headed to work the next day. There was a lovely section near the ocean with a few restaurants and we found a table inside overlooking the water. Pizzas and wine were ordered as we watched the lights twinkle on the water. Our food was delicious and the wine paired perfectly. We laughed about our adventurous day and offered appreciation to each other for our ability to travel well together.

Friends with Turkey

Friendsgiving

Coming from a large family is wonderful, but cumbersome during the holidays. I have sisters in different states and my brothers live in Northern California. Every year, I travel to one of their houses to spend the holidays, but I decided to stay put for Thanksgiving this year. My friends, Tim and Kandice, were so gracious to host Thanksgiving for those of us who have family far away. Since San Diego is full of transplants, we had a pretty good size group.

Friendsgiving, as I like to call it, was full of amazing food (2 turkeys), wine, laughter and good conversation. We went around the table and stated what we are thankful for and it was lovely to hear everyone give thanks. I am so grateful to have met a group of wonderful people where we can share gratitude and laughter.

For the Love of Pinot Noir

Delicate, fruity, earthy, raspberries, cassis, vanilla, cola, sassafras, dark cherries, strawberries, cedar, mushroom, leather, cigar, silky, velvety...

I could go on and on describing one of my favorite varietals. I love Pinot Noir. I have been fortunate enough to taste it in many different places, but I have never been to the Willamette Valley in Oregon until last week. This trip solidified my love for this wine and placed Oregon as one of my favorite Pinot regions.

We visited White Rose Estate Winery and with each taste, I declared "this is the best Pinot so far". Then, the winemaker let us taste his 2012 out of the tank and I couldn't believe how delicious the young wine already was.

I try my best not to geek out when it comes to wine. I try to just enjoy it and let the conversation flow, but the Willamette Valley awakened the Wine Geek in me. I can't wait to return this beautiful, green countryside covered in vines and evergreens with the Cascade mountains keeping watch.

Amalfi Adventure

Last month, I travelled to the Amalfi Coast with a friend before a work conference in Umbria. We spent a few days soaking up the sun, trying Aperol spritzers and eating copious amounts of delicious food. This was one of my favorite trips and I can't wait to return. We stayed in the quiet town, Maiori, where we could walk everywhere and stay across the street from the sea. The days were long and relaxing and the nights were filled with friendship and laughter.

Getting to the Amalfi is not the easiest route. We spent time on a plane, train and a bus. The road is narrow, windy and hugs the mountain closely. The sea is a brilliant aqua and the hills are terraced with citrus. Limoncello flows freely and the seafood is remarkable. 

We took a day trip to Capri with the intention of laying in the sun until it rained. However, the rain was one of the highlights of the trip. At first, I was upset but we ended up laughing until the sun broke through the clouds giving us ample warmth after the showers. 

I can't wait to return to Maiori and spend even more time on the shores relaxing. Life gets crazy and when I look back on this trip, I can feel a sense of calm because for the first time in a while, I felt completely at peace. 

Andes day trip

A trek up to the Andes was planned for the second day of the Mendoza adventure. We started early in the morning to begin the 300km round trip. We stopped in many places to take in the beauty of this rugged terrain as well as taste local fare.

We began our journey before sunrise

 The Andes are a spectacular mountain range. As we were driving, I was thinking about all the mountain ranges I have been fortunate to drive through...Sierra Nevadas, Cascades, Rockies and the Alps. The Andes range is the most rugged to me. All of these places have their own unique beauty. I found the contrast of the desert with the snow to be very stark and magnificent.


3 Americans and a Portuguese in the Andes

I was travelling with a few colleagues. We decided to come early before our meeting with the International team. This was a great way to relax before "working" for a few days.

St. Martin Bridge

 St. Martin was the liberator of Argentina from the Spaniards. This is a bridge on the Mendoza river to commemorate the battles that were fought.

Very icy Mendoza river...brrrr

 I was fascinated by the ice in the river. Coming from California, I have never seen something like this. Arthur, who is from North Dakota was not as fascinated by my SEVERAL pictures of the ice in the river. Apparently North Dakota has ice as well...go figure!

Andes Artisans

 We stopped at a little village of Artisans selling local souvenirs. Unfortunately, Argentina is mainly a cash based society and my debit card didn't work up here.

Inca Bridge

Aconcagua-tallest peak in the Americas (in the distance)

Near the Chilean border

Once we arrived at the Chile-Argentina border, we had to turn around. But first, we stopped in a town of 7 people and ate an amazing lunch.
This day was quite memorable for me. I was actually dreading being in the snow and cold, but I found it exhilarating and refreshing. However, I don't think it was enough to convince me to be in the snow or cold more often.

Mendoza: Day 1

I made it to Mendoza!!! The flight from Santiago to Mendoza is quick, but one of the most memorable flights I have had. The view is breathtaking...we were so close to the mountain tops. The decent was a bit bumpy, but I am thrilled that I don't have to get on another plane for a week.

Pretty fantastic view

 Upon arrival, we were transported to our hotel with 30 minutes to unload our things and go on our scheduled winery tour. We were all so tired but somehow found the gumption to complete 4+ hours of touring wineries and an olive oil producer.

Mendoza wine country

 Today was a bit hazy and this picture does not do the view justice...the Andes are spectacular.

Crazy traffic with a Yerba Mate to keep calm

In Argentina, Yerba Mate is a drink that is sipped on all day. Since we haven't had time to stop at a cafe, I was pleased to see that our driver had time to have his cup. This was an insane traffic jam that we somehow got through...maybe the Mate kept him calm???

Lovely old cellar

Today was a whirlwind. I thought it was Monday all day. I guess it is easy to lose track of time when you are on a tight travel schedule. I'm just happy that I am on the ground and get to explore a place I never thought I'd travel to.

Buenos Noches!

Weary Traveler, Happy Heart

I have spent the past few days travelling trying to reach Mendoza, Argentina and there have been a few hiccups. I am on my 4th day of travel and still haven't reached my destination. However, I am a short flight away. I've experienced a closed runway, rescheduled flights and lots of insomnia. But my heart is happy and the familiar excitement that accompanies travel has lifted my spirits. Last night on the plane, I could not sleep and I tried every possible position that the seat would afford me. Since sleep was not an option, I decided to open the shade to check out the stars. What I was treated to was a lightening storm. I have never flown through one and it knocked my socks off. It is amazing what nature is capable of. I sat there in awe with a heart full of gratitude. Shortly afterwards, I was able to fall asleep and woke up a few hours later to the sun rising behind the Andes. I haven't even reached my destination yet the journey has been well worth it.

Central Coast Living

Living on the Central Coast has its ups and downs. Since moving here in December, I have found that it takes 7 hours to drive home to see my family, 3-4 hours to get to an airport and 6 hours to reach the bottom of my territory. While it takes forever to get here and airports are not nearby, I have tried my best to make a list of some of the perks of living in a remote area on California's coast.

The first being wine country. This is the reason I moved down here. I have learned so much about the geography of California working in the wine industry. Sometimes I am amazed that I have lived here all my life and failed to explore this region until my job sent me down here. There are amazing wine regions in the Central Coast ranging from hot, coastal, mountains and winding valleys.

Then, there are the many beaches to explore that make my heart smile. I can walk around my neighborhood and find at least 5 stairways to beaches that beckon me to descend to their sandy playgrounds. The most magnificent thing about the beach--it is ever changing.

Then, there are quirky coffee shops where I can read, write, work and think. This one is my favorite. It reminds me of what it would look like if my brain had a living room...lots of books, quotes, a conglomerate of art, mismatched comfy chairs and a menu where each dish is named after a famous author.

There are also wine bars galore. In wine country, it is pretty hard to go a couple blocks without seeing one. I have found my favorite while wandering in downtown San Luis Obispo one day. It has a European feel and Nutella on the menu. They have my loyalty for sure.

The people who make the Central Coast are my kind of folk. Artists, writers, winemakers, ranchers, entrepreneurs, students and sufers all create the laid back community that I have grown to adore. Each person I have met has a fascinating story, especially the ones who came from cities or far away...they just wanted to relax and live a simpler life. I can totally relate to that vibe and resonate with so many ideals here.

Finally, the ultimate perk is peace. I have the opportunity to sit by the ocean and allow the waves to lull me to my peaceful place. Contemplation and awe have been a constant for me since my move. Being so close to the ocean does not allow me to forget how fortunate I am to visit it each day. When I move, I will always remember this time by the ocean with wonder and appreciation.

Ode

This lovely little building in Porto houses one of my favorite memories of Portugal. Ode Porto Wine House is a gem among the many memorable places Porto offers their visitors. The proprietor, Cristovao welcomes guests by saying "I want you to treat this place as if it was your home" and he isn't kidding. In fact, if I were to own a home, I would have exposed beams, rustic charm and the same glorious wine storage. So, it wasn't hard for me to sit back and relax in this wonderful "home".

The stone, the wood, the orange...I fell in decor love!

The kitchen was open so you could see the fresh ingredients and interact with the chef. Guests are encouraged to send back food if it is not exactly what you want. However, I find this hard to imagine since every dish looks amazing and prepared with care. I ordered tiger prawns on top of smashed peas and to this day, I can't stop dreaming about those peas.

My dream wine storage!

Cristovao, Ode's gracious host

I wish I had more time so I could have visited one more time before leaving. Until next time, Cheers to Ode!!!

Sicilia

I had the pleasure of working in Sicily this week. My company is based in Italy, but our business is worldwide. So, this week, the International team met up at a resort in Trapani, Sicily. The team includes South Africa, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Argentina, Chile, China, Australia, New Zealand and USA. It was fun hearing many languages fill a room and meeting many wonderful people.

Sicily is a beautiful place. The people are friendly, the air is warm and breezy and the food is AMAZING! We spent time in Trapani and Marsala. The architecture mixes Roman and Greek influences and History runs quite deep there. I couldn't help but realize how very young the US is compared to this place. Time seemed to slip away and 24 hours wasn't enough to get my fill of Sicily every day. I can only imagine how much time I would need to explore the entire island.

Poppies, Pinot and Pismo

California Golden Poppy

Spring is here and with it comes the bloom of my favorite flower, the California Golden Poppy. I am sure they have been blooming for a week or two, but today seemed to be full of their orange vibrancy.

Poppies and Pinot

Poppies have exploded between the rows of Pinot noir in this vineyard. I am so grateful that I am able to spend time outside while working. This made my day.

Poppies and Pismo

When I came home, they were lifting their bright blooms to the sun and bowing to the ocean in the wind.

Texas BBQ and Winery Time

 I was able to visit one winery when I was in Texas, Driftwood Winery. The wine maker invited trade show participants out to his property for wine tasting and Texas BBQ. I'd have to say, after having Texas BBQ, I don't think anything compares. They really go all out. For instance, the spread included ribs, beef brisket, pork loin and sausages...then all the side dishes. The Salt Lick catered the event. Yummy! There is no way you could be a vegetarian at this event.

Now on to the winery...

scariest sign I've ever seen at a winery!!!

The winery is set in the 'hills' near Austin. They are the 'only winery with a view'. There were 3 tour buses that picked us up at the convention center and drove us out to the winery. While on our trip, they served Texas wine. Texas is fairly new in the wine industry so, the wine was lacking a bit. I am excited to see how their industry grows and perfects their wine making practices.

We did have delightful wine upon arrival. They served their Chardonnay and Syrah. I thought the Syrah went perfect with the meal. Then one of their State Representatives spoke about winery funding in the state. Lots of applause and whistling.

They say everything is bigger in Texas. I'd say the sunset proved that. This picture does not even described the light and span of color. It was absolutely breathtaking.

Buffalora

I left Milan on Monday and headed to Trecate, where our office is located. The company decided it would be smarter for me to stay closer to the office and I stayed in the quaint town of Buffalora. This town is filled with little streets paved with bricks, small alleys, a town square and a canal, designed by Leonardo da Vinci runs under the bridges. One of my colleagues was very informative and always gave me the history of where we went. She told me that the Navigli was created to transport materials to Milan for the Duomo. Fascinating!!

My accomadations were amazing as well. I stayed in Suite Manzonni in adorable room; it was like a home away from home. I must say, this has been one of my favorite places to stay. There is a fantastic bakery right around the corner where I ate some of the most amazing foccocia and pasteries...thank goodness they aren't near my home!! I would recommend staying here to anyone travelling in Italy. However, make sure you have transportation because there isn't much around.

Veraison

Veraison: A stage in the ripening process of grapes whereby the grape begins to soften and starts to accumulate colour, flavour and tannin.


It has been a cool summer, harvest will be later this year and the grapes are just starting to turn. This is an exciting time for those in the wine business. It means that soon, work hours will be longer, sleep will be less and production will be increased. The birth of wine is labor intensive and requires dedication from all involved. Although my job only requires me to supply the wine makers with their needs for creating wine, I am excited to learn everything that happens to create a bottle of wine!


I can liken this season to my life right now. It has been a slow process for me this year to "ripen" into my next level. At times, I get impatient with the process and wish things would speed up and move on. However, when I think of refining myself, I realize that it is best to let the process take it's time. In the end, I will be ready to accept the gifts life has to offer and be ready for them. If there is anything I have learned this year, it is to take my time and let things happen naturally.