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The History of the Martini and California Wines
California is known for blue skies, ocean breezes, and sand between your toes. But California is also known for a few things that might surprise you—for example, the Martini. It originated in a…
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Tuesday Night Socials
What began as a birthday celebration became a weekly ritual, with the chef creating new, fun, and unique dishes for this special group. Tuesday nights were rather slow at the time, so the…
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Blending Red Wine
Bordeaux, Rhone, Italian, and New Age Wine Blends Provisions & Libations covers blending wine and what that means regarding Bordeaux, Rhone, New Age Blends, and Italian Wines. Not all blended wines are equal,…
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Easter Brunch and Dyed Eggs
What is the true meaning of Easter, and why do we celebrate? Easter is the remembrance and honor of the day Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Easter traditions include sunrise services, late-night…
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A nod to a not-so-dry January with a visit to Rusack Vineyards.
Dry January Episode #41, Provisions & Libations, airs on January 10th, 2024. A choice not to participate in Dry January turned into an amazing adventure of wine tails. This episode recounts the remarkable…
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Wine Witch on Fire
A memoir written by Natalie MacLean. Wine Witch on Fire: Rising from the Ashes of Divorce, Defamation, and Drinking Too Much recently became a national bestseller. Natalie also characterizes herself as the ‘Chief…
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Grape Harvest 2023
Grape Harvest 2023 has been dubbed the year of the farmer and the year of the winemaker, according to Chuck Carlson of Carlson Wines in the Santa Maria Valley. I had the unique…
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Hwy 1 Scenic Drive
A scenic drive up Hwy 1 in San Luis Obispo County to Monterey County is a must-do this fall season. We may not see the colors change like the East Coast, but we…
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Sisterhood of the traveling birthdays
Friends since the mid-1980s. All three of us attended different (rivaling) high schools. Victoria attended Santa Maria High School as a Saint wearing red. Esther attended St. Joseph High School as a Knight…
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