What is it like to go wine tasting in the Napa Valley? I made my first winery visit since March 1 to Charles Krug, the valley’s oldest family-owned and operated winery in St. Helena. *CLICK HERE TO READ*
Author: Elizabeth
Elizabeth Smith is a native of Asheville, North Carolina, and resides in Napa, California. Her professional experience includes higher education, relationship and membership management, direct-to-consumer sales, writing, editing, social media marketing, travel management, and notary services.
Elizabeth holds a doctoral degree in community college and foreign language education from George Mason University, master’s and bachelor’s degrees in French from The University of Tennessee – Knoxville and Western Carolina University, and Wine & Spirit Education Trust’s Level 3 Advanced wine certification.
Elizabeth is the Professional Wine Tutor for the Master’s Degree in Wine Management; Bachelor’s Degree Concentration in Advanced Wine, Beverage, and Hospitality; and Associate Degree Programs at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone.
Elizabeth is a contributing writer to the Napa Valley Register with a focus on restaurant profiles, healthy dining choices, food and wine pairing, and food tourism. She is also a newsletter copywriter for MonthlyClubs.com. She has written articles for American Winery Guide, Wine Industry Network (WIN) Advisor, The Somm Journal online edition, and Snooth.
Elizabeth won the 2017 Born Digital Wine Award for Best Tourism Content with a Focus on Wine for her piece entitled, “Lodi: Beyond the Zinfandel.” As a previous winner, she served as a judge for the 2018 Born Digital Wine Awards. In 2019, she participated in Born Digital’s inaugural Born Digital Wine Awards Summit – The “Unconference” on the future of the wine industry – in Liège, Belgium, with Born Digital Wine Awards judges and winners.
Elizabeth’s passions include food, wine, travel, and fitness. She is always on the move to new destinations and loves discovering inspirational stories and places to share.
Bar Lucia now open in Napa at the Oxbow Public Market
In late February, Kara Haspel Lind, founder of Kara’s Cupcakes, was poised to launch her new wine bar and restaurant, Bar Lucia, when COVID-19 halted her plans. *CLICK HERE TO READ*
Mourvèdre and its fans
A couple of months ago on Facebook, a fellow wine writer known as Sierra Wine Guy posted, “Why does Mourvèdre get treated like a third wheel? Nobody puts Mourvèdre in the corner.” *CLICK HERE TO READ*
100 Days
June 20, 2020 is day 100 of sheltering in place in my single-person household and without full-time unemployment. I had a job that I passionately loved, which began Monday, January 13 and ended Friday, March 13. For those two months, I felt like I had finally discovered my sweet spot, a place where my experience […]
La Cheve: A little piece of Mexico in Napa’s Old Adobe
Cinthya Cisneros describes La Cheve Bakery and Brews as “a little piece of Mexico that marries our passion for beer, food and baked goods.” *CLICK HERE TO READ*
Chefs at Home: Archetype’s Cauliflower Steak
In 2018, owners Ann Ernish-Backen and Howard Backen rebranded Archetype to reflect their “values for family, community, and health” with a menu Ernish-Backen describes as “celebrating and showcasing a plant-forward lifestyle, wild seafood, and pasture-raised meats.” *CLICK HERE TO READ*
Should Your Winery Engage a PR Agency to Amplify Its Message?
During these unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic, winery doors were abruptly shut to the public. There has been a scramble to revisit – or reinvent – one’s approach to public relations, marketing, and communications, in order to stand out among the crowd of wineries clamoring for sales, especially direct-to-consumer. Partnering with a public relations […]
Take a SIP
“Most impactful was that regardless of circumstances, human connection matters most. Madrigal’s wines are the threads that unite people, whether it be during a pandemic, a celebration, or everyday life. Chris Madrigal and his family personify ‘Nuestra Sangre,’ the bond that holds everyone together, especially in this unprecedented time of challenge.” *CLICK HERE TO READ*
Chefs at Home: The authentic Mexican dishes of Mercadito
Chef and co-owner Valentín (Nes) Atayde of Mercadito Food Truck hails from Mexico City, but moved to the U.S. in 2006. The business recently celebrated its fourth anniversary in Napa on April 16. He and his partner decided a food truck was an ideal “stepping-stone” due to the high cost of restaurant rental space. *CLICK […]
Local exercise options offered online
While not deemed essential, and because social distance cannot be guaranteed, the physical locations of gyms and fitness centers are currently closed. However, remaining active is key to maintaining one’s physical, mental, and emotional health, especially in face of this pandemic. Therefore, a number of Napa Valley’s wellness businesses are offering at-home complimentary and paid […]
