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 […]
Media and Writing
Recent Posts
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 […]
Chefs at Home: Keeping the community spirit up
Ben and Ali Koenig opened Heritage Eats in Napa’s Bel Aire Plaza in 2015, a restaurant which serves “globally-inspired, fast-fine food.” Little did they know that they would face some daunting hurdles these past five years, such as the 2017 Napa wildfires and the current COVID-19 pandemic.Their commitment in face of great challenges is to […]
Going home — or trying to — during a pandemic
This personal travel story was difficult to write and share, but cathartic as well. I received lots of supportive feedback from around the world. The greatest lesson to come from my experience was this: I thought my COVID-19 furlough/unemployment and isolation in Napa – and being alone – were the worst, until this. The day […]
Harvest Moon Winery: Punk Rock and Cool Zin by Joe Campbell
On a cold autumn evening smack dab in the middle of harvest in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma, California, you will find Randy Pitts crushing grapes and rocking out to old-school, punk rock legends like Pennywise and NOFX. “Music motivates us. It inspires us with the little notes that dance around in our head […]
