Along the Wine Road in Spring

I have a profound affection for California, but spring always makes me think of my childhood in Siberia, and my almost hopeless dreams of warm weather after the dead of long winter.  With the awakening of nature, my first perception was always a sense of complete bliss, a sweet ache at the sight of new life around me.

On these days, when I am driving Healdsburg side roads, I am in that familiar mood, but marked by a craving for luxury of vivid California colors of blue, green, yellow, rose and orange.

All life is Spring!

Barrel Tasting: Young Wine to Sip and a View to Enjoy

First day of March dripped rain, and the world of Sonoma County became pale, wet and beholden.

With a simple pleasure that never grows old, my husband and I joined the group of our dear friends for the barrel tasting tour. This was the 36th year of a sneak-peek wine tasting event that covered 100-plus wineries in the Dry Creek, Alexander and Russian River valleys.

After breathing the fresh air and tasting young wines and hearing the stories of winemakers, I felt like I'd lived life a little more happier than if I'd stayed at home. I still remember this wonderful feeling of sipping wine in the wine cellar at Rodney Strong, wandering beautiful and sleepy lands of Truett-Hurst, looking at the wet fields from the balcony of Chateau Diana, listening to the happy chatter of the crowds at Sbragia, and tasting wine and tri-tip sandwich at Wilson.       

Weekly Lunch at Pacific Catch in Corte Madera

I'm just kind of saying "yes" to everything I see on the menu at the Pacific Catch restaurant in Corte Madera, when I stop there for a quick lunch on my way to San Francisco. It's almost the end of the local crab season, and I think now is the time to show that loving, crab-devoted side of myself :)

My absolute favorites for lunch are Dungeness Crab & Corn Chowder with peppers, potato, bacon, cilantro pesto and Glazed Crab & Shrimp Dumplings paired with fantastic fresh coffee.    

Sbragia Family Vineyards: "Crab on its Back" Dinner

The beautiful view from my window in the late January morning light was what convinced me to do something special and celebrate winter on the edge of spring. The Sbragia Annual Crab Dinner event seemed like a perfect idea. So on February 1st, under the young stars and all the miracles of the night, my husband and I drove to the Sbragia Family Vineyards to find the Crab Feast in full swing. 

Smiling at the sight of the most delicious looking crab, mussels, shrimp, artichokes, corn and bread, loaded on the tables in a simple and direct manner,  I couldn't help but remember the painting by Vincent Van Gogh: "Crab on its back" :)  

Magic of San Francisco Streets

At once arresting and fanciful this series of my photographs is not only a reflection of my day in San Francisco Downtown and my walk along Post, Grant and Geary streets, but also a record of the stylish city on the brink of winter.

The enchantment of San Francisco streets is always about the charisma of individual, the song of the rare, beautiful, funny, and unique.  

 

 

Sbragia wines for the Holiday Season

My current mood is for a bit more color and texture in the wardrobe, and a glass of my favorite Sbragia wine.

Since moving to Sonoma County two years ago, I visited many great wineries in the area, but Sbragia Family Vineyards drew me most. It became very personal to me. Every time I am there it holds my imagination in a strong grasp by its excellent wines, its atmosphere of great taste and service, and its heart-stopping view from the patio. Yes, it is a place of tasting wines, but also a place of charm and spirit of California wine country living.  

When I drive along Dry Creek Road to Sbragia I stop for a minute to say hello to this exotic, but sad and out of place big Australian bird. I don't know the story, but I enjoy watching the creature and admire its effortless chic and extravagance.  

 

Provence: I had a dream, which was not all a dream

It was the early afternoon, when my cousin Caroline took me for a walk up the hill. There was the sun, there was a faint scent of lavender upon the air, there was that abandoned village, and there was light breeze, blowing the stories of forgotten life. 

Suddenly impossible silence crept down over the hills. I was at the top and could see the lands about me, warm under the gentle September sun. I could stretched out my arms with a bird gesture of freedom and happiness.

 

 "I had a dream, which was not all a dream" - Lord Byron, Darkness