Truett Hurst Winery: Unique Wine Country Atmosphere

Part of the pleasure of wine tasting, one that lies in a long tradition of the industry, is being able to identify the wine more nuanced aromas from the grape variety or the blend, which define the culture and quality of wine at any given moment, which presence in the wine shapes the way it looks and influences the way we like it. There are so many aromatics happening at the same time and it's hard to separate one smell from the other, but it is fun to try.

Truett Hurst Winery is one of my favorite places to sample wines. There is something undeniably down-to-earth and relaxing about this place, where the time makes it possible to forget about your phone :) and enjoy the wine and wine country ordinary moments.  

Donald and Maureen Green Music Center is a New Wonder of the World

The wealthy and generous sun glittered in bright gold through large windows, lighting upon the interior of The Joan and Sanford I. Weill Hall, upon the Bahia Orchestra Project of young Brazilian musicians; upon the conductor Ricardo Castro; upon the pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet; upon the casually-dressed audience; upon chairs, made of European steamed beech wood; upon the lovely concert program in my hands. And the music began...

The sound was rich, clear, and true. The Orchestra performed Tchaikovasky (Romeo and Juliet Fantasy), Ravel Piano Concerto in G Major, Revueltas - Semsemaya, Villa-Lobos (from Bahianas 4), Arturo Marquez - Danzon 2, and a uniquely Brazilian finale. The finale started with high samba cuica drums, then the strings kicked in, and the musicians began standing up and sitting down by groups. All the parts of the concert were sensational.

The Hall, the Bahia Orchestra, the music, the sound, and the sun were phenomenal.

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.