Planning an Easy Escape to Healdsburg: Where to Stay

I think that in another life, I surely lived in a beautiful country home, alongside yards and yards of delicious grapes. I've become quite the wine gal and have been so lucky to experience many beautiful tasting rooms, wineries and such in wine country. I recently spent a weekend Healdsburg with a group of friends and it was such a treat to escape the fog and take an easy jaunt across the bridge. I always tell my SF folks that wine country is closer than you realize, but leaves you feeling like you're more than just a handful of miles away. Because there was a group of us, we all stayed at Two Thirty-Five Luxury Suites, which is in the heart of downtown Healdsburg. Friends, I cannot tell you enough what a gem of a place this was. Not only were we walking distance from everything (restaurants, tasting rooms, shopping, etc.), but we also each had our own private space to call our own. Intrigued? Read more after the jump.

Food Friday: A Visit to Sonoma's Three Sticks Wines

Three Sticks Wines 143 West Spain Street Sonoma, CA 

As you know, wine country is one of my favorite places to visit. It's a short drive from the city - just an hour north and you feel as though you've really escaped into a calming retreat. This February, I had a chance to head back up just after my birthday for a wonderful treat - I had the pleasure of visiting Sonoma's Three Sticks Wines for the first time. It was a beautiful day in wine country, with the mustard flowers in full bloom and the sun shining from up above. Arriving on the Three Sticks Wine property only added to the day. I visited, alongside some other wine-lovers to experience Three Stick's food and wine pairing, in partnership with the girl & the fig. The wines, especially the roseé, really stole the show. Typically, I never really leave tastings ready to instantly buy a bottle, because I'm so indecisive. However, after my tasting with Three Sticks, I immediately pulled out my credit card to take home a bottle of their Casteñada rosé. Sadly, it won't be released until later this spring (only $40!!), so my loss is your gain because I didn't wipe them out and you still have a chance to get some for yourself!

After the jump, take a look at the gorgeous Three Sticks Wines property and learn more about its rich history!

1,000 Miles of Pinot with Sonoma's WALT Wines

Walt Wines 380 First Street West Sonoma, CA 95476



You may remember from last month's panacakeLEFTOVERS post, or my Instagram Events highlight that I spent one delightful Friday afternoon at One Market restaurant, sipping pinot with Sonoma's WALT Wines. Yes, happy hour did indeed start very early that day. While I usually reserve my wine time for after my work is done, this tasting was in fact, work. That, plus, I couldn't pass up WALT's 1,000 Miles of Pinot experience. For those who are unfamiliar with Walt, the winery was founded in 2010 by Vinters Kathryn Walt Hall and Craig Hall. If you're thinking to yourself that those names sound familiar, then you're probably thinking about HALL Wines. Yes, WALT is part of the HALL Wines family. WALT currently has 12 pinot noirs, 3 chardonnays, and 1 rosé of pinot noir in its portfolio. the 1,000 Miles of Pinot comes from the fact that WALT's portfolio spans 1,000 miles across the Pacific Coast. Vineyards include the Sonoma Coast, Anderson Valley, Los Carneros, Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Lucia Highlands and Willamette Valley appellations. For this very special experience, WALT brought their pinots to us. We were lucky enough to experience their Root 101 tasting, which typically only takes place at the WALT winery, at One Market restaurant. Each pinot was deliciously paired alongside a dish prepared by Chef Mark Dommen, curated by Wine Director and Sommelier, Tonya Pitts. We sat, drank, and ate alongside the WALT team, including Winemaker, Megan Paredes and GM, Jeff Zappelli, making the experience a truly special one.

Food Friday: Santa Clara's New Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar 2762 Augustine Dr, Santa Clara, CA‎



Late last month, I had the pleasure of attending a restaurant opening for Santa Clara's latest hotspot - Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar. I've been to many a steakhouse in my day, and I know that you have been, too. So, what makes Fleming's stand out in a sea of steaks? Well, for one, their wines. Fleming's boasts an impressive 100 wines, specially curated, featuring esteemed vintages and local favorites. The fact that these wines rotate each year makes the quest to taste each even more enticing - can one really drink them all? I don't know, but I am willing to find out. But what's wine without the perfect pairing, right? At Fleming's you can have it all - surf and turf. And, if you know me, you know that I love a good cut of meat, as much as a I love a good selection of seafood. Like most steakhouses, Fleming's also offers a delicious array of sides to accompany your main course - mushroom, potatoes, spicy mac and cheese and greens. Why pick, if you don't have to? So long as you still have room for dessert. And trust me, you'll want dessert. So, now that you've got the overview, let's hear about my night, shall we?

Stacker Style: Ways to Combat the Monday Blues

Ever since I cleared out my closet, I've been finding many oldies, but goodies, like this chambray shirt and matching stripe chevron stripe Soludos. I've been putting so many of my "new" clothes into rotation, that I'm getting lots of questions about my outfits. Sadly, most items are no longer available (these are like years old, guys, ha), but I'm doing my best to share similar items in the widgets at the end of my posts.

I actually wore this frock right before the Fourth, to get into the festive spirit. Ironic to wear a Canadian tuxedo in preparation to celebration the US's independence, but it is what it is, ha. But, because the Fourth is long gone, I decided to do a post on combating the much-hated Monday blues. Scroll below for some fun tips and treats!

Corner 103: A Sonoma Wine Tasting Experience

At this point, I've been wine tasting more times than I can remember. And I'm not complaining - I love it. My palate has developed and my taste for wine has grown. I've done tastings with cheese, tastings with chocolate, tasting with food pairings and more. I've almost done it all. Up to this point, I've figured out what I like and what I don't like, but not why. That is, until my wine tasting experience with Llyod Davis of Sonoma's Corner 103.

PSA: Sweet Ideas for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and I don't know about you, but I'm super into a day dedicated to love. Always have been and always will be. I know, you're probably thinking, "Well, sure - it's easy to be into Valentine's Day when you're in a relationship!" Okay, fair. But, there were many years when I was a solo Stacker, and even then, I still loved Valentine's Day. I'd buy myself flowers, chocolates and watch romcoms in my pjs, whilst drinking wine, or I'd have a girls day with my gal pals. When I was single, I'd toast to myself for being an independent woman doing the damn thing. And honestly, not much has changed. I'm still an independent woman doing the damn thing, celebrating the day of love, just this time with someone who holds a great piece of my heart. Our plans for this year are still up in the air, but I've got some wine + chocos stashed away just in case we decide to do date night in.

For those of you who are also still in planning limbo, read on for two ways to make the day even sweeter.

Viansa Sonoma Photo Diary

Should I go ahead and start a new series on the blog called "Wine Wednesdays" and get it over with? Ha. With all the wine country trips I've made this year, I might as well, right? But seriously. Here we go with another one! In this previous post, you saw what I wore, so why not backtrack a bit and talk about there "where" part, shall we? A few weeks back, we were invited to get whisked away to an afternoon at Viansa Sonoma. For those who haven't been, Viansa is just at the entrance of Sonoma country. It's about a 30-45 minute drive from the city and one of the first wineries you'll see on your way into wine country. The property originates back to 1904, when the Sebasitiani family first purchased the land, but winery itself was founded in 1989. In 2014-15, the estate was redone - the vineyards replanted and wetlands that the property looks over, restored. Needless to say, it was a treat to spend the day at the beautiful property. These photos do it zero justice, but hope you'll humor me and scroll through anyways.

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Photo Diary

That time we stuffed ourselves silly & drank lots of wine. Sonoma Wine Weekend is a marathon of eats and drinks with over 200 wine vendors, there's no way to make it to everyone. Best tips? If you can, make a day of it - get there early to take advantage before it fills up. Get a group together and go in on a bus to Sonoma if you're coming from out of town (200 wineries means lots and lots of drinking! Be safe. Don't drink and drive, duh!). And finally, do some research before you arrive. You won't make it to every single booth - pick your favorite restaurants and wineries and hit those up first!

Thirsty Tuesday (Is that a Thing?): Souvla's New Private Label Wine

I know what you're thinking. Another post on wine?? Okay, so it's been a big wine year for this little lady, but you know what? Girl's gotta grow up some time. In all seriousness, you guys already know that I'm a big fan of Souvla. So, when we were invited to celebrate Souvla's new private label Greek wines, we were there in a flash.

Food Friday: Durant and Booth

Durant and Booth 7856 St. Helena Highway, Durant House, Oakville, CA 94562

I've been fortunate enough to make several trips to wine country this year. But, in complete honesty, I've never been much of a wine-o. That is - until this year. I'm far, far, far from being a wine connoisseur, despite how many wine tastings I've been to. Though, I'd like to think the more tastings I take part in, the closer I get to figuring out what I like in a fine wine. My last wine tasting this summer season was at Durant and Booth, a new wine house located in Oakville in Napa Valley. Ever since my visit at the end of July, I have been dreaming about my next visit. After the jump, you'll see why.

Food Friday: Nico

Nico 3228 Sacramento Street

San Francisco is envied for more reasons than one. Despite its occasional Karl the Fog days and higher than average rental market rates, everyone wants a little piece of the city by the bay. One of my favorite reasons for living in this city is being able to experience all of the magical restaurants that pop up around town. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to dine at Pacific Height's Michelin-rated, Nico. Nico quietly sits on Sacramento Street and you can easily walk by it's simple exterior not knowing about the hidden gem you're about to pass by. But, if you're in the know (and you usually are if you're a true San Franciscan foodie), you know that Nico is a place you don't want to pass up.