Flight O' Fancy

a vino-fueled blog

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The world in my glass... #bayareaartist #bayareaphotographer #winecountry #sonomacounty #sonomacoast #winemaking #vinorosso #pinotnoir #winetasting #wineflight #winerylife #winestagram #winelovers #wineporn #winebar #pinot #sommelier #lineart #inkdrawing #dailyart #doodleart #wineart #artistsofinstagram #wineblog #moscato #cabernetsauvignon #cabernet #merlot #gewurztraminer #viognier #drycreekvalley #foodpairing #gourmand #winery #vineyard #winerylife #winestyle

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Serious question for my wine professionals out there in the instagramosphere--tips/advice on getting more hands-on experience with international varietals, wines, and winemaking styles? Working in Dry Creek Valley is an absolute blessing, but I wish to start expanding my enological horizons. 🥂 #bayareaartist #bayareaphotographer #winecountry #sonomacounty #sonomacoast #winemaking #vinorosso #pinotnoir #winetasting #wineflight #winerylife #winestagram #winelovers #wineporn #winebar #pinot #sommelier #lineart #inkdrawing #dailyart #doodleart #wineart #artistsofinstagram #wineblog #moscato #cabernetsauvignon #cabernet #merlot #gewurztraminer #viognier #drycreekvalley #foodpairing #gourmand #winery #vineyard #winerylife #winestyle #cheninblanc

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Belated thanks to the remarkable staff of @cdonwine for encouraging us to get out of our comfort zones and challenge ourselves with a blind tasting the other night! It was inspiring to learn from those in attendance (and, of course, grand to taste such a variety of vino)! Grazie per una notte meravigliosa 🥂✨ #bayareaartist #bayareaphotographer #winecountry #sonomacounty #sonomacoast #winemaking #vinorosso #pinotnoir #winetasting #wineflight #winerylife #winestagram #winelovers #wineporn #winebar #pinot #sommelier #lineart #inkdrawing #dailyart #doodleart #wineart #artistsofinstagram #wineblog #moscato #cabernetsauvignon #cabernet #merlot #gewurztraminer #viognier #drycreekvalley #foodpairing #gourmand #winery #vineyard #winerylife #winestyle #blindtasting (at C. Donatiello Winery)

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My view at the office--not a bad way to start the day: a winery, vineyard, and estate house walk through in preparation for tomorrow's party! 🍷🌞 #bayareaartist #bayareaphotographer #winecountry #sonomacounty #sonomacoast #winemaking #vinorosso #pinotnoir #winetasting #wineflight #winerylife #winestagram #winelovers #wineporn #winebar #pinot #sommelier #lineart #inkdrawing #dailyart #doodleart #wineart #artistsofinstagram #wineblog #moscato #cabernetsauvignon #cabernet #merlot #gewurztraminer #viognier #drycreekvalley #foodpairing #gourmand #winery #vineyard #winerylife #winestyle (at Gustafson Family Vineyards)

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Each and every day I get more excited about where life is taking me. Through a wine tunnel? Let's go! 🥂🍷🙌 #bayareaartist #bayareaphotographer #winecountry #sonomacounty #sonomacoast #winemaking #vinorosso #pinotnoir #winetasting #wineflight #winerylife #winestagram #winelovers #wineporn #winebar #pinot #sommelier #lineart #inkdrawing #dailyart #doodleart #wineart #artistsofinstagram #wineblog #moscato #cabernetsauvignon #cabernet #merlot #gewurztraminer #viognier #drycreekvalley #foodpairing #gourmand #winery #vineyard #winerylife #winestyle (at Sonoma Mountain)

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Whew!

Hey there vino lovers, I've FINALLY got my insta to talk to my Tumblr, so you can expect picture posts at least a wee bit more frequently now! :) I don't know who I'm apologizing to for not posting as much as I'd like, seeing as very few people see these posts at the moment anyway, but it's my resolve to keep up this wine blog thing a bit better.

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Today was packing day at the winery in anticipation of our spring wine club shipment--I'll be counting cases of wine in my sleep tonight!🍾🍇🍷😅

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Looking for a paramount brunch experience in Sonoma County? Your search is OVER. Seriously, fellow foodies, if you haven't enjoyed @wishbonepetaluma yet, you are missing an unparalleled dining experience. Fresh, locally-sourced ingredients make these inimitable dishes as much a gift for your palate as for the environment and the farm-to-table community. As a not-so-much breakfast person, their take on Eggs Benedict--quite the vision topped in a Meyer's Lemon hollandaise sauce of which, yes, I asked for a third helping--is the one breakfast dish that I will never, ever tire of. Be sure to enjoy the soup-bowl espresso drinks as well! The most telling part, I think, is that no matter how many times I come, the dining experience is never diminished. Thank you, Allie and everyone at Wishbone, for a brunch for the memory books this morning! 🍽☕️🍋 (at Wishbone)

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After a long day in the city surrounded by art and listening to wine podcasts, I needed to--you guessed it--go out for some art and wine! We had a grand time tasting our way through Italy with a #Friulano, Turkey with an #Emir from Cappadocia, NewZealand with a #Riesling, Austria with a #Zweigelt, France with a #Bordeaux blend (of #cabernetsauvignon and #merlot) Argentina with a Mendoza #Malbec. Hands down, the Bordeaux blend from Château Lafon Listrac-Médoc won my heart (tastebuds?), with the Emir and Malbec following up a close second and third. 🍷✨ (at La Dolce Vita Wine Lounge)

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I desperately need to explore more international wines, and @bergamotalley in #Healdsburg is a fun starting point--just across the street from work no less! The bartenders are knowledgeable and approachable, taking the time to tell me the story of the #verdicchio and #gamay in my glass with enthusiasm. I shall definitely be working on my wine knowledge here more often! 🍷😎👌

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Last night I learned that grilled shrimp with blue cheese and #champagne pair spectacularly together! Our winery owner invited the team (all four of us) over to the estate for a home cooked dinner--steak, roasted vegetables, tabuli, salad, fresh bread, and homemade olive oil with free-flowing #Barbera and #Zinfandel...but the best gift of all was the conversation, the sense of family, and the bountiful gratitude from and for every person at that table. I feel so lucky to be learning from the best. 🍇🍷💕

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Days off are reserved for...more research! Had a marvelous and educational time yesterday trying some #bubbly at @breathlesswines, some #Vermentino and #Barbera at @portalupiwine, and some #PinotNoir and #Chardonnay at @cdonwine before checking out the view (and some #Zinfandel) at @castwines in Dry Creek Valley. It was such a gift to gather knowledge at each tasting room and meet some super rad people in the industry. Salute! 🍷💫 (at Cast Wines)

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I'm getting into this wonderful/dangerous habit of finding the nearest wine bar while I wait for my bus home. Tonight's #vino excursion featured two #Malbec Rosés and a Malbec and #PinotNoir #Rosé from Uco Valley and Luján de Cuyo in #Argentina. Crisp, floral, and fruity high-elevation wines. Such a treat--and I even caught my bus with two minutes to spare! (at The Barrel Room)

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Last night my team and I had the pleasure of attending a seven course food and wine pairing (yes, I'm counting each round of different desserts that came out as different courses 😉) hosted by the utterly charming and totally kick-ass ladies of @sapphirehill_winery! No better way to unwind than with food, friends, cork pong (a bit more difficult than it sounds), and a diverse array of vino. If you're looking for a fun (and food-filled) getaway in Healdsburg, I'd highly recommend Sapphire Hill's excellent pairing experience. 🍷🍽 (Pictured--a most flavorful mushroom bisque and grilled cheese and a jaw-dropping sea-salt caramel-drizzled/drenched chocolate tarlet/brownie. Not pictured--a tangy and refreshing pear/dried cherry/candied walnut/blue cheese salad; creamy orecchiette with spiced Italian sausage, pecorino(!), and peas; an aromatic vegetarian lasagna with delicately thin noodles and savory cheeses; two different sorbets--one made of Cabernet, blackberries, and sage and the other of their Samocha wine, lemon, cayenne, mint, and strawberries.) I would try recreating it, but no one does it like they do! 🙌✨ (at Sapphire Hill Winery)

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Finishing the Member's Club newsletter and sending all 350+ off deserves some bubbly! We were given this sparkling Brut Rosé from Windsor by the lovely wine lovers over at Flight Deck on the Healdsburg square. Peachy color, fresh berries and hints of citrus on the nose, ripe strawberries and citrus on the palate. Delicious and thirst-quenching--not a bad way to end the work day!

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Two-hour study session with our winemaker, learning about how we make our Rosé of Syrah! (We have a 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon in the glasses though :P)

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Currently working on my (as of yet nonexistent) tasting skills at the Ferry Plaza Wine Bar. Tonight is a meet and greet with winemaker Ross Cobb of Cobb Wines on the Sonoma Coast! Fantastic conversation and incredibly helpful tips on tasting. Hope to take a tour of his vineyards someday!