Author: SAHMmelier

Being a stay- at-home mom can leave one thirsting for a taste of the outside world, a world in which sentences are composed of more than three words. Being an educator means one is always seeking an opportunity to explore and learn. Being a woman with a need to connect can be a challenge when adult conversations are rare. In wine, I find the marriage of art and science, agriculture and storytelling provides limitless areas to explore. But it is the people that keep me engaged. The tenacity needed to keep the family dream alive, the risk to start anew, the trials and principles. I love the history of the vine, the impact of a season, the sentiment in the bottle. That is why I write. I write to tell their stories, to share a piece of mine. I write to learn as I teach others. I write to connect with new friends, to disconnect from the world. I write to celebrate what makes each of us unique, and that which ties us together.

Aquilini Wines and Man’s Best Friend

July 16, 2021.Reading time 4 minutes.

The Red Mountain AVA in Yakima Valley, Washington is typically known for its cabernet sauvignon and other Bordeaux varieties. Where you find world class cabernet sauvignon, you’re likely to find equally refined sauvignon blanc. I recently sat in on a virtual tasting with Robert Larsen and Rusty Eddy of Wine and Spirits Spoken Here to learn […]

A Return to Sonoma, Virtually-Part 1

April 28, 2020.Reading time 3 minutes.

There are always gifts in trials. And this is one with unprecedented trials, and unexpected gifts. I miss my students, but am grateful for the extra time with my own children. I miss baseball, and drinks with friends, and browsing stores, but am grateful for the slower pace and virtual reunions. Teaching virtually means a […]

Mending-Thoughts on Easter

April 12, 2020.Reading time 7 minutes.

The birds are returning in the backyard. In the last week, my Rising Sun Redbud has gone from purple blossoms, to apricot hearts, the color now in various shades of chartreuse. Nature is not missing a beat in this radical shift. In fact, there are many stories indicating a healing is taking place. Sitting on […]

Vina Vita- Kuhlman Cellars

February 22, 2020.Reading time 5 minutes.

I’ve sat down to write many times over the last five months, unsure of where to begin. The changes around here have led to unexpected understandings. Those understandings, new peace. That peace, challenged by change. I’ve missed my time here. I’ve missed the time to delve into wine discoveries, mid-week jaunts to the Hill Country, […]

Differentiation-Paso Robles Wines

September 7, 2019.Reading time 10 minutes.

{Photo Courtesy of Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. These wines were shipped as media samples. I received no other compensation.} The beginning of the new school year is a time of gathering. Gathering information, identifying needs, discovering gifts. With a vast array of personalities, interests, backgrounds, and strengths, I have to find a way to […]

Ch-ch-ch-changes…

August 9, 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

So, after eleven years as a stay-at-home mom, and fourteen years away from my own classroom, I am going back to teach Kindergarten. And I start Monday. And I interviewed yesterday. So to say this has been a whirlwind decision is an understatement. I wasn’t actively looking for full-time work. I was perusing occasionally, and […]

My Summer “Go-To” Monday Wine-Sauvignon Blanc

July 29, 2019.Reading time 4 minutes.

I love a good crisp wine all the time, but especially when the temperatures soar. In a wine store with a wide variety, I’ll pick up something from the Loire Valley, Saumur or Muscadet, perhaps. I love a good Picpoul Blanc. But for grocery store grabs, and any occasion actually, I go for Sauvignon Blanc. […]

Celebrating My Portugality- #EsporãoDay

July 9, 2019.Reading time 11 minutes.

{I attended this event as media but no other compensation was provided. Thoughts are my own.} In honor of the inaugural Esporão Day, the winery and Evan Goldstein, MS invited me an other writers from the area to “celebrate our Portugality.” Without this country’s agricultural and epicurean contributions, our tables would look very different. Without […]

Recent Fun, Food, and Libations in Austin-Texas Tuesday

June 25, 2019.Reading time 6 minutes.

As media, I get invited to some pretty fantastic events around Austin. I don’t receive compensation other than the yummy food and drink. Here are a few I recently attended: Last Thursday, The Wine and Food Foundation held Toast of Texas, an event honoring the wines featured in Jessica Dupuy’s list of the best wines […]