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.

Hye-lights from the Weekend

October 29, 2014.Reading time 5 minutes.

I probably don’t have to tell you that doing a cleanse is NOT conducive to wine writing. Three weeks without wine means that I was not the only thing drying out. My apologies for being quiet as of late. Just when I was ready to open some wine and dine on grains, I was delayed […]

My Achilles’ Heel-William Chris Enchanté

October 6, 2014.Reading time 4 minutes.

There have been a few moments in life that I have surprised myself with my own strength. Hiking the Na Pali coast, natural childbirth (x2), and the Dr. Junger Clean Gut diet that I have been doing for the past 14 days. No coffee, alcohol, grains, sugar, fruit, or fun. I resisted pizza (x2), cut an […]

A Family Affair #rsv25

September 27, 2014.Reading time 6 minutes.

It was evident how much planning went into the Rodney Strong Silver Anniversary long before it even began. We were given “teasers” at the dinner in Solvang. As the preparations were made, the details were made public on Social Media. A month before, I was asked to “live report” from the event. Two weeks before, social media […]

Around the World in 80 wines-Tour de Vin

September 20, 2014.Reading time 4 minutes.

The sky was not all that was pouring in Austin on Thursday night. The 12th annual Tour de Vin sponsored by The Wine and Food Foundation of Texas at The W Hotel in Austin. Guests enjoyed dozens of wines and food from some of Austin’s finest restaurants. Navigating this much yum in one evening can be challenging. It […]

4 Cities, 5 Chefs, and 6 Wines #rsv25

September 15, 2014.Reading time 2 minutes.

On Saturday September 20th, I’ll be dusting off my cocktail attire for a one of a kind evening at Uchi. As part of the James Beard Foundation’s Celebrity Chef Tour, Rodney Strong Vineyards will be hosting a four city, five course dinner to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Klein family ownership. Chefs in Austin, Miami, […]

Grief and Gratitude (Originally posted 9/11/12)

September 11, 2014.Reading time 1 minute.

The remembering is so hard, the loss of so many, and for me one in particular who is still so dear. A few years before 9/11 I lost two friends in a car accident. Jason walked with me through the mourning process and beyond. When there was something either of us were facing, we talked […]

Something to Celebrate-Odd Duck

September 10, 2014.Reading time 5 minutes.

It isn’t often that a restaurant experience hits every note. That may not be fair to say. We don’t go out often, so there aren’t many opportunities to impress. But to ease the pain of another calendar year, we decided to hit a restaurant I’ve long been eyeing. The Odd Duck began as a food […]

Touring in Style

September 4, 2014.Reading time 1 minute.

Two weeks from tonight, I will be touring the world with about 500 other food and wine lovers in Austin at the 12th annual Tour de Vin. The event, held at the W hotel features domestic and international wines paired with bites from of Austin’s best chefs. The Wine and Food Foundation knows how to throw […]

A Real Gem from #WBC14 for #Cabernetday

August 29, 2014.Reading time 4 minutes.

Yesterday was #Cabernetday in the wine writer’s world. And as a way to support those impacted by last week’s earthquake, we were encouraged to open and highlight some of the world’s best Cabernets, those made in Napa County. I’ve admitted before my frugality in all areas. I have no problem splurging here and there but I […]