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.

Tour de Fabuleux

August 27, 2012.Reading time 4 minutes.

In a town where foodies and festivals abound, there are several occasions to wander from sample to sample. I have attended and enjoyed several, but none as much as The Tour de Vin this past Friday at the W Hotel. The Wine and Food Foundation has created an elegant, festive event which features Austin’s best […]

Celebrating in Style

August 22, 2012.Reading time 2 minutes.

Although we returned home last week, I have been quiet on here, trying to get my life in order (what’s that?) after vacation. I will, however, have much to say after this weekend. This past Sunday marked one year from my first post , on SAHMmelier. It just so happens that this Friday is the 10th annual […]

On the Road Again…

August 6, 2012.Reading time 6 minutes.

…just about to get on the road again. Sorry for the lack of writing as of late. I am currently in Colorado on our first family camping trip. Having a great time thus far, and wanted to throw out a few highlights at the mid-way point. On the way north and were able to stop […]

I Heart NY-Finger Lakes Rieslings

July 24, 2012.Reading time 4 minutes.

On Wednesday, I had the privilege of participating in a Virtual Tasting of Rieslings from New York’s Finger Lakes region. In an earlier post, I wrote about a visit to Lamoreaux Landing in January. I was really happy about what I had tasted, so when this opportunity arose, I jumped at the chance to get more of […]

An Elegant Surprise- Gary Farrell Sauvignon Blanc

July 15, 2012.Reading time 4 minutes.

I have to admit. I was very excited when I received this 2010 Gary Farrell Sauvignon Blanc from Redwood Ranch in Sonoma County($25)*. I have heard great things about their wine, in general, and I am a sucker for a good Sauvignon Blanc. I have been looking forward to opening it and this is the first weekend […]

Crowd Pleasers-Happy 4th!

July 3, 2012.Reading time 3 minutes.

If you are hosting an Independence Day get-together, you have probably already planned menus and hit the store. I just returned and it was a mad-house so I am pretty sure I am late on this post, but I wanted to throw out some ideas for cocktails and wines that can please most palates. When […]

Living the Hye Life

June 28, 2012.Reading time 7 minutes.

There are some moments you want to bottle. You pause in appreciation and drink them in with all of your senses to give them a firm hold in your memory. There were a few moments like that on Saturday at William Chris Vineyard. I was honored to be invited (as “press”-woohoo!) to the Watermelon Thump […]

Cheers to “Fewer Tensions”

June 20, 2012.Reading time 4 minutes.

Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance. ~Benjamin Franklin Things have been a crazy here lately, so posts have taken a back seat. They are always a little crazy… okay… a lot crazy, but this month has been a rough one. I spent May with sick children, house guests, […]

The Night Began with Dom (Paggi House)

June 12, 2012.Reading time 3 minutes.

Any night that begins with a bottle of Dom Pérignon is bound to finish well, right? Actually, it could begin and end with the one bottle and be more than fabulous in my book. Add in some great company and a meal at the Paggi House and this girl is blissful. We occasionally have dinner with my […]