A wine tasting trip to Monterey County followed by a fine-dining experience did it for me. A dozen and a half years ago, I became fascinated with Wine and Food cultures from all over the world. I have been blessed with opportunities to explore many wine and food cultures, especially living right here in this magically diverse San Francisco Bay Area. It is just a short drive to Napa Valley, and to the equally satisfying Monterey Wine Country in the opposite direction.
What was a hobby over the years turned into a passion, in 2008 I started my wine study through research and travel, tasting and learning one sip at a time. A couple of years later, I earned my Sommelier Certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers.
Wine and Food Living
Wine study is done by appellations (regions), I revisit my wine study time after time, but now I spend as much time on learning about food as I do with wines. As a self-trained chef, wine-food pairings is my neck of the woods; recreating each regional dish to pair with many different wines is a tasteful way to learn. How a dish and a wine marry together so effortlessly is a thing of beauty.
Many dishes featured here came directly from our kitchen, it is just a few steps away from our humble wine cellar. NapaReserva is a collaboration of passions between sommeliers, foodies and wine experts. I dearly hope you’d enjoy exploring NapaReserva as much as I do writing for it. NapaReserva is a Virtual Wine Country where we all come together and celebrate this wonderful way of life, a wine and food living.
Salud!
Thomas Le, CS, ASBC.
-Certified Sommelier -Court of Master Sommeliers
-Accredited Small Business Consultant
Hi Jim,
Thanks for reaching out. That sounds wonderful. I’m currently in the East Coast now visiting a few wineries here. I will give you a call once I’m back in town, towards the end of next week.
Cheers!
Thomas–
Like your style and attitude.
I am a professional wine broker in Los Angeles representing private cellars all over the world. I have many clients in Hong Kong, Singapore and Seoul as well.
I am always looking for new colleagues and friends in wine. I often go to SF for tastings, dinners, friends and other business.
Perhaps we should discuss collaborating in some mutually beneficial way in LA or the Bay area.
Best,
Jim Ruxin
310-617-7372