• In My Backyard
  • Five Takeaways from the Wine Media Conference

    I just returned from a weekend at the always entertaining, yet still educational, Wine Media Conference.  This conference was put on the backburner in 2020 because of Covid restrictions.  This year, we saw a smaller conference, but it wasn’t scaled down in terms of quality content. I *loved* the slower pace of this conference.  After […]

  • In My Backyard
  • Invading the Southern Willamette Valley: Wine Media Conference 2021

    *Disclaimer* In exchange for a discounted registration fee, I agreed to write a set number of posts in regards to WMC content. Hear ye, hear ye!  Wine Media “Summer Camp” is back! This year, members of the wine trade and media will take over the Southern Willamette Valley and the city of Eugene, OR.  I […]

  • Columbia River Gorge
  • Dining Al Fresco: A Night at a Classic Steakhouse

    **Disclaimer: I was invited to this dinner as a guest of Husum Riverside Bed and Breakfast. As always, my opinions are my own.** When you think steakhouse, what do you think? I often think of a formal atmosphere with blindingly white tablecloths, perfectly set tables, and a rich, dark interior. Well, take that thinking and […]

  • Clark County
  • Travel Tuesday Destination: Vancouver, WA

    “Where are you from?” “Vancouver, Washington.” “Oh. Canada, huh? What’s it like there?” “I wouldn’t know. I’m from Vancouver, Washington. You know, in the state of Washington?” “Huh?” “*insert heavy sigh here* I live just north of Portland, Oregon.” “Oh, so you’re in Oregon, then?” *facepalm* That is a common conversation that happens in my […]

  • In My Backyard
  • Kudos Wines – An affordable and great introduction to Oregon Wines

    According to Merriam Webster, the word “kudos” means “praise or respect that you get because of something you have done or achieved”. For Laurent Montalieu, this word takes a new meaning. Providing quality wine at affordable prices is always a key way to introduce folks to new wines and regions. With nothing over $35 a […]