Soquel Vineyards: Good as Gold
The prestigious San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition has showered the winemakers of Soquel Vineyards — Jon Morgan, Peter & Paul Bargetto, with gold (and not the kind advertised on those TV infomercials either). Three opulent Pinot Noirs, a Sangiovese and a...
l’affair Gabriella
News of Gabriella's impending demise—promulgated by the owner himself—seems to have been premature. The love of a good tax attorney might be just the ticket. We'll see. But whatever the actual status of the tiny downtown dining room, a packed house last Friday...
Denzel’s Avatar
The words on this promo poster say it all! Proving that there are plenty of bad film ideas to go around, Denzel Washington hacks his way through post-apocalyptic America armed only with a machete, four or five semi-automatic weapons and a big, sacred book that is...
Cameron’s Ego, or Earth Audiences Are Easy
Billions, schmillions—Avatar is sheer self-indulgence touted as cutting-edge sci-tech. But that's not my big issue with this bloat of folkloric cheesiness wrapped in day-glo and eco-blather. And I don't care how many billions are being shelled out for this film. My...
Vine Hill Chardonnay
The beautiful 2008 chardonnay made by Sal Godinez for Vine Hill is a surprisingly tangy, tart pour that avoids the cloying oak and butterscotch of so many California chardonnays. Laced with minerals, the new Vine Hill release clocks in at a solid 14.4% alc, begins...
Inside the Flame
A book of sensory adventure: The rituals, passions and discoveries of an engaged life.