Wine Wednesday: Wine To The People

This is my first #WineWednesday post and I'm thrilled to share a fun project that my mom and I were a part of a few weeks ago titled, Wine To The People. Sarah Deragon, photographer (and now dear friend), came to our Napa estate and spent a lovely morning in Carneros photographing us in our element and chatting about life in the wine industry and what it means to our own personal identities. Needless to say, it was a pretty special day. Please enjoy some of her beautiful pictures below!

Read the full Wine To The People feature here.

P.S. Querida Sarah, sending love and gratitude for your sincere kindness, passion in life and for capturing our spirit with your stunning photographs. Abrazos y besos amiga. x

Gold Hill Vineyard & Countryside

Easter weekend was the perfect excuse to jet out of town and head to the countryside to visit family and spend the day exploring the quaint and charming Gold Hill located in Coloma at Marshall's Gold Discovery Park. We spent the day wine tasting and leisurely driving through the beautiful and lush green farmland. 

The best part of the day marked an impromptu stop at a goat farm as we drove back from Gold Hill Vineyard & Brewery - favorite wine tasting stop! I've always been a firm believer of enjoying the little things in life and documenting each moment spontaneously. That said, the sight and sound of these adorable baby goats brought such happiness and delight to all. Bahhhh.

I'm excited to share that I'll be traveling to Thailand this week for the first time! I'm beyond thrilled to visit the 'Land of Smiles' where exotic foods, fascinating culture, vibrant traditions, pristine beaches, elephants, ancient temples and an endless array of adventures await us. See you soon Thailand! 

48 Hours in San Francisco

Franco Sarto Riding Boots, Alice + Olivia Dress, Banana Republic Blazer

I've been living in and out of San Francisco since 2003 and no matter how much places, people and life evolves this city will forever have my heart. Here are a few of my favorite things, places and advice for people visiting for a quick weekend trip (mixing tourist traps + local scenes):

Day One: The Icons

1. Golden Gate Bridge. Instead of walking or biking over the bridge head over to Baker Beach in the Presidio district where a gorgeous sandy beach welcomes you with stunning views of the bridge and bay.
Tip: Great for picnicking, sun tanning (when it's hot) and taking your fur babies for a stroll. If you're lucky you might catch a glimpse of some dolphins!

2. Alamo Square Park. End the day watching the sunset at the iconic postcard-ready Victorians below Alamo Square Park.
Tip: Great for a date night. Be ready with a blanket + a bottle of vino and some GoVino cups.

3. North Beach Dinner Plans. Head over to the lively district of Washington Square Park and cruise up the hill to Don Pistos for some delicious Mexican inspired street food goodness.
Tip: Still thirsty? Night owls should cruise over to Columbus Avenue and enjoy an array of bar hopping hubs to quench your thirst.

Day Two: The Real Deal

1. Sunday Brunch in the Mission District. Head over to Foreign Cinema for a boozy brunch filled with delicious California inspired bites surrounded by a hip outdoor space screening films.
Tip: After brunch cruise over to the newly remodeled Dolores Park and find a spot to people watch and enjoy the views.

2. Golden Gate Park. Check out the newest De Young Museum art exhibit or walk across the park to the California Academy of Sciences for an afternoon of fun adult learning.
Tip: If you're feeling adventurous rent a bike on Fulton Street and cruise through the botanical gardens.

3. Dim Sum Dinner Plans. End the day in Chinatown grubbing on some of the best Dim Sum northern CA has to offer. 
Tip: Favorite Dim Sum spot includes Great Eastern Restaurant. 

What's the best thing about SF? The lack of pretension for such a cosmopolitan city, the bustling yet comfortable activity in the streets, squares and parks and the diverse food scene the city has to offer.

Adiós 2015, Bienvenido 2016

BCBG Dress and Necklace, Vintage Feather Wrap, Sam Edelman Heels, Michael Kors Watch

Happy New Year amigos! I’m delighted to announce I’m back and spearheading my lifestyle blog in full force. To recap, over the past year and a half I tackled a few milestones that temporarily took my full attention (a little thing called life). Some key highlights included: receiving my executive MBA at Sonoma State University in wine marketing, collaborating with NakedWines.com to produce my 3rd vintage of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay under my La Tapatia wine label, while marching into my 30’s with gusto and continuing to work with my family's winery.  Whew, what a ride!

In short, much has transpired in such a beautiful way and now I can’t wait to continue to share my adventures, findings, fashion tips, recipes and shenanigans with all of you. Thank you for joining me on this journey and here’s to an unforgettable and exciting 2016. Ole!

Throughout the holidays I always like to have a festive option that's an alternative to sequins and classic red outfits. The soft ivory tulle dress in contrast to the chocolate brown feather wrap offers a modern yet sexy way to dress up your holiday ensemble. Did I mention I have a slight dress obsession?

At Sea with Casa Ceja Wine Club

I feel pretty fortunate to call this life of mine work.I just got back from an eastern Caribbean cruise with 120 of our awesome Casa Ceja Wine Club members. The Celebrity Reflection was our home for seven days, which is undoubtedly the most luxurious and magnificent ships I’ve been on. Our agenda was relaxed but was naturally interweaved with six exclusive wine focused events (heaven for foodies and winos). Some of my favorites included, a winemaker luncheon, a cooking demo and a salsa dance cocktail fiesta, all in which were entertaining, informative and fun!

We set sail from Miami and leisurely made our way to St. Maarten and then to St. Thomas to explore the breathtaking U.S. Virgin Islands. Each stop was simply glorious with stunning panoramic views of crystal clear Caribbean water, lush vegetation and white sandy beaches - paradise in a nutshell.

I

P.S. Stay tuned for the announcement of our third cruise, as this location is a mystery destination.