Enter to be considered for a spot on the bottling line for Hip Tastes' new red blend - our first-ever commercially available wine - debuting this spring! A small group of Hip Tasters will pitch in over barrel samples and snacks at Oakland's Urban Legend Cellars this Saturday 2/4/12 (note: timing and details to be confirmed once bottling team selected). To be considered, visit our Facebook page, like us and post a note on our wall telling us why you would make the best wine bottler ever.

Extra points for creativity, natch.

Posted by Courtney at 11:40 PM • Comments (0)

It's T minus one hour to La Cocina's annual holiday gift bazaar in the Mish. This is just a quick note to say that if you're looking for something to do tonight and you love supporting local food talent while also finding totally fabulous stocking stuffers and hostess gifts and pantry musts this time o' year - then head over to the Mission Cultural Center tonight for some goodies between 5 and 9.

AND, don't forget to check out La Cocina's silent auction - which runs through the 12th - online. I am offering a private in-home tasting and 3 signed copies of Hip Tastes! Talent is fierce on the auction roster with heat coming from the likes of Chez Panisse, Food Network hottie Aida Mollenkamp and more - please help me represent! Proceeds go to this fantastic non-profit that makes a wonderful impact on our community while enriching lives and enabling business building dreams. ;)

Silent Auction overview
My item @ eBay

- CC

Posted by Courtney at 04:06 PM • Comments (0)

Hip Tasters gathered Saturday at Sutton Cellars for our first ever urban winery event with Twitter-powered scavenger hunt. Featuring the debut Hip Tastes wine (Hip Tastes Red!) and custom blended beverage-inspired scents, 'twas a merry day in Dogpatch. Stay tuned for more on future wine collaborations, events and Hip Tastes culture. For now, happy almost T Day. May you drink well and make many good memories with your nearest and dearest.

See the pics - by the one and only John Curley - at Flickr, and don't forget to "Like" Hip Tastes on Facebook! Images are posted there, too, so please tag yourself and share, share, share!

xoxo, Courtney

Posted by Courtney at 01:25 PM • Comments (0)

Now that there are numerous urban wineries in Dogpatch, a natural wine bar, several excellent restos, myriad catering companies, ice cream and chocolate purveyors (Recchiuti just opened YESTerday) and droves of hungry workers in the area's booming industrial spaces-cum-offices/workshops, Dogpatch has become an "it" 'hood bar none - especially for the gastronomically inclined. Tomorrow, Hip Tasters who come to Mix It Up! (2-5pm @ Sutton Cellars) will get an intimate look at more than a half dozen of these cool neighborhood haunts courtesy of our scavenger hunt, which will take place during the event. What could be better than a social media-powered 'hunt through this sweet emerging 'hood?? PRIZES.

That's right, there are quite a few of these to be had, including gift certificates for prime butcher cuts, ice cream, wine tasting and brunching. Oh, and an art class and made-to-order messenger bag, both of which are valued at a cool $100. Read on after the jump for a bit more on the businesses we'll visit. And, for goodness sakes, if you haven't bought your ticket yet, it's high time! Here's that link, and another to the full Flickr album for the businesses.

Continue reading "Gastro Highs, Cool Haunts & Hot Prizes for Hip Tasters in Dogpatch Tomorrow!" »

Posted by Courtney at 09:43 AM • Comments (0)

This Saturday at Mix It Up! we can look forward to being snapped in all our finery by none other than John Curley, SF photog extraordinaire and all around bon vivant. I first met John when he photographed a 2006 Hip Tastes event for San Fran Mag, and then convinced him to shoot my SF book launch the following year. John's made a name for himself documenting the fabulosity of the Burning Man camp build each year, though he also shoots weddings, advertisements and much more. Look for him at the custom photo backdrop at Hip Tastes (props to include mustaches, suspenders, top hats, Wayfarers, more - it will be FUN) and throughout the event. Pics should be amazing and amusing, and I couldn't be more excited to be bringing John back into the Hip Tastes family. ;)

Read on for a Q&A with John and more of his images after the jump (more on those Burning Man collaborations, professional surfer envy, and adult beverages), and check back here next week for event pics. Oh, that's John in the top image.

PS: check out the San Fran Mag piece here + book party pics here.

Continue reading "Black Rock City Cool, Sharp Dressing and Pro Surfer Envy - Or, Why John Curley's Pics Rule" »

Posted by Courtney at 04:07 PM • Comments (0)

I met up with soon-to-be-wedded pal and expert-o-crafting-arts, Ariel Sutro, to put together decor and accessories for my upcoming Mix It Up! event (11/19). Not only is Ariel's SF abode super stylish, it's a veritable "bus station" (her words) of family members and friends shuttling through on various errands or to say hello. I'm thrilled she found time to help given all this activity and that her wedding is the weekend before my event.

Check out Ariel's GORG Givenchy wedding shoes - they fit right in with the be-feathered "flair" we created for Hip Tastes and set the tone for high style! After the jump, lots more pics from my visit and the story on the bespoke bouttonnieres, fascinators and feathered clips we're crafting for Mix It Up!. Peruse the full Flickr album here.

Pictured: Shoes, Ariel's pad, flair in process; below, Le Couple: Ariel with her fiance Josh at their joint bachelor/ette fete in Golden Gate park

Continue reading "Hot Shoes, Pre-Nuptial Excitement & "Mix It Up!" Flair Fabulosity " »

Posted by Courtney at 06:59 PM • Comments (0)

My coverage of last night's fabulous Top 100 tasting just dropped at EaterSF. Here's a teaser on the intro:

"The vignoscenti turned out in their best duds last night for the annual Wine & Spirits Top 100 tasting, a gustatory tour de force highlighting the best of some 10,000 wines the mag's staff samples annually. Many a back was slapped, luxe bubbly tippled and Hog Island oyster slurped against the winking backdrop of the SoMa skyline as seen from Cityview at the Metreon at dusk..." Full story at Eater

***
Read on here after the jump for more on one of my fav wines of the evening, a 100-year-old Sherry, and how it's hands-down the best tool for basting your turkey this Thanksgiving. Pictured, moi with said Sherry. (For all of my event snaps, check out my Flickr album.)

Continue reading "Vignoscenti, Willamette Valley Bender, "Smokin" Pours, T-Day Insights at Wine & Spirits Top 100" »

Posted by Courtney at 06:03 PM • Comments (0)

I dropped in on talented botanical perfumer Beverly Alkire at her Inner Sunset flat to discuss blends for my upcoming Hip Tastes event (details going up 10.11). Beverly has a great eye for color and interiors and I was looking forward to the visit as much for the chance to check out her cool abode as for the work we set out to do there!

I'm working with Beverly to come up with three custom unisex scents for Mix It Up! Blending In Three Acts Featuring Earth, Wine & Scent (Nov. 19 @ Sutton Cellars). The event is a chance to explore the art of the blend across different mediums, including - naturally - wine. And while I know that guests will love learning a bit about how wine blends are created, I suspect they'll be as excited to learn about how perfumes (and more!) come to be. Guests are invited to meet Beverly at her perfume bar on Nov. 19 to learn more about these three scents. Then, because we're cool like that, you'll be able to take a generous sample of your favorite scent home with you!

>>More on blends, juniper & wormwood, Bev's method & how learning scents isn't that different from leaning wine...

Continue reading "At Home with Beverly Alkire: Custom Botanical Scents for Hip Tastes, Sensual Wormwood, More" »

Posted by Courtney at 11:33 AM • Comments (0)

SF Chefs brought a tasty treat to hungover souls brave enough to be up at 10:30AM Sunday after the previous eve's Grand Tasting: an aphrodisiac-fueled food demo and tasting featuring four easy-on-the-eyes gastronomes. I was on site at the Westin Union Square to capture the hotness of it all for Eater.

Pictured: Louis Maldonado, Marisa Churchill, David Bazirgan, Aida Mollenkamp.





The sexy dets: Eater's Hottest Chef in America, David Bazirgan of Fifth Floor, demo'd fresh oysters in a Prosecco reduction; Aziza hottie Louis Maldonado prepped a flower-laced, oil-poached Louisiana prawn; Top Chef alum and (new!) "Sweet & Skinny" book author Marisa Churchill pulled together a "sexy lemon dessert" that riffs on her grandma's cooking. She shared that her recipe is authentic and flavorful but has half the fat of the original (a tasting confirmed this factoid), and what's not sexy about that? Foodcrafters starlet Aida Mollenkamp MC'd, adding still more heat to the affair. Wines by Antinori Antica were tres tasty and just the thing to take the edge off of everyone's hangover. Yes, please.

Get the full story at Eater, here.

And check out my Flickr album ici.

Posted by Courtney at 10:50 PM • Comments (0)

I headed over to Dogpatch 7.24.11 to check out Carl Sutton's Jug Sunday. It was my first time at the recurring event and it did not disappoint, especially as I was lucky enough to be there on the release of his brand new wine, a sparkling Carignane (way to be weird, Carl!), Fize. He'd literally just disgorged a bunch of it by hand, and you can see some of that in these pics. Also: cool booze containers of all shapes and sizes, some urban winery atmosphere and a very cool car. Enjoy.

FLIKR ALBUM from Jug Sunday 7.24

Sutton Cellars

Note: Sign up for Sutton Cellars mailing list for invite-only admits to these and other events.

Posted by Courtney at 11:45 PM • Comments (0)

Fresh Up: My latest at SF Eater, where I dish on consuming 19 dishes plus food truck fare at last Friday's unforgettable Street Food Fest preview dinner hosted by La Cocina. Before, I hit up nearby Off the Grid for food truck fare - suffice it to say I'm still full, but enjoyed every bite!

Pics:
Moi, "micro-entrepreneur" Azalina Eusope & La Cocina's Caleb Zigas sporting La Cocina logo tattoos
Daniel Hyatt, manager of The Alembic, greeting guests at Off the Grid
Tasty and lovely libations by Rye on the Road at dinner
FULL FLIKR ALBUM

via Eater:
Friday night saw food business incubator La Cocina host a smashing preview dinner at Fort Mason for its upcoming Street Food Festival (Aug. 20). Our very own Courtney Cochran - author of the Hip Tastes blog and La Cocina volunteer advisor - checks in with highlights from the hedonistic soiree attended by some 150+ members of the food media, friends and fans of La Cocina...

click here to read the full piece

Posted by Courtney at 11:44 AM • Comments (0)

Last night I headed to newly Michelin-approved (read: starred) SF gustatory haunt Saison to pay respects to the French Culinary Institute as it celebrated the launch of its first-ever Cali branch. More on the location (on the Peninsula) and courses offered here (per Inside Scoop: we can expect more "uniquely Californian" classes at the CA campus that take advantage of local produce, seafood, wine, dairy etc.). And while the school's arrival is great and all, the real news to me is that the FCI - at its campus in NY and SF - has become the first teaching organization to be officially "approved" by the American Court of Master Sommeliers. FCI, in fact, will offer a specialized education program that dovetails with the Court's Certified Sommelier exam, which I took and passed back in 2006. The conjoining of this practical step with a curriculum is a good one. Well done, FCI.

Pics: watch for the inimitable Jacques Pepin, honorary chef/instructor for FCI, and Saison's FCI-trained Josh Skenes, a Food & Wine Mag Best New Chef of 2011 inductee! Congrats, Josh.

See pics from the event here

Posted by Courtney at 10:16 AM • Comments (0)

This just in from The Swill, my beverage gossip column at Eater SF. It's my coverage of this week's Taste of Mendocino here in SF - lots of great pics and insider tidbits on this northerly region. Watch for dish on Navarro Vineyards, Phillips Hill, Trinafour Cellars, Philo Ridge, Elizabeth Spencer, Toulouse, Goldeneye & Roederer Estate. On the food front: Shamrock Artisan Goat Cheese, Mendocino Sea Salt and Seasoning Co., canner/blogger Caroline Radice and Wicked Bon-Bon Chocolatier.

***Via Eater:
Mendo likes to hang its hat on being green--as in, the "greenest wine region in America." The area boasts the greatest percentage of certified organic vineyards of any wine region in the US, so there's some truth to the claim. But let's talk about what else is hot about Mendo: pot and people...

Continue reading at Eater

Paparazzi PS: View my entire Flikr stream from the event here.

Posted by Courtney at 11:50 AM • Comments (0)

Meatpaper editor Sasha Wizansky (pictured) and a coterie of fabulous food purveyors glammed up MoMa's rooftop terrace last Thursday with flora-inspired foods and tasty quaffs. Wines by Scribe completed the scene. I had a blast, not least because the event was gratis (eats and pours were reasonably priced) with apres 6pm Thurs museum entry (fab: just $9) but because it was just beautiful: Foods - all of which had edible floral ingredients - literally tasted beautiful. Delightful embellishments like Leif Hedendal's addition of essential floral oils to finish his plates were mind-bendingly delicious, yet subtle.

I was so inspired, in fact, that I added rose petals to the Easter Champagne cocktail I served today at my sister's Easter party (roses are edible; I used organic stems to avoid any pesticides or other icky stuff making it into our quaffs). To make them,

Continue reading "Edible Flowers: Meatpaper SF MoMa Rooftop Event 4.21.11" »

Posted by Courtney at 10:49 PM • Comments (0)

Announcing the latest version of The Swill (my Bay Area beverage gossip column for Eater), wherein I dish on for gourmet & sartorial fabulosity dets in Dogpatch. Or, how an SF 'hood is emerging as the new hottie spot...

from Eater: Vermouth master and conqueror of the quirky wine trend, Carl Sutton is about as artisanal as it gets when it comes to making wine. Add in the self-taught vintner's recent move from Sonoma to urban winery digs in Dogpatch, and the story gets even better for urbanites. en lire plus

Flikr pic stream

Posted by Courtney at 12:06 PM • Comments (0)

The annual Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP) tasting will go down as usual this Saturday at San Francisco's Fort Mason. And though the enthusiastically swilling, purple-mouthed masses will also be there - by the thousands, I kid not - as usual, one significant guest will be a first-timer. Nadia G, so-called culinary temptress and host of Cooking Channel's Bitchin' Kitchen, will headline the festival, according to press materials. Indeed, the Montreal-based food media maven promises to "rock ZAP Fest this year" with her signature "saucy comic relief" and cherry red stilettos. Which means: She'll be hosting a food and Zin pairing demo, and blogging from the grand tasting. In hot shoes.

This Wine Tasting: Not Normal (But Good)
While Ms. G's participation sounds like an interesting addition to event, the reason I like ZAP is that it brings together wine producers and enthusiasts of California's sort-of own grape (thanks to DNA fingerprinting, we know Zin actually originated in Croatia, but who's getting hung up on specifics?) to celebrate this unapologetically fun wine in a totally unstuffy setting. Garish but great outfits; sippers young, old and everything-in-between alike; edgy producers; disgruntled "old guard" wine aficionados (frustrated, no doubt, at having to put up with the party atmosphere) cheek and jowl with upstart bloggers; these are just a few of the things that really draw me to ZAP. Well, that and the lure of that fabulous yet elusive animal: the next big Zin.

Tip: For those of you tuning in from home and bummed to miss the fun, Ms. G's whereabouts will be broadcast throughout the festivities live on her blog and at ZAP's Facebook page.

Posted by Courtney at 02:40 PM

I'm totally loving Ashley Teplin's fab shots of my PinotFest adventures from last Friday's phenomenal event. Every year I look forward to this like a kid on Xmas morning. But who needs Santa when you have the Sta Rita Hills? Check out the Flikr stream for pics of top Pinotphiles like David Adelsheim, Dick Sanford, Nick Peay, Matt Licklider, Michael Michaud and the hilarious ex fisherman guy from Hitching Post. And don't miss my comments down below for the inside scoop on top wines and event highlights. And yes, I am wearing leather pants...whoever said wine and fashion don't mix wasn't drinking Pinot. Pictured above with Mutineer Magazine's Alan Kropf, Hitching Post's Gray Hartley and below with the always-stylish Keiko Niccolini.

Posted by Courtney at 12:04 AM • Comments (0)

I was lucky enough to be included in an absolutely fabulous dinner @ Relish Culinary in Healdsburg Nov 3, where host Hardy Wallace of Murphy Goode's (in?)famous Really Goode Job search rapped with current season Top Chef contenders Eli Kirshtein and Kevin Gillespie over multiple courses of foie gras-esque fabulousness paired with - what else? - Murphy Goode wine. Enjoy this intro clip of Hardy at said meal introducing the top toques and welcoming us to the occasion. I really, really love MY job. :)

Posted by Courtney at 10:29 PM • Comments (0)

Thurs. Oct 15, 6-8pm
TICKETS

Calling all ladies and skincare conscious gentlemen!! In just two short weeks I'll be co-hosting "Beauty & Bubbly," a fabulous evening of sparkling wines from the world over and incredible deals on medi spa services (which include, of course, Botox, as well as the likes of microdermabrasion, facials, peels, products and much more). It'll be at Union Street MedSpa - a gorgeous space in Cow Hollow - and I'll be on hand serving the bubblies, natch.

Best part? Your ticket scores you a signed copy of my book, Hip Tastes: The Fresh Guide to Wine ($20 value) and a rockin gift bag including product samples and a coupon for a FREE microdermabrasion ($100 value). That's like $120 in value - plus awesome international sparklers (some bubbs will hail from as far away as Argentina and Israel), light bites, fab music and stylish peeps to mingle with.

So what are you waiting for?? Reserve your spot today - it's all very limited, of course. :)

Tickets

Posted by Courtney at 01:47 PM • Comments (0)

Here's the latest story by my fabulous intern, Taylor Price, as she discusses her recent wine redezvous at the 2009 annual Family Winemakers Tasting. Enjoy, and be sure to check out her other stories on Sangria and Pinky Vodka!

In Taylor's Words:
A few weeks ago, I had the great luck and pleasure of attending San Francisco's 19th annual Family Winemakers Tasting at Fort Mason. Family Winemakers of California is an association which represents and gives voice to California's family-owned wineries. The annual tasting is a time for these winemakers to showcase their extensive and often extraordinary work to both professionals in all aspects of the wine business and passionate wine consumers. 359 wineries poured at this massive event, making it no easy task to explore the vast selection in only a couple of hours! Nonetheless, I arrived excited and determined to taste as much as possible while on the hunt for hip, fabulous wines!

Continue reading "Family Winemakers: Spreading the California (Wine) Love!" »

Posted by Courtney at 09:30 AM • Comments (0)

Come Tuesday, this nation will see it's first-ever African-American president sworn into office as the 44th Pres of the US. Hooray! Cheers to THAT! Yes, there's lots of good cheer floating around these days, even in spite of the economic land mines we're all sidestepping on what seems like a daily basis (props if you still have your job, but take heart if you don't: the economic stimulus package is Obama's #1 priority post inauguration). And what better way to mark Tuesday's landmark occasion than with a glass of vino? Read on for an excerpt from my latest piece at WineCountry.com, all about the big day and what to quaff as you take it all in.

When President-Elect Barack Obama takes office next Tuesday, he'll take the reigns of our nation in the midst of one of the most tenuous economic and political climates we've seen in more than a half-century. Among other tall orders, he'll be tasked with shepherding an historic financial bailout, reconsidering our position in Iraq and resuscitating our flagging reputation on the international foreign policy scene. It's a lot to get ready for, and we're happy to hear he's preparing for the challenge the way any serious new president would:

He's throwing an enormous party. Read on at WineCountry.com

Posted by Courtney at 12:03 PM • Comments (0)

Every year Wine & Spirits magazine hosts a simply fabulous event at which regular old people (read: those not necessarily carrying the title of sommelier, wine director, wine writer or wine retailer) can taste the spoils of some of the best wines recognized that year by the magazine. It's called the Top 100 Tasting - named for the magazine's list of fav wines ranked all year - and this year the banner event looks to be as fabulous as usual. Even better, it's right around the corner:

Continue reading "Almost Time for the Top 100!" »

Posted by Courtney at 02:33 PM

I couldn't resist dropping a line about McCormick & Kuleto's 15th Annual Shuck & Swallow Challenge, going down tomorrow eve in SF, because it's just so deliciously fun to say out loud. Those in the mood for shucking and swallowing are welcome to watch and score some oysters and wine in the process ($30 for food & wine). The 411: The competition between a dozen teams from Bay Area restaurants goes down at 5pm and showcases teams competing to shuck and eat as many oysters as possible in 10 minutes. (The current record is just under 200.) The shucking & swallowing is free to watch...

Continue reading "Go Shuck Yourself" »

Posted by Courtney at 02:04 PM

Just when you thought our tastings couldn't get sweeter, we went and did it again. Welcome to TRICK or TREAT, the definitive tasting of your favorite Halloween treats paired with - what else?! - tons of ridiculously good wine.

Back at SF's vintage-cool Pink, we'll be pouring a wicked sweet (pun intended) lineup of delectable stickies from around the world. We'll be pairing them with scary good treats fit for a fete on October 31st: Think Ice Wine & Almond Joy, Banyuls & Baby Ruth, Moscato & Mars Bars.

Why? Because at Hip Tastes, you're never too old to Trick or Treat.

Learn more & Sign Up

Posted by Courtney at 11:12 AM

A sold-out crowd of Hip Tasters showed up at vintage cool venue Pink in SF for the much-anticipated Rock & Roll Tasting. Sushi rolls & rock tunes were out in force, as was some serious style and - as usual - good people having a ridiculously good time.

Check out the pics!

Posted by Courtney at 06:39 PM

We've done Green. We've done Grill. Heck, we've even done Saints & Sinners, Salty & Sweet and All White. But we've never rocked like this before.

Join a whole bunch of Hip Tasters at vintage-cool SF night spot Pink as we party to the sounds of updated arena rock (think Def Leppard's Pour Some Sugar On It) while noshing on sushi rolls and sipping summer-appropriate whites, pinks and bubblies. And with our first-ever dance party going down from 9pm-10pm, this will be a Hip Tastes you definitely won't want to miss. PS: the 3 best dressed (as in rock dressed) Hip Tasters will go home with Best Dressed honors and a free gift. Booyah! See you there.

Tickets & 411

Posted by Courtney at 06:28 PM

Hey folks, if you're in or around Napa tomorrow please come out and join me along with four other wine authors as we chat and sign our wine books published in '07. Part of the St. Helena Public Library's 1st Annual "Books on Wine Festival," the event will be the first of its kind for St. Helena, and I'm totally tickled to have been included! Refreshments start at 6, author presentations are at 7 and author signings begin at 8:15. Besides Hip Tastes, other titles featured include "A Moveable Thirst," "New Classic Winemakers of California," "The Art of Terroir" and Small Plates, Perfect Wines." More info at shpl.org - I'd love to see you there!

Posted by Courtney at 09:05 AM

Merlot lovers, rejoice! A new documentary film made in response to the post-Sideways Merlot backlash (read more on that here) is about to debut. That's right, Merlove, made by Napa filmmaker Rudy McClain, is set to screen Tuesday, May 27th at COPIA in Napa. The film apparently includes footage of renowned Merlot makers from...

Continue reading "Looking for Merlove In All the Wrong the Places" »

Posted by Courtney at 03:52 PM

A sell-out crowd of Hip Tasters gathered last Friday eve @ Sugar Cafe downtown to partake of The Salty & Sweet Tasting, this year's first official HIP TASTES event! Enjoy these snaps of the crowd, including this first of me (right) with my sis Claire, the original Hip Taster. Cheers ;)

View Album

Posted by Courtney at 11:43 PM

After what may seem an eternity to the most dedicated Hip Tastes fans, I'm thrilled to report that A BUNCH of terrific new SF events are up at hiptastes.com! I'll be posting more in the upcoming weeks about our brand new lineup of Saturday School and (*new*) Night School classes at two fabulous new venues in SoMa, but meanwhile, I want to share the custom illustration I had created for the next Friday night soiree, The Salty & Sweet Tasting! It'll all go down Friday, March 28th @ Sugar Cafe, and all the dets are available at hiptastes.com.

Get your tickets before this one sells out!

Posted by Courtney at 06:44 PM

There's tons of stuff to do in wine country around V-Day, including romantic treks in seaside botanical gardens in Mendo, tango lessons in Temecula and wine and food pairing in Placerville. Now, if I wasn't single myself I might've been a little more enthusiastic about penning my latest Top 10 List at WineCountry.com, Top Ten Class Acts for Valentine's Day.

But still, it's done and - if I do say so myself - there's some pretty sweet stuff on the list, so check it out if you're still looking for something to do with your honey this weekend. Just please - don't go and tell me about how great it all was later - I think that might be overkill for this singleton. Anyway, I'll probably be incommunicado, holed up in my apartment with a bottle of insanely good wine - there's got to be something good that comes from this holiday, after all.

Posted by Courtney at 03:34 PM

Fresh back from NYC, must say I'm exhausted but WOW - what a trip! Thanks to everyone who came out to support the book at the fab party at Hollywould in NoLiTa - it was an incredible night. More pics coming soon, but for now, here's a pic of me with some of my best gal pals from UCLA undergrad - was amazing to have you all there!!

Cheers, CC

Posted by Courtney at 10:32 PM

Please excuse this ridiculously brief entry, but I've just touched down in NYC and am in a flurry of activity getting ready for a little soiree I'm throwing here tomorrow night. The first two "legs" of the tour were a lot of fun, and saw me in five cities inside five days, wow I can barely believe it. I'm now willing a cold to stay at bay so I can be fresh for the remaining stops, and also for a segment on Martha Stewart Radio this Friday morning. The Sirius station is available all over and past guests on the morning show have included Cynthia Rowley, Kate Spade and Chef Mario Batali. Not bad company - should be fun!

Read on for a more detailed description of the show, and hope you'll tune in!

And - check out this pic of me with a bunch of cute gals at my Sonoma County release party! More pics coming soon.

Continue reading "Mad Traveling and Book Tour Updates" »

Posted by Courtney at 05:50 AM • Comments (1)

Here's a shot from my book launch fete last night here in San Francisco. Thanks to the well-wishers who came out to say hello and support the book. My hangover is an unfortunate "bonus" from the party, but other than that it was a total blast. I'm pictured here with Caille Milner, another book author and Glamour magazine's new political blogger. Plus, she's got great style.

And now, it's time for a midday drink to stave the intensity of my hangover. Cheers to that.

photo: John Curley

Posted by Courtney at 12:09 PM

The White Party last Friday was a ton of fun. Stylish Hip Tasters turned up in their best whites, and we enjoyed a great lineup of white wines and all-white bites. Sponsor Riedel came through with some party packs of very hip "O" stemless wine glasses, which we gave out to folks we deemed "best dressed." Check out the album at Ofoto for even more snaps. Cheers!

Posted by Courtney at 12:29 AM

I'm really happy to anounce my FIRST Hip Tastes party of 2007! After a loooong hiatus for book writing I'm finally bringing it BACK this Friday with The White Party. If you're in SF, come on out and drink & eat all white in the brand spanking new all-white lounge at Fluid in SoMa. We'll have fab tunes for our fabulous crowd, as usual, and hip tasters wearing (sufficiently) all white get a free gift at the door. Hope to see you there!

Learn more & tickets at hiptastes.com

Posted by Courtney at 02:56 PM

A recent trip to the St. Helena Farmer's Market (located right smack in the heart of Napa Valley!) left a resounding "wow" on my lips for at least several days after. Everywhere I looked at the market - which runs every Friday morning from May through October - there was something to "wow" over - the impossibly bright freshly cut flowers, the unbelievably delicious artisanal cheeses from Raymond & Co. Cheesemongers, gorgeous veggies like this rainbow-stemmed organic swiss chard, and posh, leisurely-looking people strolling along, taking it all in.

Continue reading "WOW: St. Helena Farmer's Market" »

Posted by Courtney at 12:03 PM • Comments (1)

I'm really excited to announce that I'll be taking part in a panel discussion tomorrow at San Fran's Commonwealth Club called "Hot Young Sommeliers: Wine Gurus Tell All." While I can't attest to the "Hot" part, I'm thrilled to be included in a lineup with two impressive local wine talents, Oola Wine Director (and past Michael Mina somm) Mark Bright and Christie Dufault, Sommelier at Quince Restaurant. Leslie Sbrocco, author of Wine for Women and host of "Check, Please! Bay Area" will moderate. Read on for dets and ticket info.

Continue reading "Young Sommelier Panel Tomorrow" »

Posted by Courtney at 06:05 PM

Some of you will recall my pic-filled account of last year's fabulous Auction Napa Valley. This year I've been asked by the Napa Valley Vintners to tell you more about how you can attend this year's event (June 7-10), something I'm happy to do. This year the NVV has introduced a new four-day package called "The All-American Package" that includes attendance at all sorts of fun events throughout the weekend.

Continue reading "Auction Napa Valley: The American Classic" »

Posted by Courtney at 05:57 PM • Comments (1)

Whew! I spent a fantastic three hours knocking around the San Fran War Memorial Opera House last Thursday at the first ever SF-based Toast of the Town event. Put on by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, the splashy affair featured hundreds of wineries, lots of fantastic food purveyors, live jazz and a pretty good scene, if I do say so myself. Read on for a quick review and some snaps of the swank affair.

Continue reading "San Fran Gets Some Swank" »

Posted by Courtney at 03:55 PM

Sasha Wizansky is a mighty talented young lady. Not only did she design this blog (props!!), the entrepreneur/designer/all around nice gal also recently launched a new magazine. Dedicated entirely to meat culture - including its alter ego topic - ANTI-meat culture - Meatpaper debuted with a superbly peopled meatfest last Tuesday night at Sugarlump Coffee House here in the city.

Continue reading "A Meaty Issue" »

Posted by Courtney at 04:38 PM • Comments (1)

This Thursday more than a thousand privileged tasters including yours truly will descend upon San Fran's glam War Memorial Opera House for Wine Enthusiast Magazine's first-ever West Coast Toast of the Town event. Held annually in New York, the wine and food extravaganza's been such a success on the other side of this land that the mag decided to host one here this year, which is music to my ears. More than 500 wines will be poured alongside fab fare from some of the city's top restos (Fifth Floor, Delfina, Bart Tartine & Myth are just a few of 'em), along with live jazz to boot.

Continue reading "I'll Toast to That" »

Posted by Courtney at 06:25 PM • Comments (2)

This is what was shouted across the room from one overly excited wino to another at San Francisco's annual coming together of the wine trade's movers & shakers - the Vienna Wine Company & Terry Theise Estate Selections new release tasting. Held at downtown SF's consummately elegant Fifth Floor restaurant in late January, the event included more than 150 wines, all German or Austrian, and a roomful of swirling, spitting and hob nobbing wine geeks. In a way, it was sort of like the Oscars of wine, with the SF wine world's luminaries all turned out for a healthy dose of back slapping and merrymaking.

Continue reading "Have You Hit This!?" »

Posted by Courtney at 07:04 PM

For those of you who find traditional wine events a big yawn, consider coming out this Wednesay to Nightlife Napa Valley here in San Fran, where, besides a bouncer, a DJ and sundry other accoutrements usually reserved for the club scene, you'll find fantastic wines from more than 60 Napa Valley vintners to sample. Word on the street is that Kirsten Dunst made a cameo at the sister event held recently in LA at the Roosevelt, so if this one's at all similar it should be a stylish affair.

Continue reading "Napa Wines for the Clubbing Set" »

Posted by Courtney at 05:48 PM

When I got the invite to attend a rather exclusive opening event for a very hush hush new bar in town I must say my interest was piqued. Now that I've been to Bourbon & Branch and get what all the fuss is about I've got to say I'm glad I went. It's a Speakeasy, sort of, or at least a nod to the era when speakeasies were necessary. Clearly they're not now, which makes this place more about nostalgia and good cocktails than anything else. Oh, and because they plan to operate on a strictly reservation basis, you'll always be able to find a seat when you're there - the best thing I've heard about a bar in this town in a while.

Continue reading "Speakeasy, or Sit easy, as you like" »

Posted by Courtney at 12:10 AM • Comments (2)

For those of you who've been reading my posts about very cool GREEN winery Medlock Ames FYI there is a tasting coming up at SoMa's Vino Venue where you can meet some of the folks from Medlock and - of course! - taste their wines! The focus will be on biodynamic and organic farming methods they use and you'll also get to sample their '02 merlot, '02 cabernet, and '02 red. Learn more and sign up at Vino Venue's site. I'll still be in France but hope those of you who are able to make it enjoy. Cheers!

$10 to taste plus 15% off Medlock wines

Posted by Courtney at 03:40 AM • Comments (1)

The flowers! The sun! The food! The fashion! The wine! Welcome to Auction Napa Valley , a little slice of the Hamptons right here in our own backyard. Everything at last Friday's Auction Napa Valley Festival was posh and gorgeous , a no-excuses display of wealth and bounty and good living. Even the food was ridiculously good-looking. If I ever have the opportunity to push pause on reality and continue living in a bubble for the rest of my life, this would be my bubble of choice. Let the good times roll!

Continue reading "The Hamptons in California!" »

Posted by Courtney at 08:27 PM • Comments (13)

There's nothing quite like a wine tasting on a Monday to get a week started right. Which is the way last week started for me, with a lovely tasting called TASTE Sonoma at San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center for

Continue reading "Sonoma In San Francisco" »

Posted by Courtney at 08:16 PM • Comments (1)

For as long as I can remember lovely rural Sonoma county has been eclipsed by its more glitzy neighbor Napa Valley. Which is why I was thrilled to find that Taste of Sonoma SF - a tasting and showcasing of the area's finest wines - will be held in the city next Monday.

Made up of six fertile valleys including the well known Alexander, Russian River and Dry Creek valleys, Sonoma is arguably the most prolific winemaking region in California. And the area is well on its way to achieving a well deserved reputation for high quality as well as high quantity output.

Continue reading "It's About Time" »

Posted by Courtney at 03:34 PM

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of attending the Rhone Rangers trade and public tasting at Fort Mason with my dad. He was in town for his birthday, and while my mother and sister went to lunch and shopped my dad and I followed the call of our palates to the Marina for some good tasting.

And, before I get started, let me also preface everything by saying that it was an absolutely GORGEOUS day in the city, the kind of sunny and warm sparkler that seems, at the time at least, to make up for all the merciless rain we've been pounded with this winter.

Continue reading "Home on the Range in SF" »

Posted by Courtney at 12:24 PM

This past Tuesday I had the pleasure of tasting a number of excellent wines at the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association trade tasting in downtown San Francisco (subtitled, rather cutely, "Santa Cruz Mountains Wines Are Coming to San Francisco"). I particularly enjoyed the region's Chardonnays, although there were some standout Pinot Noirs and a Syrah to boot.

Continue reading "To Each His Rhone" »

Posted by Courtney at 09:22 PM