May 23-25 with Giorgio
Giorgio at our Paggi House Indigenous Tasting in Austin. 
Ali & Giorgio 
East End Wine Tasting with Giorgio and La Spinetta wines 
D'Lynn Procotor huddled with Giorgio at Grailey's 
Matt, Sam & Giorgio at East End Wine in Austin. 
Welcome to Austin! 
Diane and Earl Dixon (our gracious hosts), Giorgio, Jolie and Greg from Avante Beverages 
Susan and Giorgio - yes that is a collectors piece of the La Spinetta label 
Thanks to Chef Loren Root for the delicious pairings! 
1978! Thank you Diane! 
a perfect sweet treat with the La Spinetta Moscato d'Asti 
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Handley, Teira, Medlock Ames, Davis Family, LIOCO, Lewelling
Handley Cellars, Anderson Valley Estate Vineyard 
Handley Cellars Watertower 
Handley Cellars, Anderson Valley Estate Vineyard 
Handley Cellars, Anderson Valley Estate Vineyard 
Handley Cellars, Anderson Valley Estate Vineyard 
Handley Cellars (note the solar panels in the background) 
Handley Cellars, Anderson Valley Estate Vineyard 
Solar Powered - Handley Cellars 
Meet the Winemakers at Handley Cellars, Kristen and Milla 
Solar Powered - Handley Cellars 
the original slaughterhouse wheel above the winery. 
Cherry Blossoms at Handley Cellars 
Ferrington Vineyard (Pinot Noir), Anderson Valley, California 
Looking North from HELLUVA vineyard 
"Just tilled" HELLUVA vineyard 
owner, winemaker Milla Handley 
The Handley Cellars Pinot Noir Blending Seminar 
We were giving 5 individual vineyards to blend from... 
Hard at work blending our own bottle of Handley Cellars Pinot Noir 
single vineyard sample for blending 
"Day Dream", my final blend, I will open in December and report the results! 
Handley Cellars is known for their African Antiques and Art collection. 
The view from the Crush Pad - Handley Cellars, Anderson Valley 
In the cellar with Kristen, Handley Cellars. 
Barrel Room - Handley Cellars 
June, happy at Handley Cellars 
June, after the pinot blending seminar, Handley Cellars. 
Notes on a barrel, Handley Cellars. 
inside the winery at Handley Cellars 
nightfall at Handley Cellars 
Sunset over Handley Cellars 
my favorite tree in Anderson Valley - Handley Cellars 
my favorite tree in Anderson Valley - Handley Cellars 
ahh, a lovely dinner at the Handley Cellars Ranch House 
soup was perfect! 
Dry Creek - looking west from the Handal House and Vineyards 
Dry Creek - looking west from the Handal House and Vineyards 
Rainbow over Dry Creek 
Jack Sonni's amazing brussel sprouts 
NPA!! 
NPA - Secret Sauce out of barrel! 
Inside LIOCO, Salina Wine Co. 
2009 LIOCO Hirsch Pinot Noir 
Dirty South Wine Blogger and social media guru Hardy Wallace and Kevin Kelly of LIOCO and Salina. 
Dry Creek, the actual Dry Creek. 
Franks Woods Vineyards (Teira Wine) 
Frank Woods Vineyards (Teira Wine) 
The famous Teira Tree (skeet shoot stand included) 
the west view across from Frank Woods Vineyards and Teira 
Teira Wines of Dry Creek, West Dry Creek Rd. 
wind machine to fight frost in dry creek 
one of many owl boxes in Frank Woods Vineyard (Teira Wine) 
Frank Woods Vineyard, looking North... 
another Owl Box 
the start to a magical forest at Teira and Frank Woods Vineyard 
Pirate ship treehouse 
this cheery tree was buzzing with bees 
Teira Wine 
Davis Family Vineyards Winery 
Davis Family Vineyards winery 
Mustard fields in Alexander Valley 
inside the fridge at Teira 
delicious Teira Sauvignon Blanc 
it takes a lot of good beer to make a good bottle of wine... 
Teira Sauv Blanc - Dry Creek! 
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Fall 2009 TexaCali Photos
Guy Davis, owner and winemaker of Davis Family Vineyards - along with the Whole Foods Austin winemongers! 
Davis Family Vineyards wine dinner and cooking class. 
Congrats to the Chefs Under Fire winners! 
Chefs Under Fire Prep Time 
Chefs Under Fire - Chef Loren Root at Prep Time 
Chefs Under Fire 
Our wonderful pros from the At&t Conference Center and Reginato Blanc de Blancs 
The Line Up 
Chefs Under Fire VIP Reception with Crios Torrontes 
Our wonderful pros from the At&t Conference Center and Crios! 
Our wonderful pros from the At&t Conference Center and Crios! 
Chefs Under Fire - Crios Malbec 
Chef Under Fire - Tozai Living Jewel Sake 
Typical day on the job... 
need I say more? THE BOMB 
LIOCO Winemaker Kevin Kelley 
Lioco Winemaker - Kevin Kelley 
2009 Lioco Heintz in the works 
ohhh - my favorite Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir Vineyard 
LIOCO - Sonoma County Chardonnay in those tall steel tanks in the back. 
atop Bennett Valley - view from inside the guest rooms. 
beautiful Olivet Lane - pinot on the right... 
Pellegrini Harvest Team and Moreno lunching with TexaCali Ali 
Pellegrini - what Oak Barrel should we go with? 
Icing on the Cake after hiking the Tennessee Valley trail in Marin 
Icing on the Cake after hiking the Tennessee Valley trail in Marin 
Icing on the Cake after hiking the Tennessee Valley trail in Marin 
Icing on the Cake after hiking the Tennessee Valley trail in Marin 
Icing on the Cake after hiking the Tennessee Valley trail in Marin 
Eucalyptus Trees - one of my favorite things to smell while hiking. 
Large Formats from Argentina - NICO, NOSOTROS. LUCA, Mendel and Tikal. 
Build your own pizza at the Balls 
Host - Joe Ball 
The Lovely Whitney Ball 
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Argentina and Vine Connections
Ed of Vine Connections and Karen of Pioneer Wine Co. 
Buenos Aires 
Rooftop Bar in Buenos Aires 
Santiago of Mendel 
Laura Catena, Angel Paulucci, Greg Kassanoff and Luis Reginato. 
Laura Catena and Karen of Pioneer Wine Co. 
Low Hanging Malbec 
Angel Paulucci and Luis Reginato in the Paulucci Malbec Vineyard 
Luis holding Luca Syrah in both hands! 
Luis Reginato representing Tikal in a Polo Match 
The rows that go into BenMarco 
Listening to Roberto de la Mota at Mendel 
Nice and Greg at the Mapema BBQ in East Mendoza 
The Pizzella Family 
A tasting with Mendel's Roberto de la Mota 
Chad and Karen in Susana Balbo and Pedro Marchevsky's Vineyards 
...east of the Andes in Mendoza 
Chad being schooled by Laura Catena during a Luca vertical tasting 
Emily and Katie of Vine Connections 
Hot Empanadas Anyone? 
Greg and Chad inside Mendel Winery 
Yes, the group was followed around by cooks! They are making fresh bread here on the road in the middle of the Mendoza Countryside. 
Nick drenched by water-balloons in Mendoza 
Ahh, La Vendemia 
A Dried up River Bed, Guns and a Girl from Texas - look out! 
Chad drenched by water-balloons in Mendoza 
After the water-ballon fight at La Vendemia 
Karen and Chad Horseback Riding in Mendoza 
Chad 
Chad, Karen, Laura Catena and Greg 
Karen and the Tikal Men 
Karen, Susana Balbo and Chad 
Greg in the Luca Syrah Vineyard |
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December in San Francisco
Christmas Time in the City... 
I want this chair!! 
I hung this sign on the gate in 2000 for Henley...my office was in a garden in the back of shops on Union Street. Yes, it was cooool! 
Happy Friends! 
1976...read the tasting note soon. stay tuned! 
My old backyard... 
Crissy Field 
Golden Gate Park 
Looking up in Golden Gate Park 
the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park 
looking north-west towards the Golden Gate Bridge and the Pacifc Ocean from the Golden Gate Park 
Bottom of the Hilll, Potero Hill 
French Miami at The Bottom of the Hill 
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Iron Chef Dinner - Tyson Cole Executive Chef at uchi
Chef Tyson 
Ginger - the secret ingredient 
Inside the watching party and dinner at uchi 
Chef Tyson 
My favorite course - brown butter sorbet with ginger consomme and galangal tuile - paired with 2007 Perrone moscato d'asti 
Tyson dropped off some secret ingredients for "smellavision" during the show. 
The Iron Chef Menu 
Chef Tyson |
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SXSW 2008
Vice Saves Texas - SXSW Afterparty 
Team sake2me 
Comedy Stage Crowd at Mess with Texas 
sake2me at Mess with Texas 
Helio Sequence Showcase at Bourbon Rocks - my favorite band of the weekend! 
The Boyfriend 
Backstage at The Breeders 
Bourbon Rocks 
Bourbon Rocks 
Austin Whole Foods Loves sake2me 
Shurmun CD Release at Kenichi 
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2008 Napa Valley - Wine Writers Symposium
An afternoon sun storm over mustard in St. Helena 
Scribble and Doodles 
Napa Valley Vintners Dinner - Stony Hill Chardonnay, Monticello Cab Franc and Ladera Cabernet were my favorite. 
Classroom at the CIA Greystone 
At least 500 wine glasses on my table...a stemware sea. 
Blind tasting with Karen McNeil and Alder Yarrow at the CIA Greystone 
A few hours before sundown off my porch. 
Full Moon at Midnight right off my porch! 
Within minutes of my arrival after a very long travel day to Meadowood 
Peaceful path to my room at Meadowood 
A Room with a View at Meadowood. 
The view directly over my laptop as I load this picture! |
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December 2007 Trip to Northern California (quick trip!)
A new look for the Susana Balbo "Brioso" bottle of red wine. We love it! 
example of a Vine Connections trade show table...yes, there are trade shows in the wine business too! 
Sample bottle of the long-awaited Reginato sparkling from Argentina...so exciting! 
Bring on the bubbles! 
Laura Catena showing us her new Luca "Nico" during the Vine Connections Sales Summit. 
First peek at the new Luca Nico...$125 retail price. 
Pellegrini Eight Cousins "Old Vine" Zinfandel...see, it's the truth - these are wicked old vines in Sonoma. 
LIOCO Charles Heintz Chardonnay 
Kevin Kelly, the winemaker behind LIOCO |
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Etienne de Montille - First Visit to Texas!
My Wine of the Week! 
Etienne de Montille Tasting the Austin Wine Merchant 
Fans of Chateau Puligny Montrachet, Deux Montille and Domaine de Montille at the Saturday Sigel's Elite store tasting. 
More Fans in Dallas 
Sigel's Elite Tasting in Dallas with Etienne 
BBQ Burgundy in Austin! 
Etienne asked "Ali, what is Texas BBQ?", so we took him to the best BYOB BBQ joint in Austin, Texas! Ruby's off the drag... 
Etienne getting a lesson on "smoked meats". 
Cheers! The whole supply chain at dinner (Ali is behind the camera). Etienne, John and David from Veritas, Doug from Avante Beverages (distributor) and Paul and Zach from the Austin Wine Merchant! Fantastic Dinner! 
Austin's Mark Anderson, his girlfriend and Etienne at the Austin Wine Merchant Tasting Friday evening. 
The line-up...Chateau Puligny Montrachet, Deux Montille and Domaine de Montille 
Etienne leads a 2004 tasting at the Austin Wine Merchant 
Sigel's Elite Tasting in Dallas 
Etienne's very first Texas beer, queso and TexMex - Curras on Oltorf in Austin, Texas. 
Dinner at Ferrings at the new Ritz Carlton in Dallas with Etienne and Jasper Russo. Cheers! |
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Argentina
The Incredible Susana Balbo and TexaCali Ali sharing Crios Syrah Bonarda at the base of the Andes Mountains! 
In the Luca Malbec vineyard 
Oak Staves 
the Crios bottling line 
French barrels inside of Dominio del Plato 
Susana's dog Balthazar - Henley's long lost brother in Argentina! 
amazing malbec! 
somewhere in mendoza 
canopy trellis 
looking west at Domino del Plata 
Learninig from the Great Pedro Marchevsky 
In the vineyards with Pedro 
Wild Broncos came flying out of a valley while riding through the Andes 
Wine Master Wong on his horsey! 
Getting ready for my first horse ride 
Preparing for lunch 
Still talking about this pairing years later! 
SOO HAPPY HERE! 
Real Empanadas are baked in a clay oven 
How I felt after eating lunch! 
My very first glass of Crios Rose of Malbec - first of a few thousand now I'm certain! 
Inside the ranch house in the Andes...outside of Mendoza 
Where I had my first taste of Luca Chardonnay 
Jonas and Amy during a Luca vertical tasting in Mendoza 
The coolest ever - fresh empanadas delivered to us in the vineyard. 
In the vineyard a few days before harvest 
Standing exactly 90 miles away from the base of the Andes. Crazy. 
Are you really taking my picture now? 
Snow capped Andes Mountains 
In the Paulucci Vineyard 
Angel Paulucci and his sweet wift in the vineyard 
Guess these famous malbec teeth! 
Where should we sit? 
See the woman on the very right? She is the the mother of 18 children! 
So after we all sit down, a hundred glasses set, a raging thunderstorm creeps in - what a mess! 
Mapema by candlight, which led to Grappa of Malbec by candlelight, which led to TexaCali Ali laughing all the way home! 
Mapema by candlelight during the wicked storm. 
The view from my window in Mendoza - the Park Hyatt. 
La Recoleta Cemetery is a famous cemetery located in the exclusive Recoleta neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina. 
I was trying to get the picture of Eva Peron's grave here... 
The cemetery again... 
La Boca District 
Classic Pub in La Boca 
Don't Cry for Me Argentina 
Inside a delicious restaurant in Buenos Aires (more wine bottles than soccer balls I think!) 
First meal in Buenos Aires after the 10+ hour flight! 
Buenos Aires 
San Telmo 
Beautiful Buenos Aires 
San Telmo 
Sunday in San Telmo 
BBQ Dinner with Mapema 
A Tikal Vine 
The veggies in Argentina are just as amazing as their beef! 
San Telmo Cafe in Buenos Aires 
Laura Catena at Limon with TexaCali Ali and Vine Connections |
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Private Tastings, Japan, Winemaker Dinners, whatever
2007 TexSom Conference 
Inside my fridge the night before the TexSom Masters dinner at Wink! 
ahh, a break in New Mexico! 
Sunset at Handley Cellars in Anderson Valley 
Tasty Treat at the Anderson Valley Brewing Company 
Lunch in the Garden - Mendocino August 2007 
Fort Ross Sales Call in Dallas 
Guy Davis at Spanish Oaks - a lovely evening of food and wine! 
TexaCali Ali finally gets her "ocean fix" August 2007 
TexaCali Inner Circle on Tour in Sonoma 
Russian River Rocks 
Over the Rainbow in Sonoma 
Russian River behind Fitch Mountain in Sonoma 
Presidio Steps 
Path to my old house in the Presidio from Crissy Field 
Palace of Fine Arts Feb. 2007 
Palace of Fine Arts Feb. 2007 
Small Display of the best Argentine wine.... 
Pedro speaking during the Malbec Masters Tour in Houston 
Luis speaking in Houston during the Malbec Masters Tour 
Tikal and BenMarco! 
Malbec Masters speaking to Bill and Matthew at the downtown Spec's store - Houston. 
Roberto de la Mota - winemaker of Mendel chatting with Bill on the Argentine row in Spec's. 
Well feed winemakers along with Chef and Owner Lanny Lancarte! 
Susana Balbo and Pedro Marchevsky at Lanny's Alto Cocina in Fort Worth ...ahh the lovebirds! 
The North Texas Malbec Masters Tour & Seminar at the Gaylord Texan 
Guests at the North Texas Malbec Masters Seminar 
Winemaker for Tikal, Luca and La Posta - Luis Reginato at the Malbec Masters Seminar 
Fresh Wasabi in Japan 
East Bound from the top of Fort Ross Vineyards 
You can see the Faralon Islands from Fort Ross 
steep vines at Fort Ross 
Fort Ross Vineyards Jan. 2006 
Linda and Lester - the Lovebirds behind Fort Ross Winery! 
Half Moon Bay Sunset 
My favorite porch in Dry Creek 
Doug Wight of Lewelling teaching me about pruning. 
Germain-Robin 
2005 Dallas Morning News Wine Competition 
Pellegrini Family Vineyards - Cloverdale Ranch Cabernet and Merlot 
Bride of the Fox Mask 
Bon Appetite Party in Austin with Vine Connections @ Kenichi 
York Street - Dallas Texas 
The famous Bill and Laura! 
Lewelling Barrel Samples 
Asakahan Entrance - Japan 
AHH - Sweets prepared by Doralice Handal of The Cheese Shop for the Valdez Family Vineyards Release party! 
Pellegrini Family Vineyards 
Malibu sunset in September 2006 
Hosting Dallas Uncorked! 
Stirring Sake in Japan - Bride of the Fox actually 
Hiking in Marin November 2006 
Hiking in Marin November 2006 |
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Austin, Dallas, Ft. Worth and Houston
Luis Reginato - Winemaker for Tikal, Luca and La Posta from Argentina dines at Austin's The Oasis 
Mike Meadows of PORTERDAVIS and Luis Reginato of Tikal, Luca and La Posta at The Oasis 
Winemaker Luis and Central Market WIne Stud Matt in Austin 
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