Wine Travel Stories

In-depth Tales of Winery Visits Around the World

Master Tasting at Khareba Winery and Opening a Qvevri to Taste the Baby Wine

(March 2016) We were welcomed to Khareba Winery by an amazing site. A group of polyphonic singers seranaded us, while chefs prepared traditional Georgian food over an open fire (see video here). We were invited to help cook fresh breads, dumplings filled with herbs and minced lamb, and the amazing "churchkhela," which look like long salamis. In actuality they are walnuts placed on a string and then dipped in a molten pot of hot grape juice. They taste almost like candy. Polyphonic Singers in Black Robes, with cooking pots over fire Churchkhela. Photo by Levan Gokadze Opening the Qvevri and Tasting [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T14:13:48-08:00April 9, 2016|

Ikalto Academy – The Oldest Winemaking School in the World?

After a stomach churning ride over the Gombori Mountain range between Tbilisi and Telavi, where we stopped along the way to take breathtaking photos of the snowcapped Caucasus mountains in the distance, we arrived at Ikalto Academy. Established in the 6th century, Ikalto Academy is perhaps home to the oldest winemaking school in the world. Some of the members of our group crossing the Gombori Mountains We were greeted by Bishop David who welcomed us in Georgian to the ancient site, while Tina translated. The Bishop explained that the school was founded by Saint Zenon, one of 13 fathers who [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T14:14:09-08:00April 8, 2016|

A Magnificent Tasting at Penfold’s Magill Estate Winery

(Feb. 20, 2016) On our last day in Adelaide, we were fortunate to obtain a private tasting at Penfold’s Magill Estate with winemaker, Jason Barrette, and Hospitality Director, Jane Gibbs. This was organized by famous Australian photographer, Milton Wordley, who is good friends with Peter Gago. When Milton learned I hadn’t visited Penfold’s since 2003, he insisted on setting up the visit for us. We are very glad we followed his advice. Old Vines Saved from Bulldozer by Winemakers The Magill Estate is located in a suburb of Adelaide, and boasts 12 acres of old shiraz vines. It is the only [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T14:14:30-08:00March 23, 2016|

One Day Wine Tasting in the Barossa Valley, Australia

(Feb. 19, 2016) At the end of our 3 day conference, we signed up to attend the one-day private wine tasting tour in the Barossa Valley. Just like the McClaren Vale, I had visited Barossa several times previously, but this time there were some new wineries on the agenda. Previous Evening Dinner at Hill of Grace Restaurant Given the fact that we had enjoyed a 5-course dinner paired with wine at the Hill of Grace Restaurant in the Adelaide Oval Stadium the evening before, the 8am departure was a bit challenging. Especially since our dinner had started at 7:30pm with [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T14:14:52-08:00March 9, 2016|

Three Delightful Days in McClaren Vale, Australia

Reunited with my Australian Relatives in McClaren Vale (February 14 – 16, 2016) Our plane touched down in Adelaide around noon, but it only took a short time to pick up our rental car at Hertz and drive the 45 minutes to McClaren Vale. We reached our private cottage around 1:30pm and after a shower and power nap, went to visit Hugh Hamilton Winery (see other post), before driving up Marshall Road to visit my relatives who live on top of the hill. As usual on this remote road, we passed at least 8 kangaroos jumping in the yellow grass. [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T14:15:13-08:00March 9, 2016|

A Visit to the Cartoon Decorated Molly Dooker Winery

(Feb. 15, 2016) I must admit that I’ve never been a fan of cartoon wine labels, but at the same time recognize that they have helped Molly Dooker to differentiate itself on the global wine scene. However, given the fame of their wines now, I’m not sure that the cartoon labels are still necessary. And indeed, they have dispensed with this custom on their high-end Black Velvet wine, which comes in a simple black bottle. On the other hand, the cartoons are part of what attracts many of my Millennial wine students to this winery. We arrived around 11:30 in [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T14:15:36-08:00February 25, 2016|

Visiting the Black Sheep Winery of Hugh Hamilton in McClaren Vale, Australia

(Feb. 14, 2016) The entrance to Hugh Hamilton Wineryis stunning, with a curved gray wall at the beginning and then a long driveway lined with tall green cypress trees. Along the drive, there are four “sheep dips”, which are upside down speed bumps, each marked with a cute sign with a sheep.” At the far end of the driveway is a tall circular building set on a hilltop and surrounded by vineyards. An imposing flight of steps leads to the building, and sitting in the center of the staircase is a statue of a sheep. The whole effect is both [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T14:15:56-08:00February 24, 2016|

Mexican Wine, Beer or Tequila: The Amazing Resilience of Mexico’s Wine Industry

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-05T18:49:47-08:00February 1, 2016|

Who Knew Southern Indiana Wine Country Was So Beautiful? – A Visit to Huber Winery

Vineyard at Huber Winery, Indiana (Tues., July 28, 2015)Who knew Southern Indiana was so beautiful? I had flown from San Francisco to Indianapolis and rented an SUV to drive two hours south on Highway 64 to the Uplands AVA of Indiana. My destination was Huber Winery, the largest and oldest winery in Indiana. Situated only a few miles from the Kentucky border, this part of Indiana is graced with gentle rolling hills, green valleys filled with orchards, rows of corn and vineyards. As soon as I turned on State Road 60, I saw charming farmhouses surrounded by large emerald lawns [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T14:17:30-08:00August 12, 2015|

Wine from Vietnam: Pervasive Yet Eclipsed by Beer

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-05T19:42:45-08:00July 29, 2015|

Do You Know Where the Only Sparkling Meadery in the World is Located?

First of all, you may be wondering what a "Meadery" is. The actual definition of "Meadery" is a winery that produces wine made from honey. This is an ancient technique, and mead can be found in many countries of the world. It is often a sweet thick wine, or can be made thinner with the addition of water, and take on the taste of a sweet beer. The Location: Heidrun Winery in Point Reyes, California However, hidden in the coastal hills of Marin County, California in the small town of Point Reyes is the home of the only sparkling meadery [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T14:31:28-08:00April 23, 2015|

Shopping in Panama City’s Casco Antiguo, Albrook Mall, and Visiting the Frank Gehry Biodiversity Museum

Old Section of Panama City March 2015 - On our last full day in Panama we drove to the old city to do the walking tour and some shopping. Again it was a bit challenging traversing the slums and one-way streets, but easier in the daylight than in the nighttime as we had done previously. Using a tourist map, we managed to find the paid parking lot at the end of the peninsula on which the old city is situated. It only costs 30 cents per half hour, so 90 cents for our total visit. We wandered the streets and [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T14:32:00-08:00April 20, 2015|

Visiting the Soberania National Park and Gamboa Rainforest Resort, Panama

March 2015 - Another day we drove from our resort to the Soberania National Park. It took about 35 minutes from the Intercontinental Playa Bonita Resort and was not that difficult. What was challenging was trying to figure out where the park started. There is no visitor center, but instead small signs listing the name of the hiking trails. Therefore, you must check the names of the hiking trails first. We stopped at the El Charco Nature Trail (Sendero Natural El Charco) and parked in the dirt parking lot. As we approached the trailhead, a smiling young man stepped out [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T15:00:16-08:00April 13, 2015|

Renting a Car in Panama City and Visiting the Panama Canal

Simulation Room at Panama Canal March 2015 - Renting a car in Panama City was an unusual experience. We reserved with Hertz and the check-in at the airport was normal, but the nice touch was they brought the car to the curb for us to climb in. No need to get on a rental car bus. The downside was that when we returned the car to the airport, there are no signs about where to return it, and we had to circle 3 times. Eventually, after asking several police officers, we were told that we should bring the car to [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T15:00:34-08:00April 6, 2015|

Relaxing at Playa Bonita and Watching Panamanian Dancing

Beach & Pool at Playa Bonita Resort March 2015 – In between attending conference sessions, we managed to explore several parts of Panama City. The first full day we enjoyed the beauty of the Intercontinental Playa Bonita Resort, which is located 15 minutes north of Panama City just over the impressive Bridge of Americas. The resort is situated on a beautiful blond sand beach on the Pacific, with a view of the massive ships lining up on the horizon to wait their turn to enter the Panama Canal. There are many different types of seabirds that come to the resort [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T15:00:51-08:00April 1, 2015|

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