Santa Cruz, let me count the ways I love you. You're beautiful, chill, elegant, not pretentious, packed with excellent restaurants and these days, more and more exciting ethnic options. Delicious! #sanfranciscochronicle

A recent sojourn to Santa Cruz found so many treasures. There are so many exceptional wineries, growers and producers in the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA - here are some of my happy picks. #visitsantacruz #winesofthesantacruzmountains #sanfranciscochronicle

ou simply cannot truly understand the magic that is Mendocino unless you spend a lot of time there, exploring the secret destinations amid the more popular stops. sonomamag.com/spend-a-perfec… #sonomamag #sonomamagazine #visitmendocino

The culinary world feels emptier now after the passing of Sonoma County’s James Beard Award-winning chef John Ash on Aug. 8 from a heart condition. sonomamag.com/a-salute-to-la…

Seafood is a classic Wine Country holiday meal. Oddly, great fresh seafood can be hard to find in Sonoma County, but I found lots of the great stuff in Santa Cruz. #sanfranciscochronicle #visitsantacruz

The theme is holiday gifts, but the real story is about destinations and food purveyors that are year-round treats for ourselves. Some of my new favorites. @sanfranciscochronicle

The assignment: scour Sonoma County for the coolest vintage stores, and select covetable holiday gifts. #sonomamagazine sonomamag.com/find-unique-gi…

It's been forever since I visited the iconic Grasing's in Carmel-by-the-Sea, so how cool to see how it has evolved so much. When it opened in 1998, owner Kurt Grasing offered just 12 wines. Now, he has expanded to some 3,400 international wines. #sanfranciscochronicle

Do you know your way to Monterey? A recent visit found a treasure trove of new, oh-so-interesting places to dine. Cambodian cuisine. Vietnamese classics that aren't softened for American palates. Mouthwatering Oaxacan delights including some dishes I'd never heard of. Go!

Yep, loving Lodi!! Some more wonderful wineries I recommend exploring. #sanfranciscochronicle

Ra ra ra for raptors! These amazing birds of prey offer natural protection against pesky small birds that devour winery grapes. They do not eat or harm the birds - they are very well fed by their handlers #ediblemarinandwinecountry …nandwinecountry.ediblecommunities.com/food-thought/r…

If you haven't been to V. Sattui Winery's new Mercato del Gusto upscale deli and marketplace in St. Helena, you are really missing out. Shelves brim with housemade delights! #sanfranciscochronicle

There's something so relaxing and freeing about painting, or drawing, or even scribbling doodles. I am so inspired by this Art With Elders nonprofit program in San Francisco that encourages older adults to tap into the natural creativity to unleash joy. #artwithelders

Technically, wee babes of 50 yrs is the "senior" threshold for AARP discounts, and many senior housing communities. I am ready to go into assisted living (in my own home). I would love someone to take care of me and chores and feeding. #sanfranciscochronicle

Some of our most delicious pizzas come from women chef-entrepreneurs, a newer trend amid an industry that has long put men in the spotlight. These ladies are working magic with the ovens, and in the process, building relationships with each other. sonomamag.com/the-sonoma-cou…

It's always such a delight to scoot down to Santa Cruz and explore more of what's new and cool. For more more more new spots, read on! #sanfranciscochronicle #visitsantacruz

It's always a joy to write about lesser-known wine regions. I'm so happy for our pioneers who put the sweat and tears into establishing the market - Sam Pillsbury and Eric Glomski at Page Springs Cellars. Read the San Francisco Chronicle #sanfranciscochronicle

When a Swiss wine maker crafts premium wines made with Spanish style grapes grown in Lodi, you've got a trifecta. #sanfranciscochronicle sfgate.com/travel/article…

It was interesting to talk to longtime wine judges to see what their tips for tasting include. #sanfranciscochronicle

So many interesting grapes from so many interesting regions! Read some of my picks from Amador County, Anderson Valley and Clarksburg #sanfranciscochronicle