I am sitting like a lizard in the warm afternoon sunshine, wrapped in an alpaca wool shawl on a scenic terrace overlooking the Apalta wine appellation and volcanoes of the Andes. The chilly morning rain has moved out and there’s not a cloud in the sky. In the distance, there’s a shrill call of a queltehue, a southern lapwing, one of the most common birds in the Chilean countryside and the murmur of voices from the nearby lodge. I am enjoying a moment to myself to reboot after a very early arrival from Buenos Aires this morning.

After touching down, I made a beeline to Clos Apalta Residence, a stunning hotel property in the heart of the Colchagua Wine Valley, 2.5 hours south of Santiago. While Clos Apalta is renowned for its wine, and the stunning gravity flow winery is certainly iconic, I am here to stay in the newish, ultra-luxurious villas, added as an extension to the existing four vineyard casitas (also freshly renovated).

After a very leisurely check-in and lunch, I climb aboard the golf cart ushering people and luggage up and down the steep hillside to/from the villas (note to self: just walk next time, or hold on tightly). Each villa (and casita) is named for one of the grape varieties grown in the vineyard. Fittingly, I am assigned Grenache, as if they knew my affinity for that variety!

Entering the villa, it immediately feels like an opulent treehouse. The view opens completely and is located mid-slope right above the center of the vineyards. The architecture is completely integrated into the hillside so you feel the forest yet seem to be floating just above it. The picture windows have encompassing vistas of the surrounding hillsides (awash with wild mustard at this time of year), the valley floor, and the Andes. There’s a panoramic view from every single vantage point (living, bedroom, bathroom) and a wraparound veranda to enjoy it outside, too. Even the individual vanities in the spa-like bathroom mirror the landscape. And then there’s the ‘hall of mirrors’, an enormous closet area with floor-to-ceiling infinity mirrors that makes getting dressed so fun and an excuse to indulge in endless selfies…or at least I did that!

Another thing to love? The living room is completely detached from the master bedroom and bathroom so if you need to work, make a phone call, or wake up in the middle of night or really early in the morning for a coffee, it doesn’t bother your significant other or travel partner. And at 1600 square feet (148m2), the villa definitely feels like a private hillside getaway where you can easily disappear for as long as you want, surfacing only to be fed and wined in the main lodge as needed (breakfast can be delivered and served in your villa upon request, too).

Following a short siesta, I manage to peel myself away from the villa. I skip the winery tour, which while a true architectural feat everyone should see at least once, I have visited probably 100 times since its 2005 inauguration. Instead, I meet with their resident sommelier to taste through a few vintages of the Clos Apalta wine by the fireplace.

Founded by Alexandre Marnier (of the Gran Marnier family), Clos Apalta’s icon wine has consistently scored 100 points for multiple vintages and is firmly established as one of Chile’s most acclaimed red wines on the icon level. The project has grown to include other wines within the portfolio, which are tasted in the context of meals, although Clos Apalta continues to be the hallmark wine. As we taste through the line up, I realize this is the kind of wine I don’t gravitate to very much anymore as my palate has veered more in the champagne-white wine-Burgundy-esque red direction. It’s big, dense, and chewy and reaches 15% alcohol. The style is very Michel Rolland (their wine advisor) and, for my palate at least, has this bonbon quality from the concentration and use of new oak that immediately makes the vintages with some age on them (like 7-10 years) more approachable.

While Clos Apalta as a project was initially built as the ‘home’ to make the namesake wine, today the focus is a complete hospitality experience and is part of the Relais & Chateaux group. Chef Leonel Diaz helms the kitchen and is a Colchagua native leveraging much of what is sourced from the property’s extensive vegetable garden to create the menu along with products from the local Santa Cruz feria (farmers market) or other small producers in the valley. While his perspective is acutely local and Chilean in many flavor combinations, there’s a consistent French flair (and undertone) that cuts across not only the food but the aesthetics as well. It’s that kind of old world touch of understated elegance and sophistication that feels rooted in a clear vision and noble materials.
The next morning, after a good night’s sleep, I head out on a long vineyard walk to get fresh air before the most scenic pilates workout ever. There’s a villa solely dedicated as a gym, complete with dry and Turkish saunas! Fortunately, I can take my time since there is nothing on the agenda this morning…what a godsend in a place like this!

For guests staying at Clos Apalta, the property is strategically located within the Colchagua Valley so many winery visits and anchor dining, like Francis Mallmann’s Fuegos de Apalta, are very close by. Of course, as tempting as it may be to run around the valley and conquer tasting as many wines as humanly possible (and certainly one day could be dedicated to that…), I think this is the kind of place to savor, rest, and enjoy just being there. It’s so incredibly exquisite in every way!

After a fabulous champagne brunch, before moving on to my next stop, I did just that. I absorbed as much of those glorious views of the Chilean countryside as I could. Having spent over half my life in Chile, the imagen (image) of the Andes and the green valley floor will be forever etched in my memory — and soul. I was, in essence, filling my tank with nature and beauty for the road.

Definitely worth a few days detour from Santiago, or even a trip from afar, too.

The post Just back from… Clos Apalta Residence in Chile appeared first on Liz Caskey Culinary and Wine Experiences.

From my air-conditioned perch inside a picturesque bar in Cartagena, I have a view of the San Pedro de Claver church, made of golden coral stone and heavy wooden doors where many passersby stop to snap photos. The plaza just outside is surrounded by white and ochre-toned colonial buildings with carved balconies where the palanqueras wait, draped in jewel-toned ruffles with a bowl of tropical fruit balanced on their heads. I can hear the clip-clop of a carriage coming, such a familiar sound in the walled city, and traditional mode of transport.

I am snapped back into the present moment as a freshly mixed daiquiri is placed in front of me by Juan, the owner and master mixologist. “The daiquiri,” he explains, “exemplifies balance. A perfectly balanced daiquiri has the tartness of fresh lime juice, the sweetness of sugar and the tropical flavors of rum. Without any of these ingredients, the cocktail would simply not work.”

While I am not usually a daiquiri drinker, he explains that it’s a ‘trinity cocktail,’ the same as a negroni (hands down my favorite!), and if that’s the case, I can be convinced…plus it is way more Cartagena in vibe.

One of our brave guests volunteers to get behind the bar to mix up a signature cocktail under the bartender’s guidance. The bar is already quite cozy so the illuminated rows of dehydrated-fruit-infused spirits, house-made bitters, and botanical infusions, give it an apothecary-meets-speakeasy ambience.

We have covered a lot of ground these past days since arriving in Cartagena. Even after many visits here, the city still feels fantastical; almost like a movie-set (except it’s not): the ornate bougainvillea climbing the facades, the imposing walls of the fortress and its heavy cannons, vendors hawking freshly squeezed limonada to beat the heat under the palms, looking up to see a sloth sleeping peacefully in a magnolia tree, the never-ending murmur of salsa drifting out of open windows. Then there’s the constant sea breeze, and view, if you climb up on the walls or find a rooftop terrace.

Cartagena also has this yin-yang pull where you need nature to counter the city’s intensity. Earlier that day, we sailed out to the Rosario islands and the Baru peninsula where the crystal-clear turquoise Caribbean Sea appeared. We snorkeled, swam, sunbathed on a swath of golden sand, had massages on the beach and ate fresh lobster for lunch. It was paradise…

I am roused out of my daydreaming (again) by Juan who says,

“Ya te toca Liz!”

My turn at the bar?? I am usually the one drinking, not mixing…but…¿por qué no?

“What cocktail do you want to make? Penicillin or Sex on the Beach?”

I take a moment to consider my options. Well, besides being allergic to actual penicillin, I also have an aversion to whiskey. Sex on the beach seems very 1980s Miami Beach although fitting, or at least this city seduces me every single time. Let’s go with that…

I make my way behind the bar to the mise en place where the bartender points to everything I will need to pull this off, minus a dose of confidence that I have to find on my own.

I measure out the chilled vodka into the jigger, followed by smaller portions of peach schnapps, cranberry juice, and a chaser of orange juice. I add the ice into the shaker and seal it. Now comes the tricky part, and fun – the shaking. I channel my best version of Tom Cruise in Cocktail and with a firm, two-handed grip, go for it. This is actually harder than it looks (requires using my biceps). It takes a few seconds to find a rhythm as Juan coaches me from the other side of the bar. I need to maintain it for at least another 10 seconds to get the right dilution and temperature.

I fight to open the shaker – the seal is tight! The bartender arranges glasses in front of me and I strain the liquid, which is the color of a sunset, and place an orange peel and maraschino cherry on top. Just as the name promised, that was entertaining. Tonight is already our last night, how sad!, so we raise our glasses to cheer all the good times we have had in Cartagena, and Colombia, over this past week.

That’s the onda though in Cartagena. Fun. Playful. Lighthearted. And joyful. So much joy! I think Colombia’s cocktail culture is really symbolic of her energy. You fill your glass with (liquid) joy, then drink it, too.

Our upcoming trip to Colombia is from March 19-26, 2026, for more information on the trip contact us here to speak with our team

The post Where Joy is Shaken and Poured …Cartagena appeared first on Liz Caskey Culinary and Wine Experiences.

I have a big smile on my face as my toes dig into the warm sand–I am in my happy place.

Gauging from the sun in the sky, it’s late afternoon, but I am far from concerned about the time at this precise moment. My husband, looking extremely tan and very handsome in his white linen shirt, pours me another glass of Albariño as we wait for our lunch to appear. We are in no rush though. It’s quite the scene, and we are quite content to sit here for hours drinking wine on the beach and taking it all in.

We are at La Huella, in José Ignacio, Uruguay, quite possibly my favorite restaurant in the world, which I have been visiting, and going on and on about ad nauseam, for over a decade, ha! Seriously though, it’s a place if you ask me where I would tele-transport myself in a heartbeat, this would be it.

José Ignacio sits on a small peninsula jutting out into the ocean, surrounded on three sides by beaches that capture the sun and waves from sunrise to sunset. It’s also the definition of rustic elegance in these latitudes, very much the Riviera of South America.

Lunch at La Huella feels like arriving at the heart of this chic yet very laid back beach village east of Punta del Este. From the outside, it appears to be little more more than a shack with its canvas tarps flapping in the south Atlantic breeze. In fact, the owners say, “We serve simple beach food.” However, as soon as you enter, you realize this is anything but ‘simple’; something very special is going on here. You can feel it.

While we came sporting our flagship white linen, many families came straight off the beach clad in swimsuits and flip-flops with their pets and/or kids in tow. However casual La Huella may seem at first glance, there is an understated, elegant onda going on. From lunchtime to late in the evening, the DJ, the hum of conversation in multiple languages, and the ever-present sounds of the waves crashing on Playa Brava blend together in this forever-packed locale.

We spot our server across the tables in his head-to-toe Lacoste uniform gracefully weaving from the grill, through the mayhem, towards us with a platter of still-sizzling chiparones and grilled octopus (our standing order in addition to the burrata-heirloom tomato salad). Having now kicked the first bottle of Albariño, obviamente, we ordered another…this time a favorite Riesling from Bodega Bouza made in the same Maldonado province where José Ignacio sits. We dig into our meal. The food is simple, elemental, flawlessly prepared, and divino.

La Huella is about more than food though…es un lugar de encuentro…it is a place to come together, see and be seen, catch up, run into new friends / old friends / neighbors, grab a bite or a drink when in town on any day, at any time of the day, or at least after 12pm till 12am, or so. It channels a vibe, a state of being, a feeling…one that Uruguay embodies so well.

That ‘state’ is all about being descontraturado…relaxed, open, come-as-you-are. There’s something exquisite in how the rusticity of the countryside and the wildness of the sea mingle together that creates this understated aesthetic that carries through everything there. It pulls you in. It invites you to linger as long as you can…or at least until the wine is gone!

This vibe, the DNA of La Huella, José Ignacio, and Uruguay is indescribable until you go and know it first hand; then you will never forget it…and it will call you back to return to it again…and again…

Perhaps in 2026, it’s time to discover Uruguay??

We will be dining at La Huella on our upcoming trip to Uruguay from February 13-19, 2026. Click here for more information on the trip; or here to speak with our team

The post A Love Letter to La Huella (and Uruguay)… appeared first on Liz Caskey Culinary and Wine Experiences.

Beyond viticulture, Napa Valley is all about its farm-to-table cuisine, luxury resorts, and outdoor activities. Dating back to the 1830s, though, Napa feels a bit like Mediterranean Chile, Tuscany, and very California.

And while Napa is most certainly very much about wine, there are many other things happening!! Given the millions of visitors coming, we thought we’d share a local foodie/somm’s POV since these tips may serve you. Vamos….let’s go…

#1 Pick your season wisely
We cannot emphasize this enough. Napa Valley receives millions of visitors each year and the majority are during summer and harvest in the fall. For the record…summer is the hottest time to visit and HARVEST IS THE WORST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT. It’s fire season, winemakers are not available (umm, they have to harvest), everything is slammed with visitors, restaurants are collapsed. Moral of the story–come off-season or shoulder season. I love winter, particularly February-March when the mustard is in bloom up until Spring before Memorial Day. Napa is also gorgeous after harvest in early November when the vineyards change color. It depends on what you envision doing, if you want to be cozy or outdoorsy.

#2 Pick your days of the week even more wisely
Weekends in Napa…they sound super sexy, while logistically they tend to be a nightmare. Why??? We have San Francisco and Silicon Valley in two hours driving distance and LA/SoCal a short flight away. The lure is real. Many of the best vintners/wineries don’t open on the weekend or at least nobody on the winemaking team is around (yes, they have lives). The competition for restaurant reservations is fierce (along with the open wineries and any spa appointments at your luxury hotels). And just when you think you escaped the city for the peaceful countryside, be prepared for the worst traffic. I remember that time before the weekend dinner rush near Yountville…45 minutes in a total standstill in the middle of seemingly nowhere. Buck the trend here, friends, and do what everyone else doesn’t do–book your stay from Monday-Thursday and you’ll be in travel nirvana.

#3 Pick your base in the Valley carefully
Napa is like a bowling alley 30-odd miles long between two mountain ranges, the Mayacamas and the Vaca Mountains. There are basically two ways to get up (and down) the Valley–on Route 29 or the Silverado Trail. Both are (mostly) single lane roads and somewhat windy (particularly Silverado). Many people don’t realize that getting from Napa (town) up to Calistoga is 45 minutes on an easy traffic day. Or that Calistoga, where hotels like Solage, Auberge, Meadowwood and the Four Seasons are located, is closer to Healdsburg (foodie capital of Sonoma) than Napa. Likewise, if you base in southern Carneros where the newish Auberge (Stanly Ranch) opened, you will be closer to San Francisco (great for transfers in/out), Sonoma (town), and less trafficked parts of the valley like Coombsville (AMAZING appellation) and Mt. Veeder. Which brings me to the next point…

#4 Yountville is touristy although well-located
You can love me or hate me for this comment…it’s real. Yountville is built for hospitality and as a town has gone from a local village to one being centered around swanky hotels and fine dining. In fact, they had to close the elementary school due to lack of students. Now I’m not saying it’s not adorable, cute, charming, or that I don’t love walking through the French Laundry gardens, having margaritas at Thomas Keller’s taco joint, or getting croissants at dawn at Bouchon Bakery and watching the hot air balloons take off…because it is ALL that. However, the focus has clearly moved to visitors because of its strategic position mid-valley. It simply does not have the authentic feel of towns like St. Helena, downtown Napa, or even Calistoga. Just know if you go and embrace the luxe, resort(y) vibe if you decide to base there.

#5 Get a driver
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband got a DUI in Napa last year and I thought the behavior was inexcusable–and unfortunately common on many weekends here. People, if you are going to taste wine in any form and don’t plan on spitting ALL OF IT, either have a designated driver or get a paid driver (ahem, chauffeur). Period. End of story.

#5 Book everything FAR IN ADVANCE
Napa is popular even if you adhere to the off-season and mid-week rules so successful planning means having all your dining and wine tasting ducks in order months in advance. If you are trying to have milestone meals at The French Laundry and/or Kenzo, both Michelin star experiences, first get the dinner reservation(s) secured and THEN plan the rest of your trip–this includes hotel and air. This is the only way to avoid getting everything lined up and then finding out reservations are impossible and no amount of string-pulling will work. Both TFL & Kenzo open reservations on the first of the month for the following month at 9am local time and release only a handful of tables. Imagine everyone jockeying for those few tables. You need to have a clear date (remember mid-week = better probability), a calendar reminder, your credit card memorized, and all cookies/cache cleared on your computer to be on your top booking game…and even then, say a little prayer.

#6 Here are a few of our favorite things to do living here
–A sunny warm spring / summer lunch (or early dinner) on the terrace surrounded by vineyards at Don Giovanni Bistro. Favorites are octopus salad and burrata pizza although everything is tasty.

–Stroll the riverwalk in downtown Napa (yes there is a river! And a boat dock!) and stop at Angele for a simple, classy French meal with champagne, or taste some valley wines at Compline restaurant (warning: the duck fat fries are evil).

–Take a hike in the tucked away Westwood Hills in the Brown’s Valley area to get an eagle’s view of Napa. At the top, you can see the whole way to the San Pablo Bay and even San Francisco on a clear day.

–The big Farmer Market day is Saturday. Some days we go to Oxbow for a sweet treat (me, an almond milk latte thanks) at Model Bakery; others we just shop for produce and let the kids get doughnuts (just look for the 40-person deep line).

–Walk Main Street St. Helena. It’s Americana chic and cuteness at its finest. I love Acres concept store for fun home, tableware, and kitchen items, No|Ma for a stylish coffee, Cook for a low key pasta lunch. You can stop for to-go coffee in the retro Gas Station (or just take selfies for Instagram). Nearby Sunshine Foods is like a gourmet Napa/Sonoma-centric version of Whole Foods and super local (you may run into local winemakers in the aisles). Your foodie mind will be blown!

-Put on your favorite tunes and take the back roads to Sonoma TOWN via Old Sonoma road to route 12, which is only fifteen minutes from Napa TOWN. The rolling hills studded with vines are so scenic. If you have kids, spend a morning at the old school Traintown (get there early), stop by the original (and still very cute) Williams & Sonoma shop (if you have a thing for iconic kitchen stores…), have a spectacular farm-to-table brunch at Valley on the town square, or if you are itching for authentic Mexican (i.e. mole), El Molino is your spot..

I can go on about the food trucks, more walks with views (Stanly Lane, Skyline park, Alston Park), my favorite scenic drives into the hills (Oakville Grade not for the faint of heart), where to soak in a mud bath, why I find Gott’s Roadside ho-hum and oh, winery visits…right…WINE. That’s the whole point??!! Well, kinda. You see, Napa has lots of things that are NOT JUST WINE!

Friends, there are too many wineries to even start in this note. It’s taken time to understand the terroir, the producers, and hone those which are worth visiting, many of which are small and not your usual suspects nor experiences, or at least the way we like to set things up.

As you can see, local Napa does exist if you scratch deeper. An entire wine industry and the communities that support are based here. It’s a beautiful place to call home. If you need our help curating a special trip or milestone celebration to the region, or procuring those hard to get visits (Harlan, Colgin, etc.…), contact us to make it happen.

Need more inspiration? We also did a podcast earlier this year which you can listen HERE.

The post A Local’s Guide to Visiting Napa appeared first on Liz Caskey Culinary and Wine Experiences.

Today we kick off a monthly series into specific wine varieties and regions starting with a look into Chile’s clandestine-turned-flagship grape called Carmenere. Initially it was thought to be extinct after the phylloxera decimated Bordeaux’s vineyards in the 19th century. However, Carmenère was rediscovered in Chile in the mid 1990s and since then has been championed as the country’s iconic variety, much like Malbec has been touted as Argentina’s. In this episode, we delve into the origins of Carmenere, why it has thrived in Chile’s Mediterranean climate, discuss its seductively complex, earthy profile as a red wine, what producers and appellations to know as a consumer, and how to pair it with food, and how its affordability (at any price point from entry level to icon) can earn a place in your rotating wine options or cellar.

In this episode we talk about:

• History and Background of Carmenere
• Origin and discovery of Carmenere grape
• Transitioning the vineyards and where Carmenere grows in Chile
• Specific viticulture of growing Carmenere
• Flavor profiles of the grape and nuances across regions
• Chileans producers of Carmenere at all price points
• What to eat, and pair with Carmenere

Resources:
Instagram: @lccwe, @lizcaskey77
Website: www.lizcaskey.com
Our cookbook: https://lizcaskey.com/cookbook/

The post In Search of Flavor, Episode 32: Carmenere – Chile’s Clandestine-Turned-Flagship Grape appeared first on Liz Caskey Culinary and Wine Experiences.

In this episode, Rodolfo Guzmán, the head chef and founder of the award-winning Boragó restaurant in Santiago, Chile, joins us to share his two great passions: food & chile. Boragó today ranks among the top restaurants in South America and the world, and Guzman is on a mission to bring the diversity of his home country to the world. Rodolfo discusses his early years as a cook in Chile & Europe, bootstrapping Boragó, the ups and downs of being an unconventional restaurateur, how he’s embraced research and experimentation as a cornerstone of Boragó’s culinary philosophy, and finally, how he’s stepped into being a leader in the global culinary space. You’ll also learn why Boragó’s cuisine is so unique and how Chef Rodolfo is literally cataloging every native ingredient in Chile to leave a legacy for the country and its people. Needless to say, when you visit Santiago, Boragó absolutely should be on your itinerary.

In this episode we talk about:

• The early days and influences in Rodolfo Guzmán’s culinary journey

• Introduction to Boragó and its unique approach to Chilean ingredients

• The decades-long knowledge-gathering process of Boragó

• The Role of Boragó in the evolution of Chile’s gastronomic Landscape

• Discussion on Chilean endemic ingredients and their diversity and the uniqueness of the dining experience at Boragó

• Rodolfo’s book “Coming from the South” and what’s next…

Resources:
Instagram: @rgborago
Website: www.borago.cl
Rodolfo’s book, “Coming from the South” by Phaidon

The post In Search of Flavor, Episode 31: Rodolfo Guzmán of Boragó on Chile’s Endemic Ingredients & Culinary Heritage appeared first on Liz Caskey Culinary and Wine Experiences.

Are you a foodie or wine enthusiast dreaming of a trip to the Napa Valley this year? Or perhaps you have never been–or it’s high time for a revisit. Today, our host Liz Caskey, a local Napa resident, sommelier, travel expert and co-founder of Liz Caskey Culinary & Wines unravels the secrets of how to strategically plan a trip to the region. Using Liz’s ‘three pillars’ approach to trip planning, learn to navigate all the ins and outs of crafting the perfect wine-soaked getaway. Learn about everything from seasonal considerations to the impact of geography on wine varieties, the art of selecting the ideal base for your Napa adventure, and how/when to wade through all the logistics. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or a curious traveler, Liz’s expertise will guide you through the nuances of exploring Napa Valley.

In this episode we talk about:
Timestamps:

• 1:17 – Liz’s ‘Three Pillars’ of successful trip planning (for any trip)

• 3:26 – Coming to visit Napa in different seasons: winter, spring, summer, fall

• 8:33 – Travel planner hacks on where to base in Napa, the best airports for easy access, and the valley’s unique
geography to consider

• 16:44 – How to structure your trip (& wine tastings) to Napa like a pro

• 21:24 – Final key strategy to keep in mind for a successful trip

Resources:
Instagram: @lccwe, @lizcaskey77
Website: www.lizcaskey.com

The post In Search of Flavor, Episode 30: How to Plan a Trip to Napa appeared first on Liz Caskey Culinary and Wine Experiences.

Nestled at the feet of the towering Andes Mountains with more than 320 days of sunshine each year, Mendoza is a region defined by wine, much the way Bordeaux or Napa is. After all, it’s the world’s fourth largest wine producing region. Mendoza, however, is more than vineyards and wine cellars. It’s a place that feels like a last frontier where the intensity of the sun is woven into every expression of the local DNA. With over 150,000 hectares of vineyards and 800+ wineries, tucked away in the heart of Pedriel in the Lujan de Cuyo district is Cavas Wine Lodge, a Relais & Chateaux property founded by Cecilia Diaz Chuit and her husband Martin Rigal in 2005. The first ‘wine lodge’ in Mendoza, Cavas started a life project that they brought to life through their relentless vision. Their presence, and passion, is the secret sauce that makes this property so magical–and sustainable in time. As many of you may have stayed in Cavas, or it’s on your list to check out, in this interview, Cecilia will take us behind the scenes of Cavas, a bit like visiting a hotelier friend in Mendoza. Grab your vinito and let’s go.

In this episode we talk about:

• How Cecilia’s upbringing lead her into travel and a career as a hotelier and entrepreneur.
• Mendoza in the early 2000s and how it has grown up as a wine region.
• How she and her husband found Cavas stunning location (vineyards! Andes! Minimalist architecture!) and why Argentine wine country geographically looks so different than other wine regions.
• What the secret is to really running a successful hotel.
• Anecdotes on life in Mendoza, Argentinian culture and love for the “asado”.

Resources:
Instagram: @cavaswinelodge
Website: www.cavaswinelodge.com

The post In Search of Flavor, Episode 27: Cecilia Diaz Chuit on Mendoza’s Magic appeared first on Liz Caskey Culinary and Wine Experiences.

With Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, rain forests, jungles, great valleys and rivers flowing from the Andes Mountains, desert, and fog forests, Colombia is a country with deep regionality and distinct food, culture and customs. As the country exports more and more talent in music, innovation, art, design, fashion, and now food, today we are going to introduce you to a brilliant tastemaker, chef, and food stylist, Mariana Velásquezz, a native of Bogotá. She’s spent the past two decades residing in New York and cooking in restaurant kitchens, food styling, and writing/collaborating on cookbooks and published her own cookbook called Colombiana, which she says brings it all full circle. Mariana shares why Colombia’s culinary philosophy means ‘more is more’ and the inherent joy and generosity present in its cuisine, and culture, which anyone traveling to the region will immediately savor.

In this episode we talk about:

• Mariana’s childhood memories of her grandmothers and the strong women in her family who modeled for her how to ‘dress’ a table.
• How she followed her passion in food abroad, honed her skills and eventually meshed her love of aesthetics into food styling.
• The diversity of Colombian cuisine, understanding its pillars, and how to make Colombian cuisine translatable at home.
• Her cookbook creation journey, the challenge faced when the pandemic hit, and how she pivoted.
The stories behind the recipes and why she featured whole menus evocative of different regions of the country with hosting tips, suggestions for setting the scene, and playlists.
• Just to whet your appetite: here are a few examples of delicious dishes from Colombiana: empanadas (need we say more)… Cuchuco de Papaya y Camarón Tostado (Spicy Papaya and Charred Shrimp Gazpacho); Lomito de Cerdo al Tamarindo y Menta (Tamarind Pork Tenderloin with Mint).

Resources:
Instagram: MarianaVelasquezV
Website: www.marianavelasquez.com
Casa Velasquez HostingWare

The post In Search of Flavor, Episode 26: Food Stylist Mariana Velásquez on Colombia’s Cuisine of Generosity appeared first on Liz Caskey Culinary and Wine Experiences.

The past fifteen months have presented a real challenge for those of us that love to travel internationally. In the United States at least, while a corner has been turned and we can now travel safely closer to home, international travel is still quite piecemeal depending on the destination.

Fortunately, the US is quite lucky to have one of the world’s great wine regions within its own borders…I am talking about Napa (& Sonoma). Add to this that Northern California has some of the highest vaccination rates and lowest Covid infection rates in the entire country, a trip out west suddenly is a feasible, low risk way to indulge (pent up) food & wine fantasies.

Earlier this year, our family put a foot back in the US in Napa (keeping the other foot firmly planted in Chile, of course). Part of our reason to be here is to expand our concept and reach, not only in spreading the joys of food & wine in South America up north, yet also connecting The Americas.

California is a sort of Mediterranean bridge. It anchors why I feel so comfortable between Chile, California, and all of the Mediterranean basin for that matter. It’s the sunshine, the hot days and cool nights, the dry climate, the sea always nearby, the vineyards, the bounty of produce from figs to pomegranates, and the laidback lifestyle. The culture is channeled differently in each place yet all are “related” by that shared climate–and for the record, there are only five Mediterranean zones in the world if you count South Africa and South Australia, too.

As we “opened” California, we quickly gathered that Napa is logistically a very different animal than the places we visit in South America. While there isn’t an immediate language or cultural barrier, the sheer amount of options (to the tune of 800+ wineries and 4+ million people visiting every year) can turn vetting, curating, and orchestrating a getaway into a fulltime job requiring some wine background.

There also is this rather “curious” tendency in the US that many folks outsource their precious travel experiences to hotel concierges, drivers, Google, or paid media.

Without a clear vision for the trip, understanding of the local landscape, and knowing who is giving the recommendations, what their taste is, and what their why may be, it’s completely possible to get lost in the noise and end up with a (vanilla) experience, even though Napa is absolutely akin to Bordeaux in terms of terroir.

In the end, wherever we travel, be it international or domestic, local connections matter. So in staying with these travel times in our newest destination (and home), we are thrilled to introduce a new way to travel in Napa & Sonoma with us!!

Introducing The Napa Capsule…

This is a distillation of three days in Napa & Sonoma, a capsule of time. It doesn’t intend to be the beginning nor the end word on Napa and Sonoma. It’s a beautiful overture based on your experiences and what you’d like to live here.

If we have to describe how we curate, it’s striking that chord of authenticity and a balance of high and low, rustic and chic, mom-and-pop and blue-chip, sophisticated and undiscovered, big reds and zingy whites maybe with some biodynamic Pinot in between. It can be cutting edge or old school. We can sit at a renowned chef’s table, go on a market romp, or geek out with an artisan cheesemaker and her goats. We can hike high in the Mayacamas or chill out in a mud bath in Calistoga, or just give you our favorite shopping addresses to discover on your own.

We’ve done the homework of fleshing out the experiences and opening doors; now it’s about mixing and matching these essentials to reflect your taste, your dates, and your pace. Come alone, as a couple, bring your friends, maybe even family, or some (fun) colleagues. We can shape it to fit.

The Napa Capsule is a flexible journey that can be done over a long weekend, or mid-week when you have the valley to yourself. You can space it out with days in between for a slower cadence and independent exploration, or bookend it with a stay in San Francisco or road trip down to Big Sur. The difference though, when comparing our other journeys, is that you have the freedom to manage lodging as you see fit (of course if you want to invoke our help, we can offer a few thoughts…).

Consider us your partner to tango and create the extraordinary daily experiences that connect you to the people and that somewhereness that make Napa & Sonoma magical.

This is Napa and Sonoma through our eyes. Won’t you join us?

You can contact us here for more information and a sample itinerary; or write us at info@lizcaskey.com

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