Food and Wine

Donum Estate’s pinot noir pairs delightfully with bites by chef Aaron LeRoi. (Courtesy Donum Estate)

Donum Estate deftly blends wine, food and art

Carneros vintner produces award-winning pinot noir and more

Donum Estate’s pinot noir pairs delightfully with bites by chef Aaron LeRoi. (Courtesy Donum Estate)
East Bay Cake artist Mona Marwaha is among the contestants appearing on “Candy Land,” a reality competition based on the famous board game premiering at 9 p.m. Nov. 15. <ins>(Courtesy Food Network)</ins>

Fremont cake painter competes on Food Network

Mona Marwaha enjoyed everything about her ‘Candy Land’ experience

East Bay Cake artist Mona Marwaha is among the contestants appearing on “Candy Land,” a reality competition based on the famous board game premiering at 9 p.m. Nov. 15. <ins>(Courtesy Food Network)</ins>
The Coca-Cola Company decided not to renew the lease on its iconic sign at Fifth and Bryant streets, pictured on Oct. 27, shortly before it was torn down. (Samantha Laurey/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Every good sign has its time

Some of us are sentimental about the Enjoy Coca Cola billboard

The Coca-Cola Company decided not to renew the lease on its iconic sign at Fifth and Bryant streets, pictured on Oct. 27, shortly before it was torn down. (Samantha Laurey/Special to S.F. Examiner)
The pandemic didn’t stop friends from enjoying a seasonal visit to a pumped-up pumpkin patch. <ins>(Courtesy Saul Sugarman)</ins>

This fall with Saul: Pumpkins for everyone

A trip to Half Moon Bay offers one of the best diversions of 2020

The pandemic didn’t stop friends from enjoying a seasonal visit to a pumped-up pumpkin patch. <ins>(Courtesy Saul Sugarman)</ins>
J. Schram and L’Ermitage are among the exceptional sparkling wines in produced in California. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Roederer Estate and Schramsberg Vineyards: Legends in the California sparkling wine story

U.S. vintners use traditional Champagne method

J. Schram and L’Ermitage are among the exceptional sparkling wines in produced in California. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Oenologist Diane Flamand introduces the Légende Collection. (Courtesy Nick Passmore)

Légende Collection provides an affordable taste of Bordeaux

Wines from Domaines Barons de Rothschild group are created for everyday enjoyment

Oenologist Diane Flamand introduces the Légende Collection. (Courtesy Nick Passmore)
Acquiesce Clairette Blanche, Bokisch Albarino Terra Alta and Markus Nativo are excellent whites from Lodi. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Lodi is the new destination to explore distinctive whites

Vintners in appellation creating diverse selection of single-varietal wines

Acquiesce Clairette Blanche, Bokisch Albarino Terra Alta and Markus Nativo are excellent whites from Lodi. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Red Pill and Blue Pill cocktails were served at the Fort Mason Flix drive-in screening of “The Matrix.” (Saul Sugarman/ Special to S.F. Examiner)

Enter ‘The Matrix’: Drive-in movies during a pandemic

Though it’s fun to take in a film and drink, I miss watching bartenders make cocktails

Red Pill and Blue Pill cocktails were served at the Fort Mason Flix drive-in screening of “The Matrix.” (Saul Sugarman/ Special to S.F. Examiner)
Philippe Rolet is the estate manager of Bodegas CARO, a 20-year-old project joining Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) and the Nicolás Catena family. (Courtesy photo)

On the Vine: Bodegas CARO partnership blends iconic families, cultures and grapes

French, Argentine winemakers join forces successfully

Philippe Rolet is the estate manager of Bodegas CARO, a 20-year-old project joining Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) and the Nicolás Catena family. (Courtesy photo)
This version of the classic Tequila Sunrise is served in a highball glass. (Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Last Call with Saul: When life gives you orange skies, make orange cocktails

Alien atmosphere gives rise to color-themed drinks

This version of the classic Tequila Sunrise is served in a highball glass. (Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Matt Dees is The Hilt’s winemaker. (Courtesy photo)

On the Vine: The ‘electric acidity’ of Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay

The Hilt creates delicious wine from Santa Barbara County vineyards

Matt Dees is The Hilt’s winemaker. (Courtesy photo)
Early during shelter-in-place, Lookout in the Castro offered margarita mixes in buckets, from the balcony. (Courtesy Chris Hastings/Lookout)

Last Call with Saul: The virtues and perils of at-home drinking

To-go cocktails helping some bars as they struggle to survive during ongoing uncertainty

Early during shelter-in-place, Lookout in the Castro offered margarita mixes in buckets, from the balcony. (Courtesy Chris Hastings/Lookout)
From left, Aaron and Jesse Inman, who are siblings, head up Lucky Rock Wine Co. (Courtesy photo)

Lucky Rock speaks to a new generation

Brothers Aaron and Jesse Inman have a modern take on the wine business

From left, Aaron and Jesse Inman, who are siblings, head up Lucky Rock Wine Co. (Courtesy photo)
Eateries in The City, including 1428 Haight Patio & Crepery, are open for what seems to pass as outdoor dining. (Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Last Call with Saul: Feeling alone in a pandemic

People must make their own decisions about risks of gathering outdoors

Eateries in The City, including 1428 Haight Patio & Crepery, are open for what seems to pass as outdoor dining. (Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Vintner Jeff Cole says Sullivan Rutherford is an ideal place to grow cabernet sauvignon. (Courtesy photo)

Sullivan Rutherford re-emerges as an elite Napa Valley wine estate

Steeped in Napa Valley history, Sullivan Rutherford Estate helped establish the area…

Vintner Jeff Cole says Sullivan Rutherford is an ideal place to grow cabernet sauvignon. (Courtesy photo)
Bay Area bartender Erik Proctor says San Francisco’s LGBTQ community recently has “come a long way” in terms of accepting diversity. (Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Last Call with Saul: Catching up with mixologist Erik Proctor

The Mix bartender says SF could be doing more to help during pandemic

Bay Area bartender Erik Proctor says San Francisco’s LGBTQ community recently has “come a long way” in terms of accepting diversity. (Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)
South Africa produces much of the world’s white wine, including versatile chenin blanc. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)

South African Chenin Blanc captivates as an alternative white wine

Country’s Coastal Region a primary source of the varietal into the future

South Africa produces much of the world’s white wine, including versatile chenin blanc. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Saul contemplates a “Medieval Times” show during his visit to the picturesque winery Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga. (Courtesy photo)

To taste or not to taste: Winery visit during a pandemic

A pleasant cheat day at Castello di Amorosa in Napa Valley

Saul contemplates a “Medieval Times” show during his visit to the picturesque winery Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga. (Courtesy photo)
Tracey and Mitch Hawkins of Hawk and Horse Vineyards pose with a Scottish Highlands cow. (Courtesy Rocco Ceselin)

Biodynamic Hawk and Horse Vineyards serves up a trio of fine vintages

Bordeaux-style wines come from Lake County

Tracey and Mitch Hawkins of Hawk and Horse Vineyards pose with a Scottish Highlands cow. (Courtesy Rocco Ceselin)
People were out and about, not social distancing, during SF Pride last week. (Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Coronavirus does not take holidays off, but mistakes happen

I seemingly forgot the potential severity of being around strangers

People were out and about, not social distancing, during SF Pride last week. (Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)