Wine Traveler

2 x WINE TRAVELER x NOVEMBER 2017 WELCOME ABOARD CONTRIBUTORS Publisher/Executive Editor Dan Weldy Digital Publication Design Inside Custom Media Lake Forest, California Web Design Zach Wilder, Oakland, California Custom Print Design Tom Leja, Waianae, Hawaii Video Director Monica Monroe Productions Camarillo, California Photographers Craig Bradley, Morro Bay, California Nikkona Hildebrandt, Camarillo CONTRIBUTING WRITERS On the Beer Trail Michael Norton Traverse City, Michigan Sommelier Zac Welch, Ventura, California For editorial pitches and digital marketing Inquiries: info@winetraveler.wine 805.844.8799 ON THE COVER The terrace at Round Pond Estate, Napa, California I n California, we don't worry about hur- ricanes or tornados. We worry about earthquakes and wild fires. e natural disaster known as the "Wine Country Fires" in 2017 have been historically tragic. e fires that swept through Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino Counties on the night of Octo- ber 8 were monumentally swift and horrific for those who live in one of the most beau- tiful regions of the United States. When this installment of Wine Traveler digital magazine was being planned it was before the fires. We had planned to do a story on the Napa Nine to feature and rec- ommend nine wineries and accommoda- tions for your next visit. ose recommendations hold true today. With over 500+ wineries in Napa Valley, it's diffi- cult to pick favorites. However, this Napa Nine all offer excellent experiences and ac- commodations and it will get you started for your next trip. ey are all open and ready to welcome you. Paso Robles in Central California is al- ways highly recommended. It's a little more "country" than the Northern regions but everyone who visits will recognize that they know how to grow world class fruit of the vine and bottle it to perfection. Craft beer and wine seem to go hand-in- hand these days. Michigan is one of the na- tion's capitals for the craft beer movement, as our beer buddy Mike Norton explains. I did away with my attempts at I Phone videos. We brought in a pro, Monica Mon- roe and her assistant Nikki and found a beautiful location in Santa Barbara County at Fess Parker Winery. Wine tasting is addressed by Zac Welch, who is the Sommelier and retail manager at the highly popular Wine Cave in Ventura, California. I believe his advice is correct. Safe and Happy Travels, Dan Weldy, Publisher AFTER THE FIRE THE SHOW MUST GO ON

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