Let me preface this blog by saying that I am a girl from Wisconsin that grew up with beer, brats, and cheese.

I believed that wine came in three types: Red, White, and Pink, with Pink being the wine of choice. I also did not drink much and was usually the designated driver.

Fast forward a lot of years, a lot of moves, and a lot of changes.  I had two wonderful children, moved with my husband from Wisconsin to Missouri, to Texas, then California, and now South Carolina.  Let me back up a bit to, Ahhhhh, California.  My first taste of real wine, in my mind at least.  No, we did not live in Napa, but between two wonderful wine valleys.  This was my first real taste and a learning experience of what wine could be.  First, however, I had to learn how to taste wine, not just drink it.  Am I a pro yet? Not even close.  This new experience of having hundreds of wineries so close gave us great ways to spend our weekends and learn something new.  California began my love affair with wine, but also taught me to look beyond Napa.  Nothing against Napa, they have some of the best wines in the world, but when you realize that there are other places in the United States that have great wines, the adventure has only just begun.

After California, we moved to South Carolina and I thought the wine adventures were done.  I was soooo wrong; thank goodness.  This move helped me to discover great wine regions exist in all areas of the United States, from South Carolina to North Carolina, Tennessee to Texas, and Missouri to Oregon. I am not a wine critic, but will share my opinions of different wines and what makes wineries and vineyards great places to visit.  I am as much about the atmosphere and location as I am about the wines themselves.  I hope to take you on this adventure with me and to experience areas beyond Napa that produce great wines and provide great adventures for those willing to take the leap.