It is almost 5pm: Will I stick to the plan? Happy TG weekend!
• Original book cover for One Thousand Vines Illustrated by Loan Nguyen Thanh Lan
• Original book cover for Wine Confident designed by James Pople

Northern Italian Nibbles

This little piggy knows how to have FUN!
Note: In moderation as she’s capable of balancing herself on a corkscrew while she indulges in her Nebbiolo and a specialty of the Piemonte region: the white truffle. Fun fact: Boars/Pigs are not used for truffle hunting because they will gobble up these precious delights. Instead ‘tartufaio’ choose specially trained dogs who aren’t into nibbling on “The Diamonds of The Langhe.” 
Here are some nibbles for you, from my latest project with a fabulous group of fine wine specialists from Winebow Imports Heritage Division. 

Sketch Night at the Regency

A random thought about nursery school. Prompted by what? Maybe it was the flowers he held, but they were white and he was wearing a tartan suit. Maybe it was the champagne I sipped? A recent sketch night at The Regency Bar & Grill, through Society of Illustrators. I can’t say that I love rust or brown. She did have the sweetest poodle:).

"It's time to repot."

I just received my copy today! I’m so proud to have worked with Harvey on his meaningful and inspirational project.
It’s one of the best feelings to collaborate with friends and help them develop their concept, or with clients who become friends during the process, and in this case I had the privilege of working with one of my favorite people.
I met Harvey through my very special teacher, mentor and friend, Charlie Rosner. Harvey and I immediately clicked and he hired me to design his first book, Wings & Roots. I learned so much about myself through that project and our time together, and got to know Harvey and his wife, Elaine.
Harvey has become a mentor, dear friend, and a major motivator and inspiration to me. Especially now, after working with him on his second book, a 400 page memoir that he wrote in THREE months! This is just one of the several goals he’s created and accomplished and he continues to create as a prolific artist, writer and more.
One of my favorite stories is one of his more intimate pieces, about how he met his wife, Elaine. I’m partial to it because it’s so whimsical and describes this one moment in time that contributed to the creation of their lives together, oh and it also involves horses:-).
If you’re interested in purchasing a copy of this book, it’s available on Amazon at Itstimetorepot
Harvey is donating all profits to The Trevor Project.

Draw - design - drink (a little) wine

A recent project for the Women in Wine Leadership Symposium held in NYC. So many wonderful parts to the process of learning about these inspiring female winemakers and pioneers in the wine industry from around the world and then tasting their phenomenal wines at the event!
Gifted to each speaker as 11x14 prints, displayed at the event both digitally and in print, the main poster highlighted the day’s agenda and was handed out to attendees as a takeaway.
Postcards were offered to the attendees to mail out during the event. A nice detail…
Enjoy!

Sip a Sauv. with me today

It’s International Sauvignon Blanc Day and Wanda Mann, East Coast Editor for the Somm Journal, Writer, Storyteller and Presenter is “sipping sunshine” with a glass of Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2023 from Marlborough, NZ. I’m beyond thrilled to have a feature illustration accompany her delicious review — a sunset scene to highlight her tasting notes and summer tunes.

Sip – Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Read – Wanda’s wine experiences, reviews and events: @winedinewanda
Listen – Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Mix on spotify: wine with wanda

🌞ps manifesting sunshine with this post, on a 🌧️ NYC morning

Latest Read, Get the Picture

Another wintery outing to a fantastic event called, “Just One of Those Things,” at Joe’s Pub, House of Speak Easy for storytelling by best selling author, Bianca Bosker (her new book is Picture Perfect) and Roz Chast (I Must Be Dreaming), staff cartoonist for the New Yorker…along with two other authors, Benjamin Dryer (Dreyer’s English) and Ava Chin (Mott Street).
Joe’s is the ideal set up for dinner theater. It’s a phenomenal venue because it’s spacious, yet still intimate. The service is terrific and the food and wine selections pair well with the atmosphere. Everyone around me was RAVING about the fries!
Bianca’s first book, Cork Dork, inspired me to explore wine with more direction and depth after I read it the first time, and now as I read it again, it’s a reminder that I know absolutely nothing despite my efforts, and to continue the endless amount of learning, tasting and visiting the wineries whenever I can (and in moderation, of course!).
I’m well into Bianca’s new book, Picture Perfect, and it’s a joyful, insightful read and a real peek into the contemporary art world. Extra points for being mostly NYC based, so far. My main take away is that gaining context from the artist’s background, and understanding the idea behind the actual execution of the painting, connects you to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the artwork. Sounds so simple, right? Sometimes I do this, and oftentimes I don’t give the art a chance if it doesn’t immediately captivate me…..….

Braving the cold for a fantastic event

A crucial source of joy this winter: hibernation.
When I do emerge from my coccoon, it has to be for something or someone really terrific😂. It was FRIGID on the evening of this discussion, but I’m so glad I went and the wine provided by The Vines of Mendoza, kept us warm🦋
I’m in the process of reading Ray Isle’s book, and there are so many wonderful vineyards to visit and wines to try!

Perfect Pairings

Reading physical books is so satisfying compared to reading on a device. 
My latest read is a memoir by Natalie Maclean.
Natalie is a successful businesswoman and award winning writer and wine expert, navigating the male dominated wine industry (in Canada). She unknowingly makes a big mistake and the backlash that comes her way is unecessarily abusive and it is masongenistic. She’s also going through a divorce and her wine consumption is increasing as the stress piles on. 
It’s an interesting read and I enjoy how she incorporates her passion for food and wine into her story, and intertwines her personal and professional lives. She evaluates, evolves and course corrects. As we must do:)!
I discovered Natalie through listening to her fabulous podcast called, Unreserved Wine Talk.
The book must be paired with a pinot noir, one of Natalie’s favorite grapes.
My favorite pinot noir at the moment is by Sophie James.
I’m obsessed with this woman owned and run winery’s attention to detail both in the physical packaging of their wines and their quality and respect for low intervention, organic winemaking. Also their just plain delicious! 

As You Are...

I recently went to a community dinner called Sit with Us, hosted by Cherry Bombe & Open Table at As You Are in the Ace Hotel, Brooklyn. A portion of the proceeds went to the Girls Club of NY.
We had assigned seating and were grouped with 6 or so to a table. It was so great chatting with everyone because they either have a strong passion for or are involved in some way with culinary/beverage or restaurant industry.
Our conversation was obviously delicious bc it was mostly about what to make, what to eat and where!
The menu offered a taste of what As You Are is all about—we started with beautiful mocktails, cocktails and natural wine. Dinner was awesome, with so many gorgeous colors in those salads and flavors that reminded me of DeMaria, one of Camille’s restaurants that I was super fond of.* I love Camille’s attention towards using healthier ingredients and offering natural wine and fresh juice. She doesn’t use processed sugar, corn syrup…none of that crap!
And then there was the majestic chocolate Cherry dessert finale with all the best qualities of a tartufo with a twist and a seriously thick chocolate shell, was beyond The Bombe!

*I just found the recipe for the Dragon Bowl on her website! Best Bowl Ever

TASTING NOTES…North Fork Wineries

Alie and Robin, the winemakers and owners of Chronicle Wines, exude passion and dedication to winemaking and the NF community. They are not only business partners and winemakers, they also have a longtime friendship.
When I walk into Chronicle, there’s a feeling of coziness and comfortability. The latest local artist in residence dresses their walls and the wine shop also offers local North Fork goods and is connected to the tasting room.
The flight of reds that they offer is delicious!
“Peace, joy, love, wine” was on a fabulous neon sign hanging from one of their doors that I remembered from a past trip.
Not sure if it’s still there, but the sentiment feels appropriate and spot on.

A few sips & a bite

A few sips of a delicious Vidal Blanc and another few sips of the Viognier…and then the delicious food that followed…and I nearly forgot that I awkwardly saved myself from face-planting on 7th Ave. south while speed-walking (not sure why I choose to race walk everywhere in NY) to The Wesley.
I digress from sharing this flawless al fresco dining experience…
* One of the most charming, low key WV streets
* A really thoughtful wine list that includes local and natural wine and a menu with attention to locally sourced and veggie forward food
* I’m still thinking about the Vidal Blanc from Virginia with slight skin contact and just enough funk that wasn’t taking away from all the delicious winey-ness that I need in a glass
* A crisp, super dry Viognier from Cline Cellars paired so well with everything.
YUM! BEYOND PHENOMENAL food and wine night! ❤️

Vidal Blanc
Early Mountain Vineyards
2021
Virginia

Viognier
Cline Cellars
2022
North Coast, CA