Wine and Moments ( Short Stories)
1. Falling in Love Over Cabernet Sauvignon
There are moments when I crave Champagne and sigh, “Ahh… not again.” But this story isn’t about Champagne.
This story began with Cabernet Sauvignon.
When I first found him on a dating app, I was newly fascinated by wine—particularly red wine, and especially Cabernet Sauvignon. I had just returned from a trip to New York, buzzing with new energy, and his profile caught my attention: he loved wine, had worked in New York, and had recently moved back to California. Despite my personal rule never to date a man who had never been married, I broke it that day.
We went on our first date at a wine bar. He didn’t buy me dinner—just wine and light appetizers. We sat and talked for five hours straight until the bar closed. I remember thinking, “Why no dinner?” but the conversation was so engaging, I didn’t mind too much.
To my surprise, we both loved Cabernet Sauvignon.
In hindsight, I consider that lucky. For wine lovers, it’s truly a blessing when a couple shares the same taste. It’s not just about enjoying the same bottle—it’s about discovering flavors together, building memories sip by sip. Having similar wine preferences often reflects deeper commonalities. At least in our case, it did. We share similar food tastes and preferences, which made every shared meal even more enjoyable.
Early in our relationship, we traveled to Monterey and visited a cozy piano bar his friend had recommended. He ordered a glass of Port for me. At the time, I had no idea what Port wine even was. But as I took that first sip—rich with notes of dark chocolate and wrapped in warm brandy aromas—I felt a spark. What was this enchanting wine?
That Port wine, served in a wide, round glass, softened beautifully over time. By the time it touched the tip of my tongue with its velvet smoothness and deep complexity, I was captivated. It felt like a doorway had opened into a new world of taste.
Since then, wine has been with us through every chapter: romantic weekends in beach houses in Oregon, luxurious stays in Hawaii, and countless small European towns where we always found time for a shared bottle.
Like any couple, we’ve faced challenges—stress, change, loss. But no matter the moment, wine has offered us a gentle pause. A shared sip. A familiar comfort. The way a beautifully paired wine elevates a simple meal is the same way these little rituals have elevated our everyday lives.
So if you love someone,
love them like a Cabernet Sauvignon:
Bold. Deep. And more beautiful with time.
2.Wine, Sourdough, and Solitude: My Perfect Week in Napa
Living just a couple hours from Napa, my husband and I are lucky. While many people travel across the country to visit wine country once in their lifetime, we can make spontaneous weekend trips. But the downside of living nearby is this: our visits are always too short.
We’ve often dreamed aloud, “If only we could stay just one full week…”
There were many unforgettable trips: a birthday weekend in the redwood forest, sleeping in our friend’s RV surrounded by trees, or breezing through the vineyards of St. Helena by bike. Napa is always magical. But the most memorable visit? That was the time I went alone.
Back then, we were caring for my mother-in-law at home. Her dementia meant we hadn’t traveled anywhere in two years. One day, exhausted and yearning for air, I declared, “I’m going. Even if it’s just me.”
A full week. In Napa.
And just like that, I finally lived our dream.
I made a list of wineries I’d always wanted to visit. But to avoid wine fatigue, I added some other experiences too. One of my favorites was a sourdough bread baking class in a small town called Petaluma. We gathered in a charming local home, surrounded by the scent of fermenting dough. I was so proud to make sourdough—something I thought was nearly impossible. (Sadly, I never made it again. My husband still hasn’t forgiven me.)
In that same class, we also made a dessert with ricotta and edible flowers, and a French-style omelet. It felt like stepping into a food lover’s dream.
When I returned home, I brought the frozen loaf of sourdough I had made. Along the way, I picked up Andante Cheese from a local Korean-American artisan named Soyoung Scanlan, whose cheeses are used by Michelin-starred chefs like Thomas Keller. At home, we hosted a small wine-and-cheese evening. The pairing of homemade bread, fresh cheese, heirloom tomatoes with balsamic glaze, and Sebastiani’s herb olive oil dip? Absolutely divine. Every bite felt honest, vibrant, and deeply satisfying—far beyond what we call “delicious.”
Another special memory from that week was a birdwatching class. It’s something I could never have joined during our typical quick Napa getaways. A young couple led the class with infectious energy, identifying every bird by sight or sound. Their joy was so genuine, I couldn’t help but be swept up in it too.
It wasn’t a glamorous trip. No lavish resorts or Michelin restaurants. Just time. Time to slow down, taste intentionally, and enjoy the stillness that a place like Napa quietly offers.
And that, for me, was perfect.
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