Dancing Somm is a unique composition of intellectual property on how to create wine and food pairings that will knock it out of the park every time, including recipes and the explanation as to why and how they work in harmony. It is also the story of a forty year journey of passion and history of the incredible California wine pioneers who I have had the great fortune of working with and for, including Robert Mondavi, Peter Mondavi, Francis Ford Coppola, Christian Moueix, Eileen Crane, Jack Davies, Charlie and Chuck Wagner, John and Doug Shafer, Donald Hess, Merry Edwards, Tony and John Terlato, Gil Nickel, Robert Sinskey, Ray Signorello, Sandra McKeiver, Joe Heitz, Ramona Nicholson, Mike Benziger, Jeff Kunde, Bruce Cohn, Tom Mazzocco, Marimar Torres, Sam Sebastiani, Jess Jackson, Bill and Will Phelps.
Over my years in the wine industry, I have taken to heart the wisdom and knowledge that these dynamic wine visionaries have imparted to me as mentors. Within these pages are behind the scenes previously untold stories, inspirations, humorous anecdotes and proprietary intellectual property that I have developed since becoming a Wine Educator and Sommelier since 1982.
In turn, I have been delighted to play to thousands of audiences, with my passionate, driving quest to engage, entertain and enlighten, by sharing these insights and observations with a little twisted, smart-ass sense of humor. This has been my life’s mission. In so doing, I have come to meet people from all walks of life-Rock Stars, comedians, Movie Stars, celebrity chefs, politicians and major professional sports figures. All because of wine. Wine brings us together to share inspired conversations, learn of new gastronomic delights, creates new friendships and strengthen human bonds like no other libation. After all, it is a beverage of pleasure!
This is a book about wine and food pairings, drilling down on the “how tos” and “whys” with compelling recipes. Dancing Somm is also about the Golden Years of the California Wine Industry, famous people, anecdotes, and a very lucky guy, who has had the great fortune to be the Napa and Sonoma Wine Sherpa, guiding wine enthusiasts for 4 decades through new wine ventures, livin’ le reve, living the dream as the Dancing Sommelier.
