The month of April has been dedicated to celebrating eco-friendly and sustainable winemaking and wine-growing throughout California. During California Wines Down to Earth month, wineries all across the state have been using ‘green’ materials and a ‘green’ process when it comes to the production of their wines. To help celebrate ‘Down to Earth’ month, vineyards have invited the public to come and join them with wine tastings, eco tours, exquisite food plus other attractions and activities. California Life checked in with a few of the eco-friendly wineries to see how they are celebrating California Wines Down to Earth month.

Monterey County
In Monterey County, sustainability is always a must. The winegrowers of this beautiful county live off the land and therefore believe that it is incredibly important to take care of that land. The sustainable practices and location of Monterey County vineyards make for a variety of grapes.

Livermore valley
Livermore Valley is committed to an eco-friendly lifestyle, practiced by the farmers and winegrowers of the area. To keep the vineyards as natural as possible, winegrowers have stayed up to date with the latest techniques in sustainability such as building bird boxes in the vineyards to encourage natural predators such as owls and hawks which help to reduce the amount of insects. By doing this, there is less of a need for insecticide.

El Dorado Wine Country
There is a lot of diversity throughout the slope of the foothills which allows for uniqueness in the wines. El Dorado Wine Country practices sustainability by simple water conservation. This helps for uniqueness in the wines as the vines like to have just enough water to ripen fruit rather than extra or too much water.

Do you want to take part in California Wines Down to Earth festivities? Head to discovercaliforniawines.com to see what is going on at a vineyard in your area!

This month, California wineries celebrate “Down to Earth’ month by highlighting California’s sustainable winegrowing and winemaking. The eco-friendly practices of California wineries are socially and environmentally responsible showing that not all wine is red or white, it can even be green!

Wine consumers from all across the state can take part in festivities offered by California wineries. From Earth Day festivals and “green wine trails” to dog-friendly vineyard hikes, wildlife talks, horseback rides and eco-tours, the state’s wineries will highlight being green this April. Wine lovers will be given the opportunity to watch and experience the different processes of winegrowing and winemaking, while still keeping up with a green theme.

Robert P. (Bobby) Koch, President and CEO of Wine Institute, says “We have made a long-term commitment to sustainability. Wineries and vineyards that produce nearly two-thirds of California’s winegrapes and wine participate in our California Sustainable Winegrowing program with more than 10,000 attending educational workshops since the program’s inception a decade ago. The scale of accomplishment is remarkable, as California is the world’s fourth-largest wine producer.”

In addition to sustainability goals, California wine contributes $61.5 billion to the state’s economy, attracts more than 21 million tourists annually, generates 820,000 jobs nationwide of which 330,000 are in California, as vintners and growers keep their farms and wineries family owned for future generations
Down to Earth Month features a wide variety of events for visitors to enjoy, in many different locations. Winery events including sustainbly grown wines, tastings, food, music, and various ‘green’ activities.

April 1-30: In Northern Sonoma County, the Green Trail of Dry Creek Valley will be offering a special, customized experience exploring the region’s certified organic and certified biodynamic wineries.
April 19-21: In Napa, Down to Earth with Napa Green Certified Wineries is offering a fun way to learn about green design, conservation and creative re-use as well as tasting events.
April 19-28: Mendocino wineries will be having Where The Earth IS First Fest where guests can enjoy organic wine and food as well as take part in eco-friendly activities.
April 21: Livermore Valley wineries “Down to Earth” tours and tastings, highlighting sustainable winegrowing and winemaking.
April 26-27: The San Luis Obispo County Farmfest on the Coast will offer sustainably grown wine and edibles at Dinosaur Caves Park, overlooking the ocean in Pismo Beach.
April 20: Central Coast Wineries Earth Day Food & Wine Festival will showcase more than 200 growers, vintners, and chefs serving local wines and foods. Guests will also enjoy music, dancing and more! In Santa Cruz, the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association Passport Day celebrates with organic wine trails, barrel samples and special tasting flights.

You can check out all of the Down to Earth activities at www.discovercaliforniawines.com/d2e.

For more info about fabulous food and wine, head over to californialifehd.com!

Wine Oh TV made it as a finalist for the Wine Blog Awards..narrowed down from 1000′s to 5 for Best Wine Video Blog. Monique Soltani of Wine Oh TV first got bit by the wine bug in the Big Apple. Since then, she has been lucky enough to swirl, sip, and rarely spit some of the most magnificent wines in the world. Monique holds a certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers and has found a way to combine her love for wine with her extensive background in broadcast journalism. Living in the Bay Area, wine country is Monique’s backyard and often her playground and she can’t wait to help you “Uncork your mind to the wonderful world of wine!” Visit Wine Oh TV’s Website to see why this blog has been nominated as the years Best Wine Video Blog! Cast your vote by clicking here to visit the Wine Blog Awards Website!

From the www.facesinwine.com website!

Faces in Wine: Monique Soltani Wine & Food Journalist to Judge at IWWC in November

October 6th, 2011

Why do you want to work in television? That is a question I have asked others and asked myself for more than two decades. The answers are always different, some people like entertaining an audience, some people like feeling important and others just like having a voice. I have wanted to work in television since I was five years old for reasons that weren’t clear to me then but are crystal clear to me now. Throughout the years I have worn many hats (and outfits): I’ve worked as a courts and crime reporter, morning show anchor, talk show host, improv actor, stand up comedian, writer, producer, photographer, you name it and I’ve have done it. What drives me? Why do I do it? Is it for the paycheck? Anyone who knows anything about broadcasting knows money is the number one reason NOT to get into this business unless you are a big fan of Top Ramen and Two-Buck Chuck I of course am not.

I hope when you watch this week’s story on California Life the answer will become as clear to you as it is to me.
I do it for the same reason the Mondavi Family made history and reunited, for the same reason Morton’s organized the world’s largest and most high tech wine dinner, for the same reason someone spent $25,000 on a bottle of wine, I do it to make a difference. A simple answer to the million dollar question but if the message is heard the outcome is priceless. www.wish.org
Check out my coverage on California Life or by visiting the website www.californialifehd.com
msoltani@californialifehd.com

To say I’m a wine aficionado by nature would be a gross understatement growing up my parents typically stuck to the Two Buck Chuck. My first bottle of wine was Night Train, in my college years my palate sophisticated and graduated to the pink stuff topped with a heavy handed pour of 7-UP. It wasn’t until my mid-ish twenties that I tasted my first “real” Zinfandel or anything real for that matter. Since then I have been lucky enough to swirl, sip, and rarely spit some of the most amazing wines in the world.

When I first stepped foot into Charles Krug Winery I was enchanted by their past and excited to learn more about their present. As I walked through the historic redwood cellar I listened carefully to Peter Mondavi as he candidly spoke about what it was like “growing up Mondavi”. It was one of those arm pinching moments when you wonder wow is this really happening?

Like most people I didn’t fall in love with wine traveling the world’s greatest wine regions I fell in love with wine in my living room. As you watch this story from the comfort of your couch I hope you too open your heart, broaden your horizons and embrace the wonderful world of wine. Click here to see my interview with Peter Mondavi on California Life!   msoltani@californialifehd.com

When I first heard I was getting the “tough” assignment of covering Napa in this week’s spotlight city. Not only was I delighted (I’m an avid wine enthusiast and try to find any excuse to pack my Prius and head to wine country) but I figured I knew exactly how the story would unfold. Working in broadcasting for the past ten years at times you can predict how a story will unfold long before you get to your destination. When I arrived at my first stop The Napa Valley Museum ( First: I was surprised they even had a museum and Second: I had no idea about the history and diversity that the Valley had to offer (I also didn’t know they called it The Valley. I grew up in San Fernando and it turns out Napa gives a whole new meaning to the term Valley Girl). I knew Napa was famous for making fabulous wine but I had no idea that they are the birth place to so many different inventions. (You’ll have to watch my segment to see what they are. In the biz we call that a “tease”)

After my history lesson my travels took me to various wineries. This was a last minute assignment so I didn’t have any interviews set up in advance so I figured I would just keep knocking on doors (or in this case Chateaus) until someone let me in. I was surprised to find even the most upscale estates welcomed me with open arms and even offered me a taste of their reserve collections ( On that note: I highly recommend Sequoia Grove’s 2005 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that is if you can get your hands on it). What I learned from my travels up North is that not only is Napa Valley the home of the world’s best wines but it’s also one of the world’s most hospitable cities.