Things I cannot live without(in my office)
Posted Ryan Zepaltas - 7 Mar, 2010I spend a lot of time in my office when it is not harvest time. There are a few essentials that I keep around to make my day easier. You have to make your office comfy cozy to find your peace. The following are some things that help me get through-mostly crap, but necessary.
The heat- When lunch time comes, it’s time to spice it up. Whether it’s Vietnamese, Chinese, Mexican, etc. you have to have an arsenal of chili-based products to make your face melt. Picture here is the current desktop lineup.
Emergency liquor cabinet. A friend of mine has a still, and he makes all sorts of great stuff. Currently we have some Limoncello and some Rum for that morning coffee break-just kidding. Only after the day is done right?
Words to live by- whether its golf or not this is the constant reminder that you can get more done with the velvet hammer vs. getting thuggish.
Bad Brains poster- whenever I need to go on blast a little reggae tinged Washington D.C. Hardcore from back in the day gets me charged up
Coffee mugs- I drink way too much probably, but I don’t care. Coffee rules.
Yellow note pads-Without my to-do list, I am nothing. I keep this by my side at all time or else I forget everything I need to get done in a day.
Rack full of Wine- For research purposes only of course
I Love Offal sticker-words to live by. Who needs vegetables when there is all the organs and spare parts of an animal to nourish you. Get some!
Vince Lombardi cards- I loved that guy. The way he lived his life and influenced those around him was ace! They don’t make them like Vince anymore. People are just soft today. On Sunday’s during football season, we pray to Vince for a Packers victory.
The Fridge- it houses beers, never eaten lunch science projects, lab samples and some 4 year old low-fat salad dressing that has never been used. This fridge is disgusting but I love it
The Pitching Wedge- The right to bear arms. You have to protect the castle! If a solicitor or a co-worker ever attacks me I have the answer. “Say hello to my little friend!”
My Blue Chair-My wife tried to sell this without my permission on Craig’s List. Luckily I rescued it and brought it to the winery. So swanky- I can’t believe she didn’t want it in our house.
Rosella's Vyd. Syrah-90 points Wine Spectator
Posted Ryan Zepaltas - 3 Feb, 2010
This just in from the wine Spectator:
Zepaltas
Syrah Santa Lucia Highlands Rosella’s Vineyard 2007
90 points | $42 | 90 cases made | Red
Intense and spicy, with ground pepper, wild berry, sage and loamy
earth flavors that are firm, full-bodied, focused and persistent,
ending with a trim band of flavors. Drink now through 2016.—J.L.
full-bodied finish. Drink now through 2016.—J.M.
Tasting in San Francisco Monday Night
Posted Ryan Zepaltas - 18 Dec, 2009
Let's just call it the Zepaltas Wines Holiday Party. Come on down to the Marina District this Monday. We will be posting up at the California Wine Merchant wine bar. Greg and the gang will be featuring a bunch of our wines that night including some of our older wines. Come on down and have some wines and a little holiday cheer. We would love to see you there. Here are the details....
California Wine Merchant
5:00-9:00PM
Monday, December 21
2113 Chestnut St.
San Francisco, California 94123
Parker is Dead.....
Posted Ryan Zepaltas - 13 Dec, 2009Well, with all the talk these days of wine writer's voices becoming less and less important in today's wine world, we are greeted with a new face on the scene. Rapper Sadat X of the legendary rap group Brand Nubian has diversified his portfolio, and has jumped into the wine critic game. Maybe not so informative, but entertaining indeed. Do not watch if you take wine too serious or if you can't handle some good old cussing!
There are many episodes on the old Youtube. Away with 100 point system and on with the fucked-up factor! I especially like descriptors like "cracky" and "10 dolla holla"
Don't Fuck With Chuck!!
Yeah man, I used to skate..let me see that thing.
Posted Ryan Zepaltas - 18 Nov, 2009
This ARTICLE appeared in a Canadian skateboard magazine earlier in the year, but it now has been posted online by the author, Dave Carnie on his food Blog called FOOD ON DRUNK. I urge you to check it out. Dave is one of the smartest and most hilarious writers out there today (that is unless you are uptight and take yourself way too seriously!) I especially recommend reading about his trip to the French Laundry.
Dave is a legend in the skateboard world, and has now migrated into the food world. Dave and his wife Tania are obsessed with all things food and they always have an interesting, hilarious take on the sometimes too nerdy food world. I grew up reading his writing in Big Brother Magazine(it was the naughty skateboard magazine back in the day that eventually spawned the whole MTV Jackass thing.) I recently crossed paths with him via the internet, and through our communications, he decided to write this article about me and my wine together. Thanks for the write-up Dave!