Author: Dane Kuta

Perhaps the only thing I enjoy as much as a glass of wine is a date shake from Dateland.

The History of Wine was a two-week wine appreciation course at MiraCosta College this fall semester. The material covered the history of wine was extensive, beginning in Georgia and China (9,000 to 7,000 BC), to the Egyptians, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Benedictine monks, Middle Ages, the early modern era, and the last two decades. During the lecture, students enjoyed wine from grapes that date to the Roman era (Greco di Tufo), the Mission grape that Franciscan Padres planed at every California Mission, and modern day Merlot from the Stagecoach vineyard in Napa Valley. What a fantastic time!

I spent part of Thanksgiving weekend in Santa Barbara wine country. The highlight of the many tastings was Alma Rosa winery. What a fantastic lineup of wines!

A nice pair of wines, enjoyed on a Saturday night.

I made a colorful burger and paired it with a wine from Pomerol, France.

What a fantastic evening at a private party in Carlsbad, CA for Spanish cooking paired with Spanish wines with Chef Eliza. Viva España!

Well, this 22 year-old bottle was difficult to open; the cork was like a sponge. The beautiful 2002 Château Franc Mayne Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé was the perfect pairing with artisan pizzas from Blue Ribbon in Encinitas.

Fun times at the 44th annual Cardiff Greek Festival next door to MiraCosta College in Cardiff by the Sea.

Wine In The Garden, the final night of the Summer Nights series at San Diego Botanic Garden was a complete sellout success! The program consisted of a 2-hr lecture on the history of wine along with tasting of 5 wines related to historic anecdotes of our favorite fermented beverage. Cheers!

Join us at Ramona Ranch Vineyard and Winery on Saturday September 21st, 2024 from 6-8pm for an exciting book signing event featuring Dane Kuta, the creative force behind the captivating new book World of Wine: A Brief History. Whether you’re a longtime follower of Dane’s wine educational events or are new to his work, this is the perfect chance to briefly explore the history of wine. Following a personalized signing session, Dane will deliver a 60-minute lecture on how the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans made and enjoyed wine. Attendees will enjoy local selections of fantastic wine from Ramona Ranch. This is your chance to meet Dane, ask questions, and get your individual copy of this new fascinating book signed by the author.

Mark your calendar and join us for a wonderful evening of historical stories, captivating presentations, and of course wine tasting. Best of all, take home a book that holds both a piece of wine history and the author’s signature!