2022 Promises to be an Exciting New Year for Grape Experiences

It’s hard to believe, but Grape Experiences has been “a thing” for over 10 years! In 2011 I started writing about my personal “grape experiences” and at the time, there were only a few followers – my immediate family members (thanks, mom!) and a few friends.

Now, Grape Experiences is recognized from coast to coast and from one hemisphere to another. International and domestic travel have offered me an abundant amount of content for sharing. I’ve been able to start then continue the wine conversation with opportunities in print and digital media, on television in numerous key metropolitan areas, through online wine education classes, at personalized wine tastings and soon, during a river cruise along the Rhône River. Wine is meant to be paired with food and articles featuring recipes and reviews are always well received. I’m so grateful for my readers who email me with thank-you comments, wine and travel suggestions or questions, and simple “let’s keep in touch” messages. Of utmost importance is that the Grape Experiences wine community is real – thank you!

Cocktails for New Year’s Eve – WGN

After 10 years of Grape Experiences, though, many aspects of my life have changed. Among the many changes, my daughters have graduated from college and grad school and now have lives of their own. My husband has just retired and is now a “recovering attorney.” In 2022, we’ll move from our beloved Wheaton, Illinois where we raised our children and thrived as a family to Paso Robles, California where sunshine, ocean breezes, and more adventures in life (and wine) await.

In Illinois, I learned to love the City of Chicago with its vibrant cultural scene, to appreciate the state’s short but naturally air-conditioned summers and to deal with bitter cold and blizzards during the winter. In Paso Robles, you’ll find me sipping wine at one of the many wineries, discovering a new restaurant at the town square or walking along the beach enjoying sunset views over the Pacific Ocean. Change, no matter what it is, keeps us on our toes and I’m ready!

Paso Robles, California

But that’s not all. Grape Experiences will have a few modifications of its own in 2022.

Articles will include more Q&As with winemakers and those in the wine industry, inspiring and useful details about experiences during my media and wine-related trips, wine and food pairings with recipes, and much more. The idea is that each article will offer information that you can use so that your choice of wine will be more meaningful.

Picpoul de Pinet and freshly caught (and shucked!) oysters

Although I’ve included a video in many of the articles already written, more will be added when they’re relevant to the content. Since 2020, I’ve been part of a weekly YouTube video series, Crush On This. If appropriate, I’ll include one of our videos that will enhance the content and offer wine education in yet another format. You can check out the series of Crush On This here. (Please subscribe to the channel, too!)

During the year, you’ll find more Instagram posts, stories, reels and Instagram Live conversations that will cover all things wine. I encourage you to follow me on Instagram here for yet another opportunity to delve deep in the world of wine.

I have a few more projects that I’m working on this year, too. Guaranteed to enhance our community, I’ll be sharing plenty of information about these wine opportunities for you as soon as possible. I hope you’re as excited about this as I am… Stay tuned!

Come along with me for this journey in wine… but this is your journey, too. Please email me (cindy@grape-experiences.com) to suggest content you’d like to read or see and special experiences you’d like to have – I’m on it! And if you aren’t a member of the Grape Experiences family, you can subscribe here. Welcome!

For more inspiration, join me on AmaWaterways’ Colors of Provence cruise along the Rhône River from April 7-14, 2022. Together, our group will wine, dine and explore this beautiful part of the world. Click here for the luxurious details.

The Rhone River at Avignon – Photo Credit: www.amawaterways.com

Cheers to exciting, wine-filled-adventures in 2022! ~ Cindy

Photographer: Rebecca Peplinsky; Location: Winestyr Chicago Lounge