Michelle Hoppe

Literary Monday – Seasonal Cocktail Companion

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Whether you have mastered the DIY cocktail and are looking for your next challenge or need a unique, homemade gift for that hard-to-buy-for person, this book will keep you busy and entertained for months! The Seasonal Cocktail Companion by Seattle bartender and self-described “cocktail nerd” Maggie Savarino is aptly-described as “Arts and Crafts…with booze!”

This is not just another cocktail book. You probably already have half a dozen of those sitting on your shelf. This … Read more

DIY Vanilla Vodka

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Vanilla vodka is one of the tastiest and most versatile infusions you can make. Not only is it a way to put a twist on a common drink, it’s super easy! All you’ll need for to make this recipe is funnel, coffee filter and a second 750ml bottle (with cap) that has been thoroughly cleaned and re-labeled. We suggest trying this infusion in Chocolate Martini or even try making your own vanilla bourbon by using … Read more

A Trip To Volcano Winery

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On a recent trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, I visited the Volcano National Park and nearby town of Volcano where I discovered the Volcano Winery. Situated on the slopes of Mount Kilauea, the Volcano Winery produces a number of unique wines. After a day of hiking around the rim of the caldera, through lava tubes and across fields of sulfur vents, nothing could be better than sampling locally-produced wine!  I was intrigued by

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Prohibition and the California Wine Industry

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On January 17, 1920, the 18th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States made “the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States…for beverage purposes….” illegal. But, two little words were missing from that list: ownership, and consumption.  It was those 2 words that made all the difference in the years ahead.   

The Volstead Act, the body of law responsible for … Read more