Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer’s Life, 1990–2005

The one true thing about Annie Leibovitz is that you like her work, or you don't. Her photos seem to provoke some intense emotions in people (me included). Depending on the photo, I am either deeply moved or deeply repulsed. For me, she seems to communicate on very visceral level. If your like me and love art that provokes an emotional response, you'll love it.

Ends this weekend at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. If you plan on going, go early because parking is a nightmare. Also be aware that some of the photos are R rated and may not be suitable for the younger folks.

Here is the blurb from the web site;

For decades, Annie Leibovitz has artistically captured the icons of popular culture with her award-winning photography. Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer’s Life, 1990–2005 looks at 200 of these photos as well as those she has taken of her family and close friends, and thus views a full “photographer’s life.” As Leibovitz says: “I don’t have two lives. This is one life, and the personal pictures and the assignment work are all part of it.”Included in this exhibition are portraits of a pregnant Demi Moore, Nelson Mandela in Soweto, and George W. Bush in the White House; searing photojournalism from the siege of Sarajevo; haunting landscapes from the American West and Jordan; and personal photos documenting the birth of her three daughters and other scenes of private family life.

http://www.famsf.org/legion/

2006, Lucia Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands

Some history from their website; Lucia was founded in 2000, when the Pisoni family began producing several small bottlings of wines that represent their growing region, the Santa Lucia Highlands. Gary, Mark and Jeff Pisoni realize that all great wines start in the vineyard. Committed to producing wines exclusively from vineyards they grow, the Pisoni family is in an ideal position to produce consistently high quality wine.

I have been drinking Lucia Pinot's for a couple of years now and they never fail to be great wines. Very intense, fruit forward, big round mouth feel. This is just what I want and expect from a California Pinot. It is a little hard to get, but worth the effort. If you see it on a wine list you can't go wrong.

Grilling Season Is Open; Seared Tuna Steaks

This is one of those idea's that was inspired by a friend. I had never thought of using cookware on the grill (e.g. pots and pans) until I saw my friend Bob making risotto on the grill. Anyway this is a quick and easy way to put that old cast iron skillet to work on the grill.

2 ahi tuna steaks (1 inch thick)
1 tablespoon coarsely cracked black pepper
2 tablespoons oriental sesame oil
2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup dry red wine
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Spray a large cast iron skillet with non stick cooking spray. Sprinkle tuna steaks on both sides with salt, then sprinkle with coarsely cracked black pepper, pressing gently to adhere. Heat sesame oil in the skillet over high heat. Add tuna steaks and sear until brown outside and just opaque in center, about 3 minutes per side. Using tongs, transfer tuna steaks to platter. Tent platter loosely with foil to keep tuna steaks warm. Add soy sauce, then wine to same skillet. Reduce heat and simmer until mixture is slightly reduced, scraping up any browned bits, about 1 minute. Spoon sauce over tuna steaks. Sprinkle with chives.

Livermore Wine Country Festival May 3rd & 4th

Music, Wine, Food, Arts & Crafts and Beer, what more could you ask for. Pay special attention to wine booth #2 (Murrieta's Well and White Crane) and if you get a chance visit our friends at Bent Creek they are at booth #3.

http://www.livermoredowntown.com/winecountryfestival/

Mary's Pizza Shack

So it is Saturday afternoon, you have been walking around Sonoma Plaza, visiting art galleries, wine stores, cooking stores, and the various other shops that help you pass the time and spend your money. Your hungry, you want something casual, and you don't' want to spend a lot because you have reservations at the French Laundry later (costs as much as a small car, okay could be a large car if go for the 97 Screaming Eagle). The answer is (you guessed it) Mary's Pizza Shack. Mary's is your basic pizza place with not so basic pizza, pasta and salads. Friendly staff, good service, and reasonable prices. The original shack is just up the road a bit in Boyes Hot Springs. Mary and family have been quite successful, so they have a number of locations, but it still has the feel of a family owned pizza place. For locations and directions see http://www.maryspizzashack.com/.

2005, Darioush Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

This winery in my opinion is a fairly typical example of the new Napa Valley high end wineries. They have a beautiful building, on a very nice plot of land along Silverado Trail, nice people at the tasting room, nice trinkets at the gift shop, good wine to taste. All this sounds very good, and it does make for a pleasant visit, but then you take a look at the price of the wine. Way, way over the top, eighty dollars a bottle. If you read this blog very often, you have come to the conclusion that I spend most of my allowance on expensive wine. I am more than willing to pay more than is sensible for a bottle of wine that leaves me saying, "Wow, that was great". No such luck here, the wine is good, but not great. My advice, visit the tasting room, by a shirt or a hat, take a picture standing in the fountain, then buy your cabs a little further up the road.

Sea Smoke 2006 Vintage Allocation Up For Grabs

I currently have allocatons for;

2006 Ten Pinot Noir
2006 Southing Pinot Noir
2006 Botella Pinot Noir

If you would like some and are in the Bay Area, drop me a line.

PS: Yes this is one of the wines featured in the movie "Sideways" and is always very tasty.