here goes d2

this beautiful dumbass finally wrote this post

As you are reading this, I’m taking the D2 exam. I’ve made peace with whatever it is that I know and my abilities to pass this exam. It is what it is.

I want to take a moment to thank everyone who helped me through my downward perfectionist spiral. I am constantly reminded of how blessed I am to be a part of the this community. Thanks for holding ya girl down.

The other night, I had the pleasure of having dinner with Mark Neal of Neal Family Vineyards. I took exactly zero photos and lived every bit in the moment. This is one of my favourite things about this industry - getting to sit down and chat with the people who make the wines I love and hold dear. I have a newfound appreciation for Napa Valley wines that are made with care, precision, and an intimate understanding of soil and terroir. Tasting the vintage variation was wild.

i guess i don’t suck at running?

real quick aside here - i love running with all my heart and soul. I used to hate it until I felt like, as an adult, I should be able to run 3 miles without dying. That led to me training for and running hella races. Then the pandemic happened and my half-marathon goals were gone. Then I stopped running outside because…it’s highkey not safe as a woman.

Anyways, I’ve been on a great routine with going to the gym and I added running back into my training schedule. I loathe running on the treadmill, but I’ll take it over not running at all. So I’ve been taking it kinda easy, running a 10-min mile pace for like 2 miles just to ease back into it.

I decided to run outside the other day. My only goal was to complete a 5k (3.1 mi). Time didn’t matter. I just wanted to run the distance.

I ran a sub-30 minute 5k. Average pace was 9’37”. Ya girl is GASSED TF UP. It felt so easy too. There is no feeling quite like running outside. And now I feel like I’m on top of the world. Really excited to log more long runs outside.

ok, time for some banger wines - springtime white wines that you need to be paying attention to:

seckinger zügellos

Had the pleasure of tasting this with Jonas Seckinger, who is such a delight. This low-abv (9.5%) crushable slightly natty white wine that is textural and floral and all-around delightful. You haven’t met a porch pounder like this. Like seriously, I want to drink this in a beautiful park somewhere. I feel like it captures the essence of spring - flowers, fruit, and ease.

gramona gessemi

This blend of Muscat, Sauv Blanc, and Gewurztraminer is absolutely delightful. Continuing in the spring theme, this wine also feels like spring. Intensely floral with a lil green edge and nice acidity to balance out everything. Gessami means jasmine, which speaks to just how floral this wine is.

chalmers montevecchio bianco

This field blend is WILD. Literally like all of the Italian white varieties. Yet, it is still so fresh and approachable. Orchard fruits, lil spice, lil herbal notes. A different version of a springtime white wine. And one thing imma do is champion banger Aussie wine. This is absolutely worth every penny.

Here’s to finishing this post at the hotel bar while also trying to do some last minute studying,

- j