Recently in Wine Country Personality Category

Sure, the Sonoma Valley Film Festival is a celebration of new independent films. But with its stunning location in the heart of the Wine Country, food and wine are Oscar-worthy support characters.

Hailing from Sonoma Valley, the festival's 2008 Epicurean Director, Kathleen Hill, has put together an amazing showcase of celebrity chefs. Take the opening night gala on April 10 at Jacuzzi Winery. As stars like Michael Keaton rub elbows with crowd, eight superbly talented chefs will provide show-stopping cuisine, including -

What did you dream of experiencing when you grew up?

When she was young, most little girls she knew dreamed of becoming an actress or dancer. She dreamed of traveling the globe on exciting adventures.

When she grew up, she became an aviator and world traveler.

When he was a small boy, most his friends dreamed of becoming doctors or baseball players. Growing up he spent countless hours pouring over maps of the world imagining visiting these exotic far away places, from the jungles of the Amazon to the snowy peaks of Asia

When he grew up, he became a pilot.

But not just any pilot.

Hennessey House Bed and Breakfast

Creating and Sharing a Balanced Lifestyle

Four years ago, Kevin and Lorri Walsh were living high powered (and high stress) lives in Silicon Valley.   As an executive for a high tech company, Kevin was responsible for strategic planning for one of his companies' divisions and traveled constantly.  Lorri was racking up the miles as a salesperson for a local chemical company.  "We lived the silicon valley lifestyle", says Kevin.  "Long hours at the office with barely time to drop off and pick up our kids at daycare.  We really wanted something more balanced, where we could have our own business and have time to actually raise our family."  

They made the leap to Napa in the summer of 2004 and purchased Hennessey House.  "At the time, we knew nothing about running a hospitality business, but we fell in love with the place and the idea of being innkeepers in Napa."  Lorri smiles "we haven't looked back."

The Magician at Milliken Creek Inn

Wine Country Personality

Check into the most luxurious, romantic spot along the Napa River and you are bound to have nearly every aspect of your unforgettable stay overseen by one woman, Connie Gore. As General Manager of Milliken Creek Inn & Spa (www.millikencreekinn.com), her everyday duties include upholding the inn's philosophy: to marry the quality, service and amenities of a five star resort with the intimacy, sophistication and exclusivity of a grand estate.