San Francisco, CA – At Barbara Adams’ Beyond Wonderful, ‘tis the season to sparkle.  For resident wine expert Michael De Loach, that means – what else? – Champagne. In his December column, Michael offers covers all the bubbly basics, including suggestions for delectable Prosecco, Asti and other effervescent options.

For those with wine lovers on their list, De Loach brings a wealth of gift ideas that surpass the predictable bottle-with-a-bow.  From books to movies to gadgets, his list is a terrific resource for time-starved shoppers in search of the perfect present.

In addition to wine education, Beyond Wonderful offers a vast culinary library: hundreds of classic and seasonal dishes for everyday and special occasions. Each recipe is meticulously kitchen-tested and accompanied by tempting photographs. The site also offers an ever-growing collection of engaging feature stories and monthly columns on wine, produce, baking and cheese from a panel of culinary pros. 
About Michael De Loach

Hook and Ladder Winery principal Michael De Loach grew up in the wine business: he started working in the family vineyard at age 11 and in the cellar at 15. De Loach has appeared throughout the country on radio, television and speaking engagements, and has been featured  in many national publications including  Newsweek, The New York Times,  The Los Angeles Times and The Wine Spectator. He is the host of “Wine Country Live,” a nationally syndicated radio show.

About Barbara Adams’ Beyond Wonderful

Beyond Wonderful launched in September 2004 from the San Francisco Bay Area; an internationally renowned center for culinary innovation. The brainchild of Barbara Adams, Beyond Wonderful delivers all the color, flavor, vitality and spice of this magnificent region in an ongoing culinary adventure from farms to markets to vineyards and beyond – culminating, of course, in the kitchen. For more information, contact pr@beyondwonderful.com.

San Francisco, CA – ‘Tis the season for all things sweet at Barbara Adams’ Beyond Wonderful; the online headquarters for holiday baking. Resident pastry expert Catherine Christiansen takes the lead with a scrumptious series of recipes perfect for gifts and entertaining. Catherine offers classics like sugar cookies, spicy ginger snaps, and macaroons, plus more elaborate delicacies such as dried cherry nut bread and decadent, candy-laden “monster” cookies.

Like all recipes in the Beyond Wonderful collection, Catherine’s holiday specials feature tempting photographs and convenient links to step-by-step technical guidance. Novice bakers will particularly appreciate detailed “how-to” lesson on the basics of rolling dough.

In addition to a bounty of holiday-perfect recipes for main dishes, sides and desserts, Beyond Wonderful offers hundreds of classic and seasonal dishes for everyday and special occasions—all meticulously kitchen-tested. The site also offers an ever-growing library of engaging feature stories and monthly columns on wine, produce, baking and cheese from a panel of culinary pros.

About Catherine Christiansen

A Colorado-based chef and food writer, Catherine is a columnist and restaurant reviewer for the Boulder Daily Camera. She also writes about food, wine and restaurants for other local and national publications including Delicious Living and 5280, Denver’s leading lifestyle magazine. Catherine develops recipes for Horizon Organic, the nation’s number one organic dairy company, and works with a number of community-supported farms and local farmer’s markets in developing recipes for organic produce. She is also a Chef Instructor in pastry at the Culinary School of the Rockies in Boulder.

About Barbara Adams’ Beyond Wonderful

Beyond Wonderful launched in September 2004 from the San Francisco Bay Area; an internationally renowned center for culinary innovation. The brainchild of Barbara Adams, Beyond Wonderful delivers all the color, flavor, vitality and spice of this magnificent region in an ongoing culinary adventure from farms to markets to vineyards and beyond—culminating, of course, in the kitchen. For more information, contact pr@beyondwonderful.com.