Linda Kissam is a professional travel, food, and wine writer based out of Southern California. Through her persona as (one half of) The Wine Chixs and her Web site TheWineBuzzzz.com, her monthly radio guest spots, and story placements in various publications, she reaches over a million readers/listners with each article. She specializes in easy, breezy destination stories sharing her favorite things about the places she visits. As she sips with the winemaker, dines with the chef, or shops with the gift concierge, she dishes out insights on the fabulous, the famous and the unforgettable. Whether riding the rails in Europe, hot air ballooning in Temecula, cruising on the Douro River, or being pampered at luxurious spas and resort, she's investigating the local buzz to provide her readers with tips on what to buy and what to try.

Linda loves finding and sharing what makes each place she visits so special. Her time spent as a publicist for a well-known wine region taught her it's the story behind the product and the experience of the place that makes the trip memorable. She never knows if the story will end up being based on finding the perfect latte, ordering Pommes Frites with Parsley Butter in a small French bistro, searching for an Internet cafe in Sicily, or attending a wine seminar aboard a cruise ship. She never travels without a notebook, camera and a great pair of Brighton flats. She has an addiction to personable people, interesting wines, gourmet coffee, fabulous chocolate and spicy foods. Anyone who knows her will tell you that she loves traveling anywhere, by any means, and is somewhat obsessive about jewelry and a good taco.

Published Articles

Wineries, Ferries & Amazing Lodging -- Seattle Style
The Seattle experience begins in Woodinville, Washington, just about 30 minutes from Sea Tac Airport, and 20 minutes from downtown Seattle. Here youll find a combination of about 60 wineries and tasting rooms. Some serve fruit wines, some grape varietal wines, some a combination of both. Its a different wine tasting model than you may be used to. Theres a lot more tasting rooms than wineries. The tasting rooms are often clustered into strip malls, and called by some purists, loading dock wineries, meaning 98%+ of the wines offered for tasting are grown in and shipped from Eastern Washington . The wines are generally lean, crisp, and fruit forward.

Wine Tasting ~ Western Washington Style
Like most wine regions, theres always a favorite or more publicized area of a states wine region. For Washington State its been Eastern Washington. WellOk, and fine.but in my quest to find the fun, the fabulous, the unique parts of a particular wine scene, I organized an 8-day wine trip to Western Washington  specifically gorgeous Seattle gorgeous with all its water views, and the two-hour (driving or flying ) area west of it. I had such a good time, I am handing out awards. See who got what and why, as you read all about Wine Tasting ~ Western Washington Style.

New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
I love Sauvignon Blanc in all its forms, but I especially enjoy the New Zealand style. So when marketing rep Catherine Seda recently sent me a sample of the Mt Beautiful 2009 Sauvignon Blanc to try, I quickly ripped open the mailer and threw the wine in the wine refir to chill it down a bit.

Wine, Art & Waves
Theres nothing better than good wine. Then again, theres really nothing more inspiring than great art. But if you think about it, what could be better than an amazing hotel near the beach? Luckily, The Wine Chixs got to experience it all in Laguna Beach

Small Lot Wines + The Perfect Wine! = Perfection!
Youve probably heard the term small lot wines and took a guess that it refers to wine produced in limited quantities. You would of course be right, but theres more to it than that. A small lot wine can be produced at a very large winery or a very small winery. As you can imagine, a wine that is made in small quantities is special

Rockland, Maine - The Best Wine Vacation Ever
I was challenged by my husband to organize a wine-themed vacation that was more than a whirl of pedestrian lodging, shops and seen-that-before wineries. Hmmmm thats quite a challenge. Lets see, I cant go back to where weve been before. I cant drag him to too many girly places. I have to incorporate (and survive) some manly activities, and I have to find an acceptable ying/yang balance of places to stay and eat at. Geeze, what kind of vacation would this turn out to be? Ill tell you what kind, the best one ever! Read on to see how I pulled off  Rockland, Maine  The Best Wine Vacation Ever.

Big Blend Radio Interview ~ Laguna Beach, California Style
Big Blend Radio: Linda Kissam was a featured guest on Champagne Sundays radio on July 25, 2010 talking about her Wine Trippin' adventure in Laguna Beach, California.

Wine Trippin in Laguna Beach, California
There's nothing better than good wine. Then again, there's really nothing more inspiring than great art. But if you think about it, what could be better than an amazing hotel near the beach? Luckily, in my search for the most unique wine venues in America, I got to experience it all in Laguna Beach, California.

Laguna Canyon Winery
Did you know there is an award-winning, 2,500 case winery in Laguna Beach, California? I do now, and so should you!

The Local Wine Buzz - July 2010 Edition
July is a great month to explore Temecula Wine Country because Mother Nature hasn't tuned the furnace on full blast yet. You're good to go to explore the wine, food, fun, shopping and music of it all. And hey'make sure you check out the vineyards. They're in full bloom now, heading toward varaison and an August harvest. Joe or Jim Hart (Hart Winery) or Don Reha (Thornton Winery) are my top three picks to ask for a private vineyard "stroll and learn."

Wine Trippin' In Mid Coast Maine
Big Blend Radio: Linda Kissam was a featured guest on Vacation Station radio on June 26, 2010 talking about the unique mid-coast wine district near Rockland, Maine.

Wine Trippin In Rockland, Maine
I am always on the lookout for unique up-and-coming wine regions that present an interesting story and a 2-7 day destination of food, wine, and fun. For heaven sakes, there must be a wine-life beyond Napa and Sonoma, and the Champagne region of France. Been there done that. So begins my search for fun, funky, deserving-of-press wine regions through the Wine Trippin series. First stop  the mid-coast wineries near Rockland, Maine.

Wine Adventure on the High Seas
Looking for some high seas adventure with a decidedly gourmet food and wine focus? Then check out the Schooner Stephen Taber for a uniquely tactile and visual experience. This gorgeous century-old tall ship takes you from Rockland, Maine on a stunning tour of the untouched islands of Maines rocky coast. Think lush green inlets and islands, lighthouses, old farmhouses, seals and dolphinsand of course the ever-present lobster traps.

Rockland, Maine - The Best Wine Vacation Ever
I was challenged by my husband to organize a wine-themed vacation that was more than a whirl of pedestrian lodging, shops and seen-that-before wineries. Hmmmm thats quite a challenge. Lets see, I cant go back to where weve been before. I cant drag him to too many girly places. I have to incorporate (and survive) some manly activities, and I have to find an acceptable ying/yang balance of places to stay and eat at. Geeze, what kind of vacation would this turn out to be? Ill tell you what kind, the best one ever! Read on to see how I pulled off  Rockland, Maine  The Best Wine Vacation Ever.

What's New In Temecula Wine Country?
Big Blend Radio: Linda Kissam was a featured guest on Vacation Station radio on June 4, 2010 talking about summer in Temecula Valley Wine Country

Summertime in Wine Country
With spring in full swing and summertime in our collective sightline, I am pretty sure were all chomping at the bit for some time off to relax and renew. Since we still have a few weeks left to go before we leave on vacation, why don't we settle in and plan what to do. Although I am not a psychic, I get the vibe that youre looking for warm sunny days, lush green vineyards, crisp white wines, fruit driven reds, outstanding food, happy smiles, and some Wine Country fun.

Meet Mr Balanced
Its really cool when I get to spend some quality time with a really smart winemaker. Such was the case when I sat down with Etienne Cowper, winemaker for Tesoro Winery in Temecula Valley to talk a bit about him, the wines he loves, the region he is such an integral part of, and his summer releases.

Meet the Twins
I like the fact I get to meet a lot of different winemakers. They're creative types, focused on crafting beautiful wines. They come in all shapes and sizes of course. They're young, they're old, they're funny, they're serious...but until this week, none of them were twins.

2008 Gioia Paso Robles Zin!
I really love a bottle of wine that is not only good, but has a story behind it too. That's why it's such a treat to introduce you to Gioia Wines and owner/winemaker Teri Love. Gioia is one of the new breed of wineries known as a virtual winery, meaning it doesn't have its own brick and mortar building to make or sell its wine. This doesnt mean it isnt premium wine, just the opposite. I think some of the virtual wineries really benefit from this format as they can spend more time, talent, and treasure on the wine and promotion, instead of on a big facility, staff and daily worries.

Keyways Welcomes New Winemaker
Time moves on, seasons change, and it seems inevitable that winemakers will come and go. So it is that David Raffaele, formerly part of the winemaking team at Maurice Car'rie and Van Roekel Vineyard and Wineries, has been selected as the new winemaker at Keyways Winery. I think this is an excellent choice for this winery and I know youll enjoy reading about this interesting young winemaker

Fly In ~ To So-Cal Wine Country
Arrive in Temecula Wine Country Via French Valley Airport. French Valley Airport is located in Southwest Riverside County, adjacent to the communities of Temecula, Murrieta and Winchester. The airport, located on Highway 79, is only minutes away from Interstate 15 and the 215 Corridor . Outstanding climate and minimal congestion make takeoffs and landings easy at French Valley Airport. The wide-open approaches and ground support services accommodate most aircraft including jets and turbo-props. The filed is composed of two runways 18 Left, 36 Right About 12 miles from the French Valley Airport and just about 7 miles off the I-15, the wine country is an easy place to fine. Take Rancho California Road east.

Destination ~ South Park, San Diego
I love finding the hidden jewels of big city destinations, how about you? It's great fun to immerse yourself in the unsung areas that don't have big promotional budgets to entice you to discover them. So it was quite a delight when quite by chance, I was introduced to the South Park district of San Diego by a fellow cruise ship traveler. Seriously, there I was floating in the Caribbean, when Jennifer Thompson from Monkey C Media gave me the 411. Now I am passing it on to you. Read on!

Meet Mr. Smooth ~ 2007 Chappellet Mountain Cuvee
Hey aficionados ~ as you know wine prices are down, quality is up, and retailers are offering some tremendous buys. I like wines of all kinds. I see great buys often. Howeveryou know you have a winner when the owner of a local wine store is asked to choose his best red wine under $30 and with no hesitation on his part, he goes right to this wine.

Girls Night Out
We sort of hate to think about reliving the 70s - all those parental rules, cheap wine, flowers in our hair and orange jump suits kind of weigh heavy on our collective minds. But when we heard the word fondue and amazing wine list in the same sentence describing a classy place near us, we knew we had to check it out.

For All My Princesses
It may just be the event planner in me, but this Wine Chix L-O-V-E-S anything with a cool theme. So its not going to come as a surprise to anyone that I want to introduce you to Briar Rose Winery in the Temecula Wine Country. Based on a Snow White theme, this high-end boutique winery not only showcases a Disneyesque ambiance, but it delivers the goods with ultra premium wines. So any of you looking to arrange a day fit for a princess with an emphasis on amazing wineread on!

Destination ~ Warner Springs, CA
Located between Temecula Wine Country and Julian in Southern California, Shadow Mountain Vineyards & Winery, im Warner Springs, is nestled on a northeastern slope at 3400', in the coastal mountain range of northern San Diego County. This means it's about 45 minutes from Temecula, 90 minutes from downtown San Diego, and 2 hours from LA. Try to have breakfast on the way and bring your own picnic lunch for an afternoon delight of wine and food at the winery.

Sip, Savor & Sleep Over Amongst the Vines
You like wine tasting? Are you up for a little adventure? I bet you love a deal. Can I package all this for you into a rustic vineyard romantic getaway? Yup! Read on.

Fallbrook, CA Makes A Unique Summertime Destination
It's easy to discover activities for all tastes, and luxuries for all wallets in Fallbrook, CA. Fallbrook is the ultimate getaway located halfway between San Diego and Temecula Wine Country. It offers many diversions including art, wine, spas and amazing restaurants. Seriously folks, what could be better than that, all tucked into a beautiful countrified community?

Spring Break in So-Cal Wine Country
Picture this: Southern California's two most impressive wine countries, Temecula and Julian, filled with fun people, all looking to have a blast as they sip, swirl and nosh their way through the vineyards. I can promise you incredible food available all day and all night, premium wines, great accommodations, music, and fun stops, all laid out for you. Think wine tasting, hot air ballooning. Olive oil tasting, golf, hard cider tastings, glider plane rides and more. This is an ideal vacation for anyone, but I am thinking this is really perfect for those who are 35+ and really ready to get loose and have a good time on an "adult" spring break. Sound like you? Read on!

Caffe Primo is Neighborhood Favorite
Trying to find a great coffeehouse in the neighborhood is always an adventure. It's the coffee drinker's perennial quest for excellence that propels them to seek out independent coffee houses producing great new blends of coffee or well made lattes.

Meet the Executive Chef
Ponte Family Estate Winery welcomes Frank Miller as Executive Chef of the award winning Smokehouse Restaurant. Miller brings thirty years of culinary experience encompassing restaurant, hotel, catering, and personal chef practice as well as experience with entertainment, film and professional sporting events.

Annual Grape Stomp at Orfila Vineyards & Winery
Orfila Winerys annual Grape Stomp takes place on Saturday, August 29, 2009 from 4 PM - 8 PM. The afternoon event celebrates the beginning of harvest - Old World style - with grape stomping in a gigantic five-foot barrel, full dinner buffet, dancing to live music, wine tasting and winery tours...

Wine Is A Gift - Vine Times Magazine February/March 2010
Off the beaten path, but not so far from Temecula Valley Wine Country, there is a fabulous boutique wine shop in Murrieta, Ca., called Dudley's Wine & Gifts. We like it because it provides a unique, unstuffy, unpretentious experience.

The Local Wine Buzz-February 2010
Old Town Temecula's wine district features new tasting room

Lorimar Winery Opens In Old Town Temecula
Two cool brother-in-laws realize the start of their winery dream.

Finding the Perfect Wedding Site in San Diego
The search for the perfect wedding site in San Diego is over!

Lobster Salad
Delicious Lobster Salad from Executive Chef Steve Pickell, Temecula Wine Country, So-Cal