“In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.” Aristotle
I have traveled all over the world and in my option Santorini one the most beautiful and scenic places. Below are a few images of Santorini and its wine industry for the National Greek Wine Bureau. 
Below is a selection of my favorite images from a recent shoot ( and tasting !) at Benanti Winery , located near Catania, in Sicily . The winery has a long history and dates back to the late 1800’s. Benanti’s vineyard sits on an ancient and volcanic crater near the slopes of Mt. Etna , one of the oldest vinicultural areas in eastern Sicily. In fact, some of the oldest D.O.C’s are from this area. The rich volcanic soil and high temperature variation give these grapes amazing flavor. The primary grapes grown near the base of Mt. Etna are Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccino, but Benati is known for it’s production of non-indigenoius grapes. As a Napa wine photographer, I have tasted many different varieties of wine, but the “vino” I drank in Sicily ranks among the finest! The wine was so delicious, my wife and I sent a case back home to California!
Big Sur has some of the most beautiful coastlines of anywhere in the world. After spending a long weekend exploring the area, Sur quickly became a very special place for me. The natural beauty of the area is nothing short of stunning. Steeped in rugged, beautiful vista’s, purple sand beaches and miles of amazing shorelines, Sur is a beloved destination. Here are a few of my favorite images.
I recently did a shoot at Pezzini Farms in Castroville, CA otherwise known as the self-proclaimed artichoke capital of the world. I have never seen to many acres of fresh vegetables. Acres upon acres! In the end, I got caught up in the excitement and bought a few dozen for my family. Pezzini is a great example of a local, sustainable farming operation that strives to bring high quality products to its consumers. During the shoot, I learned a little about the history of artichokes. Artichokes bloom from the same bulb year after year. What you see below are artichokes that stem from the original bulb brought over from Italy, planted locally in Castroville over 80 years ago. If you are interested in a great weekend getaway, stop at Pezzini Farms for fresh produce on the way to Carmel or Big Sur. Definitely worth the trip!
