Gervasi Vineyard^™ News

Martinis are everywhere and come in an uncountable number of variations.  It’s one of the few cocktails that even has a piece of glassware named specifically for it.  But how did this come to be?  How did something that started out as a fairly simple drink become so well known that it can be found in every part of the globe?  The answer takes us back to the American West, specifically, during the Gold Rush.       (more…)

Some cocktails are born from necessity, others from the love of the craft. The Negroni, however, seems to have been created from the desire to simply make a stronger drink to consume.

It was 1919 in Italy and one of the most popular cocktails was the Americano (comprised of Campari, vermouth, and soda). The Americano was light and refreshing; overall a great choice when dealing with the Italian summer heat. Count Camillo Negroni desired something more. After spending some time living in London, he became accustomed to the more potent nature of the spirits abroad. (more…)

Just like the Moscow Mule, sometimes cocktails are created to solve a problem rather than inspired by creativity or passion. There’s a saying that “necessity is the mother of invention”.  This is exactly the case for a cocktail that became known as the Gimlet. (more…)

If you ask a bartender to list a couple of classic cocktails, the Manhattan is undoubtedly going to appear on or near the top.  It’s iconic, despite being over a hundred years old, and still finds ways to make a showing on a large percentage of cocktail lists around the world.  The Manhattan is also one of those drinks whose origin is murky at best and, quite often, a tall tale.

(more…)

Photo Credit: Frog on a Lily Photography

You’re ready to start planning what may be the most momentous event of your life. With so many decisions to make, the first question you might ask is, “Do I need a wedding planner?” The range of services provided by wedding planners varies as widely as their required fees, so consider the following factors before choosing whether or not to hire a professional. (more…)