Favorite shots, and stories, from the land of wine grapes. Re rcaparoso.substack.com/p/grapes-are... #vitisvinifera #winegrapes #wineart #randycaparosophotography

I'm dreaming of... December in Hawai'i. Which you can make happen without leaving your living room. My piece, "Mokoli`i (Chinaman's Hat's)," will take you there. Visit Randy Caparoso Photography Storefront (www.randycaparosophotographystorefront.com) to see all the museum quality print options.

The original text of my story on Bien Nacido Vineyard in the current issue of SOMM Journal: On the sensory profile of this landmark Santa Maria Valley vineyard crystallized in bottlings by its eponymous label, marking its 20th year of production. Re randycaparoso.substack.com/p/the-sensor...

“Lion In the Winter (Ancient Vine Flame Tokay," a haiku: The old man in fog— silent witness, arms outstretched, Wise beyond his years. Visit Randy Caparoso Photography Storefront (www.randycaparosophotographystorefront.com).

n 2024 I was able to make a pilgrimage to Burgundy’s Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, the Mecca of Pinot Noir lovers the world over. Like the movie “Sideways,” a paean to Pinot Noir. The perfect gift for Pinot lovers. Randy Caparoso Photography Storefront (www.randycaparosophotographystorefront.com).

Reasoning behind barrel programs, citing Harney Lane, Turley and Hamel Estate (from variability to uniformity and little as possible). Re caparoso.substack.com/p/oak-barrel... #oakbarrel #harneylane #turleywine #hamelwine

One misty winter morning as I walked through a block of ancient vine Zinfandel I was struck by one particular old soldier which seemed to be leading a legion of younger vines trained on single vertical trunks. Visit Randy Caparoso Photography Storefront, www.randycaparosophotographystorefront.com

I am a “master” of nothing except what I love: The vineyards that surround my wine country home. I have always been inspired, though, by artists such as Jean-François Millet (as in his “Gleaners” below). My piece: “Chenin Blanc picker.” www.randycaparosophotographystorefront.com

Step by step visuals, the time honored craft of barrel coopering. Re caparoso.substack.com/p/oak-barrel... #barrelcoopering

Why wine and food matching will always be everything in restaurants. Re randycaparoso.substack.com/p/think-like... #restaurantwine #wineindustry #wineandfood #wineandfoodpairing #hospitalitymanagement #winelist #foodandbeverageindustry #sommelier

How to bring the stunning brilliance of Mother Nature into your living room: Go to www.randycaparosophotographystorefront.com to virtually see all your options. "Dornfelder veraison in Mokelumne Glen Vineyard," a rare gem of a vineyard planted to over 50 grapes of German or Austrian origin.

I report on a Master Cooper guided trip through the oak forests and mills of France, explaining how the raw material is managed. Re caparoso.substack.com/p/oak-barrel... #oakbarrel #frenchoak #oakcooperage #barrelcoopering #tonnellerieo

It’s still Cyber Shopping Week🎁at the Randy Caparoso Photography Storefront. 25% off! Order now in time for Christmas — use code CYBERWEEK25 in my online gallery! Find "Autumn in Clements Hills" as prints, artful mugs, pillows or tote bags. www.randycaparosophotographystorefront.com/shop-art

I humbly offer my OpEd appearing at the top of today's Wine Industry Advisor. Lead quote: "The more consumers appreciate wine, the more authentic they want their experience to be." Re wineindustryadvisor.com/2025/12/02/b... #wineindustry #WineIndustryAdvisor #AI

The ancient origins of barrels and their modern day impact on the American wine industry and consumer tastes. Re caparoso.substack.com/p/oak-barrel... #oakbarrel #wineindustry #cooperage

Nothing like a post on the success independent wine writers have found on Substack, especially one that mentions my three Substack pages, as reported in Circle of Wine Writers's "The Circular" newsletter by CWW Chair Meg Maker. www.circleofwinewriters.org/substack-for...

The season of thanks, gleaned through the lens of my camera and the deft phraseology of poets. Re rcaparoso.substack.com/p/photograph...

This is it: 25% off my work until tomorrow with code HOLIDAY2025. Still hunting for something that feels personal, lasting, inspiring? Black Friday Week's Collector's Choice Sale is going fast! 🖼️ “Meaning of Life (Waimanalo Beach)" www.randycaparosophotographystorefront.com

This holiday season, what do you gift the wine lover who already has everything? I suggest "Lodi!", 450 pages, over 400 photographs, appealing to both scholars and pure aficionados of wine. For info, reviews and to order, visit kitchencincopress.com

Don't miss out on the 2026 Wine Art Calendars by Randy Caparoso Photography! Consists of 13 of my favorite photos as vertical images on 11x17 pages. Limited supply, $49. Write me at [email protected] to order. #randycaparosophotography #2026Calendar #winephotography

What sommeliers discovered during the 2025 Alexander Valley Cabernet Academy, re randycaparoso.substack.com/p/the-alexan.... #sommjournal #alexandervalley #alexandervalleycabernetacademy #sonomacountywine #wineterroir

"Cat In Ancient Vine Carignan" and "Domaine de la Romanée-Conti." ✨ Part of the Collector’s Choice Holiday Sale! Grab it now with 25% off using code HOLIDAY2025. For these and many more holiday gift ideas, visit Randy Caparoso Photography Storefront, www.randycaparosophotographystorefront.com

A 9,000-year history of Vitis vinifera: How the wine grapes we know today emerged from a genetic mixture of domesticated and wild grapes. Re caparoso.substack.com/p/a-9000-yea... #Vitisvinifera #winegrapes #Californiawine #winehistory #grapevine

When white wine grapes are fermented with reds: More and more of today’s innovative, handcraft vignerons are vinifying white wine grapes with black skinned grapes. For more holiday gift ideas, visit www.randycaparosophotographystorefront.com

Kitchen gift ideas for the favorite cook in your life: "Fresh Cut Toasty French Bread." Visit Randy Caparoso Photography Storefront, www.randycaparosophotographystorefront.com #frenchbread #kitchenartwork #randycaparosophotography #culinaryarts

The more consumers appreciate wine, the more real they want their experience to be. Re caparoso.substack.com/p/rainy-day-... #artificialintelligence #AI #wineappreciation #winelover #kermitlynch

How does an iconic brand maintain its market dominance? Through constant change, not status quo. Here's the story published in the current issue of The SOMM Journal, re randycaparoso.substack.com/p/good-to-gr...

Excellent afternoon at Haarmeyer Wine Cellars with Acquiesce's Christina Lopez; tasting not only Craig Haarmeyer's inspiring battery of Chenin Blancs (quite possibly the finest in California), but an amazing Nebbiolo, ebullient Blaufränkish, and intricate "Victor Weisser" (German grape field blend).

How I use my own photos to live my dreams of Hawai’i, New Mexico, endless wines and life among ancient vines. Re rcaparoso.substack.com/p/daydream-b... #randycaparosophotography #artphotography #winecountryphotography #winephotography #catloversworld #oldvines

My piece, “Marisela and Biodynamic Farmed Vermentino,” has multiple meanings. I love the harvest moment, frozen in time, depicting Marisela Granados, a vineyard foreman, cradling Biodynamic farmed Vermentino. Visit Randy Caparoso Photography Storefront (www.randycaparosophotographystorefront.com)

A restaurant style list of wines celebrating Lodi terroir. Re caparoso.substack.com/p/a-last-sho.... #oldvines #ancientvines #ownrooted #lodiwine #lodiwinecountry #historicvineyardsociety #oldvineregistry #oldvineconference

A talk with Kermit Lynch, the enduring conscience of our wine industry, about favorite wines past and present. Re randycaparoso.substack.com/p/adventures... #kermitlynch #winelist #hospitalitymanagement #restaurantwine

“October Colors in Terra Alta Vineyard, Clements Hills-Lodi” Here are the myriad ways you can bring autumn, idyllic wine country and Nature into your world. Visit randycaparosophotographystorefront.com

“Eight Windows In San Francisco Chinatown” The number 8, in Chinese lore, is the luckiest number of all. A harbinger of wealth. Thus, in San Francisco’s Chinatown, the windows tell a story. Although it isn’t always pretty, it has its own poetry. Visit www.randycaparosophotographystorefront.com

On the natural (even if unsuspected) affinity of Bordeaux varietals with Chinese cuisine. Re randycaparoso.substack.com/p/discovery-... #livermorevalleywine #carménère #umami #wineandfood #wineandfoodpairing #chinesecuisine #TastingPanelMagazine #sommelier #foodandbeverage

What brings me joy: Respecting the world as I see it, relishing the rare opportunities I have to share it. Re “Flame Tokay In Natural Lightbox.” Visit www.randycaparosophotographystorefront.com

A year ago I was fortunate enough to go back to my hometown of Honolulu for my 50th high school reunion (top-left, St. Louis), my 8th grade class reunion (top-right, St. Joseph), some favorite Roy's ohana (bottom-left in Hawaii Kai), and with missus at our favorite spot (bottom-right, Pu'u 'Ualaka).

What do I look for when I go back home to Hawai’i? Strong sense of place, rootedness, memory, history, authenticity, passions. From top-left: “Waiahole Poi Factory,” “Kahuku Lunch Wagon,” and “Ohana Tree at Waimanalo Beach.” Visit www.randycaparosophotographystorefront.com)

This is how envision my piece called “Freakshow” in a cozy, candlelit bedroom, literally firing up you imagination, constantly reminding you that life is to live, to dance, be bold, get a tattoo, take a chance, be beautiful, express yourself. Visit randycaparosophotographystorefront.com

My piece “La Morenita In Vineyard,” taken one blazing hot September day in the middle of an old vine Zinfandel pick, is one of my all-time favorites. Visit randycaparosophotographystorefront.com for more authentic wine country photography.

Your home is your sanctuary. When you walk down the hallway you want to feel at peace, comforted, aesthetically pleased, as if you are in a Church. Visualize my artwork entitled “Harvesting Rare Nebbiolo Grape In Lodi” above an artful vase and candle. Visit randycaparosophotographystorefront.com

How umami works. Not just in food and cooking, but also in our choices of wine most likely to connect with umami driven foods. Re randycaparoso.substack.com/p/putting-um... #umami #wineandfood #wineandfoodpairing

Photo essay on some of California’s most historic vineyards, plus the fascinating stories of the long forgotten Santa Cruz Island Wine Company and Angelica wines! Re rcaparoso.substack.com/p/photograph... #randycaparosophotography

Today in Woodbridge, CA!

I recently noticed my subscribers thinking about the upcoming holidays. Although there is nothing like a museum quality print of my photo art, Randy Caparoso Photography Storefront also offers 14"x14" throw pillows (29.80) and coffee mugs (10.80). www.randycaparosophotographystorefront.com

The economic signs are everywhere. While in less visible ways than Covid lockdowns and closings, the hospitality industry remains severely challenged, only adding to the woes of the wine industry long dependent on its on-premise presence. Re randycaparoso.substack.com/p/managing-w...

Joseph Phelps Vineyards’ “Rooted In Tomorrow” dinners signal a new path forged by "smarter, more responsible winegrowing" Re caparoso.substack.com/p/the-road-t... #JosephPhelps #regenerativeagriculture #agroecology #agroenology #oliverenglish

Avid photographers often talk about the “moment.” You’re either there or not. You either catch it or you don’t. I caught this moment at the mecca of all Pinot Noir lovers, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. Randy Caparoso Photography Storefront, www.randycaparosophotographystorefront.com

Let's pay tribute to Sam J. Sebastiani, who passed away yesterday at age 84. I have several great memories with Sam; in 1982 hosting him at a Honolulu wine store I was managing. I last saw him in 2015 (bottom photos) at Shake Ridge Ranch. Good times, thank you, Sam!

Just over 15 years ago I moved into a cottage in the middle of the largest stand of old vines in the country. Why? Because old vines speak to everything I loved in the world’s finest wines. Visit Randy Caparoso Photography Storefront, www.randycaparosophotographystorefront.com