Laura Ness is a journalist at various publications including The Mercury News and the Silicon Valley Business Journal. She specializes in themes related to food and beverages, agriculture and farming, and travel and tourism, often exploring topics such as beverage production, organic farming, and consumer travel. Laura's work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Santa Cruz Sentinel and the San Francisco Business Journal.
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Capitola, United States (Local)
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Laura's coverage predominantly revolves around the local food and beverage scene, particularly wine-related events, wineries, tasting rooms, and restaurant reviews. She also highlights individuals making an impact in the wine industry. Laura seems to prioritize featuring local businesses and events.
If you are looking to reach out to Laura with a pitch or story idea, consider focusing on topics related to wine production, new trends in winemaking or vineyard management, unique culinary experiences such as food & wine pairings or themed dining events at local establishments.
Given her focus on the California region (specifically Monterey), she may be interested in pitches that relate directly to this area’s food and beverage scene including profiles of local vintners and chefs or insider looks into unique culinary traditions within Monterey County.
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By: Laura Ness
It was fitting that a competition judged solely by women, ended up giving the nod to a superbly crafted white Rhone blend made by winemaker Christina Lopez of Acquiesce in Lodi. She's a talent in the same vein has her predecessor, Susan Tipton, who has for years impressed with her graceful touch on white wines, one year landing four separate wines in the final sweepstakes round at the SF Chronicle Competition.
May 29, 2026 – The day began with a great dining experience at Café Gabriella, where we indulged in their fabulous Brussels sprouts with hazelnuts and cider vinaigrette and cauliflower with red chili oil, currants and pine nuts. Gabriella offers brunch on weekends, as well as lunch, but we all ended up having the mushroom omelet with mozzarella, served with nicely pan-fried potatoes and generous slices of avocado.
Anyone who grows anything knows working with nutrient-deficient soil is like trying to start a truck with a dead battery.
June 5, 2026 – The celebration dinner held at Seascape in honor of the 50 th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris (JOP) was a time to shine a spotlight on the cuisine and pairing skills of chef Jae Moon. It was also a chance for the guest wineries—Grgich, Ridge and Stag's Leap—to bring both their stories and the special wines they had made to honor the occasion. Excellent synchronization of the serving team, and the warm hospitality of new GM Josh Chirinos and wine director Sally Locke-Paddon made this a very special evening.
Head winemaker strives to 'make sure we get it right' Ridge Vineyards is rooted in tradition but not afraid to change with the times.
Fathers with impeccable taste are sure to resonate with the idea of a sumptuous brunch, a barbecue concert or a superb wine dinner. Los Gatos
June 9, 2026 – An iconic vineyard in the hills above Carmel Valley has begun a new chapter of its legendary life. Famed Diamond T Ranch is now under the ownership of Andy and Margaret Paul, along with their four children, who together created Paul Family Vineyards in 2024. A 2024 Chardonnay from the first vintage, ... Read more
June 12, 2026 – Winemaker Steven Mirassou is on a mission: one that started six generations ago when his ancestor Pierre Pellier came to the Santa Clara Valley from La Rochelle, France, with cuttings of Pinot Noir. Some might remember and some of you even worked for Mirassou Winery before the family fracture over the destiny of land in the Almaden Valley eventually lead to a sale of the family name, precious ag land and vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands, to Gallo.
Event organized by winemaker with long West Valley roots.
