Born and raised in Kansas, I always had the curiosity of what life was like elsewhere in the US and the world.  This zest for meeting others and learning their stories led me to travel whenever I could.

While living in places all across the US, from Alaska to Miami, I began to fall in love with wine and the ways it brought people together. With a taste of the finer things in life, my first love was champagne….a bottle of Krug to be exact.  This love grew into a passion of all things WINE!

After traveling for almost 20 years, I settled down in my happy place, Napa Valley; and CaliWineGal was born!  Once settled, I took a deep dive into learning more about the world of wine by taking formal courses through WSET (Wine and Spirits Education Trust) and French Wine Scholar.  After completing WSET 2 & 3 with distinction and FWS with highest honors, I have put my expertise to work by sharing my personal wine journey, including wine tips and personal wine country recommendations from Napa Valley and beyond.  Follow my journey and get inspired to sip your way around wine country! 

-Mindy