If you cruise by The Gallery at Vegas Wineaux, you’re probably thinking that I’ve gone nuts with all of the cars.  Mostly red cars at that.  Okay, so maybe I am.  But there’s a method behind my madness.  I am working on a project tentatively titled “Vintage Cars of Las Vegas” as I spend part of the summer shooting as many images of these fabulous old beauties as I can.  The cars displayed on this site are only a fraction of the images I’ve taken over the last several weeks, and I’m so proud of (most) all of them.  I’ve also found some old images from years past of the great cars owned by old friends.  So this is a labor of love and displays another facet of what makes up the person who is the Vegas Wineaux.

My other summer project is just Las Vegas.  I’m still going through the details in my mind, but let’s just say that this reluctant local will be out and about on the Strip an awful lot!  Of course Vegas is more than just “The Strip“ – which has been done to death – and the local vibe of Vegas  and surrounding communities have been largely overlooked.  My Las Vegas project is actually going to be much more long term than just the summer, and I’m still working on organizing the details.  While this could easily turn into an encyclopedia of wine, architecture, food, people, landmarks, blah blah blah, I’d rather keep it simple-ish.

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I’ve had several visits to our newest wine neighbor, and I have to reluctantly admit that I was pleased and begrudgingly impressed with what they have to offer.

The newest entry in the Total Wine & More portfolio of stores is located in Boca Park in Summerlin, and it is ensconced in what used to be the Linens ‘N Things store. The space that used to house bedsheets now has adult beverages as far as the eye can see.  One of about 62 stores in 11 states, it is the first in Nevada, and takes up a sprawling 27,000 square feet.  Started in 1991 by brothers David and Robert Trone in Delaware, Total Wine & More states that it is the largest retailer of fine wine in the United States – which may be disputed by Costco.  I don’t particularly care.

I spent some time recently speaking briefly with Store Manager, Jerry Felinczak,  and Wine Manager, Anett Minderman, and received some interesting insights into the chain and about the philosophy of Total Wine.

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The Contestants

Let me explain.  This was another Trader Joe’s wine adventure, but it was a lot more fun than I had anticipated. It began with a bargain bottle of Newton Chardonnay (that is not a typo), and culminated in a competition between the Central Coast and  Sonoma/Napa.  The wines were 2008 Trader Joe’s Petit Reserve Chardonnay – Central Coast and 2008 Newton Chardonnay – Sonoma/Napa.

You all know that I’m a Central Coast gal, and this tasting was particularly challenging.

I had great fun!

First, a little about Chardonnay and me.  Many eons ago I had the opportunity to taste a really good Chardonnay.  It was rich, luscious, loaded with fruit, buttery and wonderful.  Because I was a relative wine newbie at the time, I thought that was normal for Chard and couldn’t contain my disappointment the next time I tasted one and found it to be, well, kind of like lemonade laced with apple juice.  It was hardly the rich and wonderful wine I remembered. Unfortunately, that became my experience through the years as I would try it from time to time, still seeking that ethereal Chardonnay experience.  But it was lemonade. Every single time.  So I became an ABC (Anything But Chard) gal. It was quite a few years before I found the Chard character my palate desired and, as I discovered, you had a spend a little money to get it.  Nowadays – whether it’s because you really don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy a good Chard or because my palate has matured – I enjoy it on a fairly regular basis.

Yup. Me. Liking white wines. Who’da thunk?

Rather than read lots of stuff about how wonderful (or not) these wines were, enjoy the videos!  I liked this wine tasting review so much that I may do more.  If you’d like that, just let me know.

This is probably unexpected for many of you, but I thought I’d spring it on you now even though I still have quite a bit of work to do on the site.

This – along with wine – is my other passion.  I have been an artist at heart for most of my life, and have been largely frustrated because of a few life circumstances.  I used to skate in Roller Derby about a hundred years ago, and I broke my right arm during my adventures.  That broken arm essentially ended my dreams of being an artist - fine motor skills and dexterity went away.  I made up for it in photography. Unfortunately, as a poor student photography was really out of my budget (expensive hobby, as is most art forms), and over the years, it more or less languished as real life took priority.

Along comes digital photography! I’ve had fun with it over the years, but very recently I purchased a digital SLR (DSLR) and Photoshop, and my artist’s heart is soaring.  This gave birth to the idea of the Gallery at Vegas Wineaux. While I have been using some of my work to showcase my wine reviews – you’ll recognize my kitchen wall if you’ve been to my home – I have been busy behind the scenes doing some pretty serious photography.  Yeah, I think it’s that good.

Click on the Gallery link on the Vegas Wineaux menu, and a new browser page will open.  Please give it a little time to load – there are many “thumbnails” that

Pentax DSLR

link to the full-sized photo on separate pages.  Graphics can take a while!

If  you want to learn more, just click on the “About “ page on the Gallery menu, and all of the details are there.  You will be able to see how my love of wines,food, art, and photography combine into a beautiful whole. Currently, the offerings are a little sparse, but there is so much more to come. I always have at least five projects going at any given time, and there will be more to share on The Gallery at Vegas Wineaux. Enjoy!