Melissa Alexander's love affair with food began early in life. Fresh vegetables and fresh fruit desserts were a part of everyday life. "I can't imagine not having fresh local ingredients to work with."

Over the years, Melissa has made many trips to France and Italy attending various cooking schools and exploring the local foods and wines. But the time she spent with Georgeanne Brennan in the small Provencal village of Aups had the most influence on her approach to cooking and living in wine country. Daily trips to the local baker, butcher, and farmers' market were the rule not the exception. The quality of the food products is exceptional.

"I knew I wanted the best local ingredients and freshest foods I could get, so the move with my husband Glenn to Sonoma County and our journey into the local food and wine country was perfect.  We have locally caught wild salmon and crab, shopped organic dairies and numerous family farms and farmers' markets. Meat and poultry producers CK Lamb, Liberty Duck, and Caggiano Sausages are here as well as cheese makers Andante, Redwood Hill Farms, and Pug's Leap. Sonoma County is a food and wine paradise."

"For me, wine has indelibly linked family, friends, and food. A sip of wine revitalizes your palate brightens ones outlook, and results in joy, laughter and conversation at the table which is a great gift."