Experi

Sommelier Speak: By the Glass with Kelly Peterson Bates

Kelly Peterson Bates was appointed Head Sommelier of the Boarding House in May 2014. In curating the beverage lists for the esteemed restaurant, she oversees wine, spirits, and beer programming; trains a talented staff of servers—many of whom are also sommeliers-in-training; and regularly shares her knowledge with guests through guided wine tastings. As part of a powerful,…

10 Lessons from a Seasoned Traveler

Travel is magical—it fills one with long-lasting memories and unforgettable experiences. However, travel can be tricky. It usually involves going to an unknown destination with a foreign language barrier. And let’s not forget about the process of getting to the final destination! Logistical nightmares, derailed itineraries, transportation mishaps, lost opportunities and missed experiences are far…

Whet Your Appetite: Sicily

Sicily – it’s Italy’s largest island and the largest in the Mediterranean Sea. An island of distinctive culture, eclectic food, bold natural landmarks like Mount Etna, and a long human history resulting in centuries worth of art and architecture. Read on the learn more about the wonders of Sicily. Distinctive wine varietals Sicily has…

A Floating Feast in Alaska

The waters of Southeast Alaska. Home to Dungeness crab, Sockeye salmon, Pacific oysters, and — unfortunately — all-you-can-eat cruise ship buffets. But when a private group requested a custom trip through Alaska’s Inside Passage, we made sure to highlight the region’s sustainable seafood for a floating Alaska feast. Everything served onboard was certified by the Monterey…

Whet Your Appetite: Spain’s Basque Country

Coastal villages, tamarind trees, sparkling white wine called Txakoli. Spanning the border between Spain and France, Basque Country is a gorgeous region filled with acres of vineyards, views of the Bay of Biscay, and a fascinating history of the indigenous Basques whose language and culture are seen everywhere. We piqued your interest in Spain with Whet…

Christina Conrad’s 7 Restaurants Less Traveled: Italy

Christina Conrad is a friend of Experi and a fellow Pacific Northwestern food lover. A native of Seattle, she developed her penchant for food and travel young, learning about cooking through her mother’s catering business. She travels every chance she gets, touring all of Italy, France, Argentina, India, as well as some of the best…

Sommelier Speak: In The Studio with Christopher Chan

A man of many hats, Christopher Chan has been learning about, contributing to, and advancing Seattle’s wine community for years. An Advanced Sommelier, he’s held the role of Director of Wine and Spirits at Seattle’s exclusive Rainier Club, is currently the host of KVI’s Happy Hour Radio, is creator and host of the Seattle Wine Awards, and is…

Top 5 Tastes: Puglia

Puglia may be lesser known compared to other Italian hotspots, but it’s a true hidden gem, offering the bluest views of the Adriatic Sea, distinctive food and wine, and year-round relaxation. Italians flock to this region, especially in summer, for the perfect escape- exploring the honeycomb caves in Matera, strolling through rows of fertile vineyards…