Clinton Stark

Clinton shoots videos for Stark Insider. San Francisco Bay Area arts, Ingmar Bergman and French New Wave, and chasing the perfect home espresso shot 25 seconds at a time (and failing). Peloton: ClintTheMint. Camera: Video Gear

2009 Super Bowl XLIII: Report card

Rating the game, the anthem, the half-time show, the ads, and more.

Stark Insider two week review: Bollinger, Livermore, Loreto Bay and SouPerBowl blooper!

I missed getting our week in review out last week as we were up in Livermore and focused on more wine country adventures. And the down-to-earth, slightly folksy Livermore showed us a good time with plenty of wine tastings, barrel tours and fun times with friends. We also had...

Napa Valley wine tasting: Inside the barrel room at Sequoia Grove

Ever wondered what a Napa Valley winery wine barrel room looks like? Loni takes an inside look at Sequoia Grove where we were fortunate to taste some of their up-and-coming Napa Cabs right from the barrel. Sequoia Grove is a boutique winery with tall Sequoia trees towering an understated (and...

La Rochelle Winery in Livermore: Pinots in paradise

If you're in Livermore, I'd put La Rochelle high on your list of places to visit.

Artesa Cabernet Franc, Alexander Valley 2005 Limited Release: French oak style is on the money

Artesa is a spectacular winery with sweeping views of the Napa Valley. Although its architecture is distinctively modern, its wines are enjoyably classic. On a recent tasting trip we were able to sample a cross-section of approximately 25 wines.  I was generally impressed across the board. There is a reason why...

Super Bowl weekend, who am I rooting for?

Everyone is talking about Super Bowl weekend. At the checkout at Trader Joe's we're asked who were cheering for. Co-workers have their theories and predictions on how Warner will perform in his first return to the big stage in 10 years. I'm a little bit sour. We've been stuck in...

Windows 7: My first impressions

So far the scuttlebutt on Windows 7 is positive. Overwhelmingly and surprisingly so. After all, isn't this the same allegedly evil Microsoft that has tormented us poor computer users for years? I'd say sometimes deservedly so (using OS monopoly against Netscape to win browser wars) to other times unjustified (the...

Parducci True Grit Petite Sirah, Mendocino 2005: Cowboy boots not included

Here's a great, brash wine, aptly described on the back label as "an American original: big and bold, with plenty of heart." A pair of cowboy boots on the label emphasizes it's wild west attitude. Last time we had a showdown with Parducci, it was with the respected, but perhaps...

It’s oh-so-fun living on the San Andreas Fault

Some day. Some day. But when?  Ove the past 10 years I've lived in the San Francisco Bay Area there have been many minor earthquakes and tremors. Amusing enough when you realize nothing serious is happening. In the back of our minds though we all wonder, when? And also... then what? Local stores...