Summer 2023 is coming to a close, and Dallasites have returned from their trips across the country or around the globe. For many of us, the best thing about the season is the opportunity to travel and experience life in a different place for a little while.

In June, I did just that on a wine-focused trip to two wine regions in Italy: Veneto and Abruzzo. The trip was a flurry of vineyard visits, winemaker meet-and-greets, winery tours, and tastings at every stop along the way. My favorite bits were all the things in between sips: the scents, the epic views, the surprising food, and the passionate people.