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A Guide To Curating The Perfect Wine + Cheeseboard
The best day of the year is almost here – National Cheese Lover’s Day! Landing on the calendar on January 20th, National Cheese Lover’s Day is the perfect excuse to indulge in one of our favorite pastimes – Creating the perfect wine + cheeseboard! Check out our guide below for some of our favorite tips and tricks to stun at your next gathering.
Curate Your Selections
A cheeseboard is nothing without the main character – We’re talking about cheese, of course! You’ll want to select a variety of crowd-pleasers that will offer a different selection of flavors and textures.
Soft Cheeses: Brie or Camembert for creamy, buttery textures, Semi-Soft: Havarti or Fontina for mild flavor, Hard Cheeses: Aged cheddar or gruyere for a sharp, nutty bite, Blue Cheese: Gorgonzola or Stilton for bold, tangy tastes. Tip: Shoot for 2-3 ounces of cheese per person.
Don’t Skip Seasonal Flavors
Curate your board to the season! Don’t be afraid to loop in seasonal fruits and nuts to add variety.
Winter Fruits: Dried figs, dates, and fresh pomegranate seeds, Nuts: Toasted walnuts or candied pecans for crunch, Preserves: Cranberry chutney or spiced apple butter, Savory options: Pickled vegetables or marinated olives for contrast.
Add Textures for Variety
Cheeses have a very distinct texture, you’re going to want to find some options on the opposite end of the spectrum to balance that out.
Crackers: Include a mix of seeded, whole-grain, and buttery options, Bread: Sliced baguette or rustic sourdough for heartiness, Crunchy elements: baked crackers, breadsticks, or even veggie sticks can loop in some crunch
Don’t Forget the Wine!
What’s cheese without its best friend wine? Picking the perfect pairing makes all the difference in setting your board apart.
Some of our favorites include the Pinot Noir from Bricoleur Vineyards in Windsor, the Sauvignon Blanc from Duckhorn Vineyards in St. Helena, or a high-elevation Chardonnay from Shannon Vineyards in Lake County.
Tip: If you’re worried about finding a wine that matches everyone’s tastes, ask your guests to bring their favorites! That way you all get to share your favorites.
The Aesthetic Factor
If you’re going for the total package, don’t forget about the presentation!
Layer Colors: Alternate light and dark elements like meats or nuts and cheeses for contrast, Accents: Adding touches like rosemary sprigs for winter or dried flowers for summer, Keep it tidy: Don’t crowd your board so much that your guests are overwhelmed, sometimes less is more!
Tax Advantages of Owning a Home You Should Know About – 2025 Edition!
Did you know that you can take advantage of significant tax credits and deductions when you own a home? The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers numerous tax breaks to incentivize homeownership. When you own a home, you’re able to write off a huge chunk of your tax liability and get thousands of dollars in tax deductions when it’s tax season.
However, there is a catch. If you’re not aware of the tax credits and deductions offered by the IRS when preparing to file your taxes, you’ll not be able to minimize your taxable income and maximize your tax benefits. That’s why it’s essential for you as a homeowner to familiarize yourself with the various tax credits and deductions you qualify for.
But don’t stress – We are here to help! Check out our blog below for a helpful guide to get you going on the road to tax breaks and deductions, and ultimately more money in YOUR pocket!
How Home Tax Deductions Work
A tax deductions is a benefit that helps a taxpayer to reduce the amount of tax they owe. Once you own your home, you can take advantage of tax credits and deductions to lower your tax bill. How much money you’ll be able to save on your tax bill will be determined by whether you choose to go with a standardized tax deduction or itemize the various tax deductions you qualify for.
Basically, when applied, both types of tax deductions will save you money, it just depends on which type of deductions work best for you (and your bank account.) Knowing the two types of deductions is pretty straightforward – With a standardized deduction, the amount taken from your total taxes is fixed. In contrast, an itemized tax deduction allows you to itemize all the tax deductions you qualify for. It makes financial sense only to itemize your deductions when their sum is higher than the standard deduction.
Some Of The Tax Deductions A Homeowner Can Capitalize on
1. Mortgage Interest Deduction
If you are an individual taxpayer or a married couple, you can claim the interest paid on the first $750,000 of your mortgage debt. Once you receive a Form 1098 detailing the interest you paid in the previous year from your lender, you’ll deduct the amount on line 8a of the Schedule A Form 1040.
2. Home Office Expense Deduction
If you’re self-employed or work at home, you may qualify for the home office expense deduction. You can claim this deduction if you use part of your home regularly and exclusively as your primary place of business. Passing the test for this deduction saves you money on your tax bill since part of your insurance costs, utility bills, and other home expenses are deducted against your business income.
3. Deductions For Energy-Efficient Upgrades
Making energy-efficient home improvements could reduce your tax bill. This incentive applies to alternative energy improvements made to your homes, such as installing solar panels, solar water heaters, and geothermal heat pumps. The tax credit amount received is based on when you installed the items.
4. SALT Deductions
The deduction for state and local taxes (SALT) allows homeowners to deduct certain taxes paid to state and local governments, including property taxes. If you itemize SALT deductions on your federal return, you’ll pay less in federal taxes by deducting the amount you spent on qualifying state and local taxes. The deductible amount is capped at $10,000 for single taxpayers and $5,000 for married couples filing separately. It is possible these deductions might be dissolved after 2025 so be sure to speak with your CPA about possibly taking advantage of these deductions while you still can.
5. Mortgage Points Deduction
Another tax benefit of owning a home is the ability to deduct mortgage points you paid upfront when closing on your home purchase. The mortgage points you paid to your lender in a bid to lower the interest rate on your loan are fully deductible in the year you pay them. Capitalize on these tax deductions. These deductions are also claimed on the Form 1040, Schedule A.
6. Standard Deduction
Look closely at the standard education allowed by the IRS. when considering the tax deductions available to you as a homeowner. If you opt for the standard deduction, you’ll agree to have a set amount of money deducted from your taxable income. With the standard deduction, you won’t itemize your deductions. This year, $14,600 is the standard deduction for singles and married taxpayers filing separately. For heads of household, the amount is $21,900, while $29,200 is the standard deduction for married couples filing jointly.
Employee Spotlight – Hailey Jean Leon
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We wouldn't be us if it weren't for all the hardworking staff behind the scenes who keep us running as a company. We do our best to celebrate these incredible individuals each day, and now we want to celebrate them with you too! We'd like to introduce you to our December Employee Spotlight, Hailey Jean Leon. Hailey is our incredible Bicentennial Office Receptionist, and we are so grateful she's on our team. Keep reading to learn more about Hailey!
What does a typical day at W look like for you?:
I start by opening up the office, restocking snacks and coffee right away. Then I hop on my computer to see what requests I have waiting in my inbox. The rest of my day is spent handling agent support requests, processing company paperwork, ordering supplies, and helping anyone who shows up to the office.
What's your ideal day out in Sonoma/Napa/Mendocino County?:
My ideal day in Sonoma County would start with a trip to my favorite coffee shop Sunshine Roasters, followed by a long hike at Annadel, finished with dinner at Fern Bar.
If you could pick up a new skill in an instant, what would it be?:
Playing the piano
What’s your go-to karaoke song? Or the song that always gets you out on the dancefloor?:
Go-to karaoke song is "A Whole New World" from Aladdin lol or anything from a Disney Princess movie.
You can only have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?:
BBQ chicken thighs, broccoli, and garlic bread
If you could live anywhere new in the world for a year, where would it be?:
France!
Tell us about something you're excited about this year!:
Celebrating my son's 1 year birthday in February.
What's your favorite part about working at W?:
My favorite part about working at W is the culture: Friendly, professional, and hard-working. My kind of people.
Agent to Watch – Tina DeMartini
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Congratulations to a December Agent to Watch, Tina DeMartini! Tina is one of our incredible Commercial team members, and she brings to the table an admirable level of determination, a willingness to persevere through challenges on behalf of herself and her clients, and a love for Wine Country real estate. Keep reading to learn more about our team member, Tina!
What was the first thing you wrote on your to-do list for today?:
Sweat! I run or xfit every morning.
What's the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?:
It's all perspective. Mindset and solutions-based thinking are key.
What is your favorite part about working in real estate in this part of the world?:
My clients, our zip code, and that we are always learning in this industry.
Tell us about a recent challenge you came upon and how you conquered it.:
There are often challenges in Real Estate, especially these days. Grit, patience, determination, and perseverance have served me well throughout my career.
What role has mentorship played in your career?:
My mentor is also my business partner, which I'm forever grateful for! We both bring a different element to the table and leverage each other's energy and strengths. This is ideal for our clients!
What’s your favorite home design feature that you wish more homes had?:
I'm exclusive to Commercial and Investment properties. My favorite feature of any property is when it's clear the Owner has pride of Ownership via upkeep, maintenance, and improvements.
If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?:
Gabriel Macht (Harvey Specter from Suits). I'm a sucker for confidence, distinguished, handsome, well-dressed, intellect, and an athlete! Hahahahah
Someone is coming to visit Sonoma/Mendocino/SF County. Where should they go first?:
Scribe Winery as it's simply beautiful, casual, and they have amazing food.
What’s something you're looking forward to in the upcoming year? (Wedding, vacation, new opportunity, etc.):
I look forward full speed ahead to health, family and friend time, new heights in my career, and travel in 2025!
Agent to Watch – Kim Streblow
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Congratulations to one of our December Agents to Watch, Kim Streblow! Kim is a member of our Napa office, and her years of experience and success make her a pillar of support and knowledge that new agents can look to for inspiration. She's one of our luxury and vineyard specialists, and we are so proud to have her on our W team. Keep reading to learn more about Kim!
What was the first thing you wrote on your to-do list for today?:
I schedule what time I'm eating lunch. If I don't, I work my way through the day and make up for it later by eating everything in sight! If it's not written down it doesn't happen.
What's the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?:
If it's not written down it doesn't happen. I am a big list maker and it gets things out of my head in a way that I can organize and prioritize.
What is your favorite part about working in real estate in this part of the world?:
I am a first-generation realtor in the Napa Valley. My family moved to Napa in 1972 and I've had a front-row seat to its growth from a sleepy prune-growing farmland to the iconic winemaking destination with millions of visitors a year. It is a special place to live and I enthusiastically share the history of it with my clients. I've lived and worked in many other places but Napa Valley is always home to me.
Tell us about a recent challenge you came upon and how you conquered it.:
Staying motivated. My youngest daughter left for college, my husband retired, and I was struggling to find my next big Why. The next question was my answer. Mentoring and being available to help and advise younger agents made it feel fun again and made good use of all my years of experience.
What role has mentorship played in your career?:
I am the agent I am today because of my mentors. Real estate can feel very isolating and overwhelming as a new agent. To have someone share their experiences, involve you in their transactions, guide you, and just have your back when you need advice is immeasurable to your success in real estate. I've been so blessed to have had that and I love the opportunities to give that time to someone and pay it forward and hopefully make a difference like my mentor was for me.
What’s your favorite home design feature that you wish more homes had?:
Homes that have character and warmth with woodwork and artistic details like wainscoting, beadboard, crown moldings, coved ceilings, etc. Homes that reflect good craftsmanship and are not slapped together as a second thought.
If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?:
The Greene Brothers. Iconic architects of the Arts and Crafts movement at the beginning of the 20th century. I am obsessed with their use of organic materials of woodwork, brick, and stone when designing their bungalows. I own a 100-year-old Craftsman home and would love to have them over to see how their creations live on and get some design tips!
Someone is coming to visit Sonoma/Mendocino/SF County. Where should they go first?:
I am a foodie so I would make sure they made a reservation at Don G's, which never disappoints.
What’s something you're looking forward to in the upcoming year? (Wedding, vacation, new opportunity, etc.):
I'm excited for 2025 with our son's wedding in the Spring and travel plans to Europe to celebrate my 25th wedding anniversary.
Agent of the Month – Nicole Manville
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Congratulations to our December Agent of the Month, Nicole Manville! Nicole is a veteran on the W Real Estate team, and it's through her tenacity for her job and her steadfast dedication to her clients that she sets a great example for all of our new agents to look up to. Keep reading to learn more about Nicole!
What three words would you use to describe your approach to the real estate business?:
Honesty, integrity, and experience.
What’s one aspect of your business that you are looking to improve on this year? In what ways/how would like to see yourself improve?:
I would like to improve on my follow-up with clients after the transactions are done, I want to be better at staying in touch with past clients.
To what do you attribute your success most?:
23 years of experience, referrals from past clients, and hard work!
If you had one piece of advice for someone just starting out in real estate, what would it be?:
Make sure you always put your clients first above your own interest and work diligently always on their behalf.
What’s the one piece of advice you always give your clients first?:
Follow your gut when making a purchase. If it feels right, it is right! Follow the experience when listing your property, experience matters!
Failure is a natural part of achieving success. How do you recoup when things don’t necessarily go your way?:
Learn from my failures and move on feeling grateful for the learning experience.
If work-life balance is important to you how can you tell if you are getting it right?:
Yes, I work to support the ones I love, so when I am with my family I really try to set work aside.
What roles have mentors played in your life and career?:
Motivation to do my best.
What risks were you willing to take when starting out in your career and how have they benefitted you?:
Knocking on doors. It is scary at first and you will get rejected a lot, but you will also learn how to market yourself and how to stay positive in the face of rejection. 🙂
If you could only ever visit one business again in Sonoma/Napa/Mendocino/SF County, what would it be and why?:
Catelli's restaurant in Geyserville...it is warm, welcoming, and beautiful...all the aspects a good home should have.
2025 New Year’s Resolutions for Home Buyers
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As the New Year approaches and goal setting begins, here are some New Year’s Resolutions to help put potential home buyers on the road to owning their dream home:
1. Make a list of your new home wants/needs.
2. Do your research on school districts and homes that are for sale in locations you like.
3. Save for a down payment, as well as closing costs, moving costs, home repairs/maintenance and other homeowner expenses.
4. Check your credit score.
5. Pay down credit card balances; avoid big credit purchases like new cars or furniture.
6. Prepare Federal Tax returns & W2s for the past 2 years.
7. Prepare bank statements for the past 6 months.
8. Prepare proof of any investment income.
9. Prequalify for a loan.
10. Start mortgage shopping to get the best rate.
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Agent to Watch – Shawn Lowe
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Congratulations to November Agent to Watch, Shawn Lowe! Shawn is new to W through our new Petaluma Office, and we are so glad he’s here! Real estate has been a constant in Shawn’s life, and he knows how big of an accomplishment it is to say you’ve found your dream home in Wine Country. He takes his industry knowledge and love of Sonoma County real estate and does the hard work on behalf of his clients. Keep reading to learn more about Shawn!
What was the first thing you wrote on your to-do list for today?:
First thing on my list today was to do some client follow-up.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?:
If you find something you enjoy or love doing for work it won’t feel like work.
What is your favorite part about working in real estate in this part of the world?:
We have some of the best weather and scenery in my opinion so to be able to help people achieve the dream of homeownership in our area is a blessing. So while I enjoy the whole process handing over the keys to my client’s new home is the best part.
Tell us about a recent challenge you came upon and how you conquered it.:
Right now between family obligations, work, and taking time for myself finding that balance right now is what I would consider my biggest challenge. It can be a tough thing to conquer but for me, I try to focus on being present and focused on what I am doing at the time whether that be family, work, or me time.
What role has mentorship played in your career?:
I grew up in the real estate business. My father was a real estate broker and I followed in his footsteps so he has always been my mentor. Due to having that great resource at my disposal passing that knowledge along and helping mentor others throughout my career has always been something I have enjoyed.
What’s your favorite home design feature that you wish more homes had?:
I have always enjoyed homes with a porte-cochere but you don’t see them too much around our area.
If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?:
I lost 3 of my 4 grandparents before I was born or when I was very young so I never got to spend any time with them. I am a big family person so I would love to be able to spend some time with them to learn more about them.
Someone is coming to visit Sonoma/Napa/Mendocino/Lake/SF County. Where should they go first?:
If they are wine people then of course a nice wine tour since that is one of the main things we are known for. That would allow them to take in the beautiful scenery and weather we have to offer while enjoying some of the many wineries we have here.
What’s something you’re looking forward to in the upcoming year? (Wedding, vacation, new opportunity, etc.):
My daughter has started looking at colleges so this next year will be big for that process. While it is scary as well I am looking forward to that process and what opportunities that will bring for her.
Agent to Watch – Shelly Reed
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Congratulations to November Agent to Watch, Shelly Reed! Shelly just joined our team at W, and to say we are excited she’s here would be an understatement! Her core practices are rooted in kindness, mindful hard work, and integrity, and we look forward to seeing all she accomplishes. Keep reading to learn more about Shelly!
What was the first thing you wrote on your to-do list for today?:
Pilates/workout! Focused mind, strong body kind heart.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?:
Be kind. People don’t remember what you say but they never forget how you make them feel!
What is your favorite part about working in real estate in this part of the world?:
The support! Coming over from Century 21 I thought I was supported, now I realize there is a big difference between seeing support and actually feeling supported!
Tell us about a recent challenge you came upon and how you conquered it.:
Finding affordable Homeowners Insurance in CA is a problem. However, despite this everyone I have had the privilege to represent has been assisted by me to receive a reasonable affordable premium. I’m proud to work with an amazing team of preferred vendors that ROCK!
What role has mentorship played in your career?:
I started in Real Estate in 2003. Brian Buffini was my favorite mentor. He helped me conquer my fears and change my mindset. We can have blocks in our minds that separate us from being on for success. He got to my heart and mind! He helped me accomplish the things I was holding back doing that ultimately separated me from accomplishing my goals. I couldn’t crack selling more than 6 million in Real Estate between 2004-2011 after my time with Brian I closed 11 million in 2012 Since then it’s been up up up and away!
What’s your favorite home design feature that you wish more homes had?:
Large kitchens and great rooms with big windows overlooking an outdoor entertaining space.
If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?:
Dale Carnegie. Such an amazing man who used faith to mold minds to think bigger than themselves. To focus on creating relationships based on there is more happiness in giving than receiving. Kindness honesty and integrity were at the core of his books, lectures, and mentorship. Our relationships are the single most important thing to create happiness in our lives.
Someone is coming to visit Sonoma/Napa/Mendocino/Lake/SF County. Where should they go first?:
Our Gorgeous Lake, our amazing wineries, and our stunning state parks. Clean air, outdoor adventure great wines.
What’s something you’re looking forward to in the upcoming year? (Wedding, vacation, new opportunity, etc.):
My husband and I just celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary by going on a month-long tour of Spain, France, Italy, and Greece. In 2025 we’re sticking close to home and have some exciting house projects to work on. Our Carnegie time with our kids, grandkids, family, and friends is our joy!
Agent of the Month – Kasie Gray
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Congratulations to our November Agent of the Month, Kasie Gray! Kasie takes a very intentional approach to her business. She knows her niche and she knows her own strengths, and in combining those two things Kasie has created a very successful career for herself that only keeps on reaching new heights. It’s an understatement to say that we are very glad she’s on our team at W! Keep reading to learn a little bit more about Kasie.
What three words would you use to describe your approach to the real estate business?:
Educate, community, trust.
What’s one aspect of your business that you are looking to improve on this year? In what ways/how would like to see yourself improve?:
I would love to set stricter boundaries with clients to allow for more time to focus on my family.
To what do you attribute your success most?:
Real Estate gives you exactly what you put into it. For me, I focus my energy on building meaningful and trustworthy relationships. I dedicate my time to volunteering, educating our community and my clients, and making sure that I treat people exactly how I would like to be.
If you had one piece of advice for someone just starting out in real estate, what would it be?:
Pick your pillars, your marketing, your niche, and stick to it. There are so many shiny objects and they can all work but you can’t work all of them.
What’s the one piece of advice you always give your clients first?:
At the end of the day, you are the one paying the mortgage, so it doesn’t quite matter what I think of the house.
Failure is a natural part of achieving success. How do you recoup when things don’t necessarily go your way?:
Take a moment, breathe. When one door closes three more open up. Having a business plan allows you to have actionable items that you can control, focus on those things first.
If work-life balance is important to you how can you tell if you are getting it right?:
I don’t think I will ever get it right. There are times when my kids need me more than my business and times I have to do business with a toddler crying and a baby on my hip. But that’s the joy of being in real estate and being a mom, I get the choice.
What roles have mentors played in your life and career?:
My mom taught me how to give back, my grandpa taught me how to build a business and Todd Schapmire Jr taught me how to keep showing up even when it’s tough!
What risks were you willing to take when starting out in your career and how have they benefitted you?:
Volunteering my time to be the president and founder of Ukiah Women In Business, has taught me much more than I could ever imagine.
And creating and marketing a digital and physical real estate and lifestyle planner has allowed me to give back to so many agents across the country.
If you could only ever visit one business again in Sonoma/Napa/Mendocino/SF County, what would it be and why?:
Only one?! I guess W Real Estate so I could pay my bills 😅 other than that probably Catellis, I can’t say no to Chicken Parmesan.
