As many of you know, the state of California is experiencing a severe drought, and by severe, I mean the worst on record in 100 years. The Governor has declared a state of emergency and kindly requested that we Californians voluntarily cut our water use by 20%. We all know water is precious, but in a wine growing region like Napa, and an agricultural state like California, weather conditions like these can have a downright devastating effect. Imagine a year without wine; without tomatoes, avocados, filet mignon, chicken wings. All of these things have a source and depend on water. And many people depend on them for work and income.

Having grown up in the deserts of Arizona, and more recently on our travels to places in the world where water is always at a premium, Jeff and I have developed a few ways to painlessly minimize our use of that sweet, life-giving liquid.

Please try to implement at least one of these small changes today, because if we all do a little, it helps a lot.

1. Drink Wine!

Even Jesus preferred wine to water. WWJD people. And no wonder, it quenches your thirst and gives you a buzz! In Italy, a bottle of water costs more than a pitcher of house wine, so as wine-loving travelers on a budget, we did our economic and environmental duty with happy hearts and you can too!

2. Don't Flush for #1

This only applies if you're home alone or with very close family. Obviously, if you're having a party or hosting your boss for dinner, please flush. But if no one's lookin' in your toilet except for you, or those who don't mind your pee, then only flush for every three or four pees.

Think about this: 1.6 GALLONS of water goes down with each flush. That's equivalent to a 6 L bottle, or a Methuselah, of wine! Think about flushing a 6 L bottle of Screaming Eagle down the tube each time to pee and see if you don't get trigger shy.

3. Shower together

Hehe. Yea, this one's fun. If you got a mate, then get your clean on together! You smell good, save water, and most likely get nooky at the same time.  Win-win. And hey it helps to end all kinds of 'droughts'.

4. Turn the Water off when you Shave

Each minute that hot shower runs, 7 GALLONS of watery bliss swirl down the drain. 7 GALLONS PER MINUTE PEOPLE...do not make me convert that to Screaming Eagle wine bottles. I love long showers, and hot ones at that, but do you really need to keep that shower running for the entire 5 minutes it takes to shave each leg? NO. Here's what I do:

• Leave the water on to suds up your leg, or other shaving area. Rinse you hands and razor to avoid slippage, then turn it off.
• Shave a strip, then shake off the razor. Shave, shake, repeat. Only turn the water on again when you absolutely must rinse the razor.
• Finally turn on the water to rinse the shaved area and start on the next area,

5. Do dishes in a sink full of soapy water

You'll save a lot of water if you use the sink as a wash basin rather than let the water flow as you wash one dish at a time. I mean, most of our dishes aren't that dirty, and if they are then it's an excuse to eat more!

You can clean a lot in one sink-full, so pile the plates in the sink and wash until the water looks like barf. Then either unplug and refill, or rinse those dishes and pat yourself on the water-saving back!

6. Take a quickie after a workout

I know this is counter-intuitive, but no need to take a long shower after most workouts. Most of what you're covered in is saltwater, with just a leeetle bit of funk around the edges. Every other work out, take five minutes to soap up your face, cracks and crevices, and just rinse your hair. The slight salt left in your hair will give you beachy waves that would make Jennifer Aniston jealous.  Commence slow-mo head tossing and smirk when people ask you your 'secret'.

7. Turn the water off in between...

• Brushing your teeth
• Washing your face...
• ....Feet, bum, pits, etc.

8. Repeat #1

Because it's good for the soul and the drought!