Wine Country Tour #1

Benziger Biodynamic Winery

Nothing like taking your mind off a shitty city than by taking a tour to wine country. After a few set backs first thing in the morning things got steadily better and better.

I found myself running for the bus again (new time, threw me off!) this time I was running along side the bus, he saw me coming and I was almost to the bus stop and he just kept going. I was so mad. He knew I'd be there in a few seconds why couldn't he have waited for me?
I also planned to eat breakfast, fix my hair and put on nicer shoes at the office so I was completely unprepared (not really, I carry everything but shoes in my bag) so I went into the bathroom at the Wyndham Parc 55. Wow, that place is so nice! I pick up people alot there but have never been inside it. And the staff were nice to me despite my looking a little bit bum like at that point.

After all was said and done I got myself into downtown so that Paul could pick me up (and I'd take over driving the tour). I picked up a coffee and a breakfast sandwich and went to Union Square to have a seat and people watch. A fat little blackbird hopped up to see what I was eating so we hung out and I fed him tiny bits of my croissant. I think he was pleased. He stood right by my foot and watched me eat. That was pretty entertaining.

The tour included Benziger Winery and I was able to go on a tram tour of the vineyards this time. It was really interesting. Lots of good information and great views! This group was a little hard to read, I think they were enjoying themselves but I'm not sure. You never know how much to cheer them on in a tasting room...

The cave, full of barrels of wine

We went to Glen Ellen market for a picnic lunch. Wow, they have amazing stuff there! All really good and all complimentary to wines you'd have been drinking by then too!

We ate our picnic next to the bocce court at Imagery Winery. That place is pretty. Lots of space to eat and drink outside, special tasting areas etc. They use peoples art for their labels and they have a gallery of the art in the building too.

Next stop was Napa Valley!! We drove over the mountain on Trinity Road. Its a steep windy road but amazing scenery!! Then you drop into Napa Valley and that place is gorgeous! The valley is much narrower so you can see from one side to the other, and its all vineyards and estates. We went to Hagafen (pronounced- ha ga fin) and did some tastings there and then drove to Domaine Carneros where they serve "champagne" like bubbly. They were founded by Taittinger, they still refer to it as sparkling wine though. Not sure how that works. Champagne only comes from one place...I didn't get a chance to ask. The group loved this place and the flights of bubbly were full glasses not sips! I mean, they each essentially had 3 glasses of bubbly! Wow!

From there we hurried back to San Francisco as we had one guest who needed to check in to his conference by 7pm. It's tough when you have to hurry home, we could have hit another winery probably.
Though at some point the people must have had enough?! Not sure. They get sleepier and less interested as the day goes on. I think that's why we limit the amount of tastings. People are sad that we say 4-6 but don't realize that by 4 wineries they've had enough and are ready to sleep on the lawn.

Domaine Carneros

Its been a learning experience. I've now been 4 times and have done none of the same wineries (which isn't saying much, there are hundreds of them) but it does go to show that you just have to drive up there and see what the people are interested in doing or tasting and go for it! Not to mention, you never know. I don't know that I'll even bother asking. Most wineries have reds and whites they'll have their chance. Some places only have bubbly so that will be easy. I think it will be okay!

Looks like I didn't highlight the wineries I went to with Tom on Weds. Those were Larson Winery, Sonoma Square (many tasting rooms around the square), Gunlach Bunschu (pronounced gun lock bun shoe, they have a cute logo with those photos on them so you know how to pronounce the name) and Robledo Winery which was great too. I drove both days so no tasting for me but I'm sure I'll have my chance.

Sparkling Wine

This week should be a good one. I do a city charter Weds morning (for which I'm prepping with positive vibes not shitty city vibes) Tomorrow I get to sleep in (sort of ) and I'm going to go have pancakes! I am starting some night shift training with Molly tomorrow night. Should be good.

I also have finally heard from the sublet lady Charlotte and I'll meet another roommate today and then we'll talk money. I can't wait to move in there!! I will have access to kitchen and bathroom (clean ones) and can unpack and see what I've been lugging around for a month now!! Yeah!