Wine Country California
T's Birthday Celebration
We figured out it has been over 2 years since we were in the gorgeous wine country.Last visit was to move the lad into his freshman year where were summarily dismissed (as expected) which helped achieve our day goal of wine glass in hand by Noon.
This trip was for T's birthday, 30 something I think. Right honey? Boarded our bus at Burbank on reliable comfortable #Southwest. Rented a car in Oakland at a not so customer centric Budget. Drove north about 90 minutes to a hard to find affordable room at our #Marriott, this time in Sebastapol. Clean, quiet and comfortable accommodations. Always on point Marriott.
Our first night, a birthday surprise. I heard on an internet radio station, smoothjazz.com, that Mr. Kenny Loggins was performing at the Rodney Strong Winery.
Apparently they have been having summer concerts there for about 40 years. Who knew? Rodney Strong Pinot is one of our favorites and we had never visited their vineyard. A perfect combination. Having never seen Loggins in concert it was a treat of 80's hits and good stories told with energy and performed with heart.
It became apparent he wrote a song for every 80's movie ever. Imagine that mailbox money. We had a blast enjoying our included glass of wine and sitting in seats that were treated to shade early. The show rocked and was a musical treat from a real songwriting legend of our time.
Apparently they have been having summer concerts there for about 40 years. Who knew? Rodney Strong Pinot is one of our favorites and we had never visited their vineyard. A perfect combination. Having never seen Loggins in concert it was a treat of 80's hits and good stories told with energy and performed with heart.
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| Willi's Moroccan Lamb Chops or OMG for short |
We sat at the bar to wait and decided to stay since there was no patio availability. Now with just the two of us the bar is a fun and entertaining option for supper. And the couple next to us were talking about Kenny Loggins songs-yes they had just landed there too and we all shared some wine and stories. The couple were locals and both worked at area wineries. There is the reason to sit at the bar, experience the people not just the cuisine.
Sunday was our day already booked to attend the Hendry Winery member appreciation lunch. A little background.
We discovered Hendry about 4 or 5 years ago touring the area. It was rated the #1 wine tour by TripAdvisor and we made our reservation. The tour was simple and conducted by Mr. George Hendry himself. This was not the all to familiar pretentious wine tasting. I don't think he once ever suggested "notes" of anything in the wine. It was all about 2 things.
How you as an individual taste wine and he conducted a test to separate us into 2 distinct groups that taste wine differently. And, what are you eating with the wine. Simple to the point and delicious. We cancelled all other wine tours that day. Others told us they have done the same.
Back to the lunch...greeted with wine then served yummy passed apps with 3 stations serving 2 or more varieties each including some year old cellar bottles. Once seated we toasted our table of soon to be new friends from Chicago to LA to the Bay. The food was great and more bottles of Cabernet and Chardonnay that never seemed to empty. It was a blast and we will go back!
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| Sunday morning Mass at St. John the Baptist, Napa |
We discovered Hendry about 4 or 5 years ago touring the area. It was rated the #1 wine tour by TripAdvisor and we made our reservation. The tour was simple and conducted by Mr. George Hendry himself. This was not the all to familiar pretentious wine tasting. I don't think he once ever suggested "notes" of anything in the wine. It was all about 2 things.
How you as an individual taste wine and he conducted a test to separate us into 2 distinct groups that taste wine differently. And, what are you eating with the wine. Simple to the point and delicious. We cancelled all other wine tours that day. Others told us they have done the same.
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| The beautifully restored Hendry homestead |
Dinner that night at another favorite, Rosso. We love their Piadina when the heirloom tomatoes are in season. A fresh local treat in a casual setting. Our Sonoma State senior son joined us for dinner and wine. One of the great moments of empty nest.
Our last day of this 3 day packed adventure we headed into downtown Sonoma for lunch. A great discovery of The Girl and the Fig made for a satisfying lunch that included sardines, something we had not shared together since traveling in Italy. |
| The End |
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| Coffee Monday Morning, Sebastapol |
