Don’t tell anyone, well, not too many people, but this is the time of year to let the sleeping beauty that is Napa awaken your senses. And I don’t just mean the senses that deconstruct wine (wildly important though they are). Come look around - our little secret is that it’s already spring here. The grapevines are starting to show green and the entire valley waking to the excitement of what’s to come. Maybe bracing is the right word, as what’s to come includes tourists - lots of them. (Michael and I were two once, though we’ve forgotten all about that!) Now though, while there’s no guarantee of sunshine you still have a chance to enjoy less traffic on the roads and fewer patrons jockeying for space in the tasting rooms. It’s an excellent time to tour! Take your wine journal and jot a few notes along the way. You can always order a case later. Don’t forget lunch between tastings. Some of the restaurants that you have to book months in advance for dinner are easier to get into for lunch. Especially weekdays. Happy Tasting!
Here are a few favorites I’d like to share:
Cars and Cabs: Far Niente is known for elegant Cabernets. The tour lets you check out some classic cars too.
Taste the Terroir – Single vineyard production at Nickel & Nickel are de riguer
Best Faux Chateau – Ledson Winery. Looks like France, with better weather!
Friendliest Winery Dog – “Moose” at R.H. Cohn Kid-Friendliest Tour – Get on the tractor at Benziger Winery.
On another not
e, an old friend of mine (from my GOAT DIPPING DAYS) sent me this today! Isn’t it funny, I just wrote about that strange (and color-changing) experience.
Wine lovers! Did you hear that they’re turning the infamous Judgment of Paris wine competition- where Napa beat France!- into a movie?! It’s called Bottle Shock and it just screened at Sundance. I found this trailer yesterday and just had to share.
In California, you can pretty much be your casual self, especially in the summertime. A Redhouse Textured Silk Polo 
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