Candy and a crash

I had an idea for a bit of family fun last weekend – a trip to Scharffen Berger Chocolate in Berkeley. They make incredible artisan dark chocolate and offer a tour that you have to book in advance. I have an ulterior motive for going, as they are a new business target of mine. I’d love to see their alpine goat embroidered on a Red House polo!

Natalie wanted nothing to do with the family outing and I reluctantly agreed to let her stay back and take the BMW for touring on her own. She said she wanted to explore the old pioneer’s cemetery in Calistoga, which, knowing Nat made perfect sense – her interest not in history but gloom.

Well, once at the factory we realized our chocolate tour was not to be - Delia and Andrew are under 10! I left a card for the events director and we left for Plan B – the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield, a mere 20 minutes from Napa. Dreaded by parents for all the reasons it’s adored by children, we have been avoiding it since we moved here though we knew a pilgrimage was inevitable. As expected, the tour was a riot of eye-popping colors and a cacophony of engrossing machines, robots and children’s happy screams. All a bit much for anyone over eight. And so much sugar –ugh! But the kids were SO happy to be there. After the tour (and sooo many jelly belly flavors), Michael suggested lunch and we decided against the Jelly Belly Café’s bean-shaped burgers in favor of Rutherford Grill, a family favorite, and with a higher percentage of adult patrons.

We were midway through our meal when my phone rang. I looked at it: CSP…? -CALIFORNIA STATE PATROL!! I knew right away it had something to do with Natalie! Sure enough. The officer let me know she was all right (thank goodness!) but that the car she was driving was not. Totaled is the word he used. Upside down on Trinity Road, between Napa and Sonoma valleys! My thought was that poor Natalie was unfamiliar with the area. The weekend winery traffic can be so bad in Napa that cars routinely pull out from side roads and hope for the best against oncoming traffic. But this is not what happened. I asked the officer could we come pick Natalie up? He said not to hurry - she was being interviewed by the Napa County Sheriff. She might be under arrest for reckless driving! Apparently, she and another motorist had been racing on the extremely dangerous winding mountain road. The other driver had crushed ribs and a broken leg. I was fuming! And I am way too mad to say more tonight!!!!

My Favorite Chocolate:
Scharffen Berger Semisweet 62% cacao. Paired with an old vine zin it is the ultimate dessert –
and no baking required!