The orange jumpsuit or piqué polo, hmmm….?

First, The Natalie News: Now we know my niece’s fate for the Reckless Driving conviction: she will be spending two weeks picking up trash along the Silverado Trail. Time for her to put on the distinctive CDC-emblazoned (California Dept. of Corrections) orange jumpsuit and experience a world I hope she will not revisit. She has been very apologetic, after taking her time as far as realizing the gravity of the situation. I forget that she’s young. She forgets that she’s old enough to know better. We all hope she will put trouble behind and find her own passion, whether it’s school or work, or, I guess, Stefan, who she is still seeing. She relies on him (and his motorcycle) for rides though she is also getting around by bike. The spring weather makes it nicer, and I don’t think she’d dare ask to borrow one of our cars again.

My new car is pretty much the same as my totaled BMW, and with the added advantage of that new car smell and fewer Cheerios lodged between the seats. (No, I’m not blaming Natalie for those!)

Now, I want to get back to one of my favorite topics lately - wines and wineries. Now that spring has sprung I feel even more excited about living in Napa. And of course talking about it! For most of you, visiting our impossibly picturesque valley will have to do. So make your plans! You’re probably wondering what to wear and I’m not shy about offering my opinion on this. First of all: go for layers. Your grandmother may have mentioned this to you, and without even knowing about the microclimates we “enjoy” here. The temperature and humidity can vary wildly in short distances. While this is great for creating variation in types of wine grapes grown, it makes it harder to choose what to wear while wine touring. If you start out in the mornings (and you should – a winery that opens at 10:00 am will be a peaceful place to experience) take Grandma’s advice and opt for a cashmere sweater and a light jacket. I wear my own Red House Pure Cashmere Cardigan (RH17) and Pima Interlock Knit Jacket (RH08). By sunny afternoons I’m down to my Silk Baby Piqué Polo (RH14) and have stowed the sweater and jacket in my Micro Twill/Leather Tote (RH33). This is what I call my touring tote as it holds my layers and a few bottles of wine, water and sunscreen – a must for those exploring via convertible. Michael’s wine touring apparel is simple and sophisticated: The Red House Textured Silk Polo (RH10) and 100% Silk Twill Jacket (RH128). Once in uniform, we are ready for new discoveries in wine knowing that we look put-together and feel relaxed and comfortable. Another plus: won’t need to change clothes if we end the day with Northern Italian cuisine at St. Helena’s delightful Tra Vigne! (Check out the menu: travignerestaurant.com)

We see a variety of people on our explorations – tourists off the bus (often seen at the bigger wineries) sometimes sporting T-shirts advertising their favorite malt-based beverages. Then there are the sometimes-sweaty bikers clad in day-glo spandex. Oh, and the occasional over-the-top Versace-clad pair that you’d think just flew in from Vegas (And maybe they did – flush with winnings at least they’ll be spending them on good wine!) People watching is part of the fun when exploring Napa wineries. Smaller wineries provide a more intimate experience and often better education, but don’t fear the tour buses: the big wineries provide historical context and often some incredible gardens and structures. And yes, you might find a wine or two there that you really like. Enjoy!