Day 3 of our trip was spent exploring several wineries in the Napa region.
It had occurred to me as we were driving in the evening of our arrival that it would be impossible to decide where to go - I don't know how many there are along the main road but it has to be 50 or so.
Having never visited, we wanted to see the area as well as check out a few wineries. We had some recommendations but also had a few favorites and hoped to see perhaps 3 for the day.
Rutherford Hill is a favorite wine from years past at a restaurant we loved in Boston, EVOO (if you ever get to Somerville, next to Cambridge, EVOO is well worth your visit - just a few minutes from Harvard Square - owners Colleen and Peter McCarthy are a delight). After our massage (a perfect way to start the day I might add), we headed out around 11:30. The winery is up in the hills with wonderful views, there were only a few folks out, and Roger, who helped us with the tasting, was knowledgeable and a great conversationalist. Of course we bought some wine to take home and for some friends back in Carlsbad
He also gave us a recommendation for a very small family winery, Milat - next on the list. Quite small (about 3500 cases annually) but charming, and being the only tasters at one point, we had a great conversation with one of the owners, Mike Milat. And some very good wine (and another acquisition).
Lunch was take out at a small market with terrific quesadillas in Calistoga.
Next on the list was Clos Pegase, recommended by good friends of ours, in large part due to their art collection. We only tried one sip of a wine we were interested in buying (which we did) but spent most of our time enjoying the art work, inside and out, and the grounds - absolutely breathtaking.
We also stopped at Artesa - but this was so special I've reserved that for its own post and slide show. VERY cool.
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Jeff..You never cease to amaze me ..On vacation and you always find the time to share with us ..
You are the Best ! Great Pictures
HelpfulHannah
Jeff, I LOVE the Napa Valley wine country. Even though I live just minutes from the Temecula Wine country, nothing compares to the Napa Valley. Enjoy.....
Jeff - glass a wine by that fountain what a way to relax. Thanks for taking us along.
Hi Jeff, I meant to ask you about that giant thumb looking like it is popping up out of the vineyard. Was it just a part of the art collection or did it have some significance? I guess when it gets too hot, it would be a good place to hang ones shirt on,lol.
Thanks, Hannah. I enjoy sighseeing AND sharing it with others who I hope will also enjoy.
Jean - agreed. I have been to Temecula several times and always enjoy, but Napa and Sonoma were, well, a totally different world.
Janet - glad you enjoyed it. I certainly did.
William - the art work was amazing,. I didn't get close to the thumb to see who the artist was but loved how it was sticking up out of the ground. Made me chuckle. I think it is simply part of the art collection but placemenet certainly ahd to be part of the collector's humor. And , yeah, I think it makes a great clothes hook if you are out in the vineyard.
Jeff