Day 2 - First Full day of amazing tours and wine tasting.
What better way to wake up to this view from our room.
Coffee and breakfast selfies with my love. Even though we really didn't "sleep in", even with the 2 hour time change, we had a great time just being able to relax and not rush to get ready. I miss the days of being on "your own" time.
Morning Firepit, yes please!!
We stayed in Yountville, small, quaint, and just lovely. You can walk everywhere. These were just some of the lovely views on our daily walk to meet the group for breakfast. I immediately fell in love.
French Laundry gardens. I would totally volunteer there if I could. They were perfect! I love the idea of just going out and picking your vegetables for the meal that day. My little garden clearly does not compare, abut a girl can dream ;)
Not sure what this flower is, but I love it! I want to see if we can grow this in TX....
Bouchon Bakery. YES, YES, YES!!!! Everything about this little bakery is amazing, and I am not a pastry girl. In fact, this is far from my typical go-to. However, I couldn't help but eat everything that Derek ordered - HA!! He was clearly thrilled every time ;)
Our first stop of the day was Cardinale. Where do I start with this place?? First of all, thank you to Lucas and Karen for getting us in for a private tasting. Cardinale has a 2 year wait list, so needless to say this was an amazing experience.
We were able to see the sorting process of the grapes. Pretty amazing! And then, they tossed a bunch up to us on the balcony, which Karen caught!!! Everybody backed away, but the only girl in white stepped up to the plate and made it happen. Any sacrifice for the wine process!!! Way to go K!!
Ann - our lovely Cardinale host. She is amazing!! Mainly grew up in Italy, speaks 7 languages, does her yearly work in the vineyards as well, and just an all around great person.
The group on the balcony with beautiful views!
Our tasting for the day! Everything was delicious. We tried 2014 Mt. Brave Zinfandel, 2014 La Jota Keyes Merlot, 2013 Estate Cab, and then the almighty 2007 Estate Cab. We ended up taking home some 2014 Mt. Brave Zinfandel, and their 2007 Cardinale Estate Cab to drink on our 10year anniversary!!
We also learned that 2007 and 2013 were monster years for Napa Valley. Temperatures, rain fall, everything about harvest was perfection!! All of the wineries stash those years away in their library as the best wines, and the years surrounding, (2006/2008, and 2012/2014) are the more affordable, but still monster drinkable wines. So the fact that we brought home a 2007 for our 10 year is pretty special, (If we can make it that long without drinking it for a special occasion ;) )
Breathtaking! Who wouldn't enjoy coming to work here!
Thank you, Ann, for an amazing experience!!!
The ladies after an amazing private tasting - From Left to Right, Lauren, Ann, Karen, and Shannon. And by the way ... this is just the FIRST STOP!!! How can anything else compare, but I am telling you each place was spectacular in its own glory.
Lunch at Gott's Roadside - previously known as Taylor's Refreshers from the 1940's. Love that they kept the original sign. This place is amazing, known for their Ahi Tuna Burger, and fish tacos. I had the pleasure of having the Ahi Tuna tacos - everything was delish!
Thanks to Lauren and Shannon bringing the wine wipes. I never knew these even existed!!! I get pretty purple mouthed quite easily, so loved having these on hand to minimize at least a little bit!
2nd Stop - Del Dotto. This is more of your traditional Italian feel winery. We couldn't take pictures inside, but everything was your Italian marble, mosaics, and murals. We loved their Cave Blend and Syarah!
3rd Stop - Maisonry. This is more of a boutique wine tasting room. They gather tons of wines from around the region that might be a little less known, and put together a tasting based on your likings. I loved this place!! The original building is from 1901, and they have kept the integrity of it throughout the years. Restoration HW came in and bought the place about 3 years ago, and added their touch, but not in a cheesy way. This was a great way to wind down the day and just chill in s beautiful outdoor setting.
"Functional Art" all around the setting.
Let's talk about these for a moment. I love these little birchwood tables. I would use them as end tables, or put a piece of glass over the top to make a coffee table, etc. However, they are $2200 a piece, so I just by chance know a great, handy, wood working, man (cough cough, my Father, cough). Maybe we can look into this for a Christmas gift ... just saying ;)
And then, this table! Made from one piece of Dutch Elm. This poor "Functional Art" curator, (if that's what you want to call him), straight out of college, really thought he was going to make his first sale on me. And with a couple glasses of wine in me, I was totally egging him on asking for more information, etc. Nope, just admiring the furniture, or as he called it, Functional Art. The table was $32k, and the bronze cyclist are $2700 for ONE. I still love the pieces, but maybe Next time ;)
Just passing by the Wonderful Ciccio's on the way to the next tasting, and drooling .. just a little bit.
Decided to make a pit stop into Girard before dinner. At this point, if we went to our rooms to hang out for a bit, dinner was not happening. So let's keep the train rolling!!! Girard was a great time. Our server kept making sneak attacks on me and just standing there until I was finished with my #SoLoud #SoHigh Story (Gister's reference). Seriously, Every time!! I probably was a little too obnoxious, but hey, when in Rome!!! ;)
Dinner at Redwood. Had some great apps, meatballs, and the best Quattro Formaggio Pizza. And we were sat by the this art work of Wappo Hill, where the Wappo Indians lived, and where the Mt Brave wine from Cardinale was made. Love that the day came full circle!
