Napa Valley

Sunday, July 24th: Woke up wicked early. Packed a day bag and mini-truckin’ supplies. Called Sarah’s wine aficionado friend Shaun, who recommended a few places to check out. First stop was the Miner Family Vineyard. No one there. Good chance to get my feet wet with wine tasting. Bought a Miner Family Vineyards 2001 Syrah. Second stop was Turnbull Wine Cellars. Baby steps toward white wines. Bought a Turnbull Wine Cellars 2004 Viognier. Third stop at Benessere. I’m so used to cheap wine, I never knew a real Zinfandel is red, NOT pink! Bought a Benessere 2003 BK Collins-Old Vines Zinfandel. Stopped at a fairly trendy spot for some good cheese. Picked up Aged Gouda and French Brie. At in the car. Re-hydrated.

Next stop was Reverie. This is where Shaun works. Tasted and took the 10 cent tour. Started in an underground cask storage vault. Chilly with a beautifully set dining table. Shaun waxed eloquent about wine and we were drinking pretty quickly. Went outside to a glen-ish area. Tasted some more. Checked out immature grapes still on the vine. Shaun showed us the “Cadillac” of wine presses. Bought the Reverie Diamond Mountain District 2000 A.S. Kiken Red Table Wine and the Reverie Daydream 2004 Sauvignon Blanc (both unfiltered). Last stop of the day at Grgich Hills. Sarah and I decided to buy a bottle that could sit for a while; drink it together ten years from now. Bought a Grgich Hills 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon. Done for the day. Checked in to the hotel. Got cleaned up, called a cab and went to dinner. Stuffed and exhausted. Nervous about spending so heavily, but this is the perfect place to start a decent wine collection.

Monday, July 25th: We’re on our own today for picking spots. Started with an opulent estate called Dariousch. Forgettable wines and delicious pistachios. Pretty place but pricey bottles. Came across an out of the way joint called Signorello Vineyards. All alone with John who spewed out some more wine knowledge for us (Syrah = Shiraz). Was bummed to see that an interesting looking white had sold out. In walks Pierre, with wine stains on his T-shirt. The grand winemaker and partial owner walks right outside and pours us fresh glasses of the next batch. De-fucking-licious! Ordered the Signorello Vineyards 2003 Seta White (TBA: Bottling in August 2005; TBA: Release in Oct./Nov. 2005). Bought the Signorello Vineyards 2002 Syrah-Estate and the Signorello Vineyards 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon-Estate. Continued on, looking for a good view of someone’s land. Maybe a photo op. Found ourselves at Silverado Vineyards, owned by Walt Disney’s daughter. Gorgeous view! Surprised myself by purchasing a merlot. Bought a Silverado Vineyards 2002 Merlot.

Feeling a bit saturated, so we headed to lunch at Brix. Had a tomato and basil salad; pan-seared halibut with alfalfa sprouts, carrots, asparagus, gnocchi and au jus; mocha tort with java gelato in a caramelized sugar bowl. Oh my God! Had the stamina for one last stop. Went to Napa Cellars. Sarah’s been here before. Bought a Napa Cellars 2004 Chardonnay (Chardonnay! Whoda thunkit?) and the Napa Cellars 2003 Fié Doux, a Semillon late harvest dessert wine. I’ve spent my money like it’s going out of fashion; picked up ten incredible bottles of wine; learned the smell-swirl-smell; identified my own palette and particular tastes. Back to Berkeley. Ate a big greasy burger. Went to bed early. Have lots of stupid little errands to do tomorrow.