CALIFORNIA WINE COUNTRY

It is said a picture is worth a thousand words, well this one eloquently describes my trip to California's Sonoma and Napa Valleys PERFECTLY!!!  Many wineries were visited, and much wine consumed....(hey, we were in the country of wine, what would you expect??)
Our group had private tastings at three wineries: (which were our FAVORITES out of the thirteen we toured)  Sherwin Family Winery, St. Helena Winery, and Mumm Napa.

We spent one entire afternoon at the beautiful Sherwin estate, touring, learning, lunching, celebrating a good friend's birthday, sampling every exceptional wine and enjoying great conversation.  Even the estate reserve Cabernet Sauvignon was sampled after Steve Sherwin's son climbed up the barrels for us with the wine thief, (a tool that looks kind of like a turkey baster)... Yumm, delicious...this is the life!!!

Vines everywhere

We passed through these gorgeous gates at St. Helena Winery.  A small lush hidden estate with exemplary wines.  It was like entering the secret garden.

At Mumm Napa we sampled sparkling wines.  Light and easy.  (My favorite: the Reserve Rose)  With our glasses filled with bubbly we toured the estate and had a private showing of the art gallery featuring photography by Ansel Adams and Graham Nash.  An experience for all the senses.

                                      And a true cork tree on the property!

Before heading back to the resort to sleep off our fun day (and our alcohol) we stopped by our favorite local Sonoma dive with the best food and local beer....The Freemont Diner.  Always worth a stop if you're in the area!

Freemont Diner