First Napa Valley Wine Trip
I had an amazing time in Napa Valley this last weekend as it was my first wine-tasting trip to the northern California wine country. I moved away from the Bay Area when I started college and never had the opportunity to visit this beautiful countryside after I turned 21.
So this last weekend was my sister-in-law’s bridal shower which was hosted at a family members house situated on a small vineyard in Napa. Their specialty is Syrah and its a beautiful location with vineyards as far as the eye could see.
Thanks to my husband’s family who work in the industry we had a private tasting at the Cliff Lede. A very beautiful and unique vineyard, each of the vineyard blocks is named after a classic rock n’ roll song. We sipped on wine in their rustic tasting room as well as out on their sunny outside seating area as we listened to some classic rock n’ roll music. I think Cliff Lede is a model vineyard for what my blog is all about. Enjoying wine and bringing out what you love in life like Rock n’ Roll music.
Even though the grapes hadn’t begun to grow their vines for the season, the countryside was beautiful. The mustard plant was in full bloom and the hills of Napa were seas of green. A nice break from the snow in Utah!
That was just the beginning of our day. We stopped at a family favorite, Flora Springs Winery. A very hip, modern setting we grabbed a bite to eat across the street at Dean and Deluca and sat out on the flora springs patio as we indulged in a wine tasting. I can say that I know if I like a wine just after the initial sniff. Either it hits me and the sip unfolds another layer of life or it just tastes like another wine. I really enjoyed the Trinity and NV Cabernet at Flora Springs, it tasted like what a plumaria flower smells like.
Then we took a chance and stopped at the Alpha Omega Winery on the “strip” which was founded by Robin Baggett who also developed Tolosa Winery in San Luis Obispo, California, a winery I enjoyed during a visit in the Summer of 2008. The wine pourer specialist, Steve was very nice. At this winery, I familiarized myself with the thief and tried wine out from the barrel that would be eventually bottled in September.
The last stop was the Hess Collection, a favorite to many, this vineyard is spectacular and well worth the drive. Situated a few miles up a beautiful canyon, I felt like I was in the South of France. Their 3 story Art Gallery is unique, maybe not my type of art but fun to explore. The wine tasting room is rustic and a glass wall exposes the barrels for viewing. Their wine is affordable and very universal. You can never go wrong showing up for a party with a bottle of Hess.
So my first wine-tasting trip to Napa was a success and I’m looking forward to getting back there very soon. There is no experience like wine-tasting. I mean people aren’t lining up to try different types of anything like they do for wine.
Blow Your Mind Wine 