Wine- 4 Lovers

Oh my God how this post makes me miss California’s Napa Valley! Sounds like a beautiful time with incredible food, and wine! How cool that they go out of their way to accomodate dietary preferences – that’s rare. Great to see some pics of you – miss you!

Sharon Hiebing
Relocation Without Rose-Colored Glasses
http://www.wealthships.com

It certainly sounds like a lovely evening in more ways than one! I never realized until I moved to California ten years ago how seriously Californians take their wine consumption. It’s definitely a hobby for many people. Some of my high-end and celebrity clients have huge wine cellars that they were thrilled to show me when I was in their home. The pride with which they spoke of their collections amazed me! This year, one of our goals is to visit a winery in the fall when Hannah goes to Stanford with her high school cross country team to compete. I’ll even be daring and try something other than chardonnay!

It sounds like the perfect evening. We visited some lovely places in Santa Rosa a few years ago and toured some of the wineries but nothing as fancy as this i don’t think.. As for the “wine room experience” I am presuming you meant your own wine room but I shall wait for the post to find out. Sometimes a great conversation can make up for crappy food, but it appears as if you had the best of all worlds that evening.

Julie Labes: The Fun-Loving, Feisty, Fearless, Frisky, Fierce Over 50 Traveler

Beautiful description, and I love the photo of the long redwood table. This is something I enjoy vicariously, as I do not drink and rarely go to food events because of the food plan I follow. But this does not stop me from enjoying the stories others have (and glad that the gluten free variety offered you was safe for you). I know wine lovers take wine very seriously! I guess that’s not going to be part of my social set, so this is a little “view-from-a-distance” way to participate.

Judy Stone-Goldman
The Reflective Writer
http://www.thereflectivewriter.com/blog/
“Word maven loves–and learns from–ordinary life.”

Looks like a beautiful evening…..I was in Sonoma/Napa about 12 years ago. I really need to return. At that time we visited a lot of the larger wineries. This time I would like to check out a few of the smaller ones.
Cannot wait to hear about the tasting room….Rachel

Ahhhh….I am living this vicariously through your post! It looks just perfect…interesting people, divine food and wine and of course being with the person you adore. Can’t get much better than that! I wish my hubby enjoyed wine and amazing food like that, but food to him is not an experience, and he does not drink at all. So, again, I will live vicariously through your experiences! keep sharing!

An adventure of wine tasting is among our favorite activities as a couple. There’s something delicious about being out in the fresh air, enjoying a harvest from the vines, hearing & learning directly from the vintner. You shared what obviously was an extraordinary evening, with flavors, conversations and personal memories.

The way you described this in detail I could almost taste everything. My wife and I treasure moments like what you described sharing and communing with others in intimate settings. We love our times with our closest friends wine tasting in Temecula. We have never been to Napa but now its a must. Thank you for the inspiration for a weekend getaway to Napa.

I so understand what you mean about being more gaga over a great chef and winemaker than movie stars. Movie stars can’t give you that incredible experience of putting food or wine to the tastebuds that almost create an orgasmic experience. It’s a delight to the senses to have great food, great wine and great conversation with people who love to laugh & hug too! I wish I could have been there! Sounds divine.

What a fabulous evening and great pictures. I’ve had dinners like this, but only during my year abroad in France. My only trip to Napa was not quite as civilized as your wonderful experience. I would love to return to Napa and experience an evening like this. My sister is a sommelier. It’s fun to have an expert in the family.

Hi Ann and Earl,
Thanks for this wonderful story! Over the years my band has entertained at MANY fine wineries in and around Napa, but I’ve always served, and never been a guest at these fabulous weddings, parties, or company banquets. Your description encourages me to remedy this deficit. Thank you in advance.
Robbie

Have to admit I am a fish out of water in this department BUT love learning from you! It sounds like a perfect evening, even for me a novice. Your description makes your mouth water and want to be there! The fact that they catered to your GF diet immediately says a lot about who they are and what they are about….the experience! I’d say they were successful! Worth the visit:) Look forward to hearing more about your journeys:)

Sounds like a wonderful evening and experience. I love good food and wine, especially with good company. About the gluten-free, since I know you are new to that world: it feels like you are putting people out or it can be embarrassing to call attention to it, but even if they can’t accommodate you (yet) it doesn’t hurt to mention it. More and more restaurants are understanding and catering to this dietary lifestyle and if we don’t mention it, then change will not occur. I just saw this episode of Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives on Food Network and this tiny, out-of-the-way diner was offering gluten-free options because people started asking.

Love the pictures, especially the one with your head tilted Sounds (and looks) like you had a fabulous time! I’m not a huge wine fan but love good food and great company. Having this experience on vacation and being “off” is even better…I think it was incredible that they were able to make your meal gluten-free. Very cool…
Brandy

I so love hearing people ‘gush’ over their partners. Oddly it is such a rare thing. Stu and I make a point to surround ourselves with people that love being with their partners…you are truly blessed to have found someone that shares your passions.

Thanks @DarcieNewton – it’s fun to grow into a passion with your partner too- this was one for us. hope you come back and we look forward to taking with you and Stu soon!

Take someone you love and do it at least once @RobbieSchlosser you won’t regret it

Well we are no experts and we tend to break ALL the experts rules, so don’t tell your sister!

My kinda woman appreciating the orgasmic experiences in life @julieannecase !

Let is know if you make it up- we have great adventures with other loving couples too. We also plan a trip to Paso this winter.

I think most people start with labels they know. We share many of the fun little special ones on here! http://www.wine-4lovers.com

Yes, Santa Rosa or Sonoma is a very different experience for sure! Fun for different reason though! By “wine room” we actually mean the tasting room. When you visit the winery the tasting experience is critical to enjoying the wine! This one is VERY unique!

well yes I think if you live in Cali @lauriehurley wine is a LAW! Lol! We don’t collect–much. We say our collection is just “next on deck”! If we die, who drinks it?!

well yes I think if you live in Cali @lauriehurley wine is a LAW! Lol! We don’t collect–much. We say our collection is just “next on deck”! If we die, who drinks it?!

When you come back, let’s drink some wine! @sharonhiebing

When you come back, let’s drink some wine! @sharonhiebing

And here I was concerned about using the word orgasmic here and how it would be perceived! Ah! Should have realized I was talking to a kindred spirit!

Absolutely my friend!

This does sound like such fun, as well, rich and complex evening–just like the wines! I am most impressed by the stellar customer service to 1) ask you why you were turning away the appetizers and b)accomodate you with such flair and positive attitude! I’m thinking that such a response might encourage you to aknowledge your non-gluten need up front in the future. As more and more people do it, it will be incorporated into the menu and the mindset. Thanks for taking us along on a little vicarious trip of the fitting benediction to your vacation!

This does sound like such fun, as well, rich and complex evening–just like the wines! I am most impressed by the stellar customer service to 1) ask you why you were turning away the appetizers and b)accomodate you with such flair and positive attitude! I’m thinking that such a response might encourage you to aknowledge your non-gluten need up front in the future. As more and more people do it, it will be incorporated into the menu and the mindset. Thanks for taking us along on a little vicarious trip of the fitting benediction to your vacation!

Ummm fine wine, fine food, good company, romance, outdoor air, rich fragrances…I’m there! Love this Ann! It’s the next best thing to being there. Your blog is so professionally done! Who’s your coach?

Sounds like a fabulous time. I’m just beginning to enjoy wines and hubby is a beer expert, but I can see something like this in the future. How wonderful that they were able to accommodate your dietary needs to that you could truly experience everything as intended. Thank you for sharing. It might not be the right type of getaway for us, but it’s making me think hubby and I need to plan something soon.

We are REALLY good at helping people find wine they LOVE @brandymychals

lol