Today was our day to cross over to Napa. It is about 45-50 min. through the Alexander vineyards on Rt128. After a quick stop in Calistoga, a quaint little town on the way. We made our way to
Russ had arranged with his "wine guy" at Sattui Winery for a club room tasting. We arrived at 11 and made our way to the cellar and club room, connected with Bob and began our tasting. It did not take us long to realize that Bob was not a good match for us. Luckily a few others arrived and he got busy with them. Jordan stepped in and the fun began. The stories, the tasting of everything Sattui had to offer and sharing information. The tasting went from bottle tasting to barrel tasting. By this time Mike and Russ were well on their way... even though tastings are only a few sips, a few sips of 10+ wines is enough to send most to the next level of tipsy. They liked one of the "futures" (wine that is still in the barrel waiting to be bottled) that is when the discussion of buying a barrel began. Tee and I had wandered away and returned to this conversation. Luckily we were able to talk them out of this idea by suggesting it was lunchtime. Once their thoughts turned to food we were back on track. Now we only have a case of wine coming to the house in the spring and not a $7000 barrel of wine.
Now that we had our second wind we were off to Sterling Vineyard just a few miles away. Sterling is noted for their unique approach to their hill top tasting rooms and villa. Taking the aerial tram is the only way up and down.
Sterling is also set up as a self guided tour and tasting is done at the various stations that are set up as you stroll from one location to the other. It also has great views of the surround hills and valleys, however we were not impressed by their wines. We have enjoyed so many good wines that made it easy for us to pass up bringing a bottle home.
So back down the hillside we went.
This was also where we had to say good bye to Tee & Mike. They were staying in Calistoga for the night with plans to head south to the Pacific Coast highway and all it had to offer before they headed home. We were sad to see them leave... we had so much fun the past few days!
V Sattui Winery.
Russ had arranged with his "wine guy" at Sattui Winery for a club room tasting. We arrived at 11 and made our way to the cellar and club room, connected with Bob and began our tasting. It did not take us long to realize that Bob was not a good match for us. Luckily a few others arrived and he got busy with them. Jordan stepped in and the fun began. The stories, the tasting of everything Sattui had to offer and sharing information. The tasting went from bottle tasting to barrel tasting. By this time Mike and Russ were well on their way... even though tastings are only a few sips, a few sips of 10+ wines is enough to send most to the next level of tipsy. They liked one of the "futures" (wine that is still in the barrel waiting to be bottled) that is when the discussion of buying a barrel began. Tee and I had wandered away and returned to this conversation. Luckily we were able to talk them out of this idea by suggesting it was lunchtime. Once their thoughts turned to food we were back on track. Now we only have a case of wine coming to the house in the spring and not a $7000 barrel of wine.
For lunch we relocated to our "private" club member garden
overlooking the vineyard.
Now that we had our second wind we were off to Sterling Vineyard just a few miles away. Sterling is noted for their unique approach to their hill top tasting rooms and villa. Taking the aerial tram is the only way up and down.
Sterling is also set up as a self guided tour and tasting is done at the various stations that are set up as you stroll from one location to the other. It also has great views of the surround hills and valleys, however we were not impressed by their wines. We have enjoyed so many good wines that made it easy for us to pass up bringing a bottle home. So back down the hillside we went.
This was also where we had to say good bye to Tee & Mike. They were staying in Calistoga for the night with plans to head south to the Pacific Coast highway and all it had to offer before they headed home. We were sad to see them leave... we had so much fun the past few days!
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