Rainy Day Comfort.

It's Wednesday. I have the day off. It's pouring down rain. What other reason does a girl need to sit around in her jammies and eat comfort snacks and a cozy dinner? I threw pug in the car and drove up valley to find these tasty treats- I thought I'd share them with you...

To start, I'm kind of annoyed I didn't buy about 5-10 more jars of these juicy, mouth-watering little morsels. Brooklyn Hard Candy is built on a foundation of using the best ingredients to make the finest hard candy products- I bought the wild strawberry and I'm calling it love.

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Brooklyn Hard Candy Company

"Launched in 2010 by two alums of Le Cordon Bleu London, Brooklyn Hard Candy has kept its concept delightfully simple: classic hard candy, made the old fashioned way, using natural flavors like blueberry and pear alongside old standbys like Meyer lemon and root beer. It doesn’t hurt that their simple, sustainable packaging has singlehandedly erased all associations we may have had of hard candy as the stuck-together stuff of elderly family friends’ candy dishes."

As a self-proclaimed sugar junkie, I usually go for the classics-- Skittles, Runts, Sour Patch Kids, Gummi Bears, Swedish Fish, Kit-Kat, Milk Duds, Twix, Rolo, etc. Mix all of those things with my new obsession, Three Twins Ice Cream and I'm a dentist's dream. I even used to work at a candy store.  Now that's what I call a bad combination! It's a wonder I still have all of my teeth.

I have yet to venture into the baked goods world of Napa Valley, only because I am aware that there are several world-famous bakeries in the area.  I can't seem to muster up the strength to tackle both candy and patisserie finds in one small blog entry. *Sigh* I'm just going to have to save my cupcake, pastry, doughnut and breads tummy for another rainy day.  Come to think of it, I better start swimming more at this sweet rate.

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I've been going through a phase of munchies that I call the sweet & savory curse. I can't eat a piece of fruity candy without wanting something chocolate-y or savory. It makes sneaking a piece here or there quite difficult as I always end up not being able to break the vicious cycle. Thus, the reason I ended up with this can of heaven. 

Dottie's Toffee

"This homemade toffee recipe has been perfected over decades, starting out in Dot Smith’s kitchen in 1976. Now made by Dot’s grandson, Nick Belmont, this signature family candy is sold around the globe — though it stays true to style, still made by hand in the family’s hometown of Spartanburg, South Carolina. Blending Belgian chocolate, sweet cream butter, pure cane sugar, only the best whole and crushed almonds, and a pinch of sea salt. Dottie’s Toffee accents special events, family gatherings, even your everyday workplace. It’s gourmet goodness; an indulgence for every sense."

For anyone and everyone who loves a superior toffee, you must get your mitts on a can of Dottie's. It is the closest thing to homemade you can buy, particularly if you don't have the skill or patience to make some of your own.  Dottie's can only be purchased online here in California, but if you're in the area, Dean & Deluca (in St. Helena) happens to have a small supply in stock on a regular basis. 

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For dinner, I took the plunge and went for it. I'm talking pot pie. Chicken pot pie. All natural, all organic chicken pot pie from Twin Hens.  I couldn't help myself.  It's flaky crust and warm, gooey center were calling me from across the artisan food aisle. Considering that I've been trying to eat a little bit more healthy these days, a chicken pot pie seemed indulgent, but I was willing to splurge on a cozy, cloudy evening's main meal.

Twin Hens

"DEVELOPED FROM OUR OWN RECIPE, WE MAKE OUR TWIN HENS CHICKEN POT PIE THE WAY YOU WOULD AT HOME. COOKED WITH THE HIGHEST QUALITY INGREDIENTS – FREE RANGE CHICKEN, LOCALLY GROWN VEGETABLES AND HIGH GRADE BUTTER – THEY CONTAIN NO HYDROGENATED OILS OR PRESERVATIVES. MADE BY MOMS WHO DOUBLE AS PROFESSIONAL CHEFS, THE FABULOUS CHICKEN POT PIES ARE IDEAL YEAR ROUND – FOR FEEDING YOUR FAMILY, ENTERTAINING FRIENDS, IMPROMPTU DINNERS OR AS A THOUGHTFUL GIFT."

I had read about this company several times but wasn't able to locate any retailers in the area that actually sold their product- I'm told that Bristol Farms and Andronico's have the pies if there's one in your neighborhood.  I got this last pie from D&D in person, practically tackling the chic woman next to me as she went for the lobster mac and cheese instead. I win. Although, that mac and cheese might be next on my rainy day list.

That's all I've got for right now- we have some exciting stuff happening this weekend and a ton of upcoming events that will be a kick to write about about. Stay tuned!

Be well,

B

Napa Point Brewing Company.

This past weekend, the hubbs and I had the pleasure of visiting one of Napa's newest, most talked about gastro-tastic hot spots... Napa Point Brewing Company. To tell you we'd heard of it through the grapevine is a comical understatement to say the least--it seems as though every person in the valley was demanding we check this place out and I must say, we're glad we finally did!

Located just off of Highway 29, right outside suburban Napa proper, the brewery itself is tucked away in an unassuming business park, far from the crowded streets and hullabaloo of downtown.  Easy to find and with ample parking, you can zip right down Devlin Road to find the hulking establishment standing proud like a beacon of beer, alone amidst a sea of open fields and currently undeveloped land. The building itself is quite modest and neatly groomed, with simple architectural qualities and a pleasant presence.

What makes this place special is that it seems to be a labor of love on all accounts. From the owners to the brewmaster, this team is working hard to build up their beer reputation in the valley, rightfully so. There's only a small handful of breweries around these parts like Napa Smith Brewery, Downtown Joe's, Carneros Brewing Company and The Calistoga Inn & Brewery (to name a few), but it has become apparent that good ol' beer has its place amongst the vines and is developing a significant following amongst locals.

At Napa Point Brewing Company, Brewmaster Denise Jones, "is internationally recognized, having won over 300 awards. Her resume includes the Great Basin Brewing Company, Bluewater Brewing Company, and the Third Street Aleworks where she consistently achieved recognition for her brews with awards from the California State Fair, the Great American Beer Festival, and the World Beer Cup.  Prior to joining Napa Point Brewing, Denise was Brewmaster at Moylan’s Brewing Company where she produced world class beers that were distributed across the globe and continued to win local, state, national and international awards including Grand Champion Brewery at the prestigious 2011 Australian International Brewing Awards."

As soon as you arrive at the brewery, you'll enter their unique gastropub (they're still working out the kinks to get their actual taproom open soon- I told you they were new!) and are greeted with a smile. Take your pick of arranged seating or sidle up to the high-top pub tables and catch the game(s) on one their many giant flat-screen TV's.  If you prefer to sit outside, they've got a fantastic patio that is big enough for even the heartiest of groups, with giant handmade oak tables, Edison cafe lighting and ample room to get your drink on.  Once you're settled in, it's time to make some serious brewski decisions- pace yourself though, it's a big task with their large selection.

It wasn't a bad way to spend the late afternoon, happy to be sitting sit out in the sunshine with a sampling of 5 very generous pours (probably around 5oz. each), discovering Napa Point Brewing's sophisticated flavors:

Cryptic- India Pale Ale (I.P.A.)
"Assertive American grown hops from the Yakima Valley in Washington are the cornerstone of this West Coast standard. Two-row pale malt and California Ale yeast combine with the citrusy-pine flavors and aromas of Centennial and Cascade hops. Balanced to accent a firm bitterness to allow the unique qualities of a Northern California-style IPA to shine."

The Crusher- Golden Ale
"A highly drinkable golden ale with lager-like qualities. Pilsner malts, noble hops imported from Germany and pure Napa Valley water are set to a cool ale fermentation and the result is a remarkably crisp, clean, “crushable” beer."

Hefu- American Hefeweizen
"White wheat and pale two row malts blend together to offer a lively, refreshing ale with a natural citrusy flavor. The easy-drinking American-style wheat beer is served unfiltered for that distinctive cloudy appearance and can be accented with a lemon slice upon request."

N.A.P.A.- North American Pale Ale (My favorite!)
"Our Brew Master personally selects the ingredients from the finest fields of barley and hops in North America to create a brew of superior balance and exceptional drinkability. A pale ale worthy of the finest wine region in the world."

Stomper- Amber Ale

"Regarded as the stylistic standard of the original brews in California brewing history. Premium two-row and crystal malts are matched with select Northern Brewer hops to create a balanced and drinkable amber ale. Restrained bitterness allows the malt flavors to showcase in the finish."

All five of these beers were much more complex than I was expecting, in a great way.  I favored the N.A.P.A. pale ale for it's seamless blending of smooth texture and mild flavor, while the hubbs really liked the Stomper's malty robustness.

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We hadn't initially intended on dining here, but of course time got away from us and before we knew it, it was sundown and our tummies were grumbling.  Our waiter was a polite young man, eager to help us along the way with our food choices, so upon recommendation we were handed two menus and forgot how full we were.  Their selection of tasty treats and belly-warming favorites is pretty hard to resist, no matter how big your previous meal was.  I found myself contemplating dishes that were nearly impossible to imagine eating at that moment in time, but went for it anyways, because HEY! Why would I not want to keep eating?

We started with the Deviled Eggs, admittedly a total indulgence.  The combination of mustard seed and candied bacon was delicious and too much to resist.  I never really turn down a deviled egg, but these were pretty impressive and served at just the right temp with a light, champagne vinaigrette green salad garnish.  The hubbs and I both laughed as we finished the plate in under 5 minutes, shrugging off the fact that we said we weren't hungry.

I wish I could say that we stopped there with the appetizers (for fear of sounding gluttonous), but we didn't.  Oh no, we didn't and I don't feel the slightest bit guilty about gorging myself on savory snacks. The Pretzel Bites.  The pretzel bites will keep you coming back, keep you craving a visit to the brewery.  Served with and ale cheese sauce, these things will haunt your dreams.  You too can soak up all that beer by ordering a heaping bowl of these squishy, salty puffs of yum.

It got even more amusing when we decided, "Let's just stay for dinner!"  A chill started to invade the valley, so we moved indoors for our evening meal.  We were fortunate enough to catch CEO Robert Dahl in action, greeting customers and chatting up his new endeavor.  A gracious guy with a penchant for conversation, he treated us to a pint on the house of each of our favorites and helped us make our dinner selection.  I decided on going all in by ordering the Meatloaf, Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Mac N' Cheese.  Oh baby.  What I loved about the food was that it tasted homemade, almost as if it came out of your mama's own kitchen.  I'm pretty picky with comfort food, but they really do a nice job at making comfy food still feel like "cuisine".  Not too frilly, just well made home cookin'. The hubbs went with the Ale Battered Cod- light, fluffy and surrounded by some of the best fries in town.  I'm not kidding about the cod, it was fluffy.

Not only were we stuffed, we were both incredibly happy and satiated by our overall experience at Napa Point Brewing Company.  In fact, we look forward to visiting again with friends, family, our dog, maybe some small children and each other.  I personally like the fact that this place is off the beaten path- a beer retreat if you will, a hideaway for brew fiends and folks who enjoy good craft, good food and good company. *Hint Hint- they have a fantastic happy hour too!*

Go say hello.  Do it now.

Cheers,
B

Napa Point Brewing Company

388 Devlin Road

Napa, CA 94558

707-266-7344

www.napapointbrewing.com

*All images courtesy of Napa Point Brewing

Hello Again!

I've been a bad girl.

I was forthright in letting you all know that I'd be taking December off- but I totally failed to mention anything about January... What the?  How does time pass so quickly?  I was scouring through my pile of to-do's this morning when it finally dawned on me that, yes, it is already almost February and I haven't written a single thing.  For shame, B, for shame.  *Insert sad face here*

I have no excuses.

December was chaotic and our schedules were loaded with events, visits, family and friends.  With so much holiday fun happening, I honestly couldn't find a moment to sit back and type, nor did I want to. I let myself become completely immersed in the season and never really worried about the lack of publication happening.  The upside of this downtime also gave me the chance to get to know my new surroundings, settle-in, find my groove (or almost find my groove) and relish in a little decompression time.

It is now time to get back on the happy train to food town.

Friends, here is a little sneak peek into my Napa lifestyle thus far....

We are situated in a prime location here in town, at the intersection of awesome and awesome.  A crossings, you might say.  We can easily head North, South, East or West, without hesitation or exhausting traffic, hoards of tourists or hulking limo vehicles.  We love the option of country frontage roads, winding one-lane wooded paths, and quick "local" routes to get us where we want to be.  Our home is spacious, minimal and just the right amount of cozy.  I love spending time here, sitting on our patio in this crazy California winter weather, dog at my feet and bubbles in hand.

On weekends we are out and about, eating, drinking and continuing our merriment.  We can usually be found exploring the fresh new bars & eateries of downtown Napa, tapas crawling the short distance of Yountville, sampling brews up in Calistoga or wandering through the backwoods to family-owned winery gems that we love sharing with friends and visitors.

I've compiled a list of places I want to talk about, many of which aren't familiar to the average weekenders or vacationers.  I'll be posting articles in the weeks to come, highlighting these new favorites, so keep your eyes peeled!  Here are some of our new haunts:

Bene Gusto, Browns Valley... For artisan pizza, pasta, sandwiches, breakfast & outdoor ambiance.  We love to sit back, sip wine and enjoy the company here, chatting with neighbors.
The Calistoga Inn & Brewery... A fantastic little brewery with awesome bar food, an intimate dining room & terribly interesting native folk.
Fumé Bistro & Bar...  Their mouthwatering seasonal menu impresses every time, plus they have outdoor fire pits and a great discounted locals night.
The Red Hen Cantina...  Newly relocated & remodeled with a HUGE outdoor seating area, this is a fun place for sports watching, Mexican food and whole bunch of tequila.
VINeleven...  Not your typical restaurant, but nonetheless, their food is awesome & the staff is lovely.
UVA Trattoria...  Holy smokes!  Amazing Italian fare and totally killer atmosphere with live tunes.
Redd Wood...  Pizza, pasta & appetizers with an impressive wine list and supremely cool vibe.
R&D Kitchen...  Quickly becoming one of the most popular meeting spots in the valley with their ample outdoor space and simple, sophisticated menu.  Great bar and group destination.
Lucy Restaurant & Bar, Bardessono...  A personal favorite, full of calm, class and high-end taste.
The Fremont Diner...  A popular stop between Sonoma and Napa for hometown favorites.

Ok, now I'm getting hungry.

Stay tuned and get your forks ready!
B






  

Welcome Home.

For those of you wondering where I've been this past month, yes, the rumors are true- we've moved to Napa and have fallen deeply in love with our surroundings.

I'm also finding out that living in such a gorgeous, bountiful area makes getting day-to-day stuff done... super... extra... difficult.  It is much too tempting to go out and "play" these days than it is to sit inside and stare at my computer screen.  Can you blame me?  I think a huge part of it is strictly being overwhelmed with writing opportunities here because I just don't know where to start.  There's too much food! *Insert maniacal cackle*

I'll be the first to admit, I've been slacking.  Never fear kind readers, it is only a temporary lapse which I presume will last through the holiday season.  Ok, that's a lie, I am totally giving myself December off.

I just unpacked our last remaining box from our move yesterday, so our new place finally feels complete enough to relax in.  The anxious "so much more to do" feeling has left my body, we've found a groove in our schedules and I can cook comfortably in my kitchen without slamming a shin into a box full of dishes.  We've been enjoying our evenings out on our patio, glass of wine in hand, pug at our feet gnawing on a mint chewy bone.  The hubbs usually arrives home around six, which isn't bad considering his commute.  By the time he gets home, we've already decided to dine in or out- the nice thing about our location is that we have an impressive radius of options within walking distance or a short car trip away.  Dinner has become a bonding time for us as opposed to our previous rushed, overly-casual meal.  We no longer feel the urge to "hurry up and eat" so we can do other stuff, but instead we find ourselves lingering over our food and enjoying conversation (whether between ourselves at home or a new friend we've made chatting between tables).  It's been a lovely change that really hits home the idea of unwinding after a long day.

In fact, it was over a meal that we came to this eye-opening conclusion:
We've never lived directly in an area or town where we were absolutely surrounded by our passions.

Being here is a revelation for us.  With the hubbs main interest in wine, and my own obsession with food, it's a match made in heaven.  I wake up every morning and have to pinch myself that and keep in mind that I'm not on vacation or staying with my in-laws.  This is my home now.  It is incredible to me just how much living here has awakened our spirits.  We laugh more, we spend more time outdoors, we find new things to check out each and every day.  We are surrounded by some of the most influential, acclaimed and highly-touted food, wine & hospitality institutions, all of which are a stones throw away.  It's mind-blowing!

I find myself more and more giddy everyday and I cannot wait to explore even more than we already have.  I've got an entire valley to get to know and I'm completely over the moon to do so.

So sit tight friends, because it's going to be a fascinating ride.  I'll make sure to jump back on the blog wagon as soon as I find my bearings and hunker down.  Perhaps if it starts raining I'll be forced to stay inside and get some writing done, but for now, I'm out-and-about.

Happy Home, Happy Hearts.

Love,
B







    

Food of Murcia: A Photo Journal.

Gazpacho on a warm day, perfect for sipping.

A VERY fresh seafood sampler.

Drunken Goat cheese.

Masters of the Drunken Goat Cheese and some fabulous wine, Bodegas Carchelo.

I ate way too much of this creamy, delicious cheese.

The beautiful Loreto restaurant.

Stunning courtyard at Loreto.

Head chef at Loreto.

Baby eel salad.

Deep fried cheese with tomato sauce.

Mushroom en croute.

Hearty paella.

Beef tenderloin.

Meat cabinet!

Such a lovely setting, with unbelievably fresh ingredients.

Fresh seafood.

Fruits, desserts.

Loved these homemade jams, made from Hacienda del Carche grapes.

More fried cheese.

Calamari with aioli.

Garlic-y gaspacho with croutons.

The dessert plate that caused a fork-fight amongst peers.

Fresh cheese with piquillo peppers and anchovies.

Vegetable terrine.

Why yes, that is a rabbit skull in my paella- and it tasted delicious.

Hand-churned sweet cream ice cream with cherries, pineapple and melon.

Warm smoked-cod spread with crostini.

Paella for everyone!

Jordan Estate Tour & Tasting.

I wanted to share this particular experience with you all because, well,  I love Jordan...

The wines.  The people.  The estate.

Located in the heart of the Alexander Valley amidst the rolling, burnished hills and ancient oak trees of Sonoma County, Jordan Vineyard and Winery sits quietly and graciously alone, in an almost palatial fashion.  With it's gorgeous ivy-covered chateau, extensive lawns, exquisite guest suites and fantastic wines (of course), Jordan Winery has long been a favorite of aficionados from all over the world.  

"One of the few wine country estates with nearly 1,000 acres dedicated to to natural habitat, Jordan Estate is a journey for all senses, enchanting wine lovers, epicures and nature lovers alike."

Enchanting indeed.  The hubbs and I have been fans for years, and were lucky enough to be invited to test drive a very special opportunity that Jordan has now made available to the public-- an estate tour and tasting.  Previously, guests were only able to visit Jordan by appointment or invitation, which was limited to the visiting the winery grounds and tasting room.  Now, by reservation, guests can experience the entire estate by touring in Jordan's super-luxe coach, experiencing points-of-interest all throughout the property.  All this, while sampling Jordan's wines and indulging in property-grown food pairings, prepared by Estate Executive Chef, Todd Knoll. 

The scones. The scones!

You will start by touring the 40-year-old Winery Chateau, which radiates classic French sophistication and elegance. Marvel at the towering oak casks in the cellar room, ornate architectural details and luscious surrounding gardens while learning the history of the Jordan family legacy.  On our visit, we were presented a lovely breakfast of house-made scones, freshly squeezed orange juice, house-made preserves and fresh fruit grown on the property.  A delicious beginning.

Fruit Orchard.

Tomatoes, peppers, onions, beans.

Continue on, meandering down through the hills- keep your eyes open for wildlife!  The Jordan Estate property is teeming with birds, deer, rabbits and other woodland creatures all living peacefully and happily amongst the vines.  Your next stop is the Chef's Garden, nearly an acre of vegetables, fruit trees, and herbs that provide Chef Knoll with "inspiration for seasonal, farm-fresh dishes to pair with Jordan Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon."  The garden was copious and thriving for us, with ripened fruits and vegetables that we were encouraged to sample.  We tasted figs, tomatoes, onions, carrots, basil, apples and fresh herbs, all of which were simply mouth-watering.

Bouquet anyone?

Fell in love with these fire-colored roses.

Next door to the chef's garden, you will have the pleasure of viewing (and perhaps picking a flower or two) at their very own cutting flower garden.  It here that the staff finds their awesome blooms for the arrangements you will see scattered around the estate corridors.  I was taken aback by the rare Austin roses, fluffy like cotton balls and delicate as lace.  The garden focuses on heritage and exotic flowers, over two dozen varieties, all of which are used in Director of Hospitality & Events, Knitsa Knoll's floral arrangements for Jordan events.  Take note as your pull away from the gardens and notice the of solar photovoltaic array- an impressive installation of solar power that has reduced the estate's utility bill by 99%, churning out CO2 offsets equivalent to planting nearly 8,000 trees to date.

Solar power.

Say cheese!

Goose & Mav.

Another wonderful aspect of touring the estate is getting to visit the farm.  A petite barn, chickens (Australorp to be exact), donkeys ("Goose" and "Maverick"), longhorn steer and black Angus cows dot the pasture, setting an ideal scene for visitors.  CEO John Jordan is even exploring the possibilities of farming his very own beef for consumption on the estate, blending his breeds, thus creating the "perfect" home-grown cattle hybrid.  You can't help but think to yourself, "This place has it all."

Until you see the lake.

 Chair on the deck and I'm good.

As you can tell by now, the Jordan family's passion for nature is present and clear.  The estate boasts a thriving wetland, and a fully stocked 10 acre lake that is surrounded by forest and olive trees.  This brings us to Seven Oaks.

"Named for its cluster of craggy, blue oaks, Seven Oaks is nestled at the edge of Jordan Lake.  This serene corner of the estate is a haven for wildlife and offers sweeping views of our olive orchards and grapevines.  Its dock is the perfect place for sipping Jordan Chardonnay."

Shadowy snacks.

Artful.

Ginger, pistachios... Best cracker ever.

It is here where we sampled our first pairing with 2010 & 2011 Jordan Chardonnay.  When we arrived at Seven Oaks, we were greeted and presented a small, dark wooden box with glasses.  Inside of this box rested a special Spiced Garden Escabeche with Gravenstein Apple Vinaigrette & Wild Fennel. Also inside was a Nigiri of Seasonal Fruit with Jordan Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sonoma Honey & Citrus.  Both were served in tiny stone bowls, tucked neatly into the boxes-- a slightly more modern, chic presentation that contrasted nicely with our rustic surroundings.  I adored the fresh basil, tomato and beets of the escabeche, and the unusual combination of fresh fruit with cool, faintly seasoned rice "nigiri" style was a delightful surprise.  Both paired seamlessly with the Chardonnay-- I enjoyed the 2010 immensely and was sad to leave both the view and that little wooden box behind.

One of the many olive groves.

The experience at this point was turning somewhat dreamy, with the perfect weather, wonderful wine and great company.  As our coach rambled up the rocky hills, letting way to panoramic valley views, I noticed a considerable incline beginning to occur.  Rows and rows of vines were passing us by, groves of olives and more grapes than the eye could see.  Our ride came to a lumbering halt under the giant bay trees at the Creekside Landing...

"Situated between our sustainably-farmed vineyards, this seasonal creek is a tranquil habitat for native flora and fauna.  The Creekside Landing bridge leads to an ideal location for exploring the grapevines' annual life cycle."

Excited and giddy, we were finally able to dig our toes (shoes, actually) into the rich soil of Jordan Winery, red, silty and richly textured.  The majority of us whipped out our cameras and couldn't get enough of the scenery, while others walked along the wines plucking samples of berries in their natural, original form.  The sun was high in the sky and although the air was dry and warm, the vines were lush and beautiful-- I couldn't resist plucking a few of the deep purple marbles from their clusters, savoring the tangy not-quite-ready zing that only a fresh grape can produce.  And yes, I pulled out my camera and took some photographs of my own.  How could I resist?

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I could tell that this entire journey was headed up hill-- a really, really big hill.  After we left the grapevines behind, we set off on a vertical ascent up a rocky driveway surrounded by flaxen gold fields and wooded crevices.  I watched the birds flitting from one tree to another, gazing across the horizon at the hills that felt so familiar to me.  Growing up in Sonoma County was such a blessing and I miss it so much, everyday.  Visiting Jordan is like taking a small mental vacation for me, where I can take deep breaths and feel a little bit sentimental for lichen covered oaks and dry chaparral landscapes.  Giant dark boulders with lime green moss peek out from behind manzanitas, beetles and crickets fill the air with a constant summertime buzz that quiets as you pass through their massive playground.  Small, dry creeks weaving their way through tall grass, jack-rabbits peering through aged tree stumps at the passers-by...  

As I was busy zoning out on the beauty surrounding us, I hadn't realized that we were about to reach our final destination on the tour.  At the very top of the largest hill on the estate grounds sits Vista Point, one of the highest locations in the county providing a complete 360 degree view of the entire surrounding wine regions.

"Breathtaking views from Jordan Estate's highest hilltop give Vista Point its name.  The stunning panorama of three mountain ranges and three wine regions define this one-of-a-kind location.  A fitting culmination to the ultimate excursion."

Once we had all taken in the enormous view, we were seated for a special final pairing and relaxation period under arguably one of the most elegantly constructed roofed entertaining areas I've ever seen.  All stone and polished wood, hammered copper and slick concrete floors.  A blazing contrast to the natural environment encapsulating this dream dining room.  I smiled when I first saw the cool, perfect, modern little house sitting against the crackling crunch of summer in Sonoma county.  A place of respite and contemplation, where it feels special to be at one with the wind and wine.  

In front of me sat another wooden box- this time made of bamboo.  Along with it, a tiny sky blue colored Staub ramekin and a pressed linen napkin.  Inside of the box was a Selection of Sonoma County & European Artisanal Cheeses.  One can never have enough cheese.  In the cast iron ramekin was a small-bite of Miso-Glazed Sonoma Beef with Maitake Mushrooms & Braised Endive.  We were also served the 2002 & 2009 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon to accompany our afternoon bites, both of which were an absolute dream to drink.  The perfect ending to a perfect day.

Thank you to the family and staff at Jordan Winery & Estate for this delicious, delightful adventure. This experience will stay with me for years to come...

Regards,

B

Jordan Winery Estate Tour & Tasting info is available at www.jordanwinery.com/visit

Tours are 3 hours long at the cost of $120 per guest

Or call 800.654.1213 for arrangements

*Photos 1, 7, 8, 13 & 16 courtesy of www.jordanwinery.com
All other photos are authors own.