First we went down south to enjoy some ocean views. One of my classmates lives in Shanghai and had been living in an extendastay next to school with no car, and really hadn't seen any of of the west coast. So the plan was to head down to Carmel and do 17 mile drive, and have lunch in the town. We were thwarted however, as it was the day after the US open and 17 mile drive was closed. We made the best of it and really had a fantastic time in Clint Eastwoodville.
Then a weeks later we decided to take advantage of the post 4th of July calm and do a day trip to Napa. Susan M's neighbor Julie, and her son Scott came along for the ride. One of Scott's closest friend's, Colin, is the wine club manager at Charles Krug and offered to set up a private tasting for is. It was fantastic! We tasted 8 reserve wines, served with aged Parmesan and crackers, and port and chocolate for desert. The wine maker came in and indulged in our many questions, and Colin was an expert on the wines and the history. He loves the company he works for, and shined through as he shared their product with us
One of our other classmates was a fantastic guy named Jake. We all knew he had grown up in wine country and that his family was in the wine industry. However being the very humble person he is, he never really made a big deal about it and like the rest of us was there to learn all he could. So the night we passed our exam Jake brought this Bordeaux blend to our celebration and it was out-of-this-world good. He tells us, thanks it's my family's wine, and we all respond WHAT? So we had thrown this day trip together super last minute but I shot out an e-mail to see if we could taste at Jake's parents vineyard (they're by appointment only.) He gets back to me as we're leaving Charles Krug and says he's not there but his mom would be happy to have us. So up Howell Mountain we head, toward Arkenstone Vineyards. The Arkenstone is the diamond at the heart of the Lonely Mountain in the Hobbit. We pull up and there is construction going on and trailers set up. Jake's mom, Susan K explains they had a flat cement crush pad (The place where grapes are sorted after picking) and nothing else up there for the first few harvests. Now they're building a tasting room. So she suggests we go check out the caves, we walk down some stairs and through an arched door and HOLY CRAP. The photos speak for themselves.
They have this vast tunnel system in the hillside, that you'd never suspect. It is like something straight of James Bond, as a matter of fact Susan M couldn't stop humming the theme music. Suddenly the name became clear as it truly a gem in the hillside. Susan K took fantastic care of us and after our tour we sat down and tasted her unbelievable Sauvignon Blanc. It was unlike anything I had tasted as it is aged sur lie in oak!So big thanks to Colin, and Susan K!
As well as Scott, and Jake for setting us up with such great tasting experiences.
Finally Susan M for planning and both trips and providing the transportation!
So anyway California is an amazing place to live, but I'm still counting days until I get my NY fix.
5 days! in case you were wondering.
