Wine As A Recurring Theme

Cheers! What is it about wine glasses...friends...toasting to life?! I don't know about you, but that always seemed like a grown-up thing to do, when I was younger. Being able to get together with friends, to talk and laugh, to share life - it seemed like that was a goal as I reached adulthood. But not right away.

I really never liked alcohol, when it seemed like most of my friends did. Even turning 21, I had no interest in going out for even one drink with my friends. People thought I was a strange one, for sure! That started to change, though, the summer I was 22.

I had moved to Petaluma, CA to live with my aunt. New England didn't seem to be working for me, so I wanted to see what there was on the West Coast. I ended up getting a job as an innkeeper in Calistoga - right in the heart of the Napa Valley wine region. I was so young, naive, and I knew NOTHING about wine. But I took advantage of every perk offered to me as an innkeeper! There was a course on chardonnays. Horseback rides, hot air balloon rides, entrance to the petrified forest and to the geyser. And free wine tasting at any winery that caught my interest. I had SO much fun learning that summer! But once I move back home, I didn't do a whole lot with that knowledge.

Over the years, I revisited this theme on occassion. When I lived in Seattle, there were the trips out to Woodinville wineries (primarily to Chateau Ste. Michelle). When I lived in Austin, I discovered the Hill Country wine region. First, there was Grape Creek Vineyards (where I discovered that I enjoyed Port wine). Then, there was the fabulous wine bar (Lincoln Street Wine Bar) that offered charcuterie boards and a beautiful outdoor patio.

But it wasn't until 2021 that I really started to dive back into the wine tasting scene. A

friend of mine loves wine, but had never been to a winery and asked if I'd be interested in going with her. I ended up planning a "bucket list" adventure for us - in Idaho's wine country! I didn't even know that Idaho had wineries, nevermind grew grapes. But it was during a time when not everything was open fully in many of the popular regions, and I was researching other options. Turns out the wines out there are REALLY good! During this visit, we tackled a few of their tasting rooms:

• Hat Ranch Winery

• Fujishin Family Cellars

• Scoria Vineyards - one of my favorites

• Houston Vineyards

• Sawtooth Winery - great patio and fun flights

The following year, we sort of kept the theme going with a trip to Jackson, WY. No, there isn't a huge wine region there. But we discovered Jackson Hole Winery! The location is so beautiful and peaceful. The wines are quite delectable. And you just want to sit and sip for hours.

In 2023, I really kicked the winery tour idea up a notch - with a girls trip to Fredericksburg, TX! Four of us spent 4 glorious days playing, eating and sipping. If you ever get a chance to head out there, I highly recommend it. Honestly, I can't wait until I can figure out an excuse to go back for a few more days. We were pretty strategic with our tasting appointments:

• Augusta Vin Winery - absolutely beautiful tasting room, and they offer wonderful tours of the property

• Wildseed Farms - a destination in itself with a garden center, crafts, biergarten, walking trails and a tasting room

• Six Shooter Cellars - great selection of mead and sweet wines

• Slate Theory Winery - definitely the COOLEST tasting room and tour experience

• Heath Sparkling Wines - a very upscale tasting room for Champagne

• Fat Ass Ranch & Winery - we didn't make it out to the ranch, but they have a tasting room downtown Fredericksburg

In the last year or so, I discovered a new winery - owned by one of my clients. It's called Whatever Vineyards, out of California. They have created one of the BEST rosé wines I've had.

On a recent adventure, I got to spend a little time in Woodinville, WA. I had already been to

Chateau Ste. Michelle when I lived in Seattle, but a lot has changed since then! The vibe on a sunny spring day was one of casual relaxation - people on picnic blankets in the gardens, sipping on wine and eating wonderful looking snacks. In the store, I grabbed an amazing bottle of Ice Wine (Riesling) and a Sweet White Blend. Then, we made a stop at another winery that came recommended - DeLille Cellars. We grabbed salads, for a late lunch, on their patio and then found our way to the tasting room. It's such a beautiful property! And the Chaleur Blanc was the crisp, refreshing wine I was looking for.

An unexpected wine tasting happened when Matt and I went to Oregon for a high school graduation. The whole family took a couple hours to taste a few wines at Dana Campbell Vineyards. The outdoor patio was cool in the shade, with a beautiful view of the vineyards and the town of Ashland below. My favorite that day was the Viognier, as it was crisp and refreshing on such a hot day. I also loved the "little bites" they offered to nibble on.

I'm excited to see what new wineries I get introduced to! I already know that I'm taking another trip to Sunnyslope wine region (Idaho) this summer...so stay tuned for updates!