Francis Ford Coppola = FFC! RUSTIC!: Wow, Bella!
The incredible and newly reconfigured, remodeled and redesigned in every way Francis Ford Coppola Winery beckons! I went to dinner at RUSTIC on Sunday, 1 August, with Peter- sat on the terrace and was totally overwhelmed and enchanted by the location, view, staff, food and wine. Perfetto- right down to the incredible little touches like the buttonhole on the cloth napkin to attach to your shirt and the deliverance of a twirling spoon as de rigueur, not as a special request. The details are assiduously looked after. I especially appreciate the great wine service and have never seen wines by the glass so well presented; the bottle of the chosen wine (great, well-thought out wine list- good selection of local Wine Road wines, too) is brought to table, shown and...
Read MoreAll Things Murphy-Goode; back in the ‘burg 7.29.10
One stop today: Murphy-Goode Winery. Home to Murphy-Goode Wines and newly home to Edmeades Wines. I am meeting with Karen and Bill-we have known each other a long time. In fact, Bill and his wife, Zoe, had their son, Jonathan, the very same day that I had my son, Tony, on Valentine’s Day 1987. This very day, M-G is getting wines in the Keg- going totally hip and green for folks having Wines by the Glass- which they can picnic with on the incredible patio. Bring your picnic, buy a glass or bottle of wine, and there you go! TR
Read More28 July 2010: heading over to Limerick Lane
Limerick Lane Cellars awaits me under a very warm sun- after all, it is summer, though has been hard to tell with the pervasive fog and gloomy mornings of late. I am meeting with Gina and Peter to discuss All Things Wine Road- they are busy! Couple comes in who joins the Wine Club and enjoy a tour of the barrels and the grounds a la Gina- including the cool pool. Delicious Zin and Syrah, Peter is master chef for Events; Gina brings a skill at marketing- the dynamic duo! TR
Read MoreTwo Wine Road Inns: Healdsburg: 27 July 2010
The perfect location for being right in the heart of Healdsburg: right on the Healdsburg Plaza, upstairs with a nice vista, a great combination of Victorian atmosphere and modern amenities and comfort, lovely common breakfast salon, warm innkeepers Jennifer and Wanda- yes, my first stop is the Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza. I remember this Inn from 1982 when it was owned and renovated by Jenny Jenkins, a long-ago supporter of Wine Road. Now the Inn has undergone a complete renovation and transformation and is one of the Four Sisters Inns. Warm inn, caring staff, comfortable accommodations, smashing breakfast- here are Jennifer and Wanda while we are working together at the front desk: Next stop is 2 blocks off the Plaza: Camellia Inn! I meet with Lucy Lewand,...
Read MoreWine Road Star Date72610: Geyserville
Starting the day at my favorite One Man Rock Star Show: Frick Winery, meeting with Bill Frick- who states that when other kids were playing cowboy, he was playing winemaker- he is King of the Rhone. Bill has extended summer hours there in the tasting room- he produces fantastic Rhone varietals. His Facebook postings are always extremely poetic- I leave with a Frick Cotes-du-Dry Creek- delicious- my new favorite. Heading back south to Geyserville- next stop: Geyserville Inn and Barry, Innkeeper/Concierge. Busy time of day with guests checking out and also asking for help with what they will be doing along the Wine Road. Geyserville Inn is lovely- nestled right in the vineyards, with a great pool, breakfast, accommodations and the Hoffman House right next door-...
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