I hit the Wine Road on Saturday with a picnic lunch and mineral waters, dressed in layers, banded in blue, glassed in 20th-Wineland-Anniversary-Glass, camera in hand and my favorite daughter, Annie, riding shotgun. Here is our route out of Healdsburg for this 20th Anniversary WINE-ART-EDUCATION Extravaganza- first the Alexander Valley- we head north on Highway 101 to the Cloverdale Blvd South Exit, immediate right to an immediate left on Asti Road to an immediate right on Santana to Valdez Family Winery, educational display, all the family on hand and delicious Valdez wines paired with foods from my favorite, Agave Mexican Restaurant & Tequila Bar, in Healdsburg:
Look for those classy Wine Road flags....They will guide you!
Valdez + Agave = Delicious Winter Wineland Treats
Still Life along Wine Road....
Valdez View to the East....
Annie and I hit Asti Road south, under the freeway on Zanzi Lane, to a left on Chianti Road to J. Rickards Winery and Pech Merle Winery- here is a potpourri of what we experienced:
View south from the parking area- Alexander Valley....
J. Rickards.
The mingling guests of J. Rickards and just around the corner, Pech Merle.
Next up, artwork of Rebecca Nase:
Rebecca Nase.
Mark Lifvendahl.
Ditto.
Friendly chap offerering Pech Merle- (also, kisses, if you need a kiss "to remember."....I told him that I will remember sans kiss....)
Even the water looks amazing!
Katya!
Paperwhites in Jim and Eliza Rickard's garden....Blue skies and warm temps belie January- but a storm, she is a-coming!
Annie and I head south on Chianti Road to Geyser Peak Winery and artist, Ellen Boulanger:
Annie Hollywooding it up at Geyser Peak.
By Ellen Boulanger.
Ellen Boulanger in Geyser Peak VIP tasting room.
Annie and I head south on Chianti Road, right on Canyon Road to Walling, to Frick Winery where hot dogs, ‘Smores, education and Frick Wines await!
Hollywood & Vine.
Most of our Wine Road winery members are ONLY open to Wine Road Event Participants during these three annual events....Group Decision!
Frick KNOWS....
Hots and 'Smores! Smoky!
Educational display AND Varietal Flash Cards....Sinuses (indentations) on grape leaves are VERY telling- Bill explains it so beautifully to me and Annie- we want to go out and found our own winery! Here is Syrah.
Wow- so easy to see the difference in the varietal grape leaves- well- at least, when Bill Frick explains it to us....Here is Cinsaut.
Annie, left, and Bill Frick, HIMSELF, right....
Wine Road and Bill Frick keeping you safe....
Annie and I head down Walling to Pedroncelli Winery:
Pedroncelli Event signs and Annie....
Annie and I head east/south through Geyserville to deLorimier Winery:
THE famous deLo fountain....
Good old deLo!
Annie and I head along 128 to Draxton Wines/Vintners Signatures:
Annie and I now head south and then east to Robert Young Estate Winery:
Winter Wineland Saturday is done…
Sunday 15 January 2012- I am on foot toward Hudson Street Wineries, also Bluenose, who have food and wine pairings and two cool art displays- Tiffany-like glass lamp creations and psychedelic poster art. The displays are arresting (Larry Brookins, Lost Art Glass Works and the posters, many owned by Hudson Street staffers)- where Bluenose winemaker, Paul Brasset, owns a Holy Grail with his poster from the beginnings- Ground Zero:
Paul Brasset, Bluenose and Hudson Street Wineries.
Just around the corner, at J. Keverson, architect/artist, Obie Bowman, is on display.
Obie Bowman....
Old Roma Station Wineries – how convenient!
Here’s a wrap on Winter Wineland 2012- my Wineland Fever is finally quelled; next up is Barrel Tasting!
Here’s looking at you, kids.
TR
Dearest Tracy, you simply must learn to somehow enjoy life a little bit. Always so down and uncheerful.
Thanks for including us!
John
My pleasure, John! You are right- I must stop being so like Eeyore…less thistles, more wine….TR
Great post Tracy! I almost said “You have the best job!” But I think a lot of us have the best jobs… =) Can’t wait to have you back for Barrel Tasting!
Thanks, Erin! Yes- I cannot believe how wonderful my job is with Wine Road…I positively love it! TR PS Yes- Here comes BT2012!