Holidays Along Wine Road

Photo credit Laura O’Hanesian   laurao14@comcast.net

Holidays Along Wine Road

Writing this just before Thanksgiving, still on a high from the most incredibly well-received, successful A Wine & Food Affair we have ever had!  The cookbooks actually sold out with the advance pre-sale tickets- that has never happened before in all these 11 years of the event.  Wineries and guests alike were very happy with the success of the event- it was great fun!  Suspect that being on Facebook may have spread the word about the event better than ever before- and also, with the economy in such a state but starting to right itself, the event may have been recognized as a great deal- an economic way to have a great time up here.  Next stop, Winter Wineland- tickets went up on sale just as soon as AW&FA ended- so we are in the midst of our busiest Wine Road time as we careen towards Barrel Tasting in March—but first, must have the holidays!

Just spent a great day out in the Alexander Valley last week with a great group of concierges from the Bay Area escorted up here by Rick Spear of Blue Heron Tours- Wine Road has worked with him for years to spread the word about our lovely Wine Road.  I guess I just don’t get out enough- visited Field Stone, White Oak, lunch at Jimtown then up to deLorimier- wow- I had a blast, as did they- and it made me feel so grateful to actually live here- the vines were brilliant, the sky was hard, cold blue- and we were sprinkled with rain.  I realized today that the weather really has turned colder- at least for here.  We have had great color in the vineyards and surrounding foliage- even have had guests inquire about Leaf Peeping which I really thought was only East Coast, but I guess it occurs now wherever leaves become inspiring- always makes me think of Pookie Adams in THE STERILE CUCKOO who opined that the leaves were only lovely because they were dying—and that is true, though they will be back in the Spring.  For now the days are growing shorter and the weather calls for comfort foods, wines, warm fireplaces and celebrations with family and friends.

Many of our member wineries and lodgings really deck the halls with festive decorations, warm fireplaces, wine specials, lodging specials- you name it- all on our website, www.wineroad.com under Events and also Lodging Specials- members add to the stuff all the time so check back often to get the latest information.  We also have the Holiday Hours up on our website so that you can better plan your trip up—always best to call ahead when in doubt as holiday times can be changeable and everyone wants to take the time off to see family.  It is a fun time to visit us- so quiet, velvet dark nights, the smell of the earth resting as the solstice approaches.  Then comes the New Year- remember: wine is the soul of the Wine Road- be sure to toast the holidays with a remembrance of us in a bottle!