Wow, were we up to early today, 630! Am! Earlier than any day since Christmas season started. And it isn’t for work. Our daughter decided we should go wine tasting today. At 10am. In Healdsburg. That’s a two hour drive from our house to the winery. So, up very early. Nowadays you don’t show up, offhand, for a wine tasting. They are scheduled. I would have scheduled later, say, after lunch. This wine for breakfast time is nuts.
The traffic did not exist this morning. That was a nice change from the norm. Only 45 minute drive to Petaluma to meet Marika. Wow. And Marika has coffee waiting for us!!! Fantastic. We were at her house for a couple minutes and jumped in the car. Off to Jordan Winery in Healdsburg.
The traffic, again, did not exist. Fast drive. We made it almost on time. 1001. Not so bad.
I can’t remember the last time I was this far north on the 101. Maybe when Marika and I went to the Lost Coast a couple of years ago. Not sure. One thing I remember, it’s really cold up here. Today is no exception, it’s really cold.
We drove straight to the Jordan Winery. I not only have never been here, I have never heard of the winery. Sorry. Guess their marketing sucks.
The winery has a huge French Chateau as it’s main building. That’s where they do the tastings and make the wine. They built the chateau in the mid 70’s because they liked France. Weird why things happen the way they do.
Our tasting was scheduled for 10am. No walk ins at this place. We met in the formal library, very few books, for our first taste. We had a 14 and 16 Chardonnay. Neither was very remarkable. Our host talked about the wine, the vineyard, the owners, the winemaker and on and on. She likes her own voice.
They moved us into the more formal dining room. They had us set up to taste three more wines with a bread and cheese plate. And the food was fabulous. Very good. The three different Cabernets were not so good. The 2014 tasted like dirty water. Not good. Our host gave another long speech. Good for her. Again, food was great and the table was beautiful full linens and all. Just need better wine.
We left Jordan. Drove back to Healdsburg and on a whim stopped at Simi winery. I am familiar with their wine. Really great news, they gave us each a glass of bubbly to start off. It was ok. Not great. And I know great. Oh, I should mention, since Marika works in the industry, we get free tastings and discounts on wine and merchandise. So all wine here was free as well. All the wine here was also better than the last winery. And not anywhere near as fancy. Emily shopped their merchandise, I sat by the fire and fell asleep.
Next up we decided to walk through Healdsburg. But, once we got there, Emily decided we should have lunch. There were many choices and we picked a Tapas joint off the main drag. Not too bad, but like the rest of Healdsburg, it was expensive. 4 dishes for $56. We did enjoy it.
After lunch, we went on our self directed tour of downtown Healdsburg. The usual kind of thing, up one side of the street and down the opposite side. We bought nothing, just looked around. We did stop for coffee at one point. Not to bad. We had a nice time.
In order to miss traffic, which is awful in 101, we left for Petaluma and Marikas house. I fell asleep in the car. So the drive was perfect.
Got to Petaluma and had to use the boys room. Emily was ready to go home immediately. Sorry, when nature calls I must respond. Didn’t take too long, I know what I’m doing.
I went back out, Emily was waiting in the car. Marika was sitting with her, keeping her company. We made our goodbyes and drove away. Marika went for a walk. She is good for exercise.
Again, staying with a theme, the traffic was very light all the way home. I live right. Must be all the clean living. No laughing, it’s true-ish.
Home. Watered the dogs. Sat down and relaxed. Watched the news. I hate the news. A complete waste of time most days. By the time the news is over, you have forgotten what they talked about. The news is a waste. But it did use up time. Enough time to get us to the dinner hour which helps.
We went out for Pho tonight. There is a great place near our house which is handy. Tonight was the second time this week we went there. Nothing special, just good food, cheap.
Back home we watched TV for awhile, maybe an hour. No news. And off to bed. Tomorrow, we have to be up early to be in Auburn by 830 to see four houses. Bedtime.