road tripping: wine country.
March 14, 2013 § 12 Comments
I’ve been in love with wine country from the moment I first saw The Parent Trap.
Come to think of it, I fell in love with a lot of different things when I first saw that movie: 12-year-old Lindsay Lohan, Natasha Richardson, Dennis Quaid, the idea of having a long-lost twin, the handshake, eating Oreos with peanut butter, having a pet Sammy and sailing on the QEII.
But calling Parker Knoll my home one day has always been a dream I don’t want to give up on. I mean, do you remember how big that basement wine cellar was?
I must say though, after visiting Sonoma, that place has definitely become a contender.
My awesome aunt and uncle live there so when they offered to host us for a day, Heather and I were ecstatic to accept! After spending the first half of the day doing a whole slew of different things, we visited three wineries and thanks to my uncle’s generosity and local connections all of our tastings were free! Bonus.
Dutton, Lynmar and Martin Ray were all so different and lovely in their own ways. Not to mention, we were the only ones at each tasting which was fantastic.
Apparently something like that is really rare in Napa where full tourist buses are always coming and going so it’s harder to get a real experience with the sommeliers. So I hear anyway!
The weather couldn’t have been more perfect, the scenery couldn’t have been more quintessential, and, as can be assumed, the wines were all so, so yummy. Sonoma for the wine.
We finished the day with a home-cooked backyard patio dinner chez relatives. The highlight: my aunt picked fresh peaches from her garden that we had for dessert. Bliss.
All photos © Lauren Alboini
I’m so happy you referenced Parent Trap–I feel in love with vineyards because of that movie, too! Gorgeous pictures
I’m so glad you make that connection too
Looks like a wonderful trip away!
x
Michelle
http://www.michellesstylefile.com
It really was :)
So beautiful! Jurg and I have done Napa and Santa Ynez valley, but Sonoma is still on our list :) Will definitely head to those wineries when we finally make it there.
xxx
Jenna
I’ve never heard of Santa Ynez, tell me more!
I actually grew up in Sonoma (although I live in LA county now) so I clearly think that Sonoma wines / experience it better than that of Napas :)
I like this a lot
Wow, beautiful trip to the wine country. My favorite is Napa Valley.
Napa’s so beautiful but I wish it wasn’t as busy!
Your trip looks like it was incredible! And LOVE that pink maxi! xx
Thank you :) And that it was!