13 April 2007
Set off at around 10 a.m. for Sonoma - the Wine Country! We called at the Visitor Centre for requisite badges and then after following a very poor map and one or two detours we ended up at our first winery called Benziger.
We had a really interesting tour to see where the grapes were grown and the machinery where they are processed then the man-made caves where the red wine is left to mature in oak barrels.
Then the interesting part of the day began with tasting of 5 different wines and then off to Sonoma Market for paninis for J,B & C, salad for M. We drove a short distance to the Jack London Estate Park where we picnicked and saw some cute lizards on a big rock! Then it was off to the next vineyard - Imagery. The wine labels were amazing - all done as very different works of art but each one incorporating a Greek temple which is the vinyard's logo. We tried another 5 wines each here - smiles all round! (some scarier than others!)
The final vineyard was just a stroll away and we sat in the sunshine tasting another 4 wines - not a bad end to the afternoon! Some competition for best photo of the day but I like the way that the rim of the glass lines up with the distant hills on this one.
We then set off for the town of Sonoma to our hotel for the night. French rustic style furniture and fittings (quaint according to J!) with a lobby which doubled up as the place for more free wine tasting - full glasses this time and as we seemed to be the only 'tasters' we were left alone well beyond the 6 p.m. limit and polished off a couple of bottles of a very acceptable Chardonnay. It was then off for a quick tour of the eating places that Sonoma had to offer. A Taste of the Himalayas won and proved a very successful option. Good food and only a stones throw away from the Irish Bar featuring a lady on guitar. Numerous rounds of beer, cider and Irish whisky followed whilst dominoes was the name of the game. Fortunately the hotel wasn't far away and everyone slept well that night!
14 April 2007
J & I did a tour of the town square before breakfast and found out about the flag of the bear being raised when the town became independent from the Mexicans. We breakfasted in the lobby on croissants, muffins and Danish pastries with juice, tea and coffee then walked down to the Mission and did a bit of cheese tasting on the way. A quick call to the Farmers' Market for strawberries then we set off back towards SF. Madeline driving as Ben felt less than 100% - just one Irish whisky too many? Highway 1 proved very elusive but after a stop at a store for picnic goodies Ben eventually found it and we headed for Muir Beach.
B found some fat orange starfish and anemones stuck to the rocks and M & I read and snoozed a little. We were conveniently located next to a seal skeleton on which we had a running commentary from the man next to us. M & B played a little Frisbee and ball and we picnicked on bread, ham, cheese (imported from England at great expense), chips (crisps), salsa, grapes and carrots. Ben then drove us to Muir Woods - interesting switchback road with ridiculous gradient. We were all amazed (some more than others) at the giant redwoods and spent a pleasant hour or so on the trail through the woods. On the way back we stopped at Marin Heights for photo shoot opportunities of the Golden Gate Bridge which looked truly splendid but it was incredibly windy and we had to get over the bridge before 6 p.m. During rush hour it is free to cross with 3 or more in the car!
After a nice cup of tea and a bit of a rest it was off to Mission district to try to find a Mexican meal! Parking anywhere near a restaurant proved impossible so we parked on a steep hill, walked back to Mission and found a small place to try a wide selection of very colourful Mexican food. Not sure what it all was but I am sure if you mentioned a particular Mexican ingredient then we had it! We found the car again then headed home at the end of a very busy day. And so to bed.
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