Both of these videos came into my life today, and both have made me very happy. You will feel the same, I assure you.
Enjoy
Caine's Arcade from Nirvan Mullick on Vimeo.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Spring Shopping Fever
Ah....I am hesitant to say this, as certainly the tides will turn once I finish typing the words, but Spring has arrived here in Chicago. This time last year we still had snow on the ground and I was proudly rocking my sleeping bag coat. Not this year pretty people! The sun has been out, the temps are a risin', and the people of Chicago are loving it. I have to give it to Chicagoans, we do not mess around when the weather is warm.
I have received notice that they have been shipped, and I am already terrified that I will be met with the same fate. Time will tell.
When I set out to begin my new wardrobe rebuild I remembered my super stylish friend Laura imparting upon me that "while accessories may feel like a superflous thing, they can make an outfit." Wise words, Laura, very wise words indeed. Think about it, you could have a closet full of white, grey and back T-shirts, but add different scarves, necklaces, earrings, shoes...you name it, you have turned your outfit from drab...to fab! So I made a promise to myself that anytime I purchased an item of clothing I would purchase an accessory as well. None of these would be expensive, but they will pay off big in the long run. Here are two of my recent finds:
While I may never have been great at putting entire ensembles together, I have always had a soft spot for a great shoe. I mean what girl doesn't? There are few greater joys than strutting down the street in a new pair of heels/flats/wedges/boots/you-name-it. The great thing about new footwear is, if taken care of, they can last you for years. I am always willing to shell out a little more for shoes. What can I say? I am a firm believer in taking care of your feet.
Last year I fell in love with Tom's. Everyone at work had them, and while they looked kind of flimsy my colleagues assured me they were so comfortable, so ordered a darling pair of red slip on's to try. It didn't take long for me to drink the Kool-aid. They are deceptively simple looking shoes, but they provide great support. Plus, for every pair you buy Tom's donates a pair to a child in need. It's charity and consumerism rolled into a fashionable ball of happiness.
So today, I just thought I would pop over to the website just to peruse their new offerings, when I came across these beauties:
I wasn't necessarily in the market for a pair of muted animal print ballet flats, but they caught my eye and I couldn't look away! I read somewhere that every woman needs a little animal print in her wardrobe, and while I am not 100% convinced of that theory, this certainly piqued my interest. In the end I was powerless to resist their adorableness and found myself pressing the buy button.
Plus would you check out this amazingness?
I already have the top shoes in Red and Grey (yes I ended up purchasing a second pair this summer) but Olive and Navy would round out my collection quite nicely. Also would you check out those wedges? i mean, could you not just die? They are so cute that I really can't pick out a favorite of these three, nor would I want to.
See, I am a fool for shoes.
In addition to some fun summer flair, I am also creating a list...oh who am I kidding, I have a spreadsheet ok!....of what I would like to call "investment pieces." Classic items which will stand the test of time. While I am no high roller, I would certainly be willing to spend a little more on these items to ensure quality of construction.
A few of these items include:
A classic Jean Jacket. I used to have one and I am not sure where it is now, but I have been feeling the pangs of desire for a replacement. I came across this cutie at Piperlime, and again found myself powerless in it's presence. So I can cross this item off my list. However I think this is a great purchase for Spring and will carry me into the fall for sure (See what I just did there? It's called the "justification of ones frivolity").
Don't you just love a good Trench Coat? A perfect Fall and Spring staple that can be dressed up and down. I have my eye on one at Banana Republic, but it will be a little while before I can shell out the dough for it. Good to have goals, I say.
A timeless, quilted, quilted, black leather shoulder bag is truly an investment. Luxurious, yet practical. Simple, yet statement making. I am already considering asking Santa for it (ahem).
There are some other items as well, such as the perfect Nude Pump, a fabulous pair of Dark Washed, Fitted Jeans, and of coure the quintessential Little Black Dress. I feel investment items require patience. You shouldn't jump at the first item you see, but rather wait till the right one comes along.
Do you have any wardrobe must haves? Any new trends you are itching to try?
With this change of season, I am looking to do a little
changing of my own. You see my entire life I have always desired to be a well
dressed gal, but I seem to lack the essential skills to put together a decent
wardrobe. I think I have good taste, but I don’t really have style. Does that make sense? I know what I think looks good, but I don’t
know how to put it all together. To me that’s what makes someone a stylish
individual: Put Togetherness. I find myself getting in
fashion ruts, wearing the same faded tops over and over again. Standing in my
closet every morning just looking at the clothes hanging lifelessly on the
hangers. There have been times when I
have just thought “I suppose I will never be a great dresser.”
However if plants that lay dormant for months at a time can
bloom once again, I figure it’s never to late for me to try to revamp my look.
So here we go!
I am not one to follow trends that will last one minute, but I
really couldn’t help getting on the bright colored pants bandwagon. They. Are. Everywhere. On billboards, in magazines, walking down the streets. So this is
one trend where I say “If you can’t beat em’! Join em’!” I am kind of digging the bold colors, and you
can find lots of affordable options.
I had originally ordered two pairs from Old Navy, but, as I
mentioned a few posts back, when they arrived I found myself unable to button
them.
Battered and bruised from that experience I thought I would stay
off the trendsetting train, but a few days ago I found myself on the Forever 21 site ordering these
two lovelies.
I have received notice that they have been shipped, and I am already terrified that I will be met with the same fate. Time will tell.
When I set out to begin my new wardrobe rebuild I remembered my super stylish friend Laura imparting upon me that "while accessories may feel like a superflous thing, they can make an outfit." Wise words, Laura, very wise words indeed. Think about it, you could have a closet full of white, grey and back T-shirts, but add different scarves, necklaces, earrings, shoes...you name it, you have turned your outfit from drab...to fab! So I made a promise to myself that anytime I purchased an item of clothing I would purchase an accessory as well. None of these would be expensive, but they will pay off big in the long run. Here are two of my recent finds:
 |
| See? What did I tell ya? From Drab to Fab! |
 |
| I do love a good scarf. |
Last year I fell in love with Tom's. Everyone at work had them, and while they looked kind of flimsy my colleagues assured me they were so comfortable, so ordered a darling pair of red slip on's to try. It didn't take long for me to drink the Kool-aid. They are deceptively simple looking shoes, but they provide great support. Plus, for every pair you buy Tom's donates a pair to a child in need. It's charity and consumerism rolled into a fashionable ball of happiness.
So today, I just thought I would pop over to the website just to peruse their new offerings, when I came across these beauties:
I wasn't necessarily in the market for a pair of muted animal print ballet flats, but they caught my eye and I couldn't look away! I read somewhere that every woman needs a little animal print in her wardrobe, and while I am not 100% convinced of that theory, this certainly piqued my interest. In the end I was powerless to resist their adorableness and found myself pressing the buy button.
Plus would you check out this amazingness?
I already have the top shoes in Red and Grey (yes I ended up purchasing a second pair this summer) but Olive and Navy would round out my collection quite nicely. Also would you check out those wedges? i mean, could you not just die? They are so cute that I really can't pick out a favorite of these three, nor would I want to.
See, I am a fool for shoes.
In addition to some fun summer flair, I am also creating a list...oh who am I kidding, I have a spreadsheet ok!....of what I would like to call "investment pieces." Classic items which will stand the test of time. While I am no high roller, I would certainly be willing to spend a little more on these items to ensure quality of construction.
A few of these items include:
A classic Jean Jacket. I used to have one and I am not sure where it is now, but I have been feeling the pangs of desire for a replacement. I came across this cutie at Piperlime, and again found myself powerless in it's presence. So I can cross this item off my list. However I think this is a great purchase for Spring and will carry me into the fall for sure (See what I just did there? It's called the "justification of ones frivolity").
Don't you just love a good Trench Coat? A perfect Fall and Spring staple that can be dressed up and down. I have my eye on one at Banana Republic, but it will be a little while before I can shell out the dough for it. Good to have goals, I say.
A timeless, quilted, quilted, black leather shoulder bag is truly an investment. Luxurious, yet practical. Simple, yet statement making. I am already considering asking Santa for it (ahem).
There are some other items as well, such as the perfect Nude Pump, a fabulous pair of Dark Washed, Fitted Jeans, and of coure the quintessential Little Black Dress. I feel investment items require patience. You shouldn't jump at the first item you see, but rather wait till the right one comes along.
Do you have any wardrobe must haves? Any new trends you are itching to try?
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Facing Death
I am not sure what it is, but as I age (sigh) I seem to become more fearful about meeting my demise in a horrific way. For example, despite my desire for adventure, air travel makes me very uneasy. Take off's, landing and turbulence make my heart race and my stomach flip. It's a strange new development and I only hope that I don't develop agoraphobia in the coming decade.
The newest paranoia I have developed is a fear of elevators, which is problematic considering I work on the 25th floor. In all fairness, before you are ready to commit me, lots of people in my office are fearful of the lift's in this building. They have a tendency to open their doors before they are fully level with the floor they are letting you out on. Plus the bank I have to travel are express elevators so you shoot up and it makes your ears pop...always slightly unnerving.
Well a few days ago I received a message in my inbox that I had mail on the 24th floor. Normally I would take the stairs to travel such a short distance between floors, however you can't do that in my building for reasons I am unclear of. So I step into the carrier of death, press the button (side note: I am always embarrassed when I take any elevator only one floor, it makes me feel lazy and like people are judging me), and it's doors shut. There is another guy in the elevator who I do not know (surly he must be judging me) and I fixate my eyes on the green numbers that change with each floor. I see it tick over from 25 to 24 as the carrier starts to slow down and stop. However instead on the doors opening to let me out safely, the door remain shut and then the entire thing drops. How far I am not sure, it was likely only a foot or more but it was enough to make your stomach turn thus causing me to grab the side rail in terror. I turned to look at my fellow passenger and he huffs
"What just happened?"
I squeak back "It didn't stop on the 24th floor."
"That was terrifying" he exhales, "The elevators in this building make me hate all elevators."
I nod in agreement, but my heart is still trembling in fear because I have no choice but to get right back in and travel up another 24 floors.
That night I did the StairMaster at the gym and climbed almost 80 floors.
The newest paranoia I have developed is a fear of elevators, which is problematic considering I work on the 25th floor. In all fairness, before you are ready to commit me, lots of people in my office are fearful of the lift's in this building. They have a tendency to open their doors before they are fully level with the floor they are letting you out on. Plus the bank I have to travel are express elevators so you shoot up and it makes your ears pop...always slightly unnerving.
Well a few days ago I received a message in my inbox that I had mail on the 24th floor. Normally I would take the stairs to travel such a short distance between floors, however you can't do that in my building for reasons I am unclear of. So I step into the carrier of death, press the button (side note: I am always embarrassed when I take any elevator only one floor, it makes me feel lazy and like people are judging me), and it's doors shut. There is another guy in the elevator who I do not know (surly he must be judging me) and I fixate my eyes on the green numbers that change with each floor. I see it tick over from 25 to 24 as the carrier starts to slow down and stop. However instead on the doors opening to let me out safely, the door remain shut and then the entire thing drops. How far I am not sure, it was likely only a foot or more but it was enough to make your stomach turn thus causing me to grab the side rail in terror. I turned to look at my fellow passenger and he huffs
"What just happened?"
I squeak back "It didn't stop on the 24th floor."
"That was terrifying" he exhales, "The elevators in this building make me hate all elevators."
I nod in agreement, but my heart is still trembling in fear because I have no choice but to get right back in and travel up another 24 floors.
That night I did the StairMaster at the gym and climbed almost 80 floors.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
The Least We Can Do
I am issuing a challenge to you all. Please take a half hour out of your day to watch this video. Once you are done please share it in any way that you can
Let's make KONY Famous.
Let's make KONY Famous.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Tube Obsessions
For some reason I always seem to be a little behind the eight ball when it comes to discovering fantastic television. Everybody around me, and usually my husband as well, will be on the train while I am out in the station parking lot. Eventually I start to see posts about (fill in the blank with said brilliant TV show) on Facebook and Twitter, then I ask Jürg if he watches the show, in which he usually replies "yes", then I ask if I will like it, in which he usually replies "possibly." Helpful.
I like to compartmentalize as many things in my life as possible. Order and routine, it's what makes my world go round. So when it comes to TV I choose to be very focused about what I will watch at any given time. When I love a show, I really love a show, and I get very invested in the story and characters. I can't spread myself too thin, these people need my full attention.
Since I always appreciate a good recommendation, I am here to share with you some of my recent and current TV obsessions.
I am not sure how I missed the Friday Night Lights train completely, but I didn't even hear about it until after the series finale when everyone and their mother was posting Clear Eyes. Full Hearts. Can't Lose. on their Facebook profiles. After a few more months I finally decided to watch it (perhaps on a Friday, I can't remember) with Jürg to see what it was all about. One episode and I was hooked. Within days I was doing anything I could to fit in an episode or two. I would scream at the television as if I was watching a live football game (and as if I actually cared about football for that matter) and I would find myself saying things like "Man, I wonder how they are gonna do next Friday against (fill in the blank with whatever team they were set to play)." I would become enraged when Coach Taylor was served any sort of injustice, prompting Jürg to remind me on several occasions "Blair, it's a TV show, there needs to be some drama."
This is going to sound incredibly far fetched and cheesy, but I stand behind it: Watching Friday Night Lights actually made me a better person. I'm not joking, this is how deeply the show touched me. I remember before I started the finale episode, I had tears streaming down my face and crying "I'm just not ready to day goodbye." I always knew it was fiction, but the people of Dillion, TX were real to me. That speaks volumes of the acting which took place on the show. If you have ever felt passionately about something, if you have ever been a parent, if you have ever been a teacher or coach, basically if you have ever lived FNL will touch you in some way.
I scoured YouTube for this speech, and this is the only video I could find. Please forgive the quality and the subtitles, but it's just a tiny example of how powerful the show can be.
Over Christmas break I tried to get my parents into the show and I am sad to say they haven't jumped on the bandwagon. According to them they just can't understand why people care so much about football. I am confused how they can get behind shows where high school science teachers cook crystal meth, where Chicago mayors incriminate their own daughters and abuse their wives, and totally formulaic crime dramas where you can call the ending at the start of every program, and not behind a football team, but c'est la vie.
So basically over Christmas I learned that my parents have no soul. They are soul-less. I feel sad for them.
Speaking of Crystal Meth, despite my snarky comment above, Breaking Bad is actually an incredible show. I finally finished it this past weekend, and while I am eager to see where the show goes after this season, I am glad to have a break. See, Breaking Bad is no feel go program by any means, on the contrary it's very stressful. There were a few times when I had to grab a pillow and scream into it to calm myself down. It's also pretty violent, and I am just not one for fighting, can't we all just get along? However, despite the high blood pressure inducing storyline, this is again a tremendous display of acting. The work of Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul is, dare I say it, genius. Their complex relationship makes the show worth it.
This show affected me to the point where it would invade my dreams. The most memorable dream being the one where I was cooking Crystal Meth with the Duggar Family. What?!?!
I came across this video on, and it made me laugh. If you haven't seen the show it probably won't resonate with you, but I appreciated the levity.
Well we are 34 days away from the much anticipated fifth season of Mad Men (another brilliant AMC program). I began watching during the third season and found myself so enthralled at the going's on at Sterling-Cooper that I started watching the first three seasons simultaneously, which admittedly was a bit confusing at times but totally worth it.
I love so many things about Mad Men: The fabulous late 1960's early 1970's costumes and decor. Don Draper's charisma in the conference room. Everything Christina Hendricks says and does...the list goes on. It's a flawless ensemble and I am so intrigued to see where Season 5 picks up. I wouldn't classify Mad Men as stressful, but it is addictive. Plus it gives you an excuse to make an Old Fashioned and other mid-century era cocktails on a Sunday night, because that's just how they did things back then.
Bring it, March 25th, I am so ready for you.
My current (as of Sunday evening) TV obsession is the deliciously British Downton Abbey. I am only three episodes in (ssshhh! no spoilers please!) so I suppose I cannot claim fanatic status yet, but anything with Maggie... I'm sorry Dame Maggie... Smith in it will grab my attention for at least one episode.
If you have ever seen the film Gosford Park (if you haven't add it to your Netflix queue right quick!) it's basically the same premise on the small screen. I love the exploration of the waitstaff vs the nobility. I love the costumes, the English countryside and the torrid love affairs that happen behind closed doors. With only seven episodes in a season I imagine I will be caught up in no time.
In honor of the Dame, I present you this video:
Brilliant!
Do you have any recent or current TV obsessions?
I like to compartmentalize as many things in my life as possible. Order and routine, it's what makes my world go round. So when it comes to TV I choose to be very focused about what I will watch at any given time. When I love a show, I really love a show, and I get very invested in the story and characters. I can't spread myself too thin, these people need my full attention.
Since I always appreciate a good recommendation, I am here to share with you some of my recent and current TV obsessions.
I am not sure how I missed the Friday Night Lights train completely, but I didn't even hear about it until after the series finale when everyone and their mother was posting Clear Eyes. Full Hearts. Can't Lose. on their Facebook profiles. After a few more months I finally decided to watch it (perhaps on a Friday, I can't remember) with Jürg to see what it was all about. One episode and I was hooked. Within days I was doing anything I could to fit in an episode or two. I would scream at the television as if I was watching a live football game (and as if I actually cared about football for that matter) and I would find myself saying things like "Man, I wonder how they are gonna do next Friday against (fill in the blank with whatever team they were set to play)." I would become enraged when Coach Taylor was served any sort of injustice, prompting Jürg to remind me on several occasions "Blair, it's a TV show, there needs to be some drama."
This is going to sound incredibly far fetched and cheesy, but I stand behind it: Watching Friday Night Lights actually made me a better person. I'm not joking, this is how deeply the show touched me. I remember before I started the finale episode, I had tears streaming down my face and crying "I'm just not ready to day goodbye." I always knew it was fiction, but the people of Dillion, TX were real to me. That speaks volumes of the acting which took place on the show. If you have ever felt passionately about something, if you have ever been a parent, if you have ever been a teacher or coach, basically if you have ever lived FNL will touch you in some way.
I scoured YouTube for this speech, and this is the only video I could find. Please forgive the quality and the subtitles, but it's just a tiny example of how powerful the show can be.
Over Christmas break I tried to get my parents into the show and I am sad to say they haven't jumped on the bandwagon. According to them they just can't understand why people care so much about football. I am confused how they can get behind shows where high school science teachers cook crystal meth, where Chicago mayors incriminate their own daughters and abuse their wives, and totally formulaic crime dramas where you can call the ending at the start of every program, and not behind a football team, but c'est la vie.
So basically over Christmas I learned that my parents have no soul. They are soul-less. I feel sad for them.
Speaking of Crystal Meth, despite my snarky comment above, Breaking Bad is actually an incredible show. I finally finished it this past weekend, and while I am eager to see where the show goes after this season, I am glad to have a break. See, Breaking Bad is no feel go program by any means, on the contrary it's very stressful. There were a few times when I had to grab a pillow and scream into it to calm myself down. It's also pretty violent, and I am just not one for fighting, can't we all just get along? However, despite the high blood pressure inducing storyline, this is again a tremendous display of acting. The work of Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul is, dare I say it, genius. Their complex relationship makes the show worth it.
This show affected me to the point where it would invade my dreams. The most memorable dream being the one where I was cooking Crystal Meth with the Duggar Family. What?!?!
I came across this video on, and it made me laugh. If you haven't seen the show it probably won't resonate with you, but I appreciated the levity.
Well we are 34 days away from the much anticipated fifth season of Mad Men (another brilliant AMC program). I began watching during the third season and found myself so enthralled at the going's on at Sterling-Cooper that I started watching the first three seasons simultaneously, which admittedly was a bit confusing at times but totally worth it.
I love so many things about Mad Men: The fabulous late 1960's early 1970's costumes and decor. Don Draper's charisma in the conference room. Everything Christina Hendricks says and does...the list goes on. It's a flawless ensemble and I am so intrigued to see where Season 5 picks up. I wouldn't classify Mad Men as stressful, but it is addictive. Plus it gives you an excuse to make an Old Fashioned and other mid-century era cocktails on a Sunday night, because that's just how they did things back then.
Bring it, March 25th, I am so ready for you.
My current (as of Sunday evening) TV obsession is the deliciously British Downton Abbey. I am only three episodes in (ssshhh! no spoilers please!) so I suppose I cannot claim fanatic status yet, but anything with Maggie... I'm sorry Dame Maggie... Smith in it will grab my attention for at least one episode.
If you have ever seen the film Gosford Park (if you haven't add it to your Netflix queue right quick!) it's basically the same premise on the small screen. I love the exploration of the waitstaff vs the nobility. I love the costumes, the English countryside and the torrid love affairs that happen behind closed doors. With only seven episodes in a season I imagine I will be caught up in no time.
In honor of the Dame, I present you this video:
Brilliant!
Do you have any recent or current TV obsessions?
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Thoughtful Thursdays
It's a quiet night on the homefront. Just me, a glass of wine and two kitties. Here are some thoughts I would like to share.
1) I am a tad confused as to why this was the panel chosen to testify on women's health considering the somewhat obvious fact that NONE OF THEM ARE WOMEN?!? If we want less abortions in this country should we really be questioning women's ability to receive contraceptives? The stupidity confounds me.
2) On a happier and less oppressive note, Chicago is such a pretty city. I snapped this photo really quickly but it just made my heart swell. Even after ten and half years I still find myself thinking "I live here?"
3) I was excited to receive two pairs of these delightfully colored jeans from Old Navy today, only to try them on and not even be able to button them. It was....humbling?....to say the least.
4) You should read this article right away. It's so lovely.
5) Is there a picture more wonderful than this? I think not.
1) I am a tad confused as to why this was the panel chosen to testify on women's health considering the somewhat obvious fact that NONE OF THEM ARE WOMEN?!? If we want less abortions in this country should we really be questioning women's ability to receive contraceptives? The stupidity confounds me.
2) On a happier and less oppressive note, Chicago is such a pretty city. I snapped this photo really quickly but it just made my heart swell. Even after ten and half years I still find myself thinking "I live here?"
4) You should read this article right away. It's so lovely.
5) Is there a picture more wonderful than this? I think not.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Please Don't Tell
Sssssshhhhhh....
Don't tell Jürg where I hid his Valentines Day present this morning (it's in the Lazy Susan)
We'll see how long it takes him to find it.
It's this book.
In the meantime, have a love filled day everyone!
Don't tell Jürg where I hid his Valentines Day present this morning (it's in the Lazy Susan)
We'll see how long it takes him to find it.
It's this book.
In the meantime, have a love filled day everyone!
Friday, February 10, 2012
Happy Friday!
It's Friday and I thought it wise to share some adorableness with all of you.
This is my sweet friend Jess Godwin. She is super talented and I am in awe of her on a regular basis. You will be too.
Enjoy!
This is my sweet friend Jess Godwin. She is super talented and I am in awe of her on a regular basis. You will be too.
Enjoy!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Spring(ish) Cleaning
Hi Friends!
I recently had an itch to freshen things up around here. Not sure where it came from but I have the urge to scratch. I have been playing around with Blogger's settings and realizing that I am pretty illiterate when it comes to computers, but I shall continue to futz with some settings and layouts. Things have been starting to feel a bit stale and I could use some spice in my life. The blog seems like a nice place to start.
Today I am in a bad mood. Some will roll their eyes when I admit why, but I must stand behind my feelings. I am pissed off that Edward Lee was eliminated from Top Chef last night. Sure, roll your eyes, but no one rolled their eyes at the Patriots fans when their team didn't win the Super Bowl. Some cheer on players, I cheer on Chef's. It's just how I like to do things.
As a Louisvillain I couldn't help but root for Mr. Lee, and I just don't think he was treated fairly. I won't rant and rave too much because if you aren't a fan of Top Chef it won't mean much to you, but it's not often that the Louisville food scene is recognized on a national level. We were robbed!
However, I have had the pleasure of eating at Edward Lee's restaurant and I have a picture to prove it. Please ignore how terrible I look.
Ed, I tip my hat to you! You wore fabulous T's, had some of the best one liners of the season and, most of all, made incredible food. I will be back to 610 Magnolia, you can count on that.
In other news, despite reports to the contrary, Chicago has had a stupidly mild winter thus far. Certainly the mere typing of that sentence will reverse weather patterns and I will regret ever having thought it. But seriously it's been so easy.
My sister-in-law texted me today asking how things were going and I replied "Things are fine...pretty boring to be honest." To which she responded "Haha you always say boring."
It's true though. I am pretty bored. I shouldn't complain because I am healthy and all, but I am sort of wondering "what's next?" I spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer at work, and while I am starting to go on more auditions I just sort of wonder what I am supposed to be doing with my life. I feel a tad directionless and it's unnerving. I still want to perform but I am not filled with the verve and vigor I once was. I find myself spending hours thinking about what kind of window treatments I would like for my living room and I think "what is happening to me?!?!" I am hoping to regain some focus in the weeks and months to come.
Well, this isn't the most exciting blog post I have ever written, but I just wanted to give ya'll a quick check in. Have a wonderful weekend!
I recently had an itch to freshen things up around here. Not sure where it came from but I have the urge to scratch. I have been playing around with Blogger's settings and realizing that I am pretty illiterate when it comes to computers, but I shall continue to futz with some settings and layouts. Things have been starting to feel a bit stale and I could use some spice in my life. The blog seems like a nice place to start.
Today I am in a bad mood. Some will roll their eyes when I admit why, but I must stand behind my feelings. I am pissed off that Edward Lee was eliminated from Top Chef last night. Sure, roll your eyes, but no one rolled their eyes at the Patriots fans when their team didn't win the Super Bowl. Some cheer on players, I cheer on Chef's. It's just how I like to do things.
As a Louisvillain I couldn't help but root for Mr. Lee, and I just don't think he was treated fairly. I won't rant and rave too much because if you aren't a fan of Top Chef it won't mean much to you, but it's not often that the Louisville food scene is recognized on a national level. We were robbed!
However, I have had the pleasure of eating at Edward Lee's restaurant and I have a picture to prove it. Please ignore how terrible I look.
Ed, I tip my hat to you! You wore fabulous T's, had some of the best one liners of the season and, most of all, made incredible food. I will be back to 610 Magnolia, you can count on that.
In other news, despite reports to the contrary, Chicago has had a stupidly mild winter thus far. Certainly the mere typing of that sentence will reverse weather patterns and I will regret ever having thought it. But seriously it's been so easy.
My sister-in-law texted me today asking how things were going and I replied "Things are fine...pretty boring to be honest." To which she responded "Haha you always say boring."
It's true though. I am pretty bored. I shouldn't complain because I am healthy and all, but I am sort of wondering "what's next?" I spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer at work, and while I am starting to go on more auditions I just sort of wonder what I am supposed to be doing with my life. I feel a tad directionless and it's unnerving. I still want to perform but I am not filled with the verve and vigor I once was. I find myself spending hours thinking about what kind of window treatments I would like for my living room and I think "what is happening to me?!?!" I am hoping to regain some focus in the weeks and months to come.
Well, this isn't the most exciting blog post I have ever written, but I just wanted to give ya'll a quick check in. Have a wonderful weekend!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Wrapping it Up
Having looked forward to this trip for so long, I knew the last days would be bittersweet, and so I purposely planned for our final vineyard visit to be the most memorable.
Heibel Ranch Vineyards
I read about Heibel Ranch Vineyards in an old volume of Food and Wine, and while it certainly wasn't the first (nor will it be the last) winery I have drooled over in the magazines glossy pages, this one definitely caught my attention. Heibel Ranch isn't your typical wine country tour, but rather a full on excursion.
Located over an hour away from central Napa you have to take some pretty sharp and steep turns to ride up the the top of the mountain where the vineyard is located. Upon arrival you are greeted by Trent, the brainchild behind the winery, whereupon you hop into his open air Jeep straight out of 1950. From there you are taken on a bumpy, yet picturesque ride through his property while his yellow lab runs beside you. You won't find an experience like this anyplace else.
After your Jeep Tour you get to drink (no three ounce pours here!) his fantastic wine accompanied with local Bouchon Bakery bread, salami, cheese and olives. Our tasting included an incredible Sauvingon Blanc... officially the best we had on our trip and a decadent Cabernet/ Zinfandel/ Petite Syrah blend called Lappas. I would have taken both home but we only had space for one more bottle, so we settled on the Sauvingnon Blanc, but I am keeping my eye on this vineyard. They are very young with a very bright future.
If you travel to Napa, vist Heibel Ranch. I simply can't be any more blunt about it.
It was a perfect day, for a perfect tour and a perfect ending to an incredible trip.
On our drive back to San Francsico we made a quick stop at the Culinary Institute of America, which has a gift shop that will make any foodie swoon.
Then it was back to San Fran for us where we returned our trusty hatchback and hopped onto the BART towards Berkley where we would spend our final night pretending to be MBA students with Brittany and Phil. We had a lovely sushi dinner and got to hob nob with her classmates over Mojitos. Not a bad final night at all. The next morning despite some plumbing issues in her apartment (boo!) Brittany gave us a little walking tour of campus before we headed to the airport, six wine bottles heavier then when we arrived.
No matter how much you enjoy your trip, it is always nice to get home, especially when you have to furry felines to greet you at the door. However, even though months have passed this trip still hasn't left me. It's memories hit me at random moments: On a crowded El car, glancing out the window at work, settling into a couch with a glass of red in hand. Our time out West was not only the stuff that dreams are made of, but it planted the seed for dreams of the future.
I am not sure just when I will make it back there but I don't just feel, I know, that I am not done with California and it's glorious wine country.
Heibel Ranch Vineyards
I read about Heibel Ranch Vineyards in an old volume of Food and Wine, and while it certainly wasn't the first (nor will it be the last) winery I have drooled over in the magazines glossy pages, this one definitely caught my attention. Heibel Ranch isn't your typical wine country tour, but rather a full on excursion.
Located over an hour away from central Napa you have to take some pretty sharp and steep turns to ride up the the top of the mountain where the vineyard is located. Upon arrival you are greeted by Trent, the brainchild behind the winery, whereupon you hop into his open air Jeep straight out of 1950. From there you are taken on a bumpy, yet picturesque ride through his property while his yellow lab runs beside you. You won't find an experience like this anyplace else.
After your Jeep Tour you get to drink (no three ounce pours here!) his fantastic wine accompanied with local Bouchon Bakery bread, salami, cheese and olives. Our tasting included an incredible Sauvingon Blanc... officially the best we had on our trip and a decadent Cabernet/ Zinfandel/ Petite Syrah blend called Lappas. I would have taken both home but we only had space for one more bottle, so we settled on the Sauvingnon Blanc, but I am keeping my eye on this vineyard. They are very young with a very bright future.
If you travel to Napa, vist Heibel Ranch. I simply can't be any more blunt about it.
It was a perfect day, for a perfect tour and a perfect ending to an incredible trip.
On our drive back to San Francsico we made a quick stop at the Culinary Institute of America, which has a gift shop that will make any foodie swoon.
Then it was back to San Fran for us where we returned our trusty hatchback and hopped onto the BART towards Berkley where we would spend our final night pretending to be MBA students with Brittany and Phil. We had a lovely sushi dinner and got to hob nob with her classmates over Mojitos. Not a bad final night at all. The next morning despite some plumbing issues in her apartment (boo!) Brittany gave us a little walking tour of campus before we headed to the airport, six wine bottles heavier then when we arrived.
No matter how much you enjoy your trip, it is always nice to get home, especially when you have to furry felines to greet you at the door. However, even though months have passed this trip still hasn't left me. It's memories hit me at random moments: On a crowded El car, glancing out the window at work, settling into a couch with a glass of red in hand. Our time out West was not only the stuff that dreams are made of, but it planted the seed for dreams of the future.
I am not sure just when I will make it back there but I don't just feel, I know, that I am not done with California and it's glorious wine country.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Four Days in Heaven (Days 3 and 4)
Day 3
I arose out of my food induced slumber feeling remarkably well. Perhaps Fois Gras is the key to kicking a cold, but whatever did the trick I wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. No sir, not when you are attempting to visit six(!) wineries in one day.
First Stop: V Sattui Winery
We stopped at V Sattui first for a couple of reasons. One, they opened at 9am (atypical as most places don't crack their doors till 10) and two they are known to have a great deli where you can pick up some sustenance for your travels. Well the rumors are true, they do have a very nice deli with a wide array of cheeses, domestic and imported, deli meats, oils and vinegars. However the wine that they make...it's swill. Seriously, not great stuff. In fairness I will say that our wine guide was very nice and let us taste some extra stuff but nothing was great, and a lot of it wasn't even good. V Sattui is sort of the Times Square of Napa, all the tour buses stop there and they have a gift shop full of all kinds of items with their name on it. Go for the deli, don't stay for the wine.
Second Stop: Spring Mountain Vineyard
Located at the bottom of the mountain, Spring Mountain is a charming spot, set behind a gate nestled among rolling hills. The tasting was conducted outside at a makeshift bar set up with two wine barrels a wooden slab over top of them. The woman conducting our tasting was cheerful, intelligent and laid back, and the other couple tasting with us was very friendly.
We got to taste four wines: One white (Sauvignon Blanc) and three reds (Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and a blend called Elivette). All of the wines were very well balanced, with great structure and complexity. I would have happily brought a bottle of each home but we settled on the Syrah.
The experience at Spring Mountain was relaxed, picturesque and just plain lovely.
Third Stop: Mumm Napa
Back when I was 16 I went on a tour through Europe with an honor choir called The Sound of America. We travelled through Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Austria. We made all kinds of stops along the way but one of them was in Reims France where we got to tour (and taste!) at the Mumm Champagne House. I was a good kid in high school and didn't imbibe on the weekend so I hadn't had much experience with alcohol, but I remember being so fascinated with the process to create Champagne. I truly think it was here when my interest in wine began. So it seemed only fitting that we stop by the Mumm outpost in Napa in homage to my trip.
As this was our third stop of the day we opted to simply share a glass of the Grand Cru, while we sat along the windows and gazed at the vines. Mumm offers tours and you can create flights for yourself to taste, but we thought it best to pace ourselves.
It was a delicious glass with tiny concentrated bubbles. It had a perfect balance of sweetness but still being dry. I always thinking a little sparkling in the middle of the day is the way to go, don't you?
A quick stop but a nice one.
Fourth Stop: Frog's Leap Winery
When we first walked into the little grey tasting room at Frog's Leap Winery I said "are we in the right place?" I was perplexed because I felt, for a moment, that I had walked right into someone's home. This wasn't your typical high end Napa tasting room: the style was understated and approachable, yet still refined, very much like their wines.
This was one of our very favorite stops.
We shared a wine flight which consisted of one white (Sauvignon Blanc) and three reds (Zinfandel, Merlot and a Cabernet). Our tasting came with a plate of local cheeses, almonds and fruit (score!) plus you got to sip your wines out on a gorgeous patio overlooking their farm. You really couldn't ask for a better set up, or better wines.
We truly loved all of them, the Sauvignon Blanc was among one of the best we tasted (and everyone has one): crisp, fruit forward but with a hint of minerality. The Zinfandel was our favorite with it's deep red berry flavors but balanced well with hints of oak and spice. The service was also outstanding, and again very approachable. They even poured us a glass of their new release Chardonnay and gave us another glass of Cabernet to take with us while we did a little self guided walking tour of their farm and fermentation tanks.
I left Frog's Leap such a fan that I have since signed up to be a Frog Fellow, so I will be enjoying more bottles of Frog's Leap to come.
Fifth Stop: Quintessa Winery
Just down the road from Frog's Leap, Quintessa is an impressive structure. Built into the side of the hill (similar to Jarvis) the winery and the land merge into one another creating a beautiful arch of stone and soil as you approach the entrance.
Our time at Quintessa was very personal, as we had a guide all to ourselves (I get the sense this is how it is for everyone who visits although I am not positive). First we climbed up to a beautiful vista where she opened a bottle of white blend called Illumination. The wine was crisp, fruit forward but with a nice backbone. We sipped while we overlooked the rolling hills and the lake which irrigates the vines. Tough.
After the white we headed down to the front of the winery where we got to check out the grape press before we headed inside to a dimly lit tasting room which had a table reserved just for us. Here we got to sample their '06, '07 and '08 releases (all red blends consisting of primarily Cab Sauvignon, Merlot and Cab Franc) along with a plate of local artisan cheese. They were all fantastic (but I recall putting the '07 only slightly ahead of the others): Rich, silky, complex wines with great tannic structures and nice oak flavors that didn't overwhelm. They are wines that travel along your palette and linger for minutes after you finish your sip. They are wines that don't need anything else to bring out their flavors, but what you do need is a deep wallet. They don't play around at Qunitessa and it is reflected in the price. At this point in our lives Jürgen and I can't play in the big leagues when it terms to investing in bottles of fine wine, but it was sure fun to taste. I think our guide took a liking to us because she also poured us a glass of the 2004 as well, which was (not surprisingly) also fantastic.
After Quintessa we had planned to make one more stop but at this point my teeth were stained and I needed to lay down. While I napped in the car Jürgen took this time to call his father and recall our previous nights meal at the French Laundry.
Once I had my head back on straight we parked the car and walked around downtown St. Helena, and then feasted at a farm to table establishment aptly named Farmstead. To be honest we left underwhelmed with both the food and the service. However it is a popular spot in Napa so maybe we caught it on an off night.
Day Four
First Stop: Cakebread Cellars
I have had one experience with Cakebread prior to our trip out west, in 2008 when Jürgen's uncle came to Chicago to celebrate our engagement by taking us out to dinner. It was at this dinner when I had my first bottle of Cakebread (a Cabernet I believe) and I learned then that it's a wine that means business. So it only seemed fitting to pay them a visit on our trip.
As a winery goes Cakebread won't win any awards in the design department. Of course you have your beautiful Napa mountains as a backdrop, but it's clear they don't put extra time or money into design. Their focus is all on the wine, and it pays off. They greeted us with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc (shocking!) and then escorted us back into a curtained off tasting room which we shared with another couple. We got to taste five wines, two whites (a 2010 and a reserve Chardonnay) and three reds (a Zinfandel, Cabernet and Syrah). The wines at Cakebread are solid, well structured wines that you could drink now or if you have the tenacity to age wines they could "cellar" for quite awhile. The Chardonnay's were a nice full bodied Chard's with good use of oak and nice fall fruit. The red's all had a nice balance of fruit and spice. In addition to pouring great wines we also got recipe pairing suggestions for each wine we tried, which was a nice touch.
Second Stop: Beaulieu Vineyard
Literally thirty seconds from Cakebread Beaulieu (BV) has two tasting rooms for visitors to choose from. You can stop in the BV Tasting room or the Georges De Latour Reserve Tasting room. Unsure which one we wanted to try, we first stopped in the BV tasting room which (again not surprising) was pouring a complimentary glass of their Sauvignon Blanc. We promptly determined that it was the worst Sav. Blanc we had tasted. Maybe ever. Needless to say we headed over the reserve room.
The reserve room is very sleek, with a white marble topped tasting bar, and grey stone walls. It's less about selling cutesy BV labeled souvenirs and more about their well crafted reds. We got to taste a 2007 Geoges De Latour and three "clones" which are single vineyard varieties. One sip and we were thankful we paid extra to do the reserve tasting.
Third Stop: Round Pond Estate
As we entered the palm tree lined drive leading up to Round Pond I couldn't hold back a smile. Not only are the grounds...well...stunning, but we were in for quite a treat. In addition to being a winery, Round Pond is also an Olive Mill, so you have multiple tasting options when you visit. You can taste their wines, their olive oils, their vingers and syrups or you can go for the whole hog and sign up for their Al Fresco Lunch. A two hour plus experience where you get to tour the vineyards, gardens, olive groves and culminating in a delicious lunch on the patio where you get to taste everything they make. It's a great value and a unique opportunity we couldn't pass up.
The weather was perfect and our group of six was very friendly. We were lead by the properties head chef on a tour where we got to eat fresh herbs, pick bright red strawberries, stand in the shade of olive trees and head down into the fermentation room where the wine barrels were bathed in sunlight from skylights that towered overhead.
Sitting down for lunch there were two sugar cubes in the center of our plates which we would use to taste their red wine and balsamic vinegars. After pouring a few dops onto the plate you would place the cube in the vinegar allowing it to soak into the cube. You would then bring the cube to your lips and suck the vinegar out of it. You learn something new every day.
We then moved onto their olive oils: An Italian style (grassy), Spanish style (spicy), Meyer lemon and a blood orange. After the Olives came three wines: A Sauvignon Blanc and two Cabernet Sauvignons from two different years (I think '07 and '08). Lunch consisted of a beautiful charcuterie plate with local cheeses, fresh vegetables from the garden and a dense lemon cake for dessert which we got to drizzle their Meyer lemon and blood orange syrups over. I mean it really doesn't get much better than that.
To be honest I don't really remember the wines at Round Pond. Not because they weren't good, but because I was too engrossed in the food and company to really take notice, and when you think about it, isn't that how it should always be?
After Round Pond we decided to head into downtown Napa where we hit up the Oxbow Public Market, which was reminiscent of the Ferry Building in San Francisco.
After indulging in a happy hour oyster special at one of the seafood counters we then spent a few hours walking around Napa.
After we sufficiently walked off our lunch, we stopped in a local pizza spot for dinner, and sadly it wasn't that impressive. It was was also during this dinner when I admitted, much to my dismay, that I was officially "wine tasted out".
But we had one final stop to make the next day.
I arose out of my food induced slumber feeling remarkably well. Perhaps Fois Gras is the key to kicking a cold, but whatever did the trick I wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. No sir, not when you are attempting to visit six(!) wineries in one day.
First Stop: V Sattui Winery
We stopped at V Sattui first for a couple of reasons. One, they opened at 9am (atypical as most places don't crack their doors till 10) and two they are known to have a great deli where you can pick up some sustenance for your travels. Well the rumors are true, they do have a very nice deli with a wide array of cheeses, domestic and imported, deli meats, oils and vinegars. However the wine that they make...it's swill. Seriously, not great stuff. In fairness I will say that our wine guide was very nice and let us taste some extra stuff but nothing was great, and a lot of it wasn't even good. V Sattui is sort of the Times Square of Napa, all the tour buses stop there and they have a gift shop full of all kinds of items with their name on it. Go for the deli, don't stay for the wine.
Second Stop: Spring Mountain Vineyard
Located at the bottom of the mountain, Spring Mountain is a charming spot, set behind a gate nestled among rolling hills. The tasting was conducted outside at a makeshift bar set up with two wine barrels a wooden slab over top of them. The woman conducting our tasting was cheerful, intelligent and laid back, and the other couple tasting with us was very friendly.
We got to taste four wines: One white (Sauvignon Blanc) and three reds (Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and a blend called Elivette). All of the wines were very well balanced, with great structure and complexity. I would have happily brought a bottle of each home but we settled on the Syrah.
The experience at Spring Mountain was relaxed, picturesque and just plain lovely.
Third Stop: Mumm Napa
Back when I was 16 I went on a tour through Europe with an honor choir called The Sound of America. We travelled through Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Austria. We made all kinds of stops along the way but one of them was in Reims France where we got to tour (and taste!) at the Mumm Champagne House. I was a good kid in high school and didn't imbibe on the weekend so I hadn't had much experience with alcohol, but I remember being so fascinated with the process to create Champagne. I truly think it was here when my interest in wine began. So it seemed only fitting that we stop by the Mumm outpost in Napa in homage to my trip.
As this was our third stop of the day we opted to simply share a glass of the Grand Cru, while we sat along the windows and gazed at the vines. Mumm offers tours and you can create flights for yourself to taste, but we thought it best to pace ourselves.
It was a delicious glass with tiny concentrated bubbles. It had a perfect balance of sweetness but still being dry. I always thinking a little sparkling in the middle of the day is the way to go, don't you?
A quick stop but a nice one.
Fourth Stop: Frog's Leap Winery
When we first walked into the little grey tasting room at Frog's Leap Winery I said "are we in the right place?" I was perplexed because I felt, for a moment, that I had walked right into someone's home. This wasn't your typical high end Napa tasting room: the style was understated and approachable, yet still refined, very much like their wines.
This was one of our very favorite stops.
We shared a wine flight which consisted of one white (Sauvignon Blanc) and three reds (Zinfandel, Merlot and a Cabernet). Our tasting came with a plate of local cheeses, almonds and fruit (score!) plus you got to sip your wines out on a gorgeous patio overlooking their farm. You really couldn't ask for a better set up, or better wines.
We truly loved all of them, the Sauvignon Blanc was among one of the best we tasted (and everyone has one): crisp, fruit forward but with a hint of minerality. The Zinfandel was our favorite with it's deep red berry flavors but balanced well with hints of oak and spice. The service was also outstanding, and again very approachable. They even poured us a glass of their new release Chardonnay and gave us another glass of Cabernet to take with us while we did a little self guided walking tour of their farm and fermentation tanks.
I left Frog's Leap such a fan that I have since signed up to be a Frog Fellow, so I will be enjoying more bottles of Frog's Leap to come.
Fifth Stop: Quintessa Winery
Our time at Quintessa was very personal, as we had a guide all to ourselves (I get the sense this is how it is for everyone who visits although I am not positive). First we climbed up to a beautiful vista where she opened a bottle of white blend called Illumination. The wine was crisp, fruit forward but with a nice backbone. We sipped while we overlooked the rolling hills and the lake which irrigates the vines. Tough.
After the white we headed down to the front of the winery where we got to check out the grape press before we headed inside to a dimly lit tasting room which had a table reserved just for us. Here we got to sample their '06, '07 and '08 releases (all red blends consisting of primarily Cab Sauvignon, Merlot and Cab Franc) along with a plate of local artisan cheese. They were all fantastic (but I recall putting the '07 only slightly ahead of the others): Rich, silky, complex wines with great tannic structures and nice oak flavors that didn't overwhelm. They are wines that travel along your palette and linger for minutes after you finish your sip. They are wines that don't need anything else to bring out their flavors, but what you do need is a deep wallet. They don't play around at Qunitessa and it is reflected in the price. At this point in our lives Jürgen and I can't play in the big leagues when it terms to investing in bottles of fine wine, but it was sure fun to taste. I think our guide took a liking to us because she also poured us a glass of the 2004 as well, which was (not surprisingly) also fantastic.
After Quintessa we had planned to make one more stop but at this point my teeth were stained and I needed to lay down. While I napped in the car Jürgen took this time to call his father and recall our previous nights meal at the French Laundry.
Once I had my head back on straight we parked the car and walked around downtown St. Helena, and then feasted at a farm to table establishment aptly named Farmstead. To be honest we left underwhelmed with both the food and the service. However it is a popular spot in Napa so maybe we caught it on an off night.
Day Four
First Stop: Cakebread Cellars
I have had one experience with Cakebread prior to our trip out west, in 2008 when Jürgen's uncle came to Chicago to celebrate our engagement by taking us out to dinner. It was at this dinner when I had my first bottle of Cakebread (a Cabernet I believe) and I learned then that it's a wine that means business. So it only seemed fitting to pay them a visit on our trip.
As a winery goes Cakebread won't win any awards in the design department. Of course you have your beautiful Napa mountains as a backdrop, but it's clear they don't put extra time or money into design. Their focus is all on the wine, and it pays off. They greeted us with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc (shocking!) and then escorted us back into a curtained off tasting room which we shared with another couple. We got to taste five wines, two whites (a 2010 and a reserve Chardonnay) and three reds (a Zinfandel, Cabernet and Syrah). The wines at Cakebread are solid, well structured wines that you could drink now or if you have the tenacity to age wines they could "cellar" for quite awhile. The Chardonnay's were a nice full bodied Chard's with good use of oak and nice fall fruit. The red's all had a nice balance of fruit and spice. In addition to pouring great wines we also got recipe pairing suggestions for each wine we tried, which was a nice touch.
Second Stop: Beaulieu Vineyard
Literally thirty seconds from Cakebread Beaulieu (BV) has two tasting rooms for visitors to choose from. You can stop in the BV Tasting room or the Georges De Latour Reserve Tasting room. Unsure which one we wanted to try, we first stopped in the BV tasting room which (again not surprising) was pouring a complimentary glass of their Sauvignon Blanc. We promptly determined that it was the worst Sav. Blanc we had tasted. Maybe ever. Needless to say we headed over the reserve room.
The reserve room is very sleek, with a white marble topped tasting bar, and grey stone walls. It's less about selling cutesy BV labeled souvenirs and more about their well crafted reds. We got to taste a 2007 Geoges De Latour and three "clones" which are single vineyard varieties. One sip and we were thankful we paid extra to do the reserve tasting.
Third Stop: Round Pond Estate
As we entered the palm tree lined drive leading up to Round Pond I couldn't hold back a smile. Not only are the grounds...well...stunning, but we were in for quite a treat. In addition to being a winery, Round Pond is also an Olive Mill, so you have multiple tasting options when you visit. You can taste their wines, their olive oils, their vingers and syrups or you can go for the whole hog and sign up for their Al Fresco Lunch. A two hour plus experience where you get to tour the vineyards, gardens, olive groves and culminating in a delicious lunch on the patio where you get to taste everything they make. It's a great value and a unique opportunity we couldn't pass up.
The weather was perfect and our group of six was very friendly. We were lead by the properties head chef on a tour where we got to eat fresh herbs, pick bright red strawberries, stand in the shade of olive trees and head down into the fermentation room where the wine barrels were bathed in sunlight from skylights that towered overhead.
Sitting down for lunch there were two sugar cubes in the center of our plates which we would use to taste their red wine and balsamic vinegars. After pouring a few dops onto the plate you would place the cube in the vinegar allowing it to soak into the cube. You would then bring the cube to your lips and suck the vinegar out of it. You learn something new every day.
We then moved onto their olive oils: An Italian style (grassy), Spanish style (spicy), Meyer lemon and a blood orange. After the Olives came three wines: A Sauvignon Blanc and two Cabernet Sauvignons from two different years (I think '07 and '08). Lunch consisted of a beautiful charcuterie plate with local cheeses, fresh vegetables from the garden and a dense lemon cake for dessert which we got to drizzle their Meyer lemon and blood orange syrups over. I mean it really doesn't get much better than that.
To be honest I don't really remember the wines at Round Pond. Not because they weren't good, but because I was too engrossed in the food and company to really take notice, and when you think about it, isn't that how it should always be?
After Round Pond we decided to head into downtown Napa where we hit up the Oxbow Public Market, which was reminiscent of the Ferry Building in San Francisco.
After indulging in a happy hour oyster special at one of the seafood counters we then spent a few hours walking around Napa.
After we sufficiently walked off our lunch, we stopped in a local pizza spot for dinner, and sadly it wasn't that impressive. It was was also during this dinner when I admitted, much to my dismay, that I was officially "wine tasted out".
But we had one final stop to make the next day.
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