Say You'll Be Wine

Anyone who knows me, even just a little, knows my love for a delicious wine. I actually considered blogging about wine for a while before I realized that may be a tad ridiculous. So for my husband and my one year anniversary he surprised me with a trip to Sonoma and Napa Valley to continue our wine obsession! It was last minute and we planned to rent a car and drive up the coast, stopping in a few towns along the way. I've always wanted to visit Hearst Castle with my quiet fascination of the old days, glamour, glitz, movie stars, knowing that some of my favorites wandered those halls and sat at the dining room table, most notably for me: Cary Grant, Harpo Marx, Jean Harlow and Howard Hughes. I imagined them sitting in the living room, playing poker, smoking cigarettes, with the giant fire place, laughing, dancing. Pretty unbelievable actually, and quite a site to see. Then it was time to hop into our exciting, bright red Mustang convertible and drive to Sonoma, one of our favorite destinations. Ryan had been talking about taking the 1 Freeway up the coast for as long as I've known him, so he finally fulfilled that fantasy. It took seven lovely hours, but I had my scarf (sooo Thelma and Louise of me), we had the ocean, nature, an open car and it was truly bliss. The next day we drove to Napa and enjoyed some of our favorite wineries, and new ones as well: Etude which has a lovely Pinot Noir, Chimney Rock known for their exquisite Cabernet Sauvignon (I died for their Merlot too), B Cellars, which is good at everything, especially their Stagecoach Syrah and Stagecoach Cabernet (we joined their wine club because it's too delicious), and they do a fantastic food and wine pairing for guests that's to die for, and last but not least Alpha Omega, which had beautiful views, but only so so wines (in my opinion). That night, back at our hotel The Fairmont Mission Inn & Spa, we dined at the restaurant Santé for our anniversary. Lovely place, but next time I'd rather sit outside next to the pool (sat inside, bleh). There's something magical about Sonoma. The quaint downtown square which reminds me of old western towns out of movies, the looming trees, the small winding roads, vines lining the streets, mustard fields forever, the beautiful town of Glen Ellen, it just can't be beat. It's so romantic and of course the wines help too. I love that Ryan has made Sonoma and Napa Valley a tradition for us and I know we will return year after year making new memories...and falling in love again and again...with wine of course !