posted 03-05-2011 07:28 AM         

By the way our Costco had the Provenance '05 Estate Cab for $33, we have been buying it there and love it...delish !!!

@Hawkeye we want to hear more from the grapevine ..... give us more please

Viva el vino !!!

p.s. I don't think I mentioned this before but my husband has always been leery about the 'cheaper' wine deals at Costco, so while at Hall and Provenance, he felt the need to inquire...."why are these so much cheaper at Costco than you can get here even if you were a club member, are they rejects?? " he asked... both places said exactly what I thought, it is exactly the same that they have in their tasting rooms and/or you can purchase on their website, Costco buys such huge quantities that they get enormous discounts... he (my husband) feels better now

posted 03-04-2011 02:36 PM            

We haven't really firmed up plans yet and I was waiting to hear if Hawkeye had found any places that we needed to go check out - and it sounds like that is the case!

On the Napa Valley part of the trip (which will be two full days), we will probably end up going to our various clubs - use those club benefits. Our friend hasn't ever been to the area and we figure we will save her some tasting fees and just get her a good, broad overview of the area. On the Sonoma County part of the trip (which is also two full days), we will hit the 4 clubs we belong to, and then who knows? That's what we count on y'all for - super suggestions

Looking forward to hearing what wolfman found and what Hawkeye is hinting at...

posted 03-03-2011 07:43 PM            

Cabgirl had to cancel her tasting day with us because of work (do people still have to do that?). We were able to get together for dinner at the girl and the Fig on Wednesday night. We did miss her tasting skills on our trip.

Mrs. Hawkeye caught some kind of bug and has not really been able to enjoy the tastings.

posted 03-03-2011 03:01 PM         

One of my friends just reminded me Bouchaine Winery in the Carneros region. I've never visited, but recently tasted their wines with friends. Really liked their Pinots - though I heard an early report from Hawkeye that the Pinots from Sojourn were some of the best he's ever tasted and he doesn't like Pinot! Anyone been to Bouchaine?

posted 02-10-2011 01:06 PM            

First, you have to weather my trip, then we can take on yours. You always do such a great job with writing about your visits.

I guess some of the wine people do read this BB. I received an email from a winery that I had mentioned, thanking me for my report. I liked their wine very much, so I felt I was very truthful.

Keep us up to date on your itinerary and when I get back I will let you know which of my itinerary I feel worthy.

You mentioned you were flying in to Oakland. From here in Tennessee, Oakland is $200.00 per person more than Sacramento.

posted 02-08-2011 01:25 PM            

We thought we were going to Napa/Sonoma in April, but one by one (or couple by couple), our friends backed out. All but one friend, and she is willing to go even if nobody else is being reasonable. So our on again off again plans are on, and we have even purchased plane tickets and made lodging reservations!! So all systems are a go! We are arriving at OAK on Saturday afternoon, April 16th and have through Wednesday, April 20 to wander and taste and eat and enjoy. Our friend has never been and is eager to see what all the fuss is about - should be fun!! I've sort of started putting together the itinerary, but not much more than organizing which of our clubs to go to when... figure we'll take advantage of the club perks so she doesn't have much in the way of tasting fees to worry about. We will spend two days in Napa Valley and two in the Sonoma-side valleys, as usual.