posted 04-30-2013 05:50 AM         

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Hey Scott.
Glad it was a good trip and that the VRBO worked for you.
What did you like at Talty and Thomas George? I've heard of both but been to neither. And Sanglier is a new winery name for me- what do they produce?
Was kinda surprised not to see Passalaqua on your purchase list- we like many of their wines. What kept you from buying there?

IP: 71.65.192.94

posted 04-29-2013 01:07 PM            

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Hi Scott,

Thanks for the great trip report. We have enjoyed Mauritson in the past, and will definitely add Papapietro and Williams Selyem to our list for a future visit.

IP: 155.178.6.10

posted 04-29-2013 07:41 AM            

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Best laid plans, once again. Through VRBO we found a lovely two bedroom cottage on a vineyard near Windsor. Lovely hosts, Susan and Ron, we will definitely return to this place among the Pommard and Dijon clones. Tasting notes would take this post to novel-like extremes. So in alphabetical order, we visited and bought wines from Dutcher Crossing, Mauritson, Papapietro Perry (joined this club), Sanglier (tasting room in Healdsburg), Talty, Thomas George Estates, Williams Selyem, and Wilson. So many outstanding wines with the majority being zins and pinots. The 2006 Bucher Pinot at Williams Selyem was a revelation. They don't do memberships per se, but send out an email when wines become available (and which usually sell out within a week). Upon our return to Denver, we opened the Papapietro Perry 2009 Pommard Clones and it was magical! Cheers, Scott

IP: 174.51.147.117

posted 03-27-2013 07:19 AM            

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Agenda firming up. The only changes are A Rafanelli is out of zins in their tasting room so we substituted Passalacqua.
We we also be visiting Quivira which is an interesting story. Last year, we ate dinner at the Zin restaurant in Healdsburg, but sat at the bar. We met a thoroughly delightful local couple, Kris and Bill. They had us tasting other great wines and a quick meal at the bar was transformed into a lovely evening. Bill now works at Quivira so we will be hooking up with them again. It may seem obvious to many, but if you sit at the bar of a restaurant, you will most likely be in spitting distance of someone working in the field and who loves to talk about it.

IP: 174.51.147.117

posted 03-17-2013 07:02 AM            

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Near final agenda which I will repeat so you don't have to scroll down to the first message.
April 20th- Several northern Napa wineries with our first Sonoma stop at Lancaster Estates.
April 21st- Thomas George Estates, Papapietro, Dashe, Kokomo, and Dry Creek Olive, Talty, Dutcher Crossing. Possible visits to any of the Healdsburg tasting rooms- Sanglier, Davis, Seghesio, Pezzi King, Williamson. Dinner at the Dry Creek Kitchen. April 22- A Rafanelli is out of zins, so Passalacqua, Mauritson, Wilson, Williams Selyem. Then, possibly, Arista and/or back to the tasting rooms in Healdsburg.

IP: 174.51.147.117

posted 03-12-2013 06:54 AM            

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Missed your mention of the Alexander Valley on your Napa post. After the last year's half we stayed in Healdsburg so naturally tasted along the way. Hanna had some great wines and we bought Christine Hanna's book "The Winemaker Cooks". Sausal had some great, reasonably priced zins, but, alas, were sold to Silver Oak and are no longer being produced. Hawkes was an informal, cozy, small place that had a limited number of good wines. Stryker-Sonoma had some great zins when we visited, but I've heard that they were tasting a little thin of late.
Upon the advice of the woman who is renting us the winery cottage, we are going to Lancaster Estate. She ranks their cabs among the best in Sonoma and it's a 15 minute drive from Storybook. Cheers, Scott

IP: 174.51.147.117

posted 03-09-2013 06:46 AM            

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Kudos to you and your lovely wife. Our training was derailed with a nagging ankle injury (me) and extensive business travel (Pat). But since the winery cottage we found was so enticing, we couldn't pass on that and are still meeting up with Pat's brother and his wife.
We are downsizing and are soon moving from Denver to Louisville, CO. Walking out our gate puts you on running and bike paths- Open Space (preserved lands), so hopefully we will be gearing up for the half in 2014.
The only day we will be in the Napa Valley is that Saturday (4/20). I will remember to keep in touch when we plan next year's schedule so we can meet up. Cheers and have a great run!
Scott

IP: 174.51.147.117

posted 03-08-2013 06:19 PM            

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Hi Scott,

Sorry to hear you won't be running the 1/2 marathon. My wife and I, and another couple, will be running. When are you visiting Storybook - we have an appointment there for Mon morning after the 1/2.

Out of your list we have only been to Mauritson - we really enjoyed the tour and tasting there. I just posted our list on the Napa Forum earlier today. Perhaps we might run into you doing our trip!

IP: 108.25.15.142

posted 03-08-2013 01:47 PM         

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Well, my jealousy for your trip to Tuscany cannot be measured...lucky you!!!
Barrel Tasting Weekend(s) started as an attempt to bring in potential "futures" buyers, and has become an "event" that now may include food, bands and themed parties, depending on the winery. It was extended to 2 weekends some years back...since we started visiting, anyway, and now has expanded to much more than a potential business venture.
The Wine Road organization is the sponsoring entity, I believe, so more detailed info can be found at their website.
Hope you find some real winners on your tip, and that you will share with those of us stuck at home....!

IP: 71.65.244.218

posted 03-08-2013 10:32 AM            

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Checked out TA and there is an astounding amount of info there. What is a Barrel Tasting event like?

Last year was our first extended trip into Sonoma Valley. Loved the openness. My wife travels a lot for work and said it reminded her of Tuscany without the castles (we actually are planning a trip there for our 25th anniversary in a year and a half).
Cheers, Scott

IP: 174.51.147.117

posted 03-08-2013 09:57 AM         

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TA is Trip Advisor...you know, the place where people express their trip adventures- good and bad.
I used to post there some, and a friend had told me about this conversation relating to Barrel Weekend so I checked it out. Just google "Trip Advisor Sonoma County forum" and it should take you to the right place quickly.
Yeah, you have been gone a while, by the way. Thanks for posting on Sonoma- as you can see its been pretty stale here for quite some time.
Things in Sonoma are changing rapidly, lots of buying and selling of wineries and new ones opening. I fear it will lose its charm in the not too distant future as they become focused more on competing with Napa and less on the area's rural charm...so go while you can and stay as long as you can!!!

IP: 71.65.244.218

posted 03-07-2013 09:02 PM            

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Have I been gone that long? What is TA? I felt obliged to visit Kokomo as I grew up in Indiana, graduated from IU and know these folks went to Purdue. Last April we had planned to visit the FWDC, but ran out of time and actually just drove around the valley enjoying the views. Thanks for the heads-up on Ridge. As I recall from a brief run through on the message board, they get a lot of kudos.

IP: 174.51.147.117

posted 03-07-2013 07:34 PM         

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Hi Scott. Welcome back!
Your itinerary looks really fun. If you want to see some current opinions on some of your spots, someone on TA just posted a review of their experiences during Barrel Tasting Weekend; you might enjoy reading those.
The good thing about your day 2 is that you won't have to do much driving since Papa's, Kokomo and Dasche are all together at the Family Winery enclave. Kokomo has changed immensely since our first visit- much more tourist-oriented than before, but the wines are still pretty good.
Since your Day 3 is centered around Wilson and Mauritson you might like to take a quick drive over to Ridge- the grounds are nice, the wines quite good and picnic area is plentiful.

IP: 71.65.244.218

posted 03-07-2013 10:06 AM            

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After a several month absence, It is great to be back reading posts on my favorite wine forum. Although we won't be running in this April's Silverado Trail Half Marathon we decided to visit as planned...now with more time for wine.
Through VRBO we found a lovely cottage on a vineyard near Windsor. After scooting up the Napa Valley and stopping at Benessere, Madrigal, and Storybook, we will coast into Sonoma with a stop at Lancaster Estates. On day 2 we plan to visit Talty, Dutcher Crossing, Papapietro, Dashe, and Kokomo. Day 3 brings us to Wilson, Mauritson, and A Rafanelli. Of course, I would appreciate any wise (or even wiseacre) counsel from the group. Thanks, Scott

IP: 174.51.147.117

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