Week 1 ~ Aug 19th 2006
The tour to NAPA was to begin at 8:45 AM and I had to be at the Hyatt Residency in Embarcadero by 8:10. The reason I picked this hotel (rather the tour operator's customer service agent) was its nearness to the BART (www.bart.gov). All I had to do was exit the market street and reach the corner of Drumm street. A matter of 3 minutes. I rose early and underwent the chores. Still unconvinced that I was about to travel all alone, I pondered all along till I reached the El Cerrito BART station. From El Cerrito to Embarcadero, it takes 25 minutes to travel with a transfer at Macarthur station. I chose the timings well enough to be at Embarcadero by 7:50. Not knowing where to wait (Was it at the west side of the hotel or the south side? Most important of all I had no clue as to which was the south and which north), I trode to Noah's for some fresh coffee. As I waited in the line to grab a tall chai, there were a couple of blue tourist buses with all its passengers sporting a badge and carrying blue backpacks (With the tour company's name emblazoned). I was excited all at once assuming that a nice little backpack was awaiting. Sipping tall chai, I called the agency to confirm the place of boarding. No sooner did I find the spot, there came the tour bus with the Tower Tours insignia. The bus was too small (like a mini van) and my spirits dipped instantaneously. The driver informed us that he would be picking other guests from nearby hotels and depositing us at the tour office in Ghiradelli square. Along the way he gave us a commentary on the history of the Ghiradelli square. The square once housed the famous Ghiradelli chocolate factory but much of the square has since been rented after the company went broke. The square still houses the famous Ghiradelli chocolate shop renowned for its ice creams. After completing the tour formalities, we were told to board a shiny plush green bus with comfortable upholstery. At 8:45 we set about on our tour to NAPA and Sonoma counties
What was it to drink a wine? I have never drunk wine before but had heard telltale stories of the drink being associated with anything french. Did it contain alcohol to give us a high or a "feremented" grape juice as our tour guide cum driver commented? I was scared to taste the drink and the thought of that churned my stomach as I was known to puke to anything alcoholic. Will my weakness betray again? No, I will skip the drink.. But what does it mean to embark on a wine tasting journey without tasting a wine? All these thoughts haunted me as we left behind San Francisco
Our first stop was at the Madonna winery run by an italian family. Our wine guide led us through the vineyards with fresh grapes (She told us not to taste them as they were nascent and might taste sour). After witnessing the vineyards, we were led inside for a view around the fermentation room with huge barrles stacked high up. Next it was time for tasting some wine. We were given a gobblet each and the winery staff opened the bottles. I was still pondering... Can I take it? Well, there was no going back. The screw had been uncorked and I had the gobblet. What the heck I'll try this. The first was the chardonay, a sweet white wine. It tasted good, no trace of alcohol. I drank a couple of rounds. Then came the cabaranet and Barbarosa. The red and white wines started flowing and I was wallowing under the little success against my weakness. Wine is not that bad afterall, ain't it?
Next stop was at the Sonoma county city hall. Our driver (Mr.Richard McGuire) a witty irish man with tongue in cheek liners informed us that the city hall had similar look at all the four entrances in all the directions as the city's shopkeepers could not quite agree which side the hall has to face (With the result that it is difficult to figure which side constitutes the main entrance). We were given 2 hours to shop and lunch. I was sceptical as the place was lined with grill, steak shops. No vegeterian dellis to be seen. I thought I had seen a Subway on the way. Didn't I or was it an illusion? I went in search of the shop in vain only to return to the city hall square and find an italian restaurant offerring pizzas. I ordered veggie pizzas and ceasar salad. After lunch, I wandered around the beautiful square with a garden like setting and didn't realise how late it was before it was time to leave
Our next stop was at the Viansa winery which was a drive through a curving road. We were greeted by cheery man who called himself David. David let us know that Viansa stood for Vicky and Sam who were from the Sebastiani family (I saw a theatre and a bus named Sebastiani on the way). This family had come from Italy and made a name for themselves in the wine business. These guys wanted to do something different and broke off from their family business to start Viansa. Viansa was different from other wineris in that they promoted italian brands rather than the french ones. We were told the winery did not market or sell these brands to retailers rather sold them to people who were interested in italian wines during their visit to the winery. We not only tasted italian winery but also italian cheese, honey, jams and other delicacies. The backyard of the winery was scenic with a view of the imposing mountain ranges and vineyards. After walloping for a few minutes, it was time to move
Next was the Cline winery. We were met by a subtle, soft speeking guide who took us around the winery. He told us that the winery was once a monastery founded by a franciscan monk who developed the vineyards. The vineyard subsequently was owned by Gen.Vallejo (the famous general who was instrumental in defeating the russians from taking the west coast) who bequeathed it to the county. Fred Cline's (the current owner) grandfather arrived from italy and purchased the land. The winery had housed hot water springs in the past and had constructed special baths for tourists. However with the 1906 earthquake which shook california, the hot springs were gone. The winery had a wine institute. Here we had a taste of 6 wines from the Oakley reds to pinot gregio. The wines continued flowing and the staff never stopped pouring. After 1 too many, it was time to move. It was our last stop and dusk had arrived
We left Sonoma back to San Francisco and I fell asleep immediately (Later one of my colleagues informed that wine puts one to sleep). I woke up to hear Richard plodding his guests to estimate the price of the houses we were going thorogh. We passed Presidio and the family homes there were enchanting in their victorian era architecture and splendour. The homes according to Richard cost anywhere between 10 to 60 millions!
What was it to drink a wine? I have never drunk wine before but had heard telltale stories of the drink being associated with anything french. Did it contain alcohol to give us a high or a "feremented" grape juice as our tour guide cum driver commented? I was scared to taste the drink and the thought of that churned my stomach as I was known to puke to anything alcoholic. Will my weakness betray again? No, I will skip the drink.. But what does it mean to embark on a wine tasting journey without tasting a wine? All these thoughts haunted me as we left behind San Francisco
Our first stop was at the Madonna winery run by an italian family. Our wine guide led us through the vineyards with fresh grapes (She told us not to taste them as they were nascent and might taste sour). After witnessing the vineyards, we were led inside for a view around the fermentation room with huge barrles stacked high up. Next it was time for tasting some wine. We were given a gobblet each and the winery staff opened the bottles. I was still pondering... Can I take it? Well, there was no going back. The screw had been uncorked and I had the gobblet. What the heck I'll try this. The first was the chardonay, a sweet white wine. It tasted good, no trace of alcohol. I drank a couple of rounds. Then came the cabaranet and Barbarosa. The red and white wines started flowing and I was wallowing under the little success against my weakness. Wine is not that bad afterall, ain't it?
Next stop was at the Sonoma county city hall. Our driver (Mr.Richard McGuire) a witty irish man with tongue in cheek liners informed us that the city hall had similar look at all the four entrances in all the directions as the city's shopkeepers could not quite agree which side the hall has to face (With the result that it is difficult to figure which side constitutes the main entrance). We were given 2 hours to shop and lunch. I was sceptical as the place was lined with grill, steak shops. No vegeterian dellis to be seen. I thought I had seen a Subway on the way. Didn't I or was it an illusion? I went in search of the shop in vain only to return to the city hall square and find an italian restaurant offerring pizzas. I ordered veggie pizzas and ceasar salad. After lunch, I wandered around the beautiful square with a garden like setting and didn't realise how late it was before it was time to leave
Our next stop was at the Viansa winery which was a drive through a curving road. We were greeted by cheery man who called himself David. David let us know that Viansa stood for Vicky and Sam who were from the Sebastiani family (I saw a theatre and a bus named Sebastiani on the way). This family had come from Italy and made a name for themselves in the wine business. These guys wanted to do something different and broke off from their family business to start Viansa. Viansa was different from other wineris in that they promoted italian brands rather than the french ones. We were told the winery did not market or sell these brands to retailers rather sold them to people who were interested in italian wines during their visit to the winery. We not only tasted italian winery but also italian cheese, honey, jams and other delicacies. The backyard of the winery was scenic with a view of the imposing mountain ranges and vineyards. After walloping for a few minutes, it was time to move
Next was the Cline winery. We were met by a subtle, soft speeking guide who took us around the winery. He told us that the winery was once a monastery founded by a franciscan monk who developed the vineyards. The vineyard subsequently was owned by Gen.Vallejo (the famous general who was instrumental in defeating the russians from taking the west coast) who bequeathed it to the county. Fred Cline's (the current owner) grandfather arrived from italy and purchased the land. The winery had housed hot water springs in the past and had constructed special baths for tourists. However with the 1906 earthquake which shook california, the hot springs were gone. The winery had a wine institute. Here we had a taste of 6 wines from the Oakley reds to pinot gregio. The wines continued flowing and the staff never stopped pouring. After 1 too many, it was time to move. It was our last stop and dusk had arrived
We left Sonoma back to San Francisco and I fell asleep immediately (Later one of my colleagues informed that wine puts one to sleep). I woke up to hear Richard plodding his guests to estimate the price of the houses we were going thorogh. We passed Presidio and the family homes there were enchanting in their victorian era architecture and splendour. The homes according to Richard cost anywhere between 10 to 60 millions!
posted by Prakash at
10:19 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home