Ya like that title? Yep, I tell it like it is.
First of all, I’m back in Cali and thank god because it freakin’ snowed yesterday in Denver (:?)! Today I’m all about the 72 degrees, checkin’ back in with my fur babies, and getting a mani/pedi followed by girl time!
Before I jump into wine tasting, I think it’s pretty funny that so many of you hate white creamy things. So who does eat that nast?
My good buddy Kurt and his wife came out last Friday to travel around my lovely state for the week and we wanted to catch up. What better way than through wine tasting, right? Kurt and I were both interns at 3M in St. Paul, MN the Summer of 2001 and have managed to stay in contact for 10 years! Pretty cool, eh?
Anyway, here is the recap (click to enlarge):
Gloria Ferrer — One of my absolute favorite wineries because of its faboosh views (see above), awesome sparkling wines (most comparable to champagne that I’ve tasted), and it’s also the 2nd winery I ever visited when I moved to Cali (2002). We all shared a bottle of Blanc de Noirs, but this was after getting a hefty free taste of the newly bottled Jose Carneros Pinot Noir.
Hawkes — This winery is located in the heart of “downtown” Sonoma off the square. I had never been and liked it’s unique minimalist decor (not all that photo worthy, however). Unfortunately most of their wines were Cabs, which I’m not a fan of, but they did have a Merlot and said I could just get a glass. Wanna know the clincher? 3 people did 6 tastes and I had a glass of Merlot ALL FOR FREE! Yep, they waived 4 tasting fees completely ($40 total). Nice! Kudos to Hawkes!
Eric Ross — A woman at Gloria Ferrer recommended Eric Ross for the Pinots (my fave), so surely we had to stop. They definitely had an interesting rooster theme going on here (see above), and I swear the guy that was serving us was on something (and it wasn’t wine). He was definitely nice, but super weird. My favorite wine was called the Struttin’ Red, which is basically a red blen that could be hit ore miss. It was a WIN!
Jacuzzi — How can you not go to a winery called Jacuzzi? If you’re wondering if you taste while soaking in a hot tub, the answer is no. BUT they offered olive oil tastings, which half the group tried, and free wine tastings (ding ding ding Score!). Apparently everyone and their Aunt Myrna had the same idea because this place was packed to the max! Overall, I found their wines to be okay, probably because I’m not a huge fan of Italian wines (too jammy). But I did find a Montepulciano that was pretty awestruck and had flavors of coffee and vanilla.
Cline — Since we were being booted out of Jacuzzi, they recommended we head across the street to Cline, their sister winery that was open 30 minutes later. Hah, way to maximize the wine tasting hours. They were a little peeved to see a group of five come in so late, but ce la vie. We immediately scanned the wine list and determined which ones we wanted to taste given our limited time. Ultimately one of the best wines we had was an Oakley Five Reds that was only $11!!! That’s unheard of in Sonoma. I shall call it my Tuesday wine 
What’s your favorite winery?
How often do you get to see your far-away friends?
Have a great weekend 
I’ve been wine tasting in Sonoma, its so beautiful!! I don’t remember names of places I went but I loved the different themes wineries had, and one felt like I stepped off the bus and into Italy, it was gorgeous. I went to college in upstate NY, so wine tasting and tours were a regular weekend adventure along the different Finger Lakes! So much fun!
I love love your shoes!! You look so cute in that chair haha
Thanks! I actually did a giveaway on these exact shoes and bought a pair for the winner
So fun! Vishnu and I talk about making a trip out to wine country someday…hopefully soon! And I don’t see my faraway friends often enough. I’ve made it a goal to change that though! Have a great day!
Ugh, what was that whole snow thing about yesterday?? And by the end of the day, it was nice! I’m jealous of your wine tasting spree. I wouldn’t be able to pass up a place called Jacuzzi either
I’m so envious!! I would love to visit Nor Cal for a wine tasting extravaganza. And I don’t see my friends on the east coast nearly enough.
Have a wonderful weekend Shanna!
I haven’t been to too many wineries! A few in northern MN and one in southern MN. Far-away friends — we don’t see them too often. Maybe once a year if we’re lucky! But we write/email/skype with them, so we “see” them often enough!
I love that you interned at 3M! I live maybe 15 minutes away from that area.
I don’t see my far-away friends nearly enough!
I see my far away friends on breaks back at home. I’m not sure how that will play out though since one of them is studying abroad for two years…in China! Maybe I’ll go visit there ha.
I would love to go somewhere exciting for a wine tasting, it would be so much fun. Luckily all my friends are local so I always get to see them
So jealous! I bet it’s beautiful and the weather is great! I love seeing all my friends and catching pu like no time has gone by at all. It’s the best!
I have never been to a winery
It’s just so wrong to be alive and not have done that yet…;) Seriously though, it is.
I want to go to Cali or France and do a wine/bike tour. Wait – scratch the bike, just give me the wine.
I haven’t seen a long distance friend in forever.
You are such a busy gal. How do you balance your work schedule with life? (post?!)
Awwww fun post. My sis lives up in that area but she is moving back to the east coast next wk. Kinda makes me sad I won’t be able to stay up there for free!
I love wine! I’m currently on a 28 day detox and miss having my glass of wine.
I grew up on Long Island- many people say we are ‘new wine’territory but we have great vineyards on the North Fork!
I don’t have a favorite winery, but I do LOVE wine! I’ve never been to a winery before but we talked about going to Napa for our first anniversary. I love the giant chair picutre! : )
I know zero about wine except that NApa is beautiful, even to non-drinkers like me!
I love seeing far and away friends. Makes me realize how lucky I was when we lived in the same city! However I dont like wine..my goal this summer is to teach myself to like it. should i start with white and sweet?
Ah, I love wine tasting! There are a few great wineries in Michigan that I’ve been wanting to go to forever!
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