Back from Cali

I have a feeling this will be the first in a series of many postings concerning my recent trip to Napa and Amador Valley's. ( I was wrong in previous post about hitting Sonoma)

First off, I need to state (or re-state) that I've never been any further West then Ohio, so this trip was especially exciting to me.

The pictures and the comments may get a little boring to some, and I'll try to include as much "Food" for others. Including the price of Whoppers in Vegas.

The only time spent in Vegas was in the airport, we were treated to a grand entrance via the runway next to the Strip. I never knew how close everything was to the airport, and how little it is really. Just a random pyramid and a sky needle surrounded by lots of pre-fab homes.

I did triple my spendings on the return lay-over.

We then arrived in San Fran and drove up to Napa Valley. We hit our first winery around 3ish, I can't remember the name of it, but it was the only place to skimp on the tasting portions. Every place else was extremely generous and friendly.

We stayed at the http://www.sutterhome.com/> actual Sutter Home which most people know for their White Zinfandel, and as well you should, they produce in great volume mainly for banquet restaurants and the common wine buyer. They take care of the majority. I bet you didn't know that they are owned by someone else though. A family of Italian immigrants that also own, produce, grow and bottle a lot of great wines. The Trinchero'>http://www.tfewines.com/">Trinchero Family who also produce Terra d'oro, Folie a deux, Menage a Trios, and Montevina to name a few. (There will be great times at Villa D'oro at Montevina to come)

As predicted, we didn't make it to The French Laundry not to Bouchon. It's ok. I will someday. This trip was not a trip for just me, it was for everyone and everyone was focused on wine. But, we did however find some really great food while we where there. The first night was decided over an in room list of restaurants and menus. This one looked the most interesting and we already were recommended to "Go Fish" the next night. http://www.blogger.com/>Cindy's Backstreet
was such a surprise to all of us. It was, however, my unknowingness of where every single chef in the world has put up shop. I realized the as we were leaving that we just had an incredible meal because this was a http://www.blogger.com/>Cindy Pawlcyn joint. And everything was top notch.