Wine Day

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Slept in...aaahhhh....we were a little worried the Roosters would cock-a-doodle-doodle us up in the morning but thankfully they got the memo! Anna got ready early and headed into the main dining area to chat it up with Kris the Innkeeper who was a wealth of information for the area. 

Christie joined us for a cup of Joe and then the young-er couple we met the previous afternoon joined us. We all indulged in yogurt and fresh fruit while we waited for our baked French toast (worth the wait!). During our breakfast chatter we discover Jen was 1) 100% Dutch 2) baker-photographer and 3) they live in Visalia! Who could’ve guessed!  

We set off to meet up with the wine tour company in the lobby of the Bellaserra Hotel. This is THE place for pickups by many of the wine tour companies.  As the van pulled up Anna joked about having to climb over 3 seats of the van with her big butt and the tour driver suggested one of us sit in the front seat. BINGO! Anna forced Christie in the front seat with Ray the driver so she could hear him and because has a neurological disorder. During the tour we discovered one couple  was from Corona, where Anna grew up and another couple from San Clemente and four others from weirdo town who later got very drunk and began speaking with British accents.  Ray the driver taught us all about wine, how to properly look, smell and aerate the wine and most importantly how to properly taste your wine.  Caution.  Don’t drink your whole tasting Christie! We learned that the reason for the great wine in Paso was due to the Templeton gap which is intriguing topography of the Paso Robles appellation allowing cooler winds to flow inland from the coast and cool off the area. Temperatures can drop up to 50 degrees on a hot summer night. We also learned there is a river in Templeton that flows South to North…..we saw it! 

First stop Wild Horse winery…….2 bottles. 

Second stop Rotta Winery, one of the oldest 

in the area. 

Then lunch at Rotta which was outside and cold 

and windy…….2 bottles. 

Third stop Per Cazo…weird Minnesota couple with too much money and not enough passion….0 

bottles. 

Fourth stop, Adelelaide and yes they had a vintage named ANNA!

…..sack of walnuts…check! 2 more bottles…check!

By the end we were a little wined out, settled for an early bird dinner (no kidding!) and then one more

bottle of wine and headed back to the Inn to put our feet up and sip some Chardonnay.

Paso Robles - Our First Day of Relaxation

We relaxed the moment we exited Vineyard Drive off Highway 101.  Rolling green hills, meadows of blooming lupine, grazing horses, rows of vineyards, and an occasional jackass (hee-haw).  We drove down the driveway of Hidden Hills B&B the length of which was lined with beautiful trees, both green and pink flowering branches draped over the drive.  Peaking through the trees we saw dozens of olive trees.   Could it get any quainter than this?  Yes! Because waiting on the porch was Max the barking dog and Kris the Innkeeper who welcomed us with a wonderful smile.  Kris led us to the Manzanita Room which opened to the covered, wrap around porch.  It is here we relaxed on the rocking chairs after dumping all of our crap.  Let’s be clear, Anna said.  They were gliding rocking chairs partnered with gliding footrests.  A little later, we napped on a couple of recliners for an hour along the poolside with Charles the cat cuddled on Christie’s lap. At some point we asked ourselves, “Is that a rooster wandering around the property”?

Feeling refreshed, we knew it was time to scope out the area.  Food and wine were on the agenda!  The first place we scoped out was not open (who isn’t open at 4PM?), the second place Christie thought wasn’t swanky enough for Anna’s birthday weekend, and the third place was just right.  15 Degrees C Wine Shop and Bar, a premier wine bar with noshies, delicious noshies, created by Ana from the Canary Islands.  We settled in with a glass of California Rose and a cheese platter while we eavesdropped excited chatter between four ladies celebrating a 50^th birthday.  Well, Christie eavesdropped.  Anna just repeatedly reminded Christie that it is not polite to stare.

Ana from the Canary Islands served us another glass of wine, this time a Chardonnay.  When we asked her why she left Spain, she replied, “One only leaves the Canary Islands for love”.  Very romantic.  Once we finished our refreshment, we purchased some more decadent nibbles and a bottle of wine and said our goodbyes.  Strange thing?  Ana from the Canary Islands is Ana Jimenez from the Canary Islands.  Mandatory photo op!!! 

We returned to the Inn and relaxed on the rocking chairs (aka the gliders) sipping and eating our recent purchases.  Kris the Innkeeper brought out a plate of caprese salad sprinkled with the Inn’s very own, award winning olive oil.  Delicious!  And with that we say good night! 

Stay Tuned!

It's been a while since we posted but have no fear!  A post is near!  Traveling Gals just returned from Paso Robles and we are excited to tell you all about our adventures.  Stay tuned.