[hubbahubba]

Yummy!

[RichF90M5C]

Originally Posted by hubbahubba

Do it man. We had a total ball. If you like your wine, 700+ wineries to choose from.

I’m trying to decide whether my wife would enjoy it, or whether taking a wine connoisseur friend would be more appropriate

[hubbahubba]

Originally Posted by RichF90M5C

I’m trying to decide whether my wife would enjoy it, or whether taking a wine connoisseur friend would be more appropriate

It can be a romantic place. Not sure your situation, but no way I take anyone but my honey. Would be cool to have wine knowledgeable friends join, but not for the evening…. If you know what I mean…

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by RichF90M5C

I’m trying to decide whether my wife would enjoy it, or whether taking a wine connoisseur friend would be more appropriate

Have you viewed the film Sideways? That's one half of the equation, offering one possibility after leaving the better half at home. A bit more here: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0375063/.

Going back to the late '60s, I've been to all of the valleys quite a few times; and, if things are happy on the home front, would recommend always taking the wife along. If you can, time it so that you're not there when it's totally mobbed with other people, assuming such a thing is still possible.

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Frankly, and this is from an old guy's jaded perspective, the whole Napa Valley scene peaked during the mid-80s to the mid-90s. That's not to say it's a destination to avoid; it will never be that. The climate alone, combined with the scenery, no matter the time of year, argues for a visit. I still stop in for a treatment at Dr. Wilkinson's every time I'm passing through, and that won't change either.

[evil-G-nius]

Originally Posted by hubbahubba

Sunday-Tuesday we visited Napa. Going to break this into a post for each day so they don’t get too long. Rolled in to the Napa Valley on Sunday afternoon. Checked in to our hotel, Rancho Caymus Inn in Rutherford and had no plans for the rest of the day, so hit 2 wineries very close by. We started at St Supery where we just enjoyed a couple of complimentary tastings, and got a reservation for Peju right next door for an hour later for a full tasting menu. Both of these were nice places, and the wines were ok. We felt obliged to purchase a couple bottles from each place. Nothing really special about either place, but decent. Finished the evening at Rutherford Grill, which was very tasty. Pictured are our room, Peju exterior and tasting menu, and St Supery interior.

Oh yeah Peju is a good spot as well. I completely forgot about them, its been a while since I have been there.

[hubbahubba]

Originally Posted by dradernh

Have you viewed the film Sideways? That's one half of the equation, offering one possibility after leaving the better half at home. A bit more here: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0375063/.

Going back to the late '60s, I've been to all of the valleys quite a few times; and, if things are happy on the home front, would recommend always taking the wife along. If you can, time it so that you're not there when it's totally mobbed with other people, assuming such a thing is still possible.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Frankly, and this is from an old guy's jaded perspective, the whole Napa Valley scene peaked during the mid-80s to the mid-90s. That's not to say it's a destination to avoid; it will never be that. The climate alone, combined with the scenery, no matter the time of year, argues for a visit. I still stop in for a treatment at Dr. Wilkinson's every time I'm passing through, and that won't change either.

Sideways is decent. Paso wines are good too!

[BMW F22]

Awesome wine trip/vacay hubbahubba! Glad to see you had a blast!

[sygazelle]

I put this on the LOL pic thread, but then realized it belongs here too. My logic is simple. It's not always about where it's from, how good it is, what color it is, or how much it costs. Sometimes it's just the fact that it's wine that matters most.

Good luck out there!

[hubbahubba]

So much for letting it age…

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by hubbahubba

So much for letting it age…

I had a reserve cab from Peju last year (bought it 2-3 years ago for $200). It was damn good! Napa wine is just so pricey nowadays though. I find much better value in Sonoma.

[hubbahubba]

Originally Posted by BMW F22

I had a reserve cab from Peju last year (bought it 2-3 years ago for $200). It was damn good! Napa wine is just so pricey nowadays though. I find much better value in Sonoma.

I believe it! I think this one was around $50. Saving the good stuff (in theory) for a while…

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by hubbahubba

I believe it! I think this one was around $50. Saving the good stuff (in theory) for a while…

O’Brien in Napa is one of my favorites. They make great wines. Only thing is the price as their Merlots alone go for $100 a bottle. As much as I love wine, it’s crazy to consume hundreds or thousands in a given week. A bottle or two for a special occasion is fine.

[hubbahubba]

Originally Posted by BMW F22

O’Brien in Napa is one of my favorites. They make great wines. Only thing is the price as their Merlots alone go for $100 a bottle. As much as I love wine, it’s crazy to consume hundreds or thousands in a given week. A bottle or two for a special occasion is fine.

Agreed. Going to save the wallet busters we brought home for just that… or a random Tuesday!

[RickFLM4]

I was on the verge of buying a third wine 'fridge this weekend and decided I wouldn't. Lack of temp controlled storage space is the best way to keep wine buying sorta under control. (We have 2 small Eurocave's now.)

[kscarrol]

.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

.

I can always count on finding a good influence on Bimmerpost!

[kscarrol]

I’m here to help!

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

I was on the verge of buying a third wine 'fridge this weekend and decided I wouldn't. Lack of temp controlled storage space is the best way to keep wine buying sorta under control. (We have 2 small Eurocave's now.)

Good call. I have a 32 bottles fridge and 2 wooden racks carrying 24 bottles each. Because of them, I’ve kept racking up bottles. There are bottles on the floor now and I’m playing catch up. Having space makes it easier to just keep buying. I’m making it a point to keep things under control now.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by BMW F22

Good call. I have a 32 bottles fridge and 2 wooden racks carrying 24 bottles each. Because of them, I’ve kept racking up bottles. There are bottles on the floor now and I’m playing catch up. Having space makes it easier to just keep buying. I’m making it a point to keep things under control now.

That’s what I’m telling myself. Plus the cost of another EuroCave is insane nowadays. 2 provides space for 60+ bottles plus I’ve got some out and can leave some more in Asheville with no wine fridge. I always want more but really don’t need more. We’ll see how it goes.

[kscarrol]

I have a 200 bottle fridge in my office which is full, a 48 bottle cooler in the kitchen which is also full and bottles in a kitchen cabinet…. I might have a problem!

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

I have a 200 bottle fridge in my office which is full, a 48 bottle cooler in the kitchen which is also full and bottles in a kitchen cabinet…. I might have a problem!

That’s a lot of wine. My brother in law has thousands of bottles in offsite storage. If these are problems, they seem like good problems to have I suppose.

How often do you open a bottle? The interesting thing is we don’t drink a ton at home - usually when grilling steaks, which isn’t as frequent as it once was. We drink more often by taking bottles to restaurants. Then there is the habit of buying and storing for years.

We need to drink more at home, go out to eat more often and buy less I guess. (Probably drink and eat more.)

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

... I might have a problem!

The not drinking enough problem...