September 5, 2013 Photo of the day:
"California Cool!"
Today, we left the city of San Francisco
and spent the afternoon in wine country,
the Carneros region of Sonoma County.
We enjoyed formal pourings at two local vineyards
Our first stop was the Jacuzzi Family Vineyards
(Yes, those Jacuzzis!)
The Jacuzzi family invented the matchstick propeller,
but after a plane crash claimed one of their own,
they began producing wine like they had in Italy.
One grandson suffered from rheumatoid arthritis.
requiring hydrotherapy in San Francisco
As inventors, the Jacuzzis developed a home spa.
They sold the patent for the jacuzzi spa,
but thankfully kept the wine-making business.
We sampled several varietals in the barrel room...
of the gorgeous Italian villa.
We basked in the beautiful Mediterranean climate.
Our next stop was the quaint Roche Boutique Winery
Here, we learned that everyone has a dominant nostril
with which to best sniff wines and smell their notes.
This has nothing to do with your dominant hand.
Eric and I are both right-handed and left-nostriled.
We also enjoyed a barrel tasting of a Pinot Noir future
Funny, but why not both French & Californian?
After our afternoon of wine tasting, we explored
lovely downtown Sausalito in Marin County.
These spontaneous stone sculptures are created by
local artist, Bill Dan, "The Rock Balancer"
We ended our day away with a late lunch at Scoma's.
Lunch and the distant San Francisco skyline
were a lovely way to end thoroughly enjoyable day!
I had sea bass with asparagus and citrus avocado
cream served on a risotto cake - delicious!
Cin cin, San Francisco!