klezman wrote:What are your preferred bay area dim sum places?

Only tried a couple places, East Ocean for East Bay, in the city I actually liked Ton Kiang more than Yank Sing. Haven't tried Koi Palace but since it's also closest to you ...

Imagine4vr wrote:If Heart Attack Grill is anything like the one that was in Chandler, AZ, it's not so good and except for the kitsch factor, not really worth the $. Just my opinion.

I was mostly joking though part of me is curious. It's not like I'm looking forward to it as part of my next Vegas trip though

tenuki wrote:Only tried a couple places, East Ocean for East Bay, in the city I actually liked Ton Kiang more than Yank Sing. Haven't tried Koi Palace but since it's also closest to you ...

Koi Palace is delicious - it's the place I go when I've got lots of time to spare waiting in line and it's enough of an occasion to merit the extra $ from my cheaper options.

klezman wrote:Koi Palace is delicious - it's the place I go when I've got lots of time to spare waiting in line and it's enough of an occasion to merit the extra $ from my cheaper options.

That's a place I've been wanting to try for years. Never quite got around to it. One of these days I guess.

One of new barrel mates visited the winery yesterday to plunge and I went today. 30 barrels to plunge, most just crushed in the last couple days, so the cap has not broken down much and it's quite a workout!

Our wine already smells yummy. One other wine smelled really tasty; a sangio/cab/syrah. I saw one other intersting blends, PS (6), Grenache (7), Alicante (6), Muscato (2).

sanity wrote:One of new barrel mates visited the winery yesterday to plunge and I went today. 30 barrels to plunge, most just crushed in the last couple days, so the cap has not broken down much and it's quite a workout!

Our wine already smells yummy. One other wine smelled really tasty; a sangio/cab/syrah. I saw one other intersting blends, PS (6), Grenache (7), Alicante (6), Muscato (2).

Okay, I'd be curious enough to try a bottle of that PS blend even though it scares me. Did they just throw darts? :P Too bad he doesn't have baby barrels.

CAGrl wrote:That's a place I've been wanting to try for years. Never quite got around to it. One of these days I guess.

Sounds like the beginnings of a future woot gathering. Dim sum + wine?

sanity wrote:VdF? OK, I'll go search...

I tasted the two grapes together, (and all 3 together and separately) and really got to thinking about a mourvedre-centric wine. My interest is really piqued. I know cj likes mourvedre, too. It might be an expensive experiment. (;

Oooh. I am so happy to hear this! I *tried* to coerce folks into realizing that we should go big on the M! I'm such a huge fan. Almost as much a fan as some folks around these parts are of a certain other varietal...

I'm in for something like that, although 1/3 of a barrel is a LOT of wine!!! (That's you, me, and klez so far.) If we can find another 2 or 3 to go in, then the price and quantity would be more to my comfort level. Unless you are willing to take my share as an installment plan. :P (Damned roof! Killing off my fun coupons!)

cjsiege wrote:I'm in for something like that, although 1/3 of a barrel is a LOT of wine!!! (That's you, me, and klez so far.)

I'm a big fan of mourvedre. I was sad this one wasn't more due to some people's fears I'd be in for this blend, definitely! Unsure I can handle a whole 1/4 barrel, but I bet we can strong-arm a few more people...

cheron98 wrote:I'm a big fan of mourvedre. I was sad this one wasn't more due to some people's fears I'd be in for this blend, definitely! Unsure I can handle a whole 1/4 barrel, but I bet we can strong-arm a few more people...

I might be interested. Don't know too much about mourvedre though.

CAGrl wrote:I might be interested. Don't know too much about mourvedre though.

Drink more Twisted Oak. You'll get a good education

cheron98 wrote:Drink more Twisted Oak. You'll get a good education

Well, good thing then I went in for 3 graciano. Good start.

Well, I keep considering doing 2 barrels. Start saving now! By next year, I could probably finance a whole barrel, and take limited participants for the mourvedre barrel and the usual 15 or so for the mainstream blend.

The more time I spend on learning about making wine, the more I understand how there are so many variables that can go into making wine. The choices, all along the process, are staggering.

sanity wrote:Well, I keep considering doing 2 barrels. Start saving now! By next year, I could probably finance a whole barrel, and take limited participants for the mourvedre barrel and the usual 15 or so for the mainstream blend.

The more time I spend on learning about making wine, the more I understand how there are so many variables that can go into making wine. The choices, all along the process, are staggering.

We would definitely be interested in a mourvèdre share.

cheron98 wrote:I'm a big fan of mourvedre. I was sad this one wasn't more due to some people's fears I'd be in for this blend, definitely! Unsure I can handle a whole 1/4 barrel, but I bet we can strong-arm a few more people...

Hey now....I am new and allowed to be scared of dirty, leathery wine!!!!

I am up for trying new .....

We did the Press today.

The juice of course has already changed in one week; it tastes like syrah, but not quite, so interesting, a little medicinal tasting on the back end (not alcohol - more like a very faint hexol?). The nose is actually lovely; very complex fruit, a little earthy, not too much. The cake tasted best this year out of all three years. OK, very tannic and bitter, but still a very nice flavor. 2 other people thought so too, the rest just made a face and said "blech!"

It's in the oak barrel now. Someone stole our monkey, so I will replace him. Charlie asked if we would frame a copy of our poem to hang in the warehouse. He's planning on having a port party again, possible in December, with the same port but now it's been in the bottle another year.

edit: A big thanks to sanity's fun friends who did most of the work during the Press; I supervised . We rewarded ourselves with a pleasant lunch at Panevino Deli and toasted the group.

sanity wrote:We did the Press today.

The juice of course has already changed in one week; it tastes like syrah, but not quite, so interesting, a little medicinal tasting on the back end (not alcohol - more like a very faint hexol?). The nose is actually lovely; very complex fruit, a little earthy, not too much. The cake tasted best this year out of all three years. OK, very tannic and bitter, but still a very nice flavor. 2 other people thought so too, the rest just made a face and said "blech!"

It's in the oak barrel now. Someone stole our monkey, so I will replace him. Charlie asked if we would frame a copy of our poem to hang in the warehouse. He's planning on having a port party again, possible in December, with the same port but now it's been in the bottle another year.

edit: A big thanks to sanity's fun friends who did most of the work during the Press; I supervised . We rewarded ourselves with a pleasant lunch at Panevino Deli and toasted the group.

I am sad I am missing all this fun stuff!

mmmmm Panevino - we had an awesome lunch there last year.

Imagine4vr wrote:I am sad I am missing all this fun stuff!

mmmmm Panevino - we had an awesome lunch there last year.

We ate in the deli next door. Order at the counter, pick it up at the other counter, decent food. I counted 12 different salads (I had a sampler of 3 for lunch), very small new york steak with the trimmings for $10, lots of different sandwiches, hot and cold to choose from. Good desserts, each came in 2 sizes, huge and normal. I couldn't even finish the normal size, lol.

sanity wrote:We did the Press today.

The juice of course has already changed in one week; it tastes like syrah, but not quite, so interesting, a little medicinal tasting on the back end (not alcohol - more like a very faint hexol?). The nose is actually lovely; very complex fruit, a little earthy, not too much. The cake tasted best this year out of all three years. OK, very tannic and bitter, but still a very nice flavor. 2 other people thought so too, the rest just made a face and said "blech!"

It's in the oak barrel now. Someone stole our monkey, so I will replace him. Charlie asked if we would frame a copy of our poem to hang in the warehouse. He's planning on having a port party again, possible in December, with the same port but now it's been in the bottle another year.

edit: A big thanks to sanity's fun friends who did most of the work during the Press; I supervised . We rewarded ourselves with a pleasant lunch at Panevino Deli and toasted the group.

I am still bummed I missed it!!!

mommadeb1 wrote:I am still bummed I missed it!!!

Well, I am, too! Are you still coming out in January? imagine4vr is, too, I think, and we can get together then.

Racking will most likely take place in February.
Charlie did the last crush on Monday.

sanity wrote:Well, I am, too! Are you still coming out in January? imagine4vr is, too, I think, and we can get together then.

Racking will most likely take place in February.
Charlie did the last crush on Monday.

I will be in Vegas in december namely the 24th-30th. Sadly not in time for any events, but might want to pick some brains as to what to do/where to eat.

sanity wrote:Well, I am, too! Are you still coming out in January? imagine4vr is, too, I think, and we can get together then.

Racking will most likely take place in February.
Charlie did the last crush on Monday.

I think we are coming out the first weekend in Feb. can't get flights home yet, just realized why... Superbowl sunday!! Talk about timing! We haven't figured out where we are staying... The Planet Hollywood restaurant was nice and the hotel looks nice (from what we saw). Don't like Excalibur, we got a non pyramid room at Luxor and it was nice, tried Harrah's . Guess since it is superbowl weekend, I should get a room booked!

When do you think bottling will be?

mommadeb1 wrote:I think we are coming out the first weekend in Feb. can't get flights home yet, just realized why... Superbowl sunday!! Talk about timing! We haven't figured out where we are staying... The Planet Hollywood restaurant was nice and the hotel looks nice (from what we saw). Don't like Excalibur, we got a non pyramid room at Luxor and it was nice, tried Harrah's . Guess since it is superbowl weekend, I should get a room booked!

When do you think bottling will be?

Bottling is in May. We were kicking around Mother's day weekend - any more feedback on that everyone? Next choice is the 19t of May.

cheron98 wrote:I'm a big fan of mourvedre. I was sad this one wasn't more due to some people's fears I'd be in for this blend, definitely! Unsure I can handle a whole 1/4 barrel, but I bet we can strong-arm a few more people...

Not fears, but rather dislike of.


And it would be interesting if we have enough interest in 2 barrels. One for the Mouvedre crowd and one for a different blend.

sanity wrote:Bottling is in May. We were kicking around Mother's day weekend - any more feedback on that everyone? Next choice is the 19t of May.

Mother's Day weekend would be out for me, and I bet for Java as well.


19th is open so far.

sanity wrote:Bottling is in May. We were kicking around Mother's day weekend - any more feedback on that everyone? Next choice is the 19t of May.

I would say mothers day is out....could be a present to myself! so far the 19th looks good.

RueLaLa has Red Rock Casino today - $500 credit for $325, can be used toward room rates, spa, most restaurants, bowling... Dates good thru May 31.

cheron98 wrote:RueLaLa has Red Rock Casino today - $500 credit for $325, can be used toward room rates, spa, most restaurants, bowling... Dates good thru May 31.

That's a lot of bowling! ;)

Let's kick around some dates for bottling. I have a lot going on (tentatively) in May already and would like to get the bottling scheduled.

I checked with Charlie today and we can do any of the weekends in May, or the first weekend in June.

Choices are:
May 12 Mother's Day
May 19
May 26 Memorial Day
June 2

sanity wrote:Let's kick around some dates for bottling. I have a lot going on (tentatively) in May already and would like to get the bottling scheduled.

I checked with Charlie today and we can do any of the weekends in May, or the first weekend in June.

Choices are:
May 12 Mother's Day
May 19
May 26 Memorial Day
June 2

5/19 would be cool, could finally overlap with pool instead of going to Vegas back to back :P

sanity wrote:Let's kick around some dates for bottling. I have a lot going on (tentatively) in May already and would like to get the bottling scheduled.

I checked with Charlie today and we can do any of the weekends in May, or the first weekend in June.

Choices are:
May 12 Mother's Day
May 19
May 26 Memorial Day
June 2

19th should be fine. Will probably do Thurs - Mon since that's when the cheapest flights are. Assuming I'm still in Michigan by then. Blah. Definitely booking Southwest though, since change fees don't exist with them.

sanity wrote:Let's kick around some dates for bottling. I have a lot going on (tentatively) in May already and would like to get the bottling scheduled.

I checked with Charlie today and we can do any of the weekends in May, or the first weekend in June.

Choices are:
May 12 Mother's Day
May 19
May 26 Memorial Day
June 2

19th is fine with me ...

sanity wrote:Let's kick around some dates for bottling. I have a lot going on (tentatively) in May already and would like to get the bottling scheduled.

I checked with Charlie today and we can do any of the weekends in May, or the first weekend in June.

Choices are:
May 12 Mother's Day
May 19
May 26 Memorial Day
June 2

Agree with everyone 19th would be okay if I end up coming at all.

Sanity, thanks for popping by the pub to get our attention re: bottling. ddeuddeg has to be at school sometime for the Baccalaureate Mass on the 20th. He's not sure yet what time it is. He'll have to see if he can find out tomorrow. It's usually late afternoon/early evening.

tenuki, are you planning on visiting Vegas the 10th?

Looks like the 19th is a popular choice, but we can't make it that weekend because of other commitments. The 26th would be fine, although I haven't looked at prices for flights on Memorial Day weekend.
June 2nd is out of the question here. We hate to miss out on the fun, and I was looking forward to tasting the wines we collected at the awards dinner, but it looks like you may have to manage without us.

sanity wrote:tenuki, are you planning on visiting Vegas the 10th?

Yeah, still haven't booked anything but got Monday off so looking at getting in Friday or Saturday and leaving Monday night. Will probably see how prices are tomorrow (either mgm or caesar's chain is having a cybermonday sale) so will probably know tomorrow.

ddeuddeg wrote:Looks like the 19th is a popular choice, but we can't make it that weekend because of other commitments. The 26th would be fine, although I haven't looked at prices for flights on Memorial Day weekend.
June 2nd is out of the question here. We hate to miss out on the fun, and I was looking forward to tasting the wines we collected at the awards dinner, but it looks like you may have to manage without us.

I like to complain about having to go up a different weekend for pool but if another dates works for everyone I really have no problem. It's a lot easier for me to get to Vegas than y'all (except Sparky)

26th or 19th is fine with me.

How is everyone else with the 26th, Memorial Weekend? I'd love to have d-dog and bam join us if at all possible.

tenuki wrote:Yeah, still haven't booked anything but got Monday off so looking at getting in Friday or Saturday and leaving Monday night. Will probably see how prices are tomorrow (either mgm or caesar's chain is having a cybermonday sale) so will probably know tomorrow.

Part of my weekend is booked. I have Friday evening free, and Saturday till 2. Sunday night after 6 is open, and Monday is free. You pick a time and place, and I'll be there!

edit: You are more than welcome to join us for a hokey, fun and yummy motorcycle club dinner on Saturday (prepared at the culinary school, so good food - prime rib, etc.), a trip to the women's shelter playing Santa on Sunday morning with the bike club (we let the kids climb all over the bikes, they love it), a trip to Valley of Fire on Sunday afternoon.