we leave the house tomorrow morning at 7 am, in roughly 12 hours. Time to start packing.

We get to SFO around 12:30 and are hitching a ride with justplainjulie. Hopefully that means we'll be at the hotel around 2:30.

Bringing a couple extra govinos is possible, though everyone talking about them is on the veteran tour and we're on the newbie.

Oh, and Tenuki, we'll be happy to take a bottle of balsamic if you have an extra.

I'm pretty sure that Sparky owes me a bottle from somewhere along the line, and PS does too... from like 3 years ago (or more).

winefarm wrote:Go Downtown and hang out in front of the Swiss Hotel. Hot Box Grill in Boyes Hot Springs is a good, but expensive dinner spot. Will need reservations. For cheaper fare head to Boyes hot Springs on Hiway 12 lots of good mexican food. But not at Amigas. I actually love the food at the Breakaway Cafe in the Strip Mall on highway 12 by Lucky's. It's an old Denny's, but the food is good, nice size portions and great murals by Dennis Ziemenski. I would join you, but we are exhausted from our efforts in kick ball today.

Thanks for the recommendations - I'm going to go meander. It was a long challenging day for me, too.

But at the end of it all, I'm still in SONOMA.

Life is good. :-)

kkv123 wrote:Thanks for the recommendations - I'm going to go meander. It was a long challenging day for me, too.

But at the end of it all, I'm still in SONOMA.

Life is good. :-)

My friend has a great cheese shop called the epicurean connection. Not sure if they are open this late. Also, love the peach jalapeno at EDK

winefarm wrote:My friend has a great cheese shop called the epicurean connection. Not sure if they are open this late. Also, love the peach jalapeno at EDK

I am here right this very second! I meandered in on my own. Just the ticket. :-)

Getting myself relaxed and well grounded before the tour. Relaxing back with a plate of bread, cheese, and a sliced nectarine as well as a glass of Wellington cab to use as a baseline for the tour :-)

I look forward to seeing everyone!

Just starting laundry.... Talk about procrastination.

Newbie question.... Should I pack some wine at all?

joelsisk wrote:we leave the house tomorrow morning at 7 am, in roughly 12 hours. Time to start packing.

We get to SFO around 12:30 and are hitching a ride with justplainjulie. Hopefully that means we'll be at the hotel around 2:30.

Bringing a couple extra govinos is possible, though everyone talking about them is on the veteran tour and we're on the newbie.

Oh, and Tenuki, we'll be happy to take a bottle of balsamic if you have an extra.

I'm pretty sure that Sparky owes me a bottle from somewhere along the line, and PS does too... from like 3 years ago (or more).

Perhaps. But then there is that matter of the $1,000 you owe me for services rendered.


I was asking about the Govino glasses, because the first tour we used plastic cups to rat the Brian Benson Syrah (which was way too cold) by the pool. Which didn't do it justice.

Itwdswafo wrote:Just starting laundry.... Talk about procrastination.

Newbie question.... Should I pack some wine at all?

Of course!!! Just plan on giving it to everyone you meet.


Believe me, there will be plenty of wine!

Getting it ready for you....

Almost ready for you....

But first, I have to deal with the aftermath of two days of reunioning.... where is Speedy Alkaseltzer when I need him to come marching around the hill to bring me plop! plop! fizz! fizz!

We will be arriving at the hotel by 2:30 and we have a rental. Any suggestions on wineries to visit until the evening orientation?

jmdavidson wrote:We will be arriving at the hotel by 2:30 and we have a rental. Any suggestions on wineries to visit until the evening orientation?

Buena Vista

Cesare wrote:Buena Vista

seconded. I think Roessler has a new tasting room around downtown as well.

rpm wrote:seconded. I think Roessler has a new tasting room around downtown as well.

They do. However I discovered that they are not necessarily open at their posted hours so you should call ahead.

Unfortunately we missed our flight due to a huge logjam at the united airlines counter and will not get into San Fran until 730. We have a rental car but by the time we get to the Sonoma valley inn it will be after 9 pm. I am sick about this but nothing I can do about it.

Leaving LAX for SFO. Thinking of a stop at Buena Vista around 2:30 if our travel partners are up to it.

chipgreen wrote:Unfortunately we missed our flight due to a huge logjam at the united airlines counter and will not get into San Fran until 730. We have a rental car but by the time we get to the Sonoma valley inn it will be after 9 pm. I am sick about this but nothing I can do about it.

I'm sorry you will miss the get together in larger part. Find me when you're checked in and I'll go over briefly what you've missed.

rpm wrote:I'm sorry you will miss the get together in larger part. Find me when you're checked in and I'll go over briefly what you've missed.

Will do. Maybe u can text me where to meet you? Will pm my cell # very sorry for the inconvenience.

Leaving Berkeley to head up to Napa right now! Going to eat at Morimoto's. Any places we should check out there after lunch?

chipgreen wrote:Unfortunately we missed our flight due to a huge logjam at the united airlines counter and will not get into San Fran until 730. We have a rental car but by the time we get to the Sonoma valley inn it will be after 9 pm. I am sick about this but nothing I can do about it.

I am so sorry - how very frustrating! But as I was reminded only yesterday, a flexible mindset and positive mental attitude are the most important things to pack on any trip.

So despite this little hiccup, everything will be OK. I promise. Take a deep breath and take your time. We will all greet you joyfully WHENEVER you arrive.

Safe journey!

For anybody staying at the Sonoma Inn on the newbie tour that doesn't have a vehicle, can you register my vehicle under your room # when you check in? I'll be spending my nights at my house, but am worried about my car getting towed if I leave it at the hotel when we're on the bus for the day. PM me for the details, I'd greatly appreciate it!

If google maps is to be believed..... Our arrival at SVI will be around 7:30. Darn traffic... Will try and make as little stops as possible.

Arrived!
1400

GPS is good, until you have two and they tell you different things...

I'll be at the hotel and checked in by 4 pm. What are folks doing about dinner? Before or after the 6pm intro?

On that note, is there a nice place for happy hour appetizers nearby? Perhaps even tapas?

cmaldoon wrote:I'll be at the hotel and checked in by 4 pm. What are folks doing about dinner? Before or after the 6pm intro?

On that note, is there a nice place for happy hour appetizers nearby? Perhaps even tapas?

Meritage...ledson hotel...edk...epicurean connection. Walk to the plaza, spin around blindfolded with your arm stretched out. Walk in direction you land. You will find a good restaurant. Just don't order cheese . Marys pizza has a great salad. Maybe a good cold soup at la salette. Sunflower cafe has pretty back garden.

otolith wrote:Wife and I arrived well. Ate at Pier 39, the tourist trap in San Fran. Walked around a little, drove over a bridge (and back over), then drove over a really long double decker bridge, and checked into our hotel for the night. Now, SWMBO is taking a nap, and then we're going to Chez Panisse for dinner tonight.

Not a bad day.

How was Chez Panisse?

What room are we meeting in? Downtown Sonoma seems much more quaint and cooler than Napa, on first blush.

otolith wrote:What room are we meeting in? Downtown Sonoma seems much more quaint and cooler than Napa, on first blush.

Krug Center at the back of the property where all the parking spaces are.

otolith wrote:What room are we meeting in? Downtown Sonoma seems much more quaint and cooler than Napa, on first blush.

The front desk told me we're in the Krug Event Center (building at the back of the parking lot) in room "C."

winefarm wrote:Meritage...ledson hotel...edk...epicurean connection. Walk to the plaza, spin around blindfolded with your arm stretched out. Walk in direction you land. You will find a good restaurant. Just don't order cheese . Marys pizza has a great salad. Maybe a good cold soup at la salette. Sunflower cafe has pretty back garden.

I can second sunflower cafe.
Awesome back patio and equally good food. I've eaten there a couple times and have not been disappointed.

Got it!

otolith wrote:Got it!

Milk?

Life has just been way too busy lately so this year's tour wasn't in the cards for me but my CoffeeMate is intrigued after all the stories the wooters shared with her at T-Byrd's last night. She's in if we ever do another tour.

RPM...I'm looking at you here.

Everyone have a blast, spit a lot, lurn stuff, and darn the liver, full speed ahead!!!!!

javadrinker wrote:
Everyone have a blast, spit a lot, lurn stuff, and darn the liver, full speed ahead!!!!!

No spitting going on tonight at the welcome get together, just drinkin', and eatin'. Why didn't I take pics of the before and after. I'm a newbie, still in training, it'll get better, I hope.

Great meeting you and Coffee-Mate last night. Enjoy your spoils of the evening and fall the best.

klezman wrote:How was Chez Panisse?

A unique, interesting restaurant! The food was fresh and delicious. One of the better places I've eaten at in a long time.

javadrinker wrote:Life has just been way too busy lately so this year's tour wasn't in the cards for me but my CoffeeMate is intrigued after all the stories the wooters shared with her at T-Byrd's last night. She's in if we ever do another tour.

RPM...I'm looking at you here.

Everyone have a blast, spit a lot, lurn stuff, and darn the liver, full speed ahead!!!!!

As my Mother used to say, "we'll see....."

Just leaving st. Supery.

We tasted a Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, malbec, Cabernet, and Rutherford merlot.

We also got a wlk through the vineyard while our guide told us about vine management and soils, Lots about soils.

Onward to Corison

cmaldoon wrote:Just leaving st. Supery.

We tasted a Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, malbec, Cabernet, and Rutherford merlot.

We also got a wlk through the vineyard while our guide told us about vine management and soils, Lots about soils.

Onward to Corison

Keep the updates coming!

North316 wrote:Keep the updates coming!

Yes, please!!! I need to live vicariously through y'all!