Now, kids, stop crying. You have no reason to be upset. After all, I never said Summerland was a theme park.

I suppose I could’ve phrased it like “Hey, kids, pack up your things, ‘cause we’re going to Summerland Winery!” instead of just blurting out sentence at “Who wants to go to Summerland?” But, c’mon, where’s the challenge in that? My job as your father is to give you life lessons, not spoon feed you information. Next time, you’ll know to Google the things you hear, won’t you? Lesson learned, I say.

Besides, look at this place! It’s beautiful! Just look at all the hills and the grapes and the… grapes. Grapes are better than thrill rides and cotton candy, aren’t they? Of course, they are. You two just can’t appreciate it because you’re kids. One day, though, you’ll also be tricking your children into driving hundreds of miles just to pick up a case of Summerland Bien Nacido Chardonnay. It may not be the fresh crushed peach and honeysuckle aromas and baked apple and Asian pear flavors of the 2005 Bien Nacido Block U Chardonnay you’re after, or the 2007 Bien Nacido Block U Chardonnay with a lush, dense palate and silky, creamy mouthfeel, but it’ll be something just as lovely, I’m sure. Just you wait.

Yep, three whole days of Summerland Winery. It’s almost a shame you two will have to stay in the motel room the entire time we’re out here. Almost. Don’t worry. I’ll give you plenty of quarters for the Magic Fingers on the bed. If you close your eyes, maybe you can pretend you’re riding in a tea cup or something.

Back to top