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Calistoga Inn Revamps

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Beer Garden at the Calistoga Inn
The inviting Beer Garden at the Calistoga Inn

Calistoga Inn – Beer Garden

What a pleasant surprise! On our most recent trip to the Napa Valley, we discovered that one of our favorite Calistoga haunts has undergone a facelift both inside and out. The Calistoga Inn along with its brewpub, the Napa Valley Brewing Company, have a sparkling new look. The indoor restaurant has new furniture and decor while the outdoor eating area has an entirely new look.

The outdoor patio and beer garden is the main attraction. It looks fantastic and inviting. Caltrans recently widened Lincoln Street at the bridge adjacent to the Calistoga Inn. Owner Michael Dunsford took the opportunity to revamp the restaurant and brewery while the bridge construction was in process.

Calistoga is at the Northern end of the Napa Valley. It is surrounded by beautiful vineyards, mountains, and of course wineries.

More on Calistoga

Brown’s English Toffee – Fiddletown, CA

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Fiddletown is one of the hidden spots you will discover when visiting the Sierra Foothills wine country. Fiddletown is in Amador County. This report is a guest Blog Post by Marilyn McDanel of Brown’s English Toffee and Celtic Candies.

  • Scottist Tablet
  • Loshin Du
  • Chocolate Orange Fudge
  • Peanut Brittle
  • English Toffee

In Fiddletown, Brown’s English Toffee and Celtic Candies

Founded in 1985 as a cottage industry business by Tom and Helen Brown in Oakhurst, California under the name of Brown’s Cottage Toffee, making only milk and dark chocolate toffee.  Brown’s was sold twice thereafter with the third owner relocating it to Fair Oaks near Sacramento, renaming it Brown’s English Toffee and making it more of a hobby/cottage business.  In 2012 the fourth owners, Carl and Marilyn McDanel relocated to in current home in the small historic hamlet of Fiddletown located in the Shenandoah Valley wine region of the Sierra Foothills in Amador County.  Taking the only commercial building in Fiddletown they opened the kitchen and adding to the name, now making it Brown’s English Toffee and Celtic Candies.  People soon began knocking on the door wanting to purchase the toffee and other confections.  In early 2013 the store officially opened.  One can stop by watch the candies being made while browsing the shop.  Along with our confections we also offer T-shirts, local artisan works and crafts.



It is our dream to eventually make candy that represents the seven Celtic Nations (Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Isle of Man, Brittany, Cornwall and Galatia).  We are presently making candy that represents six of those seven Celtic Nations.

Today we offer toffee with almonds, toffee without almonds, and sugar free toffee.  The toffees are coated in milk chocolate, white chocolate and dark chocolate along with no coating at all.  

Our Celtic candies will one day represent all seven Celtic Nations. Presently our recipes are from Brittany, France with the sweet salty taste of salted caramels, the Isle of Man with the oldest recipe of Honey Fudge, the recipe dating back some 600 years. Ireland and its Coffee Fudge (some have said its like eating their Irish Coffee), Scotland coming in with the most popular confection of Tablet in three flavors; Traditional, Single Malt and Vanilla. The single malt is made with a 10-year-old single malt whisky. Wales with its famous Loshin Du or black toffee or to those Harry Potter fans Treacle (pronounced tree kuhl). Last, but not the end, is Cornwall with the decadent creamy goodness of Chocolate Orange Fudge. To complete our Celtic candy line, we are currently researching candies of Galatia and Asturias.  These two nations have become such a part of Spain it is difficult to determine specifically what their confection is.  

Our specialty confections range from ice cream topping/Baking Mix, to peanut brittle and peppermint bark (in season), Sweetie Hearts with the “three basic food groups” – white chocolate blended with peanut butter and a dark chocolate base. 

In the making of all our candies and confections we use only the highest quality ingredients; Grade AA Butter, Blue Diamond almonds, pure cane sugar and the best chocolate money can buy.  All our confections are gluten and soy free with the exception of the sugar free toffee which does have soy.

Some of our confections are international but our candies are made locally here in Fiddletown with love.

We are a veteran family owned and operated business. Our address is 14385 Fiddletown Road, Fiddletown, CA 95629

In Fiddletown, Toffee store
In Fiddletown, Brown’s English Toffee

Wineries near Fiddletown

Toffee and Wine Country in Amador's Shenandoah Valley
Toffee and Wine Country in Amador’s Shenandoah Valley

Wine Friends at Cedarville Vineyard

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our wine outing at Cedarville Vineyard
In the back row, on the right, Jonathan Lachs and Susan Marks. Owners & Winemakers at Cedarville Vineyard – Photo is courtesy of Kris Cannon Photography

An Afternoon at Cedarville Vineyards

A visit to Cedarville Vineyard is an annual affair with our close friends. 2019 marks the 16th year in a row that we have made the trek up to Fair Play, CA to visit with Susan Marks and Jonathan Lacks. We return year after year because Susan and Jonathan are wonderful hosts and make amazing wines.

We lodge in Sutter Creek at the Hanford House Inn, it is about a 35-minute drive to Fair Play and Cedarville. We always make arrangements with Susan and Jonathan to meet with them during the lunch hour. We taste wines and enjoy our picnic lunch with glasses of excellent Cedarville. This last visit we were lucky to be able to enjoy eating outside. Some winters and early spring times the weather is cold at an elevation of 2000 feet. What more can you ask for, friends, good food, and great wine?

If you would like to enjoy Cedarville Vineyard, make an appointment and enjoy delicious wines. This is one of Hidden Wine Country’s best kept secrets.

cedarville vineyards
Cedarville Zinfandel Vineyard

Lineup of Cedarville Wines

  • 2017 Viognier Estate
  • 2017 Grenache Estate
  • 2017 Zinfandel Estate
  • 2016 Syrah Estate
  • 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
  • 2016 Petit Sirah Naylor Vineyard
  • 2016 Rules of Fair Play
  • 2015 Turnabout’s Fair Play Estate

Complete information at the Cedarville Vineyard Website

What It Will Cost to Taste Wine in the Napa Valley in 2019

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Napa Valley Wine Tasting Fee Index for 2019
Napa Valley Wine Tasting Fee Index for 2019

2019 Napa Valley Wine Tasting Index

We started the Napa Valley Wine Tasting Index Fee in 2014. Back in 2014, the average tasting fee on our Index was $18.50. Today it is $30.50. We are using ten wineries along Highway 29. These wineries allow drop-in visitors to the tasting room. We are using the cost of a basic tasting for this index. In the late 1960s, when Janelle and I first began to visit the Napa Valley, no wineries that we visited charged a tasting fee. Ah, the good old days of the Napa Valley!

This year we were quite surprised to find the smallest increase on a year-to- year basis since we started tracking tasting fees. $30.50 vs $29 from a year ago. Perhaps the wineries are in the mindset that the fees for the entry level tasting fee has reached a saturation point.

Most of the Napa Valley wineries have discovered it is much more profitable to have elaborate wine tastings, accompanied by foods to the match the wines. Indeed, one restaurateur who recently closed his restaurant citied wineries offering food for the decline in his restaurant’s patronage.

Elaborate tastings combining foods, tours, and barrel tasting can easily be over the $100 range. These require reservations.

Wineries and the Basic Tasting Fee

Tasting fees will change periodically throughout the year. Always check the winery’s website for the latest information on tastings and fees.

 

More on Tasting Wines in the Napa Valley

It is Mustard Time in Wine Country

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mustard wine country

Mustard growing in vineyards owned by Frog’s Leap next door to the Whitehall Lane Winery in St. Helena




About mustard season in wine country

In the Napa Valley and Sonoma County, and in other wine regions, it is the mustard season in wine country. The Napa Valley once had an annual “Mustard Festival” that ran from January to the end of March. A whole set of events were featured around the mustard plant. The idea of the event was to draw visitors to the area during this beautiful season in wine country.

The Mustard Festival may be long gone, but the mustard plant puts on a show during this time like no other. It is beautiful! Where did the mustard plant originate in wine country? Folklore has it that the Franciscan Missionaries dropped mustard seeds as they walked through the countryside looking for sites to establish Missions.

Today there is some wild mustard growing here and there, but many vineyard managers will plant mustard as a cover crop. Mustard seeds will continue to grow year after year without a need to replant. The seeds sprout after the first heavy rains in December, and usually one month later the plants display their wonderful bright yellow color. At the end of March, when the pruning of the vines is completed, the mustard plant is plowed under. Such is the life of the mustard plant in wine country.

Because of the astonishing rainfall in December 2018 and now in February, mustard is flourishing. Mustard looks it best on any type of day. It is a wonder. 

 

Additional information on wine country

  • mustard Greystone
    Looking at the Culinary Institute – Greystone in St. Helena
  • Sonoma valley wine country
    Mustard in February – Vineyard at B.R. Cohn winery in the Sonoma Valley
  • Redwood highway wineries
    This is a winter scene of wild mustard. These are vineyards along Old Redwood Highway

Big Wine Country News – Revelations, Michelin Stars, Best Wine Books

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Rolando Herrera, owner and winemaker at Mi Sueño in the Napa Valley

Learn about your local winemakers

 

NBC Bay Area TV: Bay Area Revelations is an award-winning series. The program returns on December 8, 2018,  at 10 pm. Bay Area winemakers will be featured in a new documentary: America’s Wine Country. America’s Wine Country features vintners whose stories have been instrumental in shaping our wine country to world-class fame.

From our own wine country backyard in Northern California, winemakers featured are: Warren Winiarski, the founder of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Rolando Herrera, owner of Mi Sueño Winery, Bo Barrett from Chateau Montelena, Randall Grahm from Bonny Doon, Carolyn Wente from Wente Vineyards, Dick Grace of Grace Family Vineyards and the family at Gundlach Bundshu.

If you love wine, you will love this series on wine country.  Here is a preview of Revelations.

Wine Country Michelin Restaurants

Bouchon – another Thomas Keller restaurant

Three Stars

Two Stars

New York Times Top Wine Books of 2018

Wine writer Eric Asimov identifies and describes the best wine books published in 2018. If you are looking for a gift idea for your family member or friend who loves wine, a wine book might be the perfect gift. See this link: Wine Books

More information

Make a large print of this beautiful grape cluster - JoeBecerra.Com

Make a large print of this beautiful grape cluster – JoeBecerra.Com

 

Five Fun Things to Do in December in the Napa Valley

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five things to do in the Napa Valley in December

The Inglenook Chateau is beautiful in December. Take a tour or taste wine at this historic Napa Valley winery

Five Fun Things to Do in December in the Napa Valley

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How to have fun in the Napa Valley in December

December and January are certainly the quietest times in the Napa Valley. Fewer tourists come at this period of the year, so everything is much less crowded. Yes, we do have rainy days in these two months, but more than likely there will many sunny and crisp days to enjoy the greatest wine region in the world. Here are five fun things to do in Winter in the Napa Valley.

Pauper’s Feast at the Calistoga Inn

We are on the docket to attend this wonderful local annual event. The Pauper’s Feast is held every December in the restaurant at the Calistoga Inn. The date is Thursday, December 20. There is a set menu at a very reasonable price and a local group that sings Holiday cheer. Reservations are recommended at the Calistoga Inn Restaurant. If you cannot make the Pauper’s Feast, you can substitute a walk up and down the streets of Calistoga. Calistoga is much more laid back than the rest of the Napa Valley. There are plenty of tasting rooms, boutique shops, quaint restaurants, and even a museum. Calistoga rocks!

Visit the Oxbow Public Market

The main portion of the Oxbow Public Market is inside, so when it is raining it’s the perfect place to visit while in Napa. The Oxbow Public Market is a bevy of activity each day. There are artisan vendors selling spices, tea, grass-feed beef, organic produce, plus much more. There are several gourmet fast food services, and two that we can highly recommend are C Casa and Ca’Momi. The Oxbow is an excellent spot to relax and sit while sipping coffee or wine and do some serious people watching.

Wine Country Photography for Wine Lovers. Frame it

See Wine Country Photography – Order prints

 

 

Tour the Inglenook Chateau

Inglenook is the winery that film director Francis Ford Coppola brought back to its former glory. It is a stunning Chateau, as you can see from the photo at the top. The tour is one of the best, as well it should be at the price of $50 per person. The tour gives a fabulous look back at the wine history of the Napa Valley. The Chateau also has a bistro where you can sip wine or expresso and order a cheese plate and just do some serious relaxing. Explore the wine merchandise shop and the memorabilia around the different rooms of the Chateau. Enjoy the scenery of the surrounding vineyards. See Inglenook Experience.

Visit historic Greystone in St. Helena

Greystone was once the home of the Christian Brothers and their winery. Now the Culinary Institute of America runs its educational activities for professionals and non-professionals. The historic building is just north of the downtown area of St. Helena. Explore the culinary shop and take a stroll to see some of the old Christian Brothers Cellars. Also on site is the Wine Spectator Restaurant with terrace views that are spectacular. Greystone was built in 1889. More information on Greystone

Take in the photography exhibit at Mumm Napa and sip some sparkling wine

Over on the Silverado Trail, you will find Mumm Napa, producing excellent sparkling wines. One of the little-known aspects of Mumm Napa is their fantastic art gallery. There are two sections to the art gallery. One has a permanent photo exhibit of selected works of the great Ansel Adams. The other gallery hosts rotating exhibits. Currently, photographs by Todd Hido are on display. Tours and tastings are available for a fee, but the art gallery is open to the public. Check the Mumm Napa Website for complete visiting details.

City of Bordeaux – Wine Capital

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City of Bordeaux

The City of Bordeaux

City of Bordeaux – Gateway to the Bordeaux Wine Country

The ultimate wine country getaway is the city of Bordeaux. It is the gateway to one of the most exciting wine country destinations in the world. Wine lovers, you must visit this great French city.

Additional Information on Bordeaux Wine Country

Carmel Valley – Chardonnay and Pinot Noir at Talbott Vineyards

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Talbott vineyards tasting room

Quaint and rustic on the outside, grand on the inside

Tasting Chardonnay and Pinot Noir at Talbott Vineyards

The Monterey Bay offers many vacation adventures by the sea. One of those adventures is tasting wine in Carmel-by-the-Sea and in Carmel Valley. We spent a couple of days exploring the Carmel area in search of wine, food, and other delights. From our Four Sisters Coachman Inn, Carmel Valley is 25 minutes away. It is here where we focus our wine tasting experience at Talbott Vineyards.

Before we visit Talbott Vineyard, our top priority is to stop and purchase our picnic lunch goodies. Very near Talbotts is the Jerome’s Carmel Valley Market. This is where the natives’ shop. Jerome’s makes delicious and very big deli sandwiches. What a treat!

During the week, the Carmel Valley has very light traffic. We had the entire Talbott tasting room to ourselves as well as the Talbott picnic area. Our host Josh was able to devote much attention to our party of six. It is $20 to taste five wines, three Chardonnay wines, and two Pinot Noir wines.

About Talbott Vineyards

Robert Talbott and his wife Audrey founded the winery in 1984. Robert and Audrey created R. Talbott’s men’s store, featuring handmade ties. The success of the business led to their adventures in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines. Talbotts Vineyards is one of the most successful wineries in Carmel Valley.

The Talbotts retired in 2015 and sold the winery and the label to Gallo Familly Wines. So far, Gallo appears to be carrying on with the excellent tradition of quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The Chardonnay and Pinot Noir comes from two exciting vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands. These mountain vineyards are about 15 miles from the tasting room. The vineyards are Sleepy Hollow and Diamond T. The mountain climate conditions provide the perfect growing environment for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

I have been a fan of the Talbott Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that Safeway, and sometimes Costco, offers.  Look for the Kali Hart and/or the Logan name on the labels. The wine is under $20 offering exceptional values. The remaining lineup of Talbott wines is sold exclusively out of the tasting room and to wine club members. The wines are delicious. We chose the Sarah Case Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Chardonnay to share with our deli lunch. The Carmel Valley is peaceful and serene, the perfect spot for a picnic lunch!

Our two favorite wines of the tasting

Talbott Chardonnay Sleepy Hallow Vineyard

Talbott Chardonnay Sarah Case 2014 – Santa Lucia Highlands AVA – $52

Talbott Pinot Noir Sleepy Hollow 2014 – Santa Lucia Highlands AVA – $42

The Talbott tasting room has ample picnic areas surrounding the tasting room. There are two Bocce Courts that are shared by Talbotts and the Cowgirl Winery next door.

Talbotts Vineyards

Quality Grape Seed Oil for sale at Talbotts Vineyards

Additional Carmel Valley Information

CALIFORNIA WINE COUNTRY REGIONS:

Carneros • Livermore • Lodi • Mendocino • Monterey • Napa Valley • Paso Robles • Santa Barbara County • Santa Cruz Mts. • Sierra Foothills • Russian River • Sonoma Valley

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