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Napa Valley Olive Oil Company – since 1931

May 2, 2020 by Joe Becerra 5 Comments

Wine Country traveling is still not an option. Only time will tell when we can get back to traveling to the Napa Valley. Put this idea on your Napa Valley future travel plans.

Napa Valley Olive Oil Company

From the name, one would suspect the Napa Valley Olive Oil Company would be one of the several high-end boutique style shops in St. Helena. Napa Valley Olive Oil Company is anything but Napa Valley chic. The Napa Valley Olive Oil Company operates out of a late 1800 wood barn structure. Inside it is as casual as can be. Most customers seem to be regulars who come and go with a couple of jugs of olive oil.

I purchased a half-gallon of extra virgin olive oil for $27.50. I sampled it with a cube of French bread, and the olive oil is the real deal. This olive oil is a terrific bargain for those who cook with olive oil. A couple of weeks before, I purchased a 375ml bottle of olive oil at a high-end winery for $30. Ouch! That one I will save for particular foods and cooking.

The Napa Valley Olive Oil was started in 1931 by Gugliermo Guidi. The Particelli and Lucchesi family now run the company. The store is a throwback to the golden era of the Napa Valley. That is the way the family wants to run the operation. Besides their essential extra virgin olive, they offer 20 different infused olive oils and 20 types of balsamic vinegar. Cheese, pasta, salami, and loaves of bread are available. We love this store!

The company also has a store in the town of Napa. That store is more attractive inside and out. The St. Helena store is at 835 Charter Oak Ave. Oh, one more thing, they do not take VISA or any other charge cards, it is cash or check, only just like the old days.

Napa Valley Olive Oil – Video

Wine Country News

Wines of Rugged Rockpile

April 28, 2020 by Joe Becerra Leave a Comment

Rugged Rockpile – where grapes struggle, but thrive

Rugged Rockpile – Above Lake Sonoma

Rockpile is a small wine appellation (AVA) above Lake Sonoma in the Dry Creek Valley. By the looks of it, you would hardly expect any vines to grow here. Yet, in Rockpile the vines are stressed to the max and produce big, full-flavored and complex wines. One can drive through the Rockpile area, but there are no wineries to visit. If you are a wine country geek, it is worth the drive through the area. There are only eight growers in Rockpile.

How to get to Rockpile

image of Rockpile — These Rockpile vineyards belong to the Mauritson Family – about 40 acres of vines

Rockpile AVA features

Rockpile received its AVA status in 2002. What sets this small AVA apart as a wine region is its elevation, climate, steep terrain, and soil. All the vines are from 800 feet to 2000 feet elevation. During the summer months, the Pacific Ocean brings in a daily dose of fog far inland, but it rarely tops the 800-foot elevation. During the growing season, Rockpile enjoys sunshine from morning to dusk.

The Pacific Ocean provides windy conditions in the afternoon to Rockpile. This cools the vines. The soil is mostly rocky and the vines grow on steep terrains. The wind factor and the soil factors stress the vines. This reduces the crop yields and intensifies the flavors in the small number of grape clusters.

Rockpile Wines

Most of the vineyards in Rockpile are Zinfandel grapes. Other red grapes in Rockpile vineyards include Petite Sirah, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petite Verdot. Winemaker Clay Mauritson, of Rockpile Vineyards and Mauritson Vinyards, makes a Port from a small acreage of grapes that are traditional Porto grapes: 25% Tinto Cao, 25% Tinta Madeira, 25% Touriga Nacional, 25% Sousão.

Because the Mauritson Family owns the most Rockpile vines, it produces the most cases of Rockpile wines. Other well-known wineries producing Rockpile wines are Carol Shelton, J.C. Cellars, Rosenblum, Rock Wall Wines, and Segheseo. These producers contract with Rockpile growers. The grape production is small; therefore, the Rockpile wines are in limited amounts.

Once the wine country is again open to travelers, visit one of these wineries to taste the unique style of Rockpile. Mauritson is on Dry Creek Valley Road and has an excellent tasting room and staff.

Rockpile wines are also available at fine wine shops. Use Wine-Search.com and the Keyword “Rockpile” to search for these wines selling near you. Here is a full list of wineries producing Rockpile wines.

rugged rockpile — Rockpile Zinfandel from produces Mauritson and Rosenblum

The Under-Appreciated Lodi Wine Country

April 24, 2020 by Joe Becerra Leave a Comment

Lodi does not get the respect it deserves, especially when compared to the Napa Valley, Sonoma, Willamette Valley, Columbia Valley, and others. Lodi is the underdog, the underappreciated wine region of the world.

Do you know that the Lodi Wine Region grows more grape varieties than any other wine region in the United States? Do you know that Lodi has the most vineyard acreage of any wine region in the United States.?

We know wine country travel is out for the foreseeable future, but you can always buy Lodi wine. Let’s give Lodi a little respect and see what makes this wine region a special place.

Lodi wine country getaway — Why Lodi is an important wine region

The Lowdown on Lodi Wine Country

Old Vine Zinfandel

Lodi is famous for old vine Zinfandel. There are several vineyards in Lodi that are well over 100 years old. Many Zinfandel wines from Lodi are made big, bold and jammy. Those are popular in supermarkets and make a winery economically healthy. But there is another side to Zinfandel in Lodi. This Zin is made in a restrained food-friendly style and one which reflects the “place” of Lodi. Most impressive are the wineries that are participating in the Lodi Native Project. These six wineries are making exemplary Zinfandel wines. These Zins are vinted with native yeast, old barrel treatment, and little interference by the winemaker. It is truly a remarkable project and one that should be a model for other wine regions. See which wineries are making great Zinfandel wine in Lodi and purchase their wines.

Spanish Grape Varietals

Could Zinfandel be taking a backseat to Spanish grapes in Lodi? Could Albariño, Garnacha Blanca, Verdejo, Tempranillo, Garnacha, Monastrell, and other Spanish grapes become Lodi’s favorites? Marcus Bokisch of Bokisch Vineyards is the vintner most responsible for establishing these grapes in Lodi. Marcus grows these Spanish varieties for his wines and other wineries in Lodi. Marcus had spent many years in Spain and moved to Lodi because he felt confident that Spanish grapes could flourish there. We’ve tasted several of the Bokisch Spanish wines, and they are excellent and very nicely priced. See more about Bokisch Vineyards.

Southern Rhone Grape Varietals

Or could it be that Rhone wines become the best of Lodi? Acquiesce Winery leads the way in white Rhone wines. No reds at Acquiesce, just delicious Grenache Blanc, Viognier and Marsanne. Onesta is another winery to watch for Rhones, and they make the red wine, Cinsault. Have you ever heard of it? Borra Vineyards is another winery in Lodi producing delectable Rhones.

Onesta Rosé of Cinsaut – Cinsaut is a Rhone grape

German Grape Varieties

Mokelumne Glen Vineyards in Lodi is where German grape varieties flourish. I was dumbfounded to learn that this vineyard, just along the Mokelumne River, grows 40 plus varieties of white and red German and Austrian grapes. Have you heard of Kerner, Kanzler, Morio Muscat, or Affenthler Balu? The owners are Bob and Mary Lou Koth. They started their vineyard in 1970. They did make wine at one point, but because their grapes were in such demand, why make wine? For many of their grapes, a lineup of winemakers await, hoping to buy some each year. Most distinguished among the winemakers buying grapes from Mokelumne Glen Vineyards is David Ramey of Ramey Wines. David Ramey has a second label, Sidebar. Wow, what a tantalizing dry and floral Kerner white wine he makes from Mokelumne Glen. Markus Niggli of Marcus Wine Company and Borra Vineyards is the most notable of Lodi winemakers utilizing grapes from Mokelumne Glen Vineyards.

lodi grows German grapes — David Ramey’s Sidebar label – Kerner variety

Lodi Rules Project

Lodi Rules is all about sustainable farming. Sustainable farming is a loosely- used term and seems to mean something different in every farming community. Lodi has taken its rules of sustainable farming to a rigorous level. This is a list of 75 plus practices that will sustain the vineyard, the farm, the workers, and the entire health of the ecosystem. To be certified, a vineyard must receive verification by a third-party review. The Lodi rules just might be the most rigorous of any wine region. I love buying and drinking wine that is produced by this type of commitment. Details Lodi Rules.

Wine Region of the Year

In 2015, Lodi wine country was recognized by the Wine Enthusiast as the “Wine Region of the Year.” This was great for Lodi wine, living in the shadow of the great Napa Valley and other wine regions in California. Please go to our extensive resource to find out more about traveling to Lodi Wine Country: Lodi Wine Trails.

Look for Lodi wines at fine wine shops and online stores. Many supermarkets carry labels like OZV Zinfandel, Michael David Petite Sirah, Ravenswood Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel, and others. These are good values, but also look for the wines from Lodi made by the small producers: Bokisch, Acquiesce, Harney Lane Winery, St. Amant, and Van Ruiten.

Recipes from Wine County – Sonoma

April 18, 2020 by Joe Becerra Leave a Comment

Last time we highlighted recipes and wine pairings from the Napa Valley. Now it’s time for recipes from Napa Valley’s neighbor, the great Sonoma Wine Country. The wine towns of Healdsburg and Sonoma are culinary centers, and their respect is worldwide. Sonoma is a big County with wineries in many different wine appellations. From the coast to the Mayacamas Mountains, there are several climate zones. See the difference between Sonoma County, Sonoma, the city, and Sonoma wine country. While we currently cannot go to the wine country, we can create these fabulous recipes and purchase wine from these wineries.

Sonoma Winery Recipes

St Francis Vineyards and Winery

The St. Francis Vineyards and Winery are in the Sonoma Valley, at the northern end of Highway 12. The winery has an executive chef and has a wonderful array of recipes and wines to match. Here are some favorites.

Lemongrass, Ginger, and Carrot Soup – Sauvignon Blanc
Roasted Beet Salad – Zinfandel
Garlic Chicken Wines – Cabernet Sauvignon

Jordan Winery

Jordan Winery is in the Alexander Valley on Highway 128, a few miles from Healdsburg. Jordan is most famous for its Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Their Chardonnay is exquisite as well. Jordan also has a chef and these are a few of their great recipes.

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup – Cabernet Sauvignon
Grilled Short Ribs – Cabernet Sauvignon
Mashed Potatoes with Mushrooms, Shallots, and Herbs – Cabernet Sauvignon

Merry Edwards Winery and Vineyards

Merry Edwards Winery is in the heart of the Russian River Valley. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the main grapes of this AVA. Merry Edwards is one of the great winemakers of our time. Last year, Merry Edwards sold her winery to the Roederer Family of Champagne fame.

Fabulous Porcini Mushroom Risotto for Two – Pinot Noir
Red and White Lasagna for Pinot Noir Lovers
Fall-Inspired Butternut Squash and Shiitake Enchiladas – Pinot Noir

Rodney Strong Vineyards

We started visiting the Rodney Strong winery way back in the early 1970’s. There were not that many wineries in the Russian River Valley in that era. The winery produces an extensive amount of wines. The Rodney Strong wines found in supermarket shelves are always a good wine buy. Check out these recipes from Rodney Strong.

Oven Roasted Pulled Pork Sandwich – Zinfandel
Grilled Shrimp Salad – Sauvignon Blanc
Ham and Coleslaw Biscuits – Chardonnay

Kendall Jackson

Kendall Jackson is one of the most recognizable labels at supermarkets and wine shops. The main winery is in Santa Rosa on Fulton Road. The tasting room is lush and the gardens amazing. Kendall Jackson owns several other wineries in California. Here are a few top Kendall Jackson culinary delights.

Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers – Cabernet Sauvignon
Goat Cheese Enchiladas – Sauvignon Blanc
Slow-Cooked Salmon with Fresh Oregano Fennel Salad – Chardonnay

Ferrari Carano Vineyards

The Ferrari Carano winery is one of Dry Creek Valley’s most notable destinations. Tourists love the tasting room and the fabulous gardens. It really is a special place. One of the most popular wines by Ferrari Carano is the Fumé Blanc. It is one of the biggest sellers in fine supermarkets and shops. Here is a sample of recipes from owner Rhonda’s Kitchen.

Apple, Fennel, and Blue Cheese with Toasted Walnuts – Chardonnay
Capellini with Shrimp and Tomatoes and Arugula – Fume Blanc (Sauvignon Blanc)
Flatiron Steak with Blackberry Wine Sauce – Prevail Back Forty (Cabernet Sauvignon)

Mill Creek Vineyards and Winery

Mill Creek Vineyards and Winery are on Westside Road, a five-minute drive from downtown Healdsburg. The winery is in Dry Creek Valley, but a short distance to the west is the Russian River Valley. Mill Creek is a cute little winery with a working watermill. The winery is a great spot for a picnic lunch. The wines are delicious and so are these recipes.

Panino Di Manzo – Cabernet Sauvignon
Spicy Zinfandel Stew – Zinfandel
Brownies with Port Infused Cherries – Port

Kunde Family Winery

Kunde is one of the oldest family-owned wineries in California. Kunde is in the Sonoma Valley region, on Highway 12. There are many activities for the tourist at the winery. A cave tour and hike to the top of a steep vineyard hill are among the highlights.

Guacamole with a Kick – Chardonnay
Jim’s Famous Caesar Salad – Chardonnay
Grilled Rib-Eye with Carmelized Onions and Blue Cheese – Cabernet Sauvignon

Stay safe in your home and cook some of these fantastic meals with your family. Practice your food and wine pairing skills. Let us know what you try!

Recipes from Wine Country – Napa Valley

April 13, 2020 by Joe Becerra Leave a Comment

Many of us are cooking at home. We are learning, creating, and wine pairing. One of our favorite ways to discover recipes and match with a bottle of wine are recipes from wine country. Many wineries provide fantastic recipes on their Websites. We will start with the Napa Valley and see which dishes are worthy of a try in your home. These are just a few of the wineries in the Napa Valley that post recipes from their resident chef or family members. It is a terrific resource for foodies, home cooks, and wine lovers. If you like a recipe, why not order some wine from the winery’s online wine shop. Treat yourself; you deserve it!

Napa Valley Winery Recipes

Ceja Vineyards

Ceja Vineyards is in the Napa Valley, but its tasting room is in the city of Sonoma. Ceja is one of the leading Mexican Family-run wineries in California. Amelia Ceja has some fantastic recipes on the Ceja Vineyards Website. Here are a few to try.

Robert Sinskey Winery

Robert Sinskey is at the forefront of Biodynamic and sustainable farming. The winery does food pairings and has a beautiful vegetable garden. Check out these recipes from the Robert Sinskey kitchen.

Peju Province Winery

Peju Winery is a fixture on Highway 29 in the Rutherford Area. Peju is family-owned and has long been an advocate of food and wine pairings.

St. Supéry

Since 1989, St. Supéry has remained one of Napa Valley’s excellent wineries. All their wines are Estate wines and certified Napa Green. St. Supéry is on Highway 29 in Rutherford.

Chateau Montelena

Chateau Montelena is in Calistoga, at the northernmost end of the Napa Valley. A lovely Chateau and lake await the visitor to Montelena. Did you know that the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay was the winner of the famous 1976 Judgement of Paris? Read more about this.

Duckhorn Vineyards

Duckhorn Vineyards has a lovely tasting room on Lodi Lane, off the Silverado Trail. Duckhorn Vineyards is famous for its lineup of red wines. Duckhorn owners also have GoldenEye in the Anderson Valley, Paraduxx in the Napa Valley, and Calera in San Benito County.

Silver Oak

Silver Oak is the master of Cabernet Sauvignon. They produce two, one from the Napa Valley and the other from the Alexander Valley. If you love pizza and pasta, Silver Oak has some fantastic recipes from Chef Dominic Orsini.

This is a small sampling of wineries in the Napa Valley that share their recipes and wine pairing suggestions. We enjoy the above wineries and have visited them on many occasions. See Napa Valley Wine Trails

Next time on Wine Country Getaways – Recipes from Sonoma Wine Country

Ten Wine Things to Do at Home

April 5, 2020 by Joe Becerra Leave a Comment

We hope this finds you and your family healthy and coping with our gut-wrenching crisis. I am finding wine more enjoyable these days. Maybe these ten wine things to do at home will somehow ease the day.

Ten wine things to do at home during the Pandemic

Host a virtual wine happy hour

We are doing this with five couples, each in our homes. We are scheduling this for once a week at 5 pm. Each couple has a glass of wine in hand. In just a short order, we have lots of laughs. It is so good to see our friends. We cannot hug, but we feel the vibes. We are using Zoom, but there are several other ways to do this.

Order wine to your door

Stock up your wine collection. Support your local wine shop and wine from wineries that you enjoy. Try some wines from different wine regions. Have you tried Oregon Pinot Noir wines? Try some fantastic Syrah and Cabs from Washington. Try wines from abroad. We have ordered wines from Weimax Wines, K&L Wines, and a couple of wineries in Sonoma. There are many wineries offering discounts on wine and shipping costs.

Pair food and wine

Many of us are cooking more home-cooked meals. It is rewarding and therapeutic. It is an excellent sense of accomplishment to get a gourmet meal to the table. Preparing a meal includes pairing it with the proper wine. Choose a wine and see how it works. Here are some tips.

St francis wine and food — Pan Seared Day Boat Scallop paired with St. Francis Sauvignon Blanc

Improve your wine tasting skills

Take a look at the back label of a wine bottle to see if it has tasting notes. If it does have a description of the wine, it probably comes from a PR person. What do you think about the wine? Why do you like it? How do you rate it on a scale of One to Five? Use this easy-scoring method and rate the wine you are having for dinner. Even better, open a couple of bottles of similar wines. Then compare and evaluate them. Don’t worry, the wines will keep for a few days after opening. Keep them in the fridge.

wine score card — Easy wine scorecard for home wine tasting – Download and Print

Watch wine-related movies

Check out our list of the best wine movies to watch. The latest is “Uncorked,” now streaming on Netflix. Our favorite all-time wine movie is “Sideways.” “Sideways” take place in the Santa Barbara wine country. Once the Shelter- in-Place is over, you can relive the “Sideways” movie by following the Sideways Wine Trail.

Read a good wine fiction novel

Curl up with a good novel that has wine as the theme. We have a list of great wine mystery books on this page. We also like the Commissario Brunetti books by Donna Leon. These mysteries take place in Venice, Italy. Wine and food are always in play here.

Take part in a virtual tasting room at a winery

All winery tasting rooms in California, Oregon, and Washington are closed during the Coronavirus Pandemic. Many wineries are taking to a Virtual Wine Tasting. The San Jose Mercury News has a list of wineries offering Virtual Wine Tastings.

Take a free wine course

If you have a library card, you can download the App “Kanopy” and have access to a ton of free movies and educational videos. Great Wine Courses offers several including “The Everyday Guide to Wine,” Becoming a Knowledgeable Wine Buyer,” and “Winemaking from Harvest to Bottle.”

Listen to Wine Podcasts

There are plenty, some great and some not so great, podcasts. We like GrapeRadio and Wine Enthusiast Podcast. We also like to listen to cooking podcasts. Chef Samin Nosrat has a new podcast related to staying at home. Home Cooking gives some excellent tips for cooking during the Shelter-in-Place.

Check your wine geek inventory

How are your wine gadgets? Do you need a great corkscrew, a decanter, a wine cooler, or more wine glasses? Now is a good time to shop online for wine items. Wine Gadgets

Make a Pizza at Home

March 24, 2020 by Joe Becerra Leave a Comment

Fig Pizza with goat cheese and pistachio pesto. Wow!

You are working from home and the kids are there, too. Making pizza from scratch is fun and therapeutic. Homemade pizza is so much better than what chain pizza parlors have to offer. The kids get a science lesson with the yeast doing its wonders on the dough. Mom and Dad get to choose a wine that goes nicely with the pizza. Everybody loves a good pizza!

How to make a pizza at home

You can make a pizza in your oven on a pizza stone, cook pizza on the stovetop in a castiron skillet, or make it on the barbecue grill. I like the grill because you can make two pizzas, maybe three, and each pizza can have a different topping.

What you need for making homemade pizza

Yeast
Flour
A pizza dough recipe
Pizza toppings

Pizza Tools

Pizza peel
Pizza wheel
Pizza stone – for the oven or the grill
Castiron pan – stovetop or grill
A good-sized spatula

You can shop for pizza tools at Bed Bath & Beyond, Sur La Table, Amazon, or other kitchen places.

How to Make a Pizza at Home

I started making pizzas at home many years ago after watching a cooking show on my local PBS station. Joanne Weir led us through all the steps, and I have never looked back. Joanne has several fantastic recipes for pizzas. Her pizza dough always works. Check out Joanne’s pizza recipe list on her Website.

Once the dough is ready, spread it out to a ten-inch diameter. Chef Joanne Weir mixes a tablespoon of olive oil and a minced garlic clove and lets it sit. Brush a thin layer of the mix on the pizza dough. Then, add your toppings.

My tip: I have a hard time sliding the pizza dough with all the toppings on the pizza stone. Everything slides to the side or off the dough. To fix the issue, I slide the dough on the stone for 45 seconds without toppings. That gives the dough some firmness. Now I put the toppings on and slide the pizza in the oven.

You can also cook a pizza on the grill three ways. On a pizza stone or grid on the grill, a castiron skillet on the grill, or just put the dough smack dab on top of the grill bars. Check out this link. Three ways to make pizza on the Barbecue.

Choose your wine

The Italians love their Barbera wines with pizza. However, any good red wine seems to work its magic on pizza. We most often go with Zinfandel wine. Of course, much depends on the toppings.

Don’t forget to support your local wine shop or favorite winery during this shelter-in-place situation. Just about every wine dealer or winery is offering great shipping prices and/or curbside pickups.

Watch a wine movie and eat pizza

We just discovered Kanopy! Kanopy is a video streaming service that is free. All you need is a public library card and you will have access to thousands of independent movies and other fantastic shows. I did a search for the keyword “Wine”on Kanopy. The result: wine movies, wine documentaries, and wine courses. Download the Kanopy app to your TV and tablet. Kanopy!

The Loneliness of the Tasting Room – Virtual Wine Tasting

March 19, 2020 by Joe Becerra 1 Comment

virtual tastings — The tasting room at Halter Ranch Vineyards

Virtual Wine Tasting

Direct from the wine country, Virtual Wine Tasting will be coming to your laptop, tablet, smartphone, and more. A few wineries are taking a novel approach to the Coronavirus shutdown of tasting rooms by holding virtual tastings using Skype, Zoom, and Facebook.

What is a Virtual Wine Tasting?

Virtual wine tasting will work something like this. The winery will ship you a set of wines and will schedule a series of video chats or conferences. You open the wine, pour yourself a glass, and interact with the winemaker or a wine expert. If this works, expect a whole lot more wineries to go to Virtual Wine Tasting.

So far we know that these wineries will be offering virtual tastings:

Inman Family Wines

Winemaker Kathy Inman will hold a series of scheduled wine tastings on Facebook Video Chat. The Inman winery has a four-wine package of their Pinot Noir wine, Rosé, sparkling wines, and Chardonnay. Order your package online and then select your time for your virtual tasting with winemaker Kathy Inman. Click here for details.

St. Supery

For the next six Thursdays (started on 3/19) St. Supery will conduct a virtual wine tasting. The #Injoy at Home Tasting Kit consists of a six-pack of wines, with one wine selected for each of the Thursday conferences. Once the Home Tasting Kit is purchased, a link will take you to the Virtual Wine Tasting.

Clos du Val

Clos du Val is offering two virtual wine packages. It appears that the Virtual Wine Tasting will be on an individual basis, rather than a group of tasters.

Tasting room discounts

There are many out there, and most of them are discounting the shipping costs. Check your favorite wineries and tasting rooms and see what they have to offer. Keep us posted on any spectacular discounts or offers.

Can’t Go to Wine Country

March 16, 2020 by Joe Becerra Leave a Comment

The view atop Daou Mountain at Daou Vineyards

Can’t go to wine country, how about a wine country movie or book?

Last Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday we were in Paso Robles wine country. We had a fabulous time visiting tasting rooms on the backroads of Adelaida Road. We loved the dining experience at Buena Tavola and La Cosecha near the City Park. What a change one week can bring! Governor Gavin Newsom tells tasting rooms and wineries to close. Our President declares a National Emergency. We have a Shelter-in-Place for six Bay Area Counties.

While in Paso Robles, we visited three tasting rooms. All were quite busy with tourists. The staff was diligent in sanitizing counters and registers. None of that works when one infected person coughs or sneezes.

If you are experiencing wine country withdrawal, try a good movie or book about wine country.

List of Favorite Wine Country Movies and Books

“Sideways” is one of my favorite movies of all time. We like to watch it at least once a year. Why is it a favorite? Check out this article I previously posted.

Another fun movie is “Bottle Shock.” It is an account (loosely based) on the famous tasting in Paris in 1976. California wines took the top honors over the best French wines.

There once was a very popular soap opera about a feuding family who owned vineyards and a winery in the Napa Valley. The show and the name of the winery was Falcon Crest. The present-day Spring Mountain Winery in St. Helena served as the location for Falcon Crest.

The show ran from 1981 to 1990. Amazon Prime has the series for streaming at a Rent or Buy price. See this link for more information on Falcon Crest.

Wine Podcasts & Video

With your electronic devices and earbuds, there are many wine podcasts and videos available. Wine Enthusiasts and the Wine Spectator are the best and most accurate ones worth downloading.

Thank goodness, we have vino to keep our sanity during this unbelievable time.

Why Geyserville, not Healdsburg

March 11, 2020 by Joe Becerra Leave a Comment

Geyserville and not Healdsburg — A look at the beautiful Alexander Valley in Geyserville

Geyserville is In

Don’t get me wrong, I love Healdsburg and its many choices of lodging, restaurants, and shopping. But Geyserville has many advantages over Healdsburg.

Not as pricey
Laidback lifestyle
Fewer people, less noise, and more relaxing
Easy access to wineries in Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley
The perfect atmosphere for the wine country enthusiast

Geyserville two-night getaway

Here is a great suggestion for a two-night getaway to Geyserville. For lodging, book the Geyserville Inn. There is also the Hope – Merrill House, a fun B&B. We like the Geyserville Inn because the rooms have recently been remolded, the price per night is a bargain, and the staff is very friendly.

Day One

For lunch, we have two options. If the weather is warm, consider a picnic lunch. On the way up to Geyserville, stop in at Big John’s Market in Healdsburg. The market is just off the Dry Creek exit on Highway 101 and on the way to Geyserville. Big John’s is a gourmet’s delight. Big John’s has a fabulous salad bar, cheese shop, and olive bar. Their deli sandwiches are delicious. If the weather is not cooperating, then head up to the Geyserville Grill for lunch.

Now it is time to head to one of the nearby wineries to enjoy some wine tasting. For Day One, let’s explore the Dry Creek Valley. Take Canyon Road and head over to Dry Creek Road. Whether you turn right or left, the choice of wineries is dazzling. The majority of wineries on Dry Creek Road have picnic facilities.

Old Vine Zinfandel — Old vine Zinfandel at Forchini

We suggest these two wineries for tasting and picnicking: Forchini Vineyards & Winery is a quaint and small family-run winery. Forchini is to the left, 2 miles away. Forchini is open on Saturday and Sunday, but will take visitors by appointment the other days of the week. Call and the owners will likely serve you. The vineyard views are fantastic. Ask your server to point you to the Old Vine Zinfandel vineyards dating back to the early 1900s.

Turn right and head to Unti, a three-mile jaunt. You will need to call ahead to schedule a tasting at Unti. You will not be disappointed. Unti has some unusual varieties of wine to enjoy. Unti is also a small family-owned winery with deep roots in the Dry Creek Valley. Excellent vino here!

Dining in Geyserville

Diavola Pizzaria is an Italian cuisine delight. Diavola is popular and does not take reservations. If you must wait for a table, it is well worth your time. The pizzas and pastas are authentic Italian. Our favorite dish is the spaghetti with pork cheek ragu.

Catelli’s is in its third generation of family ownership. The restaurant is more formal than Diavola. There is a full bar and a great selection of Italian foods on the menu. Catelli’s takes reservations. You will likely need them.

Best bet for breakfast is the Geyserville Grill.

Day Two in Geyserville

Start the day by taking a walk from the Geyserville Inn to the town center for an excellent cup of brew. Or, walk along the Geyserville Road heading north that is parallel to 101 Highway. It is a quiet road with not much traffic.

For Day Two, let’s visit two wineries in the Alexander Valley. We recommend Francis Ford Coppola’s Winery and J Rickards Winery.

Francis Ford Coppola Winery is very busy, with many attractions besides wine. There is a huge outdoor pool and deck area for visitors to enjoy. If you love the game of Bocce, there are four professional courts. There is also movie memorabilia from the many films produced by Francis Ford Coppola. The desk where the Godfather sat is always fun to view. There is also a classy restaurant, Rustic. And of course, many good wines to try.

Tucker at Francis Ford winery — The Tucker car at the Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville

J Rickards Winery

From the Geyserville Inn, the J Rickards Winery is just a few miles away at 24505 Chianti Road. J Rickards is a fun winery to visit. The staff is terrific, as are the wines. Chances are you might meet either the winemaker, Blaine Brazil, or Jim Rickards himself. The winery is a great spot for a fun picnic among the vineyards. They do have box lunches from Big John’s Market. Check the J Rickards Website for details.

For dinner on the second night, try Diavola or Catelli’s, whichever one you missed on the first night. The Geyserville Grill is also an excellent choice if you do not want to go too far away from your lodging. By the way, Uber and Lyft operate extensively because of the nearby casino. If you want to head into Healdsburg, these two companies should be available for you.

Day Three – heading home

If you have any time available, drive south to Healdsburg and give yourself time to explore the downtown area. There are many shops, tasting rooms, and art galleries to explore. We like to breakfast at Costeaux Bakery before heading back home.