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You are here: Home / Archives for Wine Photo of the Day

Napa Valley Olive Oil Company – since 1931

May 2, 2020 by Joe Becerra

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
Naap Olive oIl On Charter Oak in St. Helena – since 1931

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. 

Delicious olive oil at a terrific price

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

  • Recipes from the Napa Valley Wineries
  • Recipes from the Sonoma Wineries
  • Ten Wine Country things to do at home

Filed Under: Wine Photo of the Day Tagged With: Napa Valley Olive Oil Company

Cabernet Comes to Life

April 20, 2019 by Joe Becerra

Cabernet Comes to Life
Looking to the south – Cabernet Vineyard in the St. Helena AVA

Bud Break Cabernet Sauvignon

Late April to early May mark the time in the Napa Valley when its most famous grape awakens, Cabernet Sauvignon. Bud Break brings a special excitement to the wine country. The photos on this page were shot on April 17, 2019. The vineyard belongs to Ravana winery in St. Helena. Bud Break coincides with the beginning of tourist season in the Napa Valley. From now and through harvest are the most popular getaway times of the year in the Napa Valley. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are typically ready for harvest in late September through early October. Harvest time depends on Mother Nature.

Bud Break - Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Bud Break – Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Filed Under: Wine Photo of the Day

Calistoga Inn Revamps

April 13, 2019 by Joe Becerra

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

  • Calistoga Wine Trail
  • Restaurants in Calistoga
  • Where to stay in Calistoga
  • Why we like Calistoga wine country

Filed Under: Wine Photo of the Day

Wine Friends at Cedarville Vineyard

April 3, 2019 by Joe Becerra

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

Filed Under: Wine Photo of the Day

How Wine Country Looks in Fall

November 21, 2018 by Joe Becerra

How Wine Country Looks in Fall

 

vineyards in the fall

 

Filed Under: Wine Photo of the Day

City of Bordeaux – Wine Capital

November 13, 2018 by Joe Becerra

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

  • Visit Bordeaux’s La Cité du Vin
  • A visit to Chateau Margaux
  • A visit to Chateau Lynch-Bages
  • A visit to Chateau Smith Haut Lafite
  • Hire a driver to tour Bordeaux

Filed Under: Wine Photo of the Day

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – Harvest is Near

September 10, 2018 by Joe Becerra

St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon

St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon

The State of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 Harvest

In the artsy photo, we see beautiful clusters of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. More than likely these grape clusters will be picked by the end of September. By all accounts, the growing season for all grapes in the Napa Valley has been in the normal category. These Cabernet grapes are in a secluded area of the St. Helena AVA. It is a small vineyard and family-owned. The resulting Cabernet Sauvignon will sell from upwards of $100 a bottle.

I shot this photo on August 30, 2018. I used a Lightroom Plugin to create the artsy look to the picture.

Filed Under: Wine Photo of the Day Tagged With: Stl Helena Cabernet Sauvignon

At the Crossroad of Two Great Wine Regions – Which One to Take?

July 30, 2018 by Joe Becerra

crossroads of napa valley and sonoma which is better

In the Alexander Valley, we can head to Calistoga or Healdsburg

At the Crossroad of Two Great Wine Regions – Napa Valley Vs. Sonoma

We love this backroad intersection in wine country. It is in the Alexander Valley AVA on Highway 116.  It reminds us of how lucky we are to live close to the area where we have two of the greatest wine regions in the world, the Napa Valley and Sonoma.  Which road should we take? If we head to Calistoga, we will travel through the beautiful AVA of Knights Valley along Highway 116. The drive leads to the Northern end of the Napa Valley. From there we can go south to the town of Napa along either the Silverado Trail or Highway 29. Both roads parallel the Napa Valley floor.

If we head towards the town of Healdsburg, we travel through small backroads of the Chalkhill AVA. Healdsburg is the gateway to the West Sonoma area. It includes the wine regions of Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley and more.

Either choice is excellent. Napa Valley is smaller and denser.  West Sonoma is large and more diverse. Napa Valley is famous for Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.  West Sonoma is famous for Zinfandel, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. Because this Sonoma Area is vast, the climate changes are significant from one AVA to the next. Happy Travels!

Additional travel resources for the Napa Valley and West Sonoma

  • Napa Valley Wine Country Planning Guide
  • Healdsburg and West Sonoma Wine Country Planning Guide

 

Filed Under: Wine Photo of the Day

Jimtown Store

June 7, 2018 by Joe Becerra

Jimtown Store in the Alexander Valley AVA

Jimtown Store in the Alexander Valley AVA

Jimtown Store – Alexander Valley AVA

A wine country getaway to Sonoma County and Healdsburg would not be complete without a stop at the funky Jimtown Store in the Alexander Valley on Highway 128. It is one of the most popular places for stocking up a deli lunch and picnic supplies. Carrie Brown and her late husband John Werner purchased the historic Jimtown Store many years ago and turned it into a landmark destination.

Whenever we are in Healdsburg, we always make a stop at the Jimtown Store for our picnic lunch. We enjoy perusing the store and never mind waiting while the staff prepares our order. One of our greatest life pleasures is to picnic and sip wine among the vineyards. The Alexander Valley is one of the most beautiful settings in any wine country in any part of the world. Traveling along Highway 128 are many options for wine tasting and picnicking. Most of the wineries along this route have picnic facilities. The tasting rooms, for the most part, are low key, casual, and fun.

To get to the JImtown Store from Healdsburg head north on Healdsburg Avenue and make a right turn onto Highway 128. Within a few miles, you will come to the Jimtown Store. Here is a link to the Carrie Brown’s Jimtown Cookbook featuring the delightful concoctions available at the Jimtown Store.

More information on the Alexander Valley and Jimtown Store

  • Alexander Valley Wine Route
  • Jimtown Store
  • Medlock Ames Tasting Room

Filed Under: Wine Photo of the Day Tagged With: Alexander Valley, Jimtown Store, Wine Country Photography

Russian River Valley in May

May 30, 2018 by Joe Becerra

Russian River Valley

View from Westside Road in the Russian River Valley in late May

Russian River Valley AVA – Pinot Noir Wine Country

This scene is of Sonoma County’s beautiful Russian River Valley AVA. The vineyards are most likely Pinot Noir grapes. I shot this photo from Westside Road, a few miles to the east where Westside Road ends at River Road. The Russian River (which flows from Mendocino County through Sonoma County), plus the breeze and fog supplied by the Pacific Ocean, provide the perfect climate for growing Pinot Noir grapes and Chardonnay grapes. There are many excellent producers of high-end Pinot Noir in this region. To discover these wineries, take a ride from the town of Healdsburg to Westside Road. It is a dandy wine country backroad drive. Pack a lunch or stop on River Road at the Korbel Winery deli. Even better, head to the resort town of Guerneville. Guerneville has some fantastic and unusual stores and restaurants. It is also the location of Armstrong Grove State Park. Take the lovely nature hike trail, and you will be awed and inspired by the breathtaking Coastal Redwood Trees.  Bring home a few bottles of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to open and contemplate this famous wine region of California.

More information on the Russian River Valley

  • Healdsburg Lodging
  • Healdsburg Restaurants
  • Things to do in and around Healdsburg
  • Healdsburg Wine Country Guide

Filed Under: Wine Photo of the Day Tagged With: Russian River Valley AVA

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