Vacation - Day 2

Monday, Sept 19th - Today we had reservations for the "Grgich at a Glance" tour.  The tour was $35 each, but we had a coupon for one free admit for it was basically 2 for the price of 1. It is a small tour of 8-10 people. Doug had been there before, but I wanted to have several tours of different sizes of vineyards / winerys. This is an Estate Vineyard, which means they grow their own grapes and do their own wine production.  You would probably be surprised to know how many wine makers purchase grapes from vendors so they don't even really have control how the grapes are grown, which affects how the grapes will taste and in the end how the wine will taste.

We were a little late in starting the tour because we were waiting for another couple, the Kinslers. I wondered to myself what the chances it would be Ian Kinsler of the Texas Rangers. The Texas Rangers had just played the Seattle Mariners the night before and were due to start a 3 game series with Oakland on Tuesday.  Well when they arrived he looked very familiar and the tour guide asked him for his name....it was indeed Ian.

At the end of the tour Ian and his wife came over to talk to us about the hot weather in Dallas. We both talked about having to have palm trees removed due to the cold winter. They got new ones replanted...we didn't!  So I couldn't help myself and eventually asked him..."So are you the Ian Kinsler of the Texas Rangers?"  He replied "Yes".  So we told Ian we would be going to the game on Thursday in Oakland and Doug shook his hand and wished him "Good Luck in the playoffs!"  It made the tour even more memorable!

After the tour we headed to lunch at Gillwoods Cafe in Napa. It was also well reviewed on Trip Advisor.  They make all their own baked goods, serve breakfast all day long. But we had lunch. I had the toasted club sandwich - Chicken, Applewood smoked Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato & Avocado.  Doug had the Chipotle Pesto Chicken Ciabatta - Crispy Chicken Strips w/ Lettuce & Tomato on our Ciabatta Roll.  No wine with lunch, just some refreshing iced tea.

After lunch, we walked around the streets of Napa. We visited the St Helena Olive Oil Company (where we purchased some blackberry honey) and Steve's Housewares (where we purchased a small 6" x 8" cutting board).  We then drove to Goosecross Cellars where Doug purchased a few christmas gifts....sorry no hints! 

The mid afternoon we headed to Duckhorn Winery, premium producer of Bordeaux varietal wines. This was an unplanned stop but turned out to be my favorite wine tasting of the week.  Doug had seen this wine on the shelves at the liquor store and they are kind of expensive. You hate to purchase that expensive of a wine and the not like it. So this was a great opportunity to try the wines without spending the money for a whole bottle.  We end up and like it so much, that we joined their wine club. Our first shipment will arrive in November, just in time for the holidays.

Dinner was low key - Round Table Pizza.  We sat and watched the Monday Night Football game and then headed to Safeway where we purchased another bottle of wine (Benzinger) for the evening.

Another great day!