Friday, November 29, 2019

2019 Napa Valley - Day 1

At Donum EstatesAt Donum Estates
At Donum EstatesAt Donum Estates
Explore

This wine tasting showcases our coveted Reserve, Single-Block, and Library wines. The wine flight changes seasonally and for October the flight is our 2017 Russian River Chardonnay, 2017 Carneros Pinot Noir, 2015 West Slope Pinot Noir and 2013 East Slope Pinot Noir. These wines are perfectly paired with creative fresh bites from our estate garden. Following this private seated tasting, guests will be treated to a seasonal vehicle tour of Donum’s private contemporary sculptural art collection. The fall season selection features works by artists Zhan Wang, Richard Hudson, Doug Aitken and many more. Please allow 2 hours to enjoy the full experience (please note wines listed are subject to change due to limited production).
With Jack home for Thanksgiving, Sharon planned a trip to Napa for two days. Fearing the traffic, we rolled from the house at 8 am. The traffic was light?!? We stopped for coffee and breakfast at a Starbucks near on Highway 29 near American Canyon Road.

Taking our time, we rolled up to Donum Estates about 10:40 am for an 11 am tasting. Sharon booked a new tasting called "Explore." It turned out to be fabulous. We took an ATV up to the heart. After a quick glass of wine, we stopped at a small building by the pond that was set up for a private tasting with a unique view. After the tasting, we rode the ATV to the wind chimes. We finished the tour walking back through the gardens.

From there, we headed to Bouchaine Vineyards. We have been wine club members here since 2010. We did a quick tasting in the new tasting room. Afterwards, we sat outside the old tasting room and had lunch. We brought some sandwiches with us.

We headed from Bouchaine Vineyards to the Napa Valley Marriott. After we checked in, Sharon took off for the CAbi store at the Outlets. Given that I spent most of 2015 and 2016 working out of the Napa Valley and staying at this Marriott, it is always a little odd for me to come back there.

We finished the night with dinner in downtown Napa at Allergria. Sharon and I had walked by the restaurant when we were in Napa for our anniversary in October. I had WILD MUSHROOM RAVIOLI [Fresh Homemade Ravioli, Tomatoes, Wild Mushrooms, Fresh Baby Arugula, Light Roasted Garlic Cream Sauce with Italian Sausage]. Sharon had VITELLO PICCATA [Pan Seared Veal Scaloppini, On Garlic-Mashed Potatoes Sautéed Spinach, Lemon Capers White Wine Sauce]. Jack had GNOCCHI AL PESTO [Pine Nuts, Basil, Pesto Cream Sauce]. The food was solid, but expensive...

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