Monday, June 25, 2012

Free Wine Tasting Does Still Exist In California

This is my mother's 90th year - so instead of using it to plan the big 90th birthday party, she is having as many celebrations as possible.  This month, it was a trip to the Holly Hills Winery, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains - just up from Sacramento.  They make some great wine in the area.  Lots of "Old Vine" Zin, which is possible because the gold miners got homesick for wine and planted these vines over 100 years ago - then the new wine makers brought these old abandoned vineyards back to life.  From there they have branched out into so many different varieties that I have lost count.  This area still has plenty of free wine tasting, and most of them know my mother by first name.  John did the driving, and this was the first time I was not the designated driver, so by the end of the day, I was very happy.  I knew what I liked while I was still in the area and could buy it.  Good Times!

8 comments:

  1. Oh what a fun trip that sounds like. Hoorah for your mom still enjoying such outings. And congratulations to her for a long and interesting life. I guess both of us have longevity genes. That's a good thing (I think) Hope the remainder of your trip is good. Cheers.

    ReplyDelete
  2. So much fun! We just did some wine-tasting in Oregon, and it was not free. (And if you add in the cost of the bottles we bought, it was REALLY not free!!!) Sounds like a great outing. How wonderful that you and your mother could both enjoy it together.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Sanda - I guess having longevity in your family teaches you to take better care of yourself. I think I might be paraphrasing George Burns.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Carla - We did have fun! Her real birthday isn't until the first of March (mine is July), but she figures the whole year is going to be the party.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Anne - Some of the most expensive wine tasting we have done has been in Oregon. Beautiful vineyards, but the actual wine is usually half the price at the local QFC markets. Some of my favorite dessert wines are from Oregon. Impossible to get here in Tulsa.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great story about the 'old vines'. Love your Mom's idea to party all year. Great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Shelley - If I make it to 90, I will party ever day from then on! (She taught me well!)

    ReplyDelete