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!