Just got into my room at the quaint and swanky El Bonita motel in St. Helena and it’s bringing back some awesome memories. My wife and I stayed here in 2003, one of our first trips to the Napa area. On my way in I passed Mondavi, St. Supery, Peju, Franciscan but too bad it was 10:30 pm and I couldn’t turn in for a few quick swirl, sniff and spit. That’ll have to wait until tomorrow. On my way through Napa proper I noticed there must still be some fires in the area since the aromatics of burnt wood filled the air.
I’m in town only for the weekend to hook up with UC-Davis classmates at the Oakville station vineyard to talk about viticulture and vineyard management, specifically regarding pruning. Then, we’ll actually get to do some pruning ourselves. Pretty cool if you’re wine geeky like me. If you don’t prune correctly, you could not only ruin next year’s crop and yield but the year after that as well. At any rate, if you can get some good flight deals and then hook up at the El Bonita (rates were the best I could find in the area) I think a short Napa jaunt over the weekend is doable… just not every often for sure (unless you’re rich and you have your own jet).
There will be time for biz-ness as well as some play as I’ll be touching base with some wine industry folks as well as watch the SEC Championship game to watch the Gators defend the title. Though watching it at 1pm in the early afternoon will be very weird indeed for an east coaster.
Excellent Ed, although I’m not sure I buy the “had to go to Napa for pruning” thing…..Its snowing here in Georgia. Good luck to the Gators, my prediction is a close 23-17 victory. Enjoy the weekend, we wish we were hanging with you
Thanks, Jason… yeah, I’m taking in the atmosphere and glad there’s no snow flurries over here. Pruning is just one item on the agenda…
I think the game may be closer, with only a 5 point spread in favor of the Gators, maybe 24-21 Gators.
should be a good game. I’ve heard it’s a madhouse down at the Dome: obnoxious Florida fans vs. bat-$hit crazy Alabama fans…what would you expect?
Have a great time in Napa…let’s get some sort of holiday season wine something together soon!
Enjoy your travels… and some kick ass wine, too!
Cheers!
I love El Bonita! I always stay there when in that neck of the woods. Inexpensive and friendly, too. More coin for restaurants!
Randy, wine was phenomenal and flowing all day on Saturday… had a rough Sunday morning
Greg, right on with your assessment and one of the main reasons why I love that place too! I’ll be back for sure.