I tasted over 60 wines in 2 days.
I didn’t swallow. TWSS
Vegas and I ran off to Napa to take a wine course. It was amazing and crazy. I’ve never tasted so much wine without a drinking a single sip.
Our last day there was meant for fun though – we visited 4 of the best wineries I’ve been to!
Can you imagine working there?! I’d be in heaven.
We took a tour with Wine Cube Tours. It was unreal – I’ve have never found the places we visited. Plus, Napa + Wine = Driver.
I am super proud of myself for getting up to run twice while we were there. I did about 3.5 miles both times. It’s the longest I’ve run since my PRP Therapy in my ankle. Pain free running is amazing!!!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BCZIZd6mjQl/
Now for the food. Read on for my day of eats, and join in Jenn’s WIAW over at Arman’s today!
Breakfast:
I had my usual morning cocktail – I bring it with me even when I’m traveling!
Breakfast was a chocolate covered doughnut. I passed a bakery on my way back from the run. It smelled too good to pass up. Don’t judge.
Lunch:
We made the requisite stop at Gott’s Roadside. I hadn’t had much in the way of veggies, so I opted for a salad. Vegas had a burger and a beer. We split some sweet potato fries too.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BCYqBbIGjc0/
Wine Snack:
Swanson Vineyards was the last stop of the day, and the PERFECT selection by our Wine Cube Tour Guide.
The thing about wine tasting is that you’re rarely given so much as a cracker anymore. When we walked in to a full on cheese paring, I almost audibly squealed. The New Orleans-esque decor was really fun too.
Funny story: the coupe we were tasting with at Swanson is from my home town. Small world!
Dinner:
By dinner we were ready for a nice sit down meal. We decided to walk to downtown Napa to try out a French place that came highly recommended. San Diego has fabulous food, but we don’t have much French cuisine. Angele did not disappoint!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BCbGA5bmjbr/
I was over the moon with the apps. And the (unpictured) wine. Vegas was grinning like a Cheshire cat across from me.
Then the main courses came out. I ordered with duck with roasted potatoes and apple (I let Vegas had my potatoes and stole the rest of the bread… because ewwwww potatoes). Vegas had a lobster pot pie that was so good that we almost ordered a second one!
Added to the list of “must revisits,” fo’ sho’.
[Tweet “A day of food in #NapaValley. This is what happens in heaven. “]
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You’d think after all that I’d be sick of wine. But no.
Have you ever been to a wine tasting?
When was the last time you had a doughnut?
Sounds like you had a great trip to Napa! I know, I don’t know how anyone gets anything done living in Napa or Sonoma… I’d be wine tasting every day! I know a few people that went to college in Sonoma for viniculture, and I know that my 21 year old self would NOT have been able to handle that. I’d just want to drink all the wine — actually I kind of still do! 😉
I know!!! But I’d still kill to live there. 🙂
What a perfect day! I have been lusting over all your instagrams and this has me drooling even more!
I have so many wineries on my door and you have reminded me that I must make time to go out and visit them! Australian wine is amazing 🙂
We learned about Australian wines too… I’m a huge fan!
I wanna go to the wine tasting so bad! We have one region similar to Napa and I will go there in the summer.
You really must try it. You learn so much about what goes in to making wines!
My husband and I were in Napa in June last year and OMG just amazing. We went to Opus One and I could have spent a weekend there. Just gorgeous. Although we stayed in San Fran so I didn’t get the chance to run in Napa…or have a chocolate covered donut 🙁 No judgement there – it looks amazing and perfect to boost those sugars back up after the run!
I could go swimming in Opus One. And I hate to swim. 😉
Ooooh just another reason I so so miss NoCal!!!
Reason #1 however be my liberal peeps 🙂
Word to yer liberals.
Sign me up. Like really. Put my name down. I’ve been to wine tastings, but this puts them all to shame!
I went to Sonoma last May on the last day of our west coast trip and it was the perfect ending. If you’re on the east coast the Fingers Lakes are in NY is great for wine tasting too.
Ahh I love Napa! I haven’t been out there and wine tasting since last year … and now I’m pregnant so there goes my wine! Looks great! And I had a doughnut last week – I was at an Amish market in Philadelphia known for their doughnuts so I shared some with my husband!
i’m seriously thinking we need to move to SD or Napa. I want to take a wine course and live there! can we start a vineyard now?
I’m not kidding… we talked about it.
Napa is on my short list of places I want to visit. All those wines?? I’d be in absolute heaven. I mean, the food too, but really it’s mainly about the wine.
It has been YEARS since I’ve been to a wine tasting. Clearly that’s far too long. Vegas’s lobster pot pie sounds amazing!
Years?! You’re so far overdue!!!
OMG those oysters. I am a huuuuuuuge oyster fan…I know I’m weird! So those are totally calling my name!! Actually ANY seafood makes me drool! LOL Glad you had a good time in Napa. I totally want to visit someday!
Vegas LOVES them! I’m still trying… thought I’ve discovered that roasted oysters are awesome!
Wait, not a single drop?!? You cray.
I still can’t understand how you hate potatoes. It’s incomprehensible to my brain.
Crazy on both counts, I know… I’ve made up for the twin tasting since though. 🙂
Oooh this sounds amazing! Seriously envious of all the food and wine. Looks like you had a great time 🙂
My husband keeps telling me he wants to ditch it all and move to Napa. I am not quite convinced yet but looks like a beautiful weekend
Oh, you should definitely take him up on the offer!
First and last wine tasting: With you guys somwhere where I posed with blown up Santas.
Doughnut: No doughnuts in Switzerland. But there is a Swiss Doughnut place in Palm Springs. Lol!
That will NOT be your last! We’ll take you on a proper tasting in Napa one day. Or ITALY!!!
It all looks incredible. I haven’t had a donut in about eight years since my Celiacs diagnosis but we’re planning a trip to Portland, Maine in May where they have a place called the Holy Donut that has GF dark chocolate, sea salt caramel, and other donuts. I’ll be there with bells on.
That sounds amazing!!! I’ve always wanted to go to Maine and have some lobster! Adding doughnuts to the list. 🙂
The doughnut <3 Sadly I haven't made any doughnuts in awhile 🙁 Must fix that!
Lobster pot pie?!! Dang that sounds amazing.
woah that lobster pot pie sounds incredible! I wish there was a recipe for that!
You and me both!
I haven’t heard of Swanson… I’d love to know the other ones you visited – Jason and I have a few favorites there from past trips. where we drove down, so we could bring home cases of wine…
all the recent wine classes just for fun, or a sommelier / steward title in your future? 🙂
Our favorite this trip was Viader. They have a red called “Liquid Velvet.” It was. We also went to Keenan and Failla. We liked both, but Failla was the winner for 2nd favorite.
The wine course is for a certification… what we’ll do with it… I have no clue. LOL!
i have been wanting to take a trip to Napa…it looks just wonderful and i would be in heaven too if i got to drink all that wine 🙂
There’s this winery in/outside of Carmel that had the best snacks with the tasting. Almost tapas like.
Woah, a wine course sounds interesting… It’s not my kind of thing, but I know God made grapes, and they did have wine in the Bible, so I hope they were enjoyable! :)) I guess it just doesn’t appeal to my tastebuds. You were pretty brave for doing 60 wines in 2 days. O_O Wine tasting is an art in and of itself.
Once you get into the variety and how the terroir affects the nose and taste and color… everything! You just get a whole new level of appreciation. It’s worth exploring!
Oh my lobster pot pie sounds beyond amazing! And chocolate covered donuts are a must when you’re on vacation. Or, you know, always..
I was just talking with a co-worker the other day about how badly I want to go to Napa again. Last time I went, I was…15? Um, yeah. Time to actually enjoy the wine part of wine country.
Oy… wine country at 15 would be torture!!!
Girl got drunk and ate donuts.
I am judging you about that donut though.
Cause it’s chocolate covered.
Chocolate is gross.
But thank goodness you at least got sprinkles!
Hey now… I was NOT drunk. At least not that early in the morning. 😛
How fancy that they serve cheese too! Napa is absolutely gorgeous. Your meals look fantastic and that duck – yummm!
I was about to be very impressed (possibly concerned) with your wine consumption haha!! Looks like an awesome time. I’d love to go to Napa…and eat that doughnut!!
LOL! Right? I’d check myself into rehab if I’d swallow all that. 😉
A wine tasting and cheese pairing. This sounds like my kind of day.
Soon. Very soon.
I’ve been to several wine tasting events! Looks like we were both getting our wine on around the same weekend too! I enjoy them because I’m always discovering something new! I’m still a wine noob but everyone starts out that way! I don’t do donuts much but friend brought over Nomad Donuts for a potluck so I *had* to try some =P