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I can't believe I'm just now writing this post! We just loved our trip and can't wait to visit again!! We had a great time, and the weather was absolutely beautiful. And, it was harvest time- such a fun time to visit!! So....a couple of weekends ago, for our 2nd anniversary, Kevin and I took a trip to California's wine country. We love all things wine, so it really was the prefect little trip for us! We went to about 25 different vineyards/wineries....so, here's a quick look at some of our favorite things we did.
We flew into San Francisco and spent the afternoon there.
Our first stop was to Fisherman's Wharf, where we had a super yummy lunch.
Oh my goodness, they were soooo cute!!! So fun to watch!
It was very fun and I'm glad did it!
After our afternoon in San Francisco, we were off to Sonoma!! On our way out, I was kinda sad that we didn't get a great view of the Golden Gate bridge....
I'm a planner and I usually have a plan for everything but, on this trip I was determined to not have a plan, I just wanted go wherever the road took us. Of course we had some favorite wineries that we knew we would want to visit, but other than that....we were up for whatever.
Our first big decision, where to go first?!?
We chose to visit Sonoma Valley first....we both just fell in love with Sonoma. The wineries are a bit smaller, more intimate - it just kinda had a more laid back feel. Perfect for Kevin and I!!
Decisions, Decisions....ha!! :)
Our first stop was at the Kendall Jackson Winery. I wasn't really excited about visiting this particular winery....Kendall Jackson isn't exactly my favorite wine BUT it was the first winery we saw, so we had to stop - and I'm SOOOO glad we did!! They poured their higher end label (which I've never seen before & didn't know they had) and was very impressed, it was delicious and it ended up being one of our favorites!
First grapes we saw in Sonoma!!! Yes, I was pretty excited! Ha!! :)
More grapes!!!
Great little vineyard, wonderful patio and fantastic views!
Their patio....I think it's impossible for a winery to have a bad view in Sonoma and Napa.
I love, love Francis Ford Coppola's wine so that was one of the vineyards where we would have to stop. Look at all of this wine!! Oh man, I was in heaven!!
His Sonoma winery isn't quite done yet, there is still a bit of constuction - one HUGE thing that's left is the POOL!!! Yep, a POOL!!! The pool has tons of changing rooms and is complete with an outdoor winebar!! Oh gosh, I'm so excited to visit again when it's open!!! How fun?!?!!!
....yeah, you totally can't tell there is a pool back there, sorry for the horrible picture! It really is pretty impressive in person! I promise you won't be disappointed if you visit!!
Delicious sparkling wine at Chandon
Domaine Carneros Winery - very stately estate. Again, absolutely beautiful views!!
Seriously, there were great views at every place we visited BUT, the Ferrari Carano winery had the best gardens. We asked tons of locals where they liked to go and everyone we asked said we had to visit this place.....and, they were right!
So unlike me but I didn't really take to many pictures of their gardens. Kevin and I were having such a great time just sipping our wine and wandering around the gardens that we didn't really take any pictures....
Silver Oak....their reds are out of this world!!
So, we visited LOTS of wineries and took tons of pictures of all of them - I'm pretty embarrassed to report that I cannot remember the name of this place. I remember that we really liked their wines, their staff was very helpful and friendly and it was in Sonoma....and it was all in a cave....yeah, that's all I've got on this place.
Coppola-Rubicon Estate, Napa - like I just said, I love Coppola's wine!! Soooo happy that I got to have their wine in Napa and Sonoma!!
Not only was this a winery but it was also a museum! Such a neat place!!
Yep, that's a mini sailboat - pretty cute!
L-O-V-E their driveway!!
The view from the Opus One winery. This places was a-mazing!!
Our absolutely favorite winery was the St. Francis Winery. Their staff was so knowledgeable, helpful and super friendly! One of their staff members works as a professional wine taster - he gave us an impromptu 2 hour class on how to taste wine like a professional. It was a-mazing!! And the wine was some of the best we've ever had! Love the mission-style architecture!
View from their patio....we could have stayed out their forever just sipping wine and looking at this gorgeous view.
The absolute highlight of our trip was our balloon ride!!
We did have to wake up pretty early but this view was worth it!!
Yeah....I took a ton of pictures - ha!! Little secret, I totally felt like Dorothy and was really hoping to stay over the rainbow. Lol!! :)
We landed near the small town of Yountville.....hung out in the French Laundry's garden.
Stopped off at Bouchon Bakery - man, do I miss those pastries!! And, I think our little Molly would have l-o-v-e-d their pet treat selection! Yeah, it was the most perfect little bakery.
Checked out our the little Bistro where we had reservations that night. We got lucky and were able to sit out on their patio.
Our last dinner in Napa.....just delicious!
After our little adventure, I think I'm ready to move to Sonoma Valley, open my own little winery!! Ha!! Well, a girl can dream - right?!? ;)
