And so, the past weekend, on Sri and Chethan's suggestion, we took off for a wine-tasting trip to Paso Robles, a vineyard town, about 150 odd miles south of the bayarea, along 101 (a few miles south of the Hearst Castle). 11 of us (Sri, Chethan, Tore, Dumma, Leena, Sumati, Karthik, Rishon, Amar, Preetu and me) got into a rented 12 seater van (you guessed it right, it wasnt exactly a van, it was more like a semi, with a total 4-rows of seats), and headed out. Tore-y, Chethan's Accenture colleague, was visiting from Norway, so he was going to experience partying, Desi-shtyle!
With a quick stop at McDonald's @ Garlic-Gilroy, we were back on the highway, with Dumma behind the wheels, and the rest of us chattering away, trying to laugh at Tore's jokes, but having fun anyways :-)
2 hours later, we reached Paso, got off 101 to the route 46-W. Most of the wineries are along 46, and Sri/Chethan had prepped us with detailed maps of the wineries. First stop was at Peachy Canyon. Peachy is known for its red wines - Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Old School House Zinfandel, Rose (not pronunced like the flower, but like Jose, for u wine illiterates). Apart from Tore, I dont think the rest of us were real wine drinkers, perhaps Leena is, but me, naah. It was more like wine shots rather than the sniffy-swirly-sippy-triwly-thing. Preetu and I came to the same conclusion: their Port was the best!
On to Midnight Cellars we went, a few miles away from Peachy. The tasting room was manned by a buffed guy, who eventually told us he was a Top Gun instructor, at Naval Air Station in Fallon, Nevada, and his call sign is "Bull"! Cool, or what!! He, and his girl friend (who was the other person helping out with the wine tasting, who also happens to be a big-time photographer), were helping out at their buddies' winery. Between the two of them, they impressed the heck out us all! All the gals wanted a photo with Bull. Ahem.. Well, the wine at this vinery was awesome too. They make light, and red wines, and the popular ones being their Cabernet "Nebula",Pinot Noir "Aquarius", and their "Gemini" Port. Bull autographed all the bottles that we purchased (yup, plenty a bottle were grabbed), and after about an hour of wine-shots, we were out, a few of us being happily tipsy.
Next stop: Mastantuano. This vineyard has the best looking tasting room of all the ones we had seen so far, at Paso. With the tasting room being atleast three times of the earlier ones, we wandered in, to taste some of their awesome Raspberry Champagne, Port, Muscat Canelli and Chardonnay. Preetu loved the former two so much that we have a bottle of each at home now.
Right across the street on 46, is Four Vines. Here, we got to taste "The Biker" and "Maverick" Zin's, "Naked" Chardonnay, and the Syrah Port. A few shots of wine later, almost everyone was wearing a silly looking tattoo, like "Biker", and "Naked". The tasting room for Rotta winery is right next doors, along with a bakery which was selling fresh made bread, cheese and such. Food!! While some of us enjoyed the bread, the rest of us enjoyed more wine, thanks to Rotta. The two old ladies at the tasting booth were sweethearts, and they poured us wine after wine, Chardonnay, and Merlot, and Muscat Canelli. Sri and Preetu disappeared into the tasting room, only to emerge a few mins later with a crate full of wine. Cheers!!
A quick stop at the York Mountain Winery, and tasting a bunch of their on-sale wines, and buying a crate of their Muscat Canelli's (thanks Karthik), we were on our way up the twisty and windy road to Adelaida. York has some great dessert wines. Adelaida is a bigger winery compared to York, but by the time we got here, most of us were kinda happily tipsy, I found a couch and sat down on it. Only Chethan, Dumma, Sammy and Leena did wine shots here.
The drive into Cambria was eagerly awaited, as none of us could handle any more wine. Tore needed a few stops to catch some fresh air, and a few minutes later, we were checked in at the Cambria Shores Inn, which resides right across from the beach (Sri/Chethan had booked 3 rooms for the lot).
A game of beach volleyball, some frizbee tossing, a few sunset photographs later, we were enjoying the excellent dining at the Black Cat Bistro. Extremely attentive waitresses, and a yummy appetizing menu, amidst lamb chops, chicken, wine and beer, we wished Sammy a happy b'day (while Rishon was buzy scribbling away on the table decor).
No night is complete without some Poker. Amar and Tore took home the lions share, and we were all set to settle down after an eventful day.
A cane basket full of bagels, muffins, orange juice and such welcomed us when we opened the door in the morning. hmm.. this Inn rocks.. not only are the front desk folks extremely helpful, this breakfast sealed it. A 5 star rating is too little for this kinda experience.
After a disappointing lunch at the local Mexican restaurant, we set out back to the valley, a well rested, happy lot, with Amar at the wheels, looking like a bunch of illegal immigrants, trying to sneak across the border.
Great weekend, I should say. Thanks Sri/Chethan, for recommending this place, and making all the arrangements, and thanks Amar, for all the designated driving!
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