Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Napa Valley Part 1

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Last Saturday, my friends and I went to Napa Valley for the day.  It's only about an hour and a half away from home which makes me wonder why it's been years since my last visit!  It's such a gorgeous place!  We met at my friend Kim's house at 9:00 am and headed up there.  First we did a little shopping at some outlet stores and then had some Mexican food and margaritas for lunch....


You need a good fatty lunch before wine tasting. At least that was what I told myself this time...








Then it was time to drive up the road towards the wineries.  Sorry for the blurry photos but these were taken from the car as we drove by...


Our first stop was at The Robert Mondavi Winery...

Here's my friend Natasha next to some California poppies in a Vineyard as we were walking up to the winery...



The entrance into the Mondavi Winery is spectacular...

It was such a beautiful day...the weather was perfect!  Here are my great friends, Kim and Natasha...

The best wine server we met all day (by far) was Alex at Mondavi.  He was so nice and really made our visit there memorable!  I'm sure he thought we were so crazy! The three of us never stop laughing when we are out together and we had him laughing too!  (Hi Alex...I hope you see this! Tell your boss you should get a raise because you were the nicest person we met in Napa Valley on Saturday)

Natasha passed out from the wine...just kidding.  She is always cracking us up...


Mondavi has a beautiful gift shop...


Kim told Natasha that she found a book for her...
She maybe Hot and Spicy but she's not Easy! Haha!  I don't want to ruin her good reputation on my blog!


We hit the road and our next stop was St. Supery Winery..


Up the driveway we go...

Here we all are inside St. Supery...


 This beautiful old home is on the property....
Our next stop was the Alpha Omega Winery...

They had these beautiful grape vine chandeliers that were spinning slowly in the breeze. It was very dramatic...

The description of the wines are fun to read...


While we were there all these girls with pink shirts came in.  We figured in must be a bachelorette party...

Wait a minute...what does that say on their shirts???  Team CINDY!  

We asked one of the girls what they were there for and they said a divorce party for another Cindy but it was also her birthday party. 


We're only about halfway through this trip so I'll have more photos of Napa Valley tomorrow! 

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32 comments:

Donna @ Comin' Home said...

Cindy, I'm so jealous! What a fantabulous trip you and your friends got to take! And your photos are just perfect. Thanks for the freebie vacation! We did a trip up the entire West coast three years ago and northern California was gorgeous! I kept wanting to stop at the wineries along the way, but that's the kink about driving with hubbies..they NEVER want to stop! We actually have a few here in Texas on the way to Austin, but I'm afraid the scenery just doesn't even begin to compare. I really enjoyed this post!

PS. I especially loved the pictures of the houses--the style is so appealing! Looking forward to tomorrow's post. :o)

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous! You definitely should go more often since you're so close. I'm jealous. Sounds like you guys had a fab time.
The divorce party with the pink shirts is too cute. LOL Sad, but cute. :)

Susan said...

Love the Team Cindy tee shirts!! What a lovely place to go for a road trip!! someday I gotta come to California to see the sights! I was in Los Angelas once but we had an accident and that kinda of spoiled our fun.

Regina said...

Always thought that real good wines can only come from our good old Germany ;-)

But when I see that fantastic sunshine and those proper wineyards I think we should taste more oftenly Californian wine.

Greetings from Cologne in Germany

Lil

Unknown said...

What a magnificent pictorial! It's such beautiful country out there.
Hubby and I went once a few years back to visit family, and took our own tour through that area. We were able to stop and picnic at a vineyard, on the top of a hill, with small fires burning down below (for heat). It was the most incredible scenery we've happened upon.

Oh, now I want to go back!

You and your friends look like you're having a ton of fun. I'm looking forward to seeing more pictures.

Elsie said...

Cindy~ all of you look like y'all
were having fun. That is a very
good picture of the three of you.
It's nice to have friends to pal
around with,especially the ones
that make you laugh all the time.
Napa Valley is beautiful,thanks
for the tour.:O)

Yo soy SOI said...

Hi Cindy: I came to your blog when I was googling pictures of white houses (we are painting our yellow farm house, barn and outbuildings white) and then saw your link...anyway, we used to live in Pasadena and have friends in Napa. Their family founded the Jaeger, Freemark Abbey and Thomas Jaegar wineries - I love it there. I'll check back in. Looked like fun. I have a travel blog - check it out searchforseaglass@blogspot.com.
Cheers, Janet

Mikey Fuller said...

Jealous! If your ever in VA do a wine tour! Our VA wines have stood up against the best Californian and even European wines!

And big thanks, you helped me figure out dinner! Mexican it is....mmmm can't wait for the tacos de asada!

Michele said...

Napa Valley is one of my FAVORITE places in Northern California!!! One of my best friends lives there, and I got to stay a week with her a few years ago. It was fabulous visiting the wineries, driving around to look at scenery, and, of course, shopping in Healdsburg!!! Great antiques there! Glad you had fun! Your pics are beautiful, as are you and your friends! Looks like a lot of fun and laughter.....the best kind of trip!! Looking forward to tomorrows post!

Hugs!!
Michele R.(CA)
Luvkittysmeowmail at Gmail dot com
Butterfly Whispers

Debbie Petras said...

You are so fortunate to live close enough to actually do a day trip to Napa! I've visited some of those wineries but it's been way too long ago. It looks like you gals had a ball. Good for you!~

Blessings,
Debbie

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

What beautiful photos and you look like you were having such a good time. Hubby and I visited Napa a few years ago and we thought it was just beautiful! The wineries were fun..mexican food was the best.

Herself said...

Cindy! This is so fun! I have kids who live in St. Helena and work at V. Sattui and Schramsburg. If you go on a tour at Schramsburg, ask for Anne! She the best tour guide and my girl! Love seeing your pics. Just was out there late March and headed back the end of May! LOVE the valley. PS: You went to Kara's Cupcakes at the Oxbow in Napa, right?

Marilyn said...

Cindy,

I'm jealous, too, loving so close to Carmel, SF, Napa Valley and all the wonderfully scenic areas of CA!!

Great friends, a beautiful day, Mexican food, gorgeous scenery and wine-tasting = A Perfect Day.

Can't wait to see more!

Marilyn (in Dallas)

Monica said...

What a fabulous trip, Cindy! And love love your necklace!
Monicax.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Looks and sounds like you ladies had a great time! Lunch looks good! :-D

Susan said...

Those were lovely shots of your excursion, Cindy. Very nice. Thanks for sharing. Look forward to the remainder of them. Sincerely, Susan

The Blackwood Cottage said...

Well, now I'm hungry and I want to lounge with a bottle of wine. Great pictures, tells the story!
Machelle

Glenda said...

I too love the Napa area. We took the Wine Train one year and the choice of Wineries was Domain Chandon, and another one. We choose the Domain Chandon. Was the best choice I made. It is a beautiful place. Drinking all that Champagne was fun, and we didn't have to worry about driving, so it worked well.

Can't to see the rest of this trip.

Jennifer said...

What wonderful pictures...such a beautiful place and wine and food adn girlfriends...perfection! Thanks for sharing!! Jennifer aka Gigi

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Very great documentary! Informative all the way. Enjoyed reading this.
Please keep us surprising with those great photos...
Love from Georgia/USA
MariettesBacktoBasics

Tanya said...

What a great trip.
Beautiful...but don't think it can top your home...I just love looking at your pictures...they are stunning and you deserve the magazine coverage. You make a home such a warm lovely place to be and give such great ideas that are doable!!! Keep it up and can't wait to see more pictures!!!! :0)

Judi said...

OMG! You have to start a side business doing Girlfriend Tours! TEAM CINDY sounds like a fab name! This trip sounds heavenly.
Just what I need....RIGHT NOW!
Onward!
Judi

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Looks like SO much fun!! Beautiful places, great wine and good friends, does it get any better than that?? xo Lidy

Heidi said...

HI Cindy,
That looks like it was so great! Your friends look like fun, too! I love the Napa area, the rolling hills and the vineyards reminds me of Germany where I lived as a young child.
We had a great time up in SF on Sat., I posted pics, stop by to see!
Have a great Wednesday.
XO
Heidi - Heart and Home

Molly Anne said...

I am so hungry now! Oh fresh cilantro, wherefore art thou?

Thanks for taking us along on the trip!

A divorce party? Now there are some supportive friends!

Melanie said...

I am jealous! I have never been to Napa but we went to Sonoma. We don't drink wine but we stopped at two beautiful wineries. I can't believe that you live so close.

That first house looks like one that was on House Hunters a while back:)

Can't wait for the next installment.

My Cottage Charm said...

Your friends seem like a lot of fun...I bet you guys have a blast together! :) I love the old house that sits on the property of the winery....how sweet.
Hey, thanks for entering my giveaway....I Love the clock too! (but those pink glasses would look amazing in my kitchen...might have to buy me some after my giveaway) :)
Hope you have a great day...can't wait to see pics of the 2nd half of your trip!
PS...too funny about team Cindy being there! :)

Terri Steffes said...

Ashley and Eric went to Napa Valley on their honeymoon! It was a fabulous trip.

Bob and I have been there once and would love to go again.

Congrats about the magazine article!! I am so proud of you!

Joy Jones said...

Hi Cindy! Great photos! I feel like I almost went on the trip with you. Napa Valley is our on short list of upcoming vacation spots and I think I may have to move it up a little higher on the list now. Thanks for sharing! ~ xo Joy

LesleyKeffer said...

Thank you for visiting St. Supery! Glad you had a great day in Napa Valley.

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Anonymous said...

Give the gift of beer these holidays <3