With the lack of travel planning required for this summer, I have begun to focus on our September trip.  I am excited to get back out to San Diego; it’s a beautiful city and one of my favorite places to visit.  Our trip includes a 4 night stay at the Hyatt in the Gaslight district and then a two night stay at Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn on Shelter Island in San Diego bay.  Being the winos that we are, we have already begun to research the local wineries.  I have never had an opportunity to visit a winery in San Diego County, so this will be a first. 

After doing some research I came across http://www.sandiegowineries.org/ which has provided a wealth of information about local wineries in San Diego County.  We have used the site to begin to compile a list of wineries we would like to visit on our trip.  Many are located to the north and west of the downtown district, but not too far for a daytrip…I guess it would be a daytrip as opposed to a daycation, because we would already be on a vacation…

I know that soon enough it will be time to head off on our trip, but I don’t want to rush it too much. The summer goes too quickly as it is.  So while I still have plenty of time, I am going to sit back with a bottle of wine and enjoy these lazy, hazy days of summer. Until next time salude!

Our trip involved a 4 hour drive from Minneapolis through Duluth and on to Ashland, Wisconsin. Ashland is a beautiful lakeside town located along Route 2 halfway from Duluth, Minnesota and halfway to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, otherwise known as the U.P., which houses “Yuppers”…who I was completely unaware even existed…and I am still not quite certain what makes one a “Yupper” (other than the fact that they live in the U.P.) but I digress.

After driving 2 ½ hours north on I-35, we passed through Duluth and stopped in the town of Superior, Wisconsin to pick up some much needed libations.  Following the stop at the liquor store it was back to the highway.  As we were leaving the town of Superior, I noticed a huge sign advertising a winery.  Of course our curiosity was peaked and we decided to take a diversion to the White Winter Winery.  Located in the Town of Iron River, the White Winter Winery specializes in Mead.  We decided to try a tasting to see what mead was all about.  For those who don’t know, mead is an alcoholic drink made from honey, water and yeast. 

The White Winter Winery creates its meads from local fruits and honey.  I was very impressed by the variety of meads that were available, but having never tried mead before I was not sure what to expect.  The flavors were very different from what you would expect from a normal wine, but they were very good.  One of our favorites was the Black Harbor which is a Black Currant Honey Wine with Grape neutral spirits added (21% ABV). It is made with black currants and honey. Well balanced with the residual sweetness of honey and toasted vanilla from French oak.  If you are interested in visiting the White Winter Winery, they are located at White Winter Winery 68323 Lea St, Iron River, WI 54847 Phone 1-800-697-2006.  You can also visit their website at http://whitewinter.com

Wisconsin has 5 separate wine regions, the Northwoods, located in the northern part of the state.  The Driftless, which is located in the western portion of the state and borders Minnesota.  The Fox Valley and Glacial Hills regions, which border Lake Michigan and the Door County region, which is located on a peninsula that sticks out into Lake Michigan.  The state boasts some 36 different wineries, which specialize in all different types of wines. If you are headed to Wisconsin and are interested in taking a wine tour check out the Wisconsin Wine site at http://www.wiswine.org/

The rest of the weekend was a blur, two graduations, parties, food, beer and wine.  Too soon we were headed back to the airport to catch our flight home.  As I sat on the plane waiting to depart I couldn’t help but think back to the previous few days. Call me naive, but I was completely unaware that Wisconsin had any type of wine making industry.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that the art of making wine is alive and well in the badger state, just as it was when I visited Fredericksburg, Texas a few months back. 

When we got back to New Jersey that night, we raided the wine cellar and sat by the fire enjoying a bottle of Forefront.  It was a great way to wind down a busy Memorial Day weekend. As I look ahead to the summer, there is not much on the horizon in the way of travel.  The last few summers I have traveled quite a bit, so in some respects I am thankful to spend time at home.  The next big trip is San Diego in September, so we’ll be planning for that over the next few months.  It’s been a while since we discussed the world of wine and food on commercial airlines.  Maybe we’ll get back to that next month, unless something more interesting comes along.  Until next time salude!!

Below is partial list of wines we tasted while visiting Bridlewood Winery:

 Bridlewood Monterey County Chardonnay ( 2007)

“This aromatic Chardonnay displays ripe aromas and pure flavors of nectarine and golden apples; time in the bottle will allow tropical flavors to develop.”

 We purchased the Chardonnay, it has an excellent taste and a very reasonable price.

 Bridlewood Viognier (2008)

“The 2008 Central Coast Reserve Viognier expresses an aromatic bouquet of white nectarines, honeysuckle, tangerines and rich tropical fruits. Flavors of tart guava, nectarines and grapefruit unfold on the palate, culminating in a bright, clean finish. The wine is well-balanced with a crisp acidity and moderate alcohol. Its lush, creamy texture showcases how Viognier can be big and rich, yet soft and supple. The moderate acidity and full fruit flavors make this wine a perfect complement for rich foods such as lobster, crab and abalone, or more casual fare such as pâté, fresh fruit and a variety of hard and soft cheeses.”

 Bridelwood Pinot Noir (2007)

“The 2007 Winner’s Circle Pinot Noir is a blend of some of the Central Coast’s finest vineyards: Santa Rita Hills in Santa Barbara County, the Cal Poly Ranch in San Luis Obispo County, and the Olson Ranch in Monterey County’s Santa Lucia Highlands. Each lot imparts its own unique flavors, creating a synergistic, well-balanced and complex wine. Layers of complementary fruit and earthy aromas give this wine a nice structure, while the silky tannins create a rich mid-palate and a clean finish. The wine was aged for about 10 months in a mix or new and old French oak barrels from the Troncais region.”

If you’d like to visit Bridlewood Estate Winery, it is located at 3555 Roblar Avenue, Santa Ynez, CA 93460; you can also visit their website at http://www.bridlewoodwinery.com/

Or next stop was Roblar Winery which is located less than a mile from Bridlewood.  As their website states, Roblar is more then just a winery. The winery not only promotes its wine, but also showcases they many different foods raised in the area. They also promote sustainable agriculture practices and even use babydoll sheep to “mow” the weeds in their vineyards.  Roblar takes the extra step to combine great fresh food with great wine. They also offer cooking classes and a Sunday brunch at the winery.  To taste at Roblar, the cost is $12 which includes a glass you can take or $7 without the glass.

Below is partial list of wines we tasted while visiting Bridlewood Winery:

Roblar Syrah (2006)

“Showing true Syrah characteristics of tart cherry, tobacco, subtle spice and chocolate on the finish.”

Roblar Riesling (2008)

“Strong citrus-green apple nose with hints of tart quince, lemon blossom and apricot.
Pair with Roblar’s Chicken Galantine Caesar Salad, Margherita Pizza or Turkey Burger.”

Roblar Barrel Select Cabernet Sauvignon (2008)

“A rich velvety mid-palate segues into a finish layered with black currant and pomegranate. Pair with Roblar’s Barbaresco Panini or Roblar’s Sirloin Burger.”

If you’d like to visit Roblar Winery, it is located at 3010 Roblar Avenue, Santa Ynez, CA 93460; you can also visit their website at http://www.roblarwinery.com/

After visiting Roblar winery, it was off to lunch at Patrick’s Side Street Café.  Located in downtown Los Olivos, Patrick’s is a quaint gourmet restaurant offering award winning selections to please the palate.  If you’d like to visit Patrick’s Side Street Cafe, it is located at 2375 Alamo Pintado Ave, Los Olivos, CA; you can also visit their website at http://www.patrickssidestreetcafe.com/

Following Lunch at Patrick’s, it was off to our next winery Riverbench Vineyard & Winery in Santa Maria. As stated on their website, Riverbench was founded in 1973 when the first Pinot Noir and Chardonney grapes were planted on the property. The vineyards provided grapes to many local winemakers over the next few decades. In 2004 a group of local families purchased the property and in 2006 began releasing wine under their own label, Riverbench.  To taste at Riverbench, the cost is $10.

Below is partial list of wines we tasted while visiting Riverbench Vineyard & Winery:

Estate Pinot Noir (2008)

“The vivid burgundy color is slightly darker than 2006, thanks to an almost textbook perfect harvest in 2007. The wine is commanding and ripe but not over extracted. Sumptuous favors of strawberries and cherries coat the tongue, but the finish still holds our signature smoke and clove; it perfectly complements grilled cornmeal crusted quail or a wild mushroom pizza.”

Estate Chardonney (2007)

“There’s something enviable about a Chardonnay that is able to show balance between rich fruit flavors and a delicate buttery note; an oaked Chardonnay isn’t hard to find, and there certainly exists a fine line between luscious and overdone. When you find a wine this well-adjusted, you won’t want to let it go. Our Chardonnay is truly luscious, showing tropical fruit flavors typical of our vineyard while being luxurious and substantial enough to boast a lasting finish with lingering hints of honey and apple. Perhaps you’ll enjoy this one evening with grilled halibut, or as the perfect accompaniment to she-crab soup. Either way, keep a bottle in the closet for those important dinners- you’re sure to win over the boss’s wife.”

We purchased the Chardonney, it had a very nice flavor and reasonable price.

Mesa Pinot Noir (2007)

“There’s a special section, deep in the vineyard, that’s been affectionately termed “The Mesa” for many years now. The fruit from these vines is remarkably different Pinot Noir; there is a liveliness that refreshes the palate and stirs the senses. One taste of these grapes and it was obvious that we needed to try this section on its own.

In the summer of 2008, the barrel samples revealed we had something special on our hands, and now that it’s had some time to age in the bottle, we’ve decided to introduce it to you.

This wine is surprisingly soft and feminine on the palate, yet its elegance and brightness are balanced by a lift on the palate and a more assertive finish. In other words, this is no wimpy wine. Earth tones match the red fruit flavors, and the oak plays subtly in the background. Try this one of a kind representation of Riverbench with cranberry glazed Cornish game hens or beef Wellington.”

If you’d like to visit Riverbench Vineyard & Winery, it is located at 6020 Foxen Canyon Road Santa Maria, CA 93454, you can also visit their website at http://www.riverbench.com/index.php

Our next stop was Kenneth Volk Vineyards.  Kenneth Volk is conveniently located approximately 5 minutes from Riverbench.  The website states that the winery property was the original Byron Winery which was established in 1981.  In 1994, the property was acquired by the Robert Mondavi Winery Corporation and in 2004 it was purchased by Ken Volk. Unfortunately what Ken Volk got was a winery in need of some major TLC.  The Mondavi Corporation had not spent any money on the site during the period that they owned it.  Following repairs, it was time to start making wine and today creates some of the top wines in the Santa Maria Valley.  To taste at Kenneth Volk, the cost is $5 they will add it to your purchase if you decide to buy.

Below is partial list of wines we tasted while visiting Kenneth Volk:

 Claret, Carmody, McKnight Vineyard (2004)

“Our 2004 Carmody McKnight Vineyard Claret is a vineyard designated blend of 39% Cabernet Franc, 33% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Carmody Mcknight Vineyard is located in western Paso Robles on Chinney Rock Road in the rain shadow of the Santa Lucia Coastal mountain range. This dark purple wine had aromas of ripe cherry, blackberries and clove. Rich fruit flavors of cherry and plum are followed by tannins and a long finish. The bright fruit, low pH, and excellent structure of this wine make it a candidate for extended cellaring. This wine can be served with rich cuts of meat, poultry or with pasta.”

 We purchased the Claret, it had a great flavor and was priced very reasonably.

 Cabernet Franc Paso Robles (2005)

“Rich, luscious dark cherry aromas intertwined with smoke, leather, earth and truffles with hints of fresh herbs.  Flavors are full bodied red cherries, leather, bramble berries and a plush mouth feel that lingers into an elegant finish with polished tannins.  Really very approachable with fresh, clean berry flavors tightly bound with hearty earth and oak nuances. Great aromatics with an elegant mouth feel with great structure and depth.”

 Chardonnay, Sierra Madre Vineyard (2006)

“Made in styles that range from steely, mineral laced wines with crisp green apple fruit to wines that are buttery, rich, and laden with tropical fruits, there is a Chardonnay that will appeal to every palate. Chardonnay is most closely associated with France’s Burgundy region and California’s Northern valleys though it has proven successful around the globe.”

If you’d like to visit Kenneth Volk, it is located at 5230 Tepusquet Road, Santa Maria, CA, 93454; you can also visit their website at http://www.volkwines.com/

Following Kenneth Volk, it was off to our final stop of the day Foxen Winery.  Foxen was founded in 1985, by Bill Wathen and Dick Dore.  It is named after William Benjamin Foxen who was and English sea Captain and Bill’s Great Great Grandfather.  Foxen adopted his signature Anchor cattle brand and it has become trademark for the winery.  In 2009, they built a new tasting room oxen which is solar powered, but also still operate the older tasting room further up the Foxen Canyon Road. To taste at Foxen the cost is $10 for one building, $12 if you’d like to visit both sites.  Wine glasses are included in that price.

Below is partial list of wines we tasted while visiting Foxen:

Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Ynez Valley 2006

“Aromoas of Cola, Cherry, spice, cigar box and cedar. Not an extreme heavyweight so you can enjoy it with a wide variety of foods.”

Sauvignon Blanc, Vogelzang Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley 2008

“A gorgeous, elegant Sauvignon Blanc, dry and complex and ideal for drinking with sophisticated fare. Grown in the warmer Happy Canyon region, it avoids the green pyrazines that can mark Sauvignon Blanc, yielding intricate flavors of lemons, limes, pineapples, green melons, honey and peppery spices, gently touched with smoky oak.”

Chardonnay, Bien Nacido Vineyard Block UU, Santa Maria Valley 2008

“Tangy citrus, pink grapefruit and green apple flavors give this is mouthwatering sensation, with floral aromas.  Full-bodied, rich and layered, ending with a long, persistent finish. Drink now through 2014.”

The Chardonnay was our favorite tasting of the day and we purchased it.

If you’d like to visit Foxen, it is located at 7600 Foxen Canyon Road, Santa Maria, CA 93454 Telephone: 805 937-4251 Fax: 805 937-0415; you can also visit their website at http://www.foxenvineyard.com/

 The next day was our last full vacation day in Santa Barbara and headed downtown to see the sights. The first stop was the Old Mission Santa Barbara.  Founded in 1786, the mission was the tenth of twenty one missions founded in California.  The site offers visitors a glimpse of what life was like for the Franciscan monks who lived there in the 17 and 1800’s.  Tours run from 9-5pm daily and cost $5.00.

If you’d like to visit Old Mission Santa Barbara, it is located at 2201 Laguna St
Santa Barbara, CA 93105; you can also visit their website at http://santabarbaramission.org/

Next stop was lunch at Brophy Brothers Seafood Restaurant.  Located in Santa Barbara Harbor, Brophy Brothers offers the freshest seafood around, with great views. We dined on the deck while watching sailboats being lowered into the harbor. 

If you’d like to visit Brophy Brothers, it is located at 119 Harbor Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93109; You can also visit their website at http://www.brophybros.com/

The following day it was off to the airport for the 4 ½ hour flight home.   During the flight we began to plan our return trip to Santa Barbara wine country.  There are so many more wineries to visit and some great places that we can’t wait to get back too.  Until next time Salude!!

Below is a partial list of wines we tasted while visiting Laetitia Winery:

Laetitia Non-Vintage XD

“Aromas of fresh apple, lemon zest, meringue and light toastiness greet the nose, while on the palate the brisk impression is balanced with delicious sweetness.  This wine will pair beautifully with orange, apple, or light fruit driven desserts.”

We purchased the Non-Vintage XD; it was a great price and great taste.

Laetitia Estate Chardonnay

“Mineral and fruity with delicate aromas of jasmine, lychee and tea rose that transition into lemon drop, ripe pear and green apple flavors.  A smoky, spicy anise character that weaves through the honeyed finish.”

We also purchased this wine which had a great price and excellent taste.

Nadia Red 2005

“A Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The Nadia Red wine embodies the potential of the Santa Barbara highlands Vineyard.  The wine releases generous blue and red fruit notes.”

If you’d like to visit the Laetitia Vineyard, it is located at 453 Laetitia Dr., Arroyo Grande, CA 93420; you can also visit their website at http://laetitiawine.com/index.php

From Laetitia, we jumped back on the 101 and headed to Morro Bay, California which is located in San Luis Obispo County. Morro Bay is known for the giant Morro rock that sits in the entrance of the harbor.  It is one of 9 volcanic plugs also known as the “Nine Sisters,” that stretch in a line up the coast. Besides being a tourist attraction, the city of Morro Bay also operates a working fishing port.  If you are interested visiting in Morro Bay, take a look at the sites below.

Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce http://www.morrobay.org/cm/Home.html

City of Morro Bay http://www.morro-bay.ca.us/

After stopping in Morro bay we were off again to Harmony, CA to visit the Harmony Cellars.  Harmony is also located in San Luis Obispo County.  It is a quaint town that was founded in 1869 around several dairy ranches and today boasts a population of 18.  Besides a few retail shops selling pottery and hand blown glass, Harmony Cellars is the largest retail operation. If you are interested in visiting Harmony, take a look at the site below.

http://www.harmonyca.com/

Harmony Cellars is set up on a hill over looking the small town of Harmony.  The Harmony Cellars website states that the winery was founded in 1989 and has since grown from a 2,000 case micro winery to and 5,500 case boutique winery.  Owners Chuck and Kim Mulligan built the Harmony Cellars on land that had been in Kim’s family for over 100 years.  A tasting at Harmony will cost you $3 or $7 with a logo glass that you can keep.

Below is a partial list of wines we tasted while visiting Harmony Cellars:

Diamond Reserve Pinot Gris 2008

“This wine is made in the Burgundian style by aging a portion of the juice in new French oak. Although bone dry, the flavors are reminiscent of tropical fruits and juicy pears.”

Diamond Reserve Pinot Noir 2006

“A classic medium bodied wine with strawberry and caramel aromas and a velvety finish.”

Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

“Dramatic aromas of dried cherry and plum are complemented by notes of butterscotch, toasty oak & subtle leather. The palate is flooded with flavors of sour cherry, cassis and vanilla spice.”

If you’d like to visit the Harmony Cellars, it is located at 3255 Harmony Valley Road
Harmony, California 93435; you can also visit their website at http://www.harmonycellars.com/

Following our visit to Harmony, we headed to Cambria.  Cambria is located on the coast and its primary economic activity is tourism.  Moonstone beach offers a wide variety of hotels and bed and breakfasts.  Aside from the town, other attractions include Nit Witt Ridge which is a California historical landmark, Hearst castle, the Elephant seal rookery area located off the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and the Piedras Blancas Light Station.  If you are interested in visiting Cambria take a look at the site below.

Chamber of commerce http://www.cambriachamber.org/

Our first stop in Cambria was Fermentations a tasting room and wine specialty shop.  If you stop in Cambria and love wine, you can’t miss heading to Fermentations.  A tasting at Fermentations will cost you $3 or $7 with a logo glass. 

Below is a partial list of wines we tasted while visiting Fermentations:

Tolosa Chardonnay 2006

“A pale gold color is as usual the harbinger of quality. The aroma is warm and evokes honey on toast. The fruit character is towards lemon with a hint of minerality.  The textures in the mouth are more like Chablis than California with a pleasant grippiness. There is the classic note of roasted hazelnut in the background.”

Brucher Pinot Noir 2007

“A beautifully layered and flavorful Pinot Noir. The typical Pinot nose leads to a fabulous mouth feel and a long finish. This Pinot will stand up to almost any entree.”

Koda Premium Dessert Wine

“Premium chocolate infused dessert wine is produced from blending award-winning port made from Paso Robles grown Syrah grapes with the finest natural chocolate essences. The result, a decadent, memorable dessert wine offering the best of both worlds: wine and chocolate. A delightful finish to the perfect meal.”

We purchased the Koda Dessert wine; it was the best dessert wine was tasted on the trip.

If you’d like to visit the Fermentations, it is located at 4056 Burton Drive
Cambria, CA 93428; you can also visit their website at http://www.fermentations.com/

After we finished some shopping in Cambria, we headed off to our hotel on Moonstone Beach.  Moonstone Landing is located directly across the street from Moonstone Beach.  The front rooms offer a perfect view of the Ocean and there are several other rooms that offer partial views.  In the morning they offer a free continental breakfast and in the evening they offer free refreshments. After checking in, we grabbed some refreshments and watched the sun set while enjoying some margaritas on the deck.

If you’d like to stay at Moonstone Landing, it is located at 6420 Moonstone Beach Drive, Cambria, CA 93428; you can also visit their website at http://www.moonstonelanding.com/

Dinner that evening was at The Sea Chest Restaurant.  The Sea Chest is located right next door to the hotel, so it is very convenient for anyone staying in that area.  The restaurant offers a wide variety of excellent seafood.  Our group had the Cioppino, Seafood Marinara, and Oysters Rockefeller. The Cioppino was hands down the best I have had, it offered a good mix of seafood and included very good homemade sourdough bread.  I would recommend it to anyone who visits the Sea Chest.  If you go remember that the restaurant does not accept credit cards or reservations.

If you’d like to stay at The Sea Chest Restaurant, it is located at 6216 Moonstone Beach Drive Cambria, CA 93428. You can also visit their website at http://www.seachestrestaurant.com/main.htm

The next morning we awoke and took a leisurely drive up the PCH to see the elephant seals in San Simeon.  The area is known as the Piadres Blancas rookery and it is where the elephant seals breed, molt and rest.  There can be upwards of 15,000 animals at the highpoint of the season.  A rest area located along the PCH gives you a great vantage point of the seals and there are volunteers available most days to answer any questions you may have.

If you’d like more information take a look at this site: http://www.elephantseal.org/

Following a visit with the elephant seals it was off to Hearst Castle. Originally built by media mogul William Randolph Hearst, today Hearst Castle is operated by the California Parks Department and offers several different tours.  There are 6 tours offered of the caste and the prices are $24.00 for adults and $12.00 for kids.  We decided to take tour 1 which is recommended for first time visitors.  Tour 1 includes the pool area, Casa Del Sol guest house, Esplanade and gardens and 5 rooms in the main house.  The other tours include everything from additional rooms of the house, to a walk through the gardens. 

If you would like to visit Hearst Castle take a look at the following site: http://www.hearstcastle.com/

After our tour of Hearst Castle it was time to head back to Santa Barbara, but along the way we stopped at Pismo beach to drive on the sand dunes.  If you have a 4×4 vehicle, I would definitely recommend driving on the sand dunes at Pismo Beach. The cost is $5.00 and you can even spend the night on the beach if you have a camper.  If you’d like some more info about Pismo Beach take a look at the following site: http://www.pismobeach.org/index.aspx?NID=9

Once we were done on the sand dunes we headed off to dinner at the Cracked Crab.  Located in downtown Pismo Beach, the Cracked Crab is an excellent restaurant offering a wide variety of fresh seafood.  Their house specialty is the bucket of seafood that they dump on the table.  Buckets can be ordered for one or two people and have several different types of shellfish.  Take a look below at the selection choices:

Big Bucket For Two $68
Create your own bucket! Your choice of three items listed below.
Your shellfish choices are steamed with spicy Cajun sausage, red skin potatoes and corn cobetts. Casually served; dumped on your table! Accompanied with drawn butter, homemade cocktail sauce, homemade triple mustard sauce, warm sourdough rolls, and tools for pickin’ and crackin’.
Please select three items
Alaskan King Crab $10,  Dungeness Crab,  Opilio (Snow) Crab,  Domestic Gulf Shrimp,  Jonah Crab Claws,  Mussels  Clams,  Alaskan Bairdi Crab $3,  Slipper Lobster $5,  Whole Dungeness Crab $11

Single Bucket (for one person) $48
Please select two items
Slipper Lobster $5, Alaskan King Crab $10, Opilio (Snow) Crab, Dungeness Crab, Domestic Gulf Shrimp, Jonah Crab Claws, Clams, Mussels, Alaskan Bairdi Crab, $3, Whole Dungeness Crab $11

If you are interested in visiting the Cracked Crab, it is located at 751 Price Street Pismo Beach, CA 93449; you can also visit their website at http://www.crackedcrab.com/

From Pismo Beach it was only an hour back to Santa Barbara.  The next day would be filled with Winery stops, so we headed off to bed so we could get an early start in wine country.  Check back soon for Part 3! Until next time Salude!!

Generally, I try and arrive at the airport an hour before the boarding time, not the departure time.  When you book an airline ticket you are presented with the wheels up or departure time.  What many people fail to realize is that boarding actually takes place at least 30-45 minutes prior to that time and at wheels up time, well…you should be wheels up.  How many times though, do we find our selves sitting at the gate watching everyone board as the departure time clicks on by?  If more people realized that they had to get to the gate on time, we may not have the amount of delays that we currently experience.  But I digress…

So, with a boarding time of 6:00am, I needed to be at the airport by around 5:00am, hence the early wakeup call.  I had been looking forward to this trip for a long time, so there wasn’t much sleep to be had the night before.  I was running on about an hour of sleep and a lot of caffeine as we pulled into the airport.  We had already checked our bags on the internet so it was just a matter of dropping them off as we walked through the ticketing area. As we rode up the escalator I saw the line at security and I knew we were in for a long wait.  The line stretched completely through the maze of security ropes, out of that section and down a hallway behind another set of makes shift ropes.  Beyond the front of the line, there were 5 security lanes set up, but only 1 was being utilized. The lack of personnel at the TSA this early in the morning led to the back up of passengers.

We stood online until almost 6:00, when the shift change occurred and more lanes were opened.  Finally, we were able to get through and headed right for the gate as the boarding process was beginning.  Our flight to Los Angeles was just over 5 ½ hours.  The plane was packed, but thankfully Continentals new 737-900’s have Direct TV, so with a swipe of my credit card for a $6.00 charge, I was able to watch TV throughout the flight and it didn’t seem nearly as long. 

After we gathered our bags it was off for some site seeing in Los Angeles.  First stop was Hollywood Blvd and Grauman’s Chinese Theater.  The theater is located along Hollywood’s Walk of Fame and has almost 200 actors and actress’s footprints and autographs carved into the concrete in front of the theater.  After some pictures at the theater we walked down Hollywood Blvd to where the Academy Awards red carpet was set up.  We were able to walk along the red carpet and right up to the entrance of the Kodak Theater where the Academy Awards would take place a few days later.  After Hollywood Blvd we headed over to Rodeo Dr., then over to Beverly Hills to take in the sights.  Later that afternoon, we headed out Sunset Blvd and jumped on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) headed toward Santa Barbara.

From Los Angeles, the PCH takes you through Santa Monica, Malibu, Oxnard and follows 101 through Ventura before arriving in Santa Barbara.  We arrived in the Santa Barbara area just in time to hit happy hour at the Beach Side Bar & Café and watch the sunset.  The views from the Beach Side Bar & Cafe are beautiful and the seafood is amazing. 

If you are interested in stopping by visit http://www.beachside-barcafe.com/index.htm 

Following some Margaritas, steamers, seafood shish kabobs and ahi tuna, it was off to the home of my in-laws in Goleta where we started a fire in the pit and enjoyed some wine late into the evening.

Being a resident of the east coast and therefore used to getting out of bed at an east coast time, I found myself wide awake at 4:00am the next morning.  While my wife and I were showered and ready to go by 5:00, the rest of the group was not as ready.  Following breakfast later in the morning, we headed out to the wine country. From Santa Barbara there are a few ways you can get to the wine regions of Santa Ynez, Santa Maria, Los Alamos, and Sta. Rita Hills. The first option is 101 which will take you parallel to the Santa Ynez Mountain range along the coast and then eventually through a tunnel which is the gateway to the region.

The second is the San Marcos Pass Rd. (154), which will take you directly over the top of the Santa Ynez Mountain range and bring you down into the Santa Ynez Valley near the Cachuma Reservoir.  This is a beautiful drive which provides some great scenery.

Finally, the North San Marcos Pass Rd. is another option, but this route is not for the faint of heart.  The road is very narrow and winds its way steeply up the Santa Ynez Mountains before connecting with the San Marcos Rd. (154) above the reservoir and cold springs bridge.

We decided to take the San Marcos Pass Rd. Once we made our way over the mountains and found ourselves in the beautiful Santa Ynez valley, it was time to start visiting some wineries.  The first one we came to was the Blackjack Ranch Vineyards and Winery.  The proprietor of the Blackjack Ranch is Roger Wisted and as you will see on the Blackjack website, he has a very interesting life story.  The name ‘Blackjack,” was a tribute to the game California Blackjack, which Robert invented.  In 1873, the standard game of Blackjack “21” was outlawed in California. The only place you can legally play 21 is in an Indian owned Casino, which is governed by the Federal Indian Gaming Act.  In California Blackjack, you play to “22”, not 21 and therefore, it was legal to be played outside of Indian owned Casinos. The success of California Blackjack allowed Robert to pursue his dream of building a winery.   

The Blackjack Ranch is located on a beautiful piece of property between Solvang and Los Olivos.  You may recognize Blackjack as the second winery Miles and Jack visited in the Movie Sideways, where they taste the Maximus Syrah.  To taste at the Blackjack Ranch the cost is $12.00 per person and they will allow you to split a tasting. 

Below is a partial list of wines we tasted while visiting Blackjack Ranch:

 Chardonnay Wilkening Vineyard Reserve 2006

“Just released, the 2006 Reserve Chardonnay from Laura Wilkening’s hillside vineyard overlooking Ballard Canyon Road completes our first decade of production of this beautiful fruit. As always, the dominant features are honeysuckle, pineapple, and tropical fruit. Well structured and complex, enjoy it over the next 5-6 years.”

Pinot Noir Alex de Vergy 2005

“Big, thick, chewy, earthy, black fruit pinot noir with Burgundian characteristics. Velvet comes to mind immediately so this could be La Tache.  Raspberry, violets, vanilla bean, smoke.  Acidity perfect for food. Old vine fruit, La Colline Vineyard, Arroyo Grande.  Experienced tasters quickly note this very, very special and score it around 96 points.”

We purchased the Pinot Noir, it was exceptional!!

Maximus Syrah 2005

“The Sideways wine, exhibits a deep ruby/purple color in addition to subtle, but sweet aromas of barbecue smoke, blackberries, cassis, licorice, saddle leather, and earth. It is a powerful, layered, ripe wine with moderately high tannin as well as admirable purity and persistence. Give it another 12-18 months of bottle age, and enjoy it over the following decade.”

If you’d like to visit the Blackjack Ranch, it is located at 2205 Alamo Pintado Road, Solvang, CA 93463, you can also visit their website at http://www.blackjackranch.com/

The next Winery we visited was Firestone Vineyards.  The Firestone Vineyards are located in the heart of the Santa Ynez valley, near the town of Los Olivos.  The Firestone website states that the Vineyard was founded in 1972 and was Santa Barbara counties first estate winery.  The vineyard includes a barrel cellar, fermentation cellar, crush pad and bottling line for full production from the vine to the bottle. A tasting at the Firestone Vineyard includes 7 wines and is either $10 or for an extra $5 you can keep the glass. 

 Below is a partial ist of wines we tasted at Firestone Vineyards:

Central Coast Chardonnay 2007

“This beautiful Chardonnay is a show of what the Central Coast has to offer. Sourcing grapes from both Monterey and Santa Barbara Counties, the fresh fruit shines through alongside a lovely, lightly oaked nose.”

Gewurztraminer Santa Ynez Valley 2008

“An ideal sipping wine, our Gewürtz charms with alluring notes of lychee, mandarin orange and nutmeg on the nose. Citrus flavors of grapefruit and bergamot emerge on the mouth, which is enlivened by a quenching acid backbone.”

Ambassador Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

“Classic Bordeaux-style blend that incorporates our most prized estate blocks, chosen for their potential to yield a wine of extraordinary depth, complexity and character. This wine is named in honor of Ambassador Leonard Firestone, who planted our first vineyard in 1972. Only vintages of superior quality are deemed worthy of The Ambassador designation.”

We purchased the Ambassador Cabernet; it was one of the best we tasted on the whole trip.

If you’d like to visit the Firestone Vineyards, it is located at 5000 Zaca Station Rd., Los Olivos, CA 93441; you can also visit their website at http://www.firestonewine.com/

Following a brief lunch stop we visited Sunstone Vineyards and Winery.  Sunstone Winery was founded in 1989 by the Rice family.  Today it is one of the largest organic vineyards in Santa Barbara.  The wineries tasting building is one of the most beautiful you will find in the whole valley.  The building is built on the site of an old horse barn and includes over 5,000 ft of stone barrel aging caves.  A tasting at Sunstone Vineyards is $10.

Below is a partial list of the wines we tasted while visiting Sunstone Vineyards:

2006 Merlot Estate

“The 2006 Estate Merlot has a ripe cherry scent, with dark chocolate, and tobacco aromas. Upon tasting, this wine has a delicate beginning and subtle spice that lingers with the ripe cherry flavors. Soft integrated tannins and balanced acidity provide for an enjoyable mid-pallet and long finish of vanilla, sweet oak and subtle spices. Our 2006 Merlot Estate is enjoyable now and will continue to age well through 2011.”

Doce de Alma (Syrah Red Dessert Wine) 2006

“The 2006 Doce Da Alma (”Sweet of the Soul”), is made from 100% Syrah grapes and 2-year aged brandy. This amazing Syrah red dessert wine is produced from 100% organically farmed grapes grown on our Estate vineyards farmed to California Certified Organic Farmer (C.C.O.F.) specifications. This wine has a deep cherry aroma along with black pepper, fresh plum, Tahitian vanilla, honey roasted almonds and cinnamon. The rich flavors of black curren, fresh figs, black cherries, soft caramel, roasted almonds, anise seed, eucalyptus, chili peppers, dark roasted coffee beans, cocoa bean, and boysenberries make the characters meld together. Enjoy this rich Syrah Port with molten chocolate cake and French vanilla ice cream.”

We purchased the Doce de Alma, it was fantastic.

Viognier SBC 2007

“The Sunstone 2007 Santa Barbara County Viognier is very light in color. On the nose it has notable characters of freshly sliced apricots, along with lemon zest and a distinct aroma of honey-suckle. Its light bodied character reveals flavors of ripe Asian pear, juicy green apple, and a zesty lemon finish. Enjoy this crisp Viognier with an assortment of cheeses and Italian meats, such as prosciutto and grilled sausages on a warm summer day.”

If you’d like to visit the Sunstone Vineyards, it is located at 125 Refugio Road, PO Box 1747,  Santa Ynez, CA 93460, you can also visit their website at http://www.sunstonewinery.com/

Gainey Vineyards was our final stop for the day.  The Gainey Vineyards website states that the land the Vineyards sit on was purchased in 1962.  The winery itself was opened in 1984 and today the land covers over 1000 acres and everything from grapevines, to cattle, to Arabian horses can be found on the property.  A tasting at Gainey Vineyards costs $10 and includes a logo glass to take home. 

Below is a partial list of the wines we tasted while visiting Gainey Vineyards:

Sauvignon Blanc Limited Selection 2007

“The nose of the 2007 Limited Selection reflects this purity, bursting from the glass with vivid aromas of white grapefruit, sweet lime, guava, honeydew melon and mineral, with subtle spring flower, vanilla and spice scents completing the olfactory panorama. On the palate, the wine initially is sleek and streamlined, then expands dramatically in mid-palate to deliver rich, concentrated, honeydew melon flavors that resolve in a long, crisp finish dominated by mouthwatering mineral and pomelo tones.”

Chardonnay Limited Selection 2007

“The superb 2007 vintage ripened this special fruit to perfection. An indication is the wine’s deep golden color, which introduces lavish butterscotch, crème brulee, toasted coconut and vanilla aromas. After a few minutes aeration, lovely ripe apple, mango and toasted pineapple scents emerge, supported by baking spice and mineral tones.  On the palate, this luxurious, unfiltered Chardonnay offers a wonderfully supple, creamy texture and luscious, remarkably concentrated, yellow apple, mango, pineapple and nectarine flavors. Lively underlying acidity provides structure and vibrancy to the wine’s opulent fruit, while the Santa Rita Hills’ distinctive minerality adds a refreshing note to the long, crisp finish. Although this sumptuous Chardonnay is delicious now, it will develop further complexity with another 2-3 years of bottle age.”

Syrah Limited Selection 2006

“The nose is full of deep concentrated, red currant, black raspberry and blackberry fruit embellished by a perfumed medley of secondary scents, including sandalwood, wildflowers, roasted earth, white and black pepper spice, light bacon fat and, especially, lavender and sage. Unlike many California Syrahs, this is not a super-extracted, prune-y monster. It boasts lavish, notably spicy black raspberry and blackberry flavors, but it’s also fresh, elegant and beautifully structured.”

If you’d like to visit the Gainey Vineyards, it is located at 3950 East Highway 246
Santa Ynez, CA 93460, you can also visit their website at http://www.gaineyvineyard.com/index.html

After leaving Gainey we headed back down the San Marcos Rd. headed toward Santa Barbara.  On the way home we made a pit stop at the Cold Spring Tavern, which is located in the San Marcos Pass.  Founded in 1865, the Tavern was used as a rest stop for Stage Coaches heading over the Santa Ynez Mountains on their way to the Santa Ynez valley.  On the weekends there is live entertainment and on Sundays you can purchase their famous Tri-Tip sandwich.

Following the Cold Spring Tavern we headed back to the house to sit out front of the fire and enjoy a bottle of wine among friends.  The next day we would set out along the PCH to Cambria, CA. check back soon for part 2.  Until next time, Salude!

When its cold like this, I look to look ahead to the warmer months of boating and BBQ’s and I also like reviewing my upcoming travel plans so I can figure out where I will be in the world this year. One of the trips I am really looking forward to is Santa Barbara, California in March. My wife and I will be traveling across country to visit family in beautiful Santa Barbara. I have been to California several times, but never to Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara bills itself as “The American Riviera,” it is located on the pacific coast nestled between the Santa Ynez Mountains and is approximately an hour north of Los Angeles and 3 hours south of San Francisco. The land was originally settled by ancestors of the Chumash Indians who were then followed by the first Europeans who were Spanish missionaries that arrived 1782. Following the Mexican-American war Santa Barbara and the rest of California became part of the expanding United States.

For wine enthusiasts, you will remember that Santa Barbara is where the movie “Sideways’ was filmed. In the movie “Sideways,” (Miles) Paul Giamatti and (Jack) Thomas Haden Church take a wine tasting road trip to salute Jack’s final days as a bachelor. You can even plan a trip to follow the exact route that “Miles and Jack” took on their journey by visiting:

http://www.santabarbaraca.com/docs/forms/FinalSideways09-web2.pdf

For those not wanting to follow the exact footsteps of “Miles and Jack,” Santa Barbara County offers 3 American Viticultural Areas (AVA’s) which host a large number of wineries. The AVA’s are broken down as follows:

Santa Maria Valley- This is the northernmost AVA and was the first to gain that distinction. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the two main varietals that come from this region.

Santa Ynez Valley- This AVA is an east/west corridor that runs from the cooler coastal climates to the warmer inland climate. Because of its climate range there are several varietals that do well in this region including Pinot Noir, Cabernet and Merlot. The latter being Miles’s “favorite” choice in the movie “Sideways”!

Sta Rita Hills- This area is actually located within the Santa Ynez Valley. The Santa Barbara county wine website states that “A typical day in Sta Rita Hills starts with marine layer clouds and fog, which burn off by 10am; there are then two or three hours of calm sunshine until the on-shore winds pick up, cooling things down again. This maritime influence, combined with the sedimentary soils with patches of limestone is the perfect place to grow the appellation’s hallmark Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.”

Aside from the 3 sanctioned AVA’s, there is also the Los Alamos region, which is also looking to one day become a federal sanctioned AVA.

Los Alamos- Located between the Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley, this region produces a wide variety of varietals due to its complex climate and soil composition.

For more information on Santa Barbara County’s wine region visit:

http://www.sbcountywines.com/SBC.html

As we trudge our way through the rest of January and February I will be looking forward to and planning our trip to Santa Barbara. Be sure to check back in late March as I will be doing a write up on all the wineries we visit.

For more information about Santa Barbara you can visit:

http://www.santabarbaraca.gov/

http://www.santabarbaraca.com/

If you decide to go to Santa Barbara County you can fly into Santa Barbara Airport or Los Angeles International Airport which is about an hour south. If you are within the state of California you can also take Amtrak which has a stop in Santa Barbara city or take a drive on U.S. 101 which bisects the city of Santa Barbara.

Until next time, Salude!

As anyone who as ever planned a wedding can attest, the stress involved seems to peak around the last month and a half to month before the actual event.  That is when you realize that all the procrastinating you have done has finally caught up with you and oh by the way; the final payments to the DJ, photographer, florist, etc, all are due.  So, with the wedding ceremony complete and the reception a huge hit, it was now off to St. Lucia for a much needed honeymoon. 

As we approached the island of St. Lucia, I was amazed at the mountainous landscape of the island and the deep blue ocean waters surrounding it.  I had been to the Caribbean before, but never this far south.  As a frame of reference, St. Lucia is approximately 1,300 miles south of Miami.  It is one of the Windward Islands and is located within a chain of other Eastern Caribbean islands.  Its closest neighbors are Martinique which is 21 miles to the north and Barbados which is 90 miles to the southeast.  St. Lucia is 27 miles long and 14 miles wide with a combination of high mountains, forests, low lying lands and beaches. A central mountain range runs the length of the island, with peaks ranging between 1,000 and 3,145 feet. The two towering volcanic cones on the southwest coast, Gros Piton (797m) and Petit Piton (750m) are one of the Caribbean’s most famous landmarks.

Landing at Hewennora International Airport in Vieux Fort takes you back to a time when air travel was simpler.  Passengers disembark down air stairs and then walk across the tarmac to the open air customs queue.  Once you have checked in with customs and received the proper stamps, it’s off to grab your bags and look for a taxi.  Fortunately for us, we were staying at the Sandals Grande St. Lucian resort in Gros Islet, so they had already arranged for the transfers to and from the airport.

The ride from the airport to the Grande St. Lucian took just over an hour and a half.  It took us through small seaside villages on the Atlantic Coast, up over the central mountain range and rain forest and finally through the capital of Castries on the Caribbean Coast and on into Gros Islet.  Sandals Grande St. Lucian is located on Rodney Bay on a man made causeway which was built in the 1970’s to connect the mainland with Pigeon Island.

Sandals has three resorts on St. Lucia, The Regency, The Halcyon Beach and the Grande.  The Grande is the largest of the three resorts, but by staying at any one you have access to the other three via the daily shuttles that run in between each of the resorts.  Arriving after our hour and a half ride to the Grande, we were assisted by the concierge service for our check in and in no time found ourselves in our Honeymoon swim up room.  The concierge had placed a chilled bottle of champagne in the room so we immediately popped the cork and toasted to surviving the long taxi ride to the resort.  Champagne consumed, it was time to find something to eat.  If you have ever been to an all inclusive resort, you know that there are plenty of food options to choose from.  Being new to the resort, we decided to make it easy and stop at the first restaurant we came too which ended up being the Bayside Grill.

This is where wine came into the picture, while preparing to order a couple frosty tropical drinks; the hostess informed us that Sandals resorts had recently partnered with Beringer Vineyards to provide premium house wines and higher end wines found on the Managers and Chairman’s wine lists which are available for purchase. Aside from partnering with Beringer they also started an innovative educational program – the Platinum Wine Certification by Beringer. Restaurant and bar staff undergo this certified training program to give them more tools and information about wine. This new certification program aims to greatly enhance the wine experience for resort guests.  For house wines, Sandals offers Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay under the Beringer Stone Cellars label.  For Managers or Chairman’s the offerings are even greater.  So we decided to forgo the tropical drinks for the evening and try the Beringer Stone Cellar Chardonnay. 

As I stated earlier, you may not think of wine when you are traveling to the Caribbean, but you should.  Many resorts have developed wine programs and offerings in an effort to “raise the bar when it comes to luxury,” as the Sandals site states. Wine offerings at resorts have become just as important as the size and number of pools offered, or the location of a beach in relation to a resort. 

For the remainder of the week we bummed around the resort partaking in free flowing tropical drinks during the day and the Beringer Stone Cellar offerings during the evening.  We also took in the local sights through the many tour offerings provided by Sandals.  Like all good trips, this one ended too soon.  After 8 days on the island it was time to brave another taxi ride back to the airport and the 5 and a half hour flight (including layover in Miami) back home. 

If you are planning on taking a trip to St. Lucia, there are several things that you can do while on the island:

Take a land or sea tour to Soufriere where you can visit the Caribbean’s only drive in volcano.  When you take the sea tour you will travel from Castries harbor on a catamaran down the coast past Anse La Raye a quaint fishing village and into Soufriere passing under the majestic Pitons, Gros and Petit.  In Soufriere you visit the volcano and visit the Diamond Botanical Gardens.  Following lunch, you board the catamaran again for a trip back up the coast where you stop in at Marigot Harbor to take in the scenery. 

You can visit the rainforest and zip line through the tops of the trees, rent ATV’s or even take a horseback ride.

 Check out the following sites for more information on tours and resorts:

St. Lucia Island Website- http://www.stlucia.org/default.asp

Sandals Web Site- http://www.sandals.com

Until next month Salude!!

We arrived in San Antonio late Friday night a few days ahead of a conference.  I always like to travel at least a day in advance so I can get settled and check out the local scenery, especially if I have not been to that particular area before.  I had Saturday and most of Sunday to do a little exploring so following a stop at the Alamo, we decided to take a ride outside of the city.  I asked the bell hop where we could go to see “real south Texas,” I really have no idea what “real south Texas” would be, but I was looking for something other than the hustle of the city and I was also looking for some good BBQ!

He recommended that I take a ride to Fredericksburg, Texas, which is a quaint city 70 miles northwest of San Antonio.  The trip was only supposed to take around an hour, so with the best of intentions we set out on our journey.  Approximately 15 miles outside of San Antonio on I-10 we were at a stand still.  The digital sign read severe delays ahead and there was no sign of any type of a progress towards Fredericksburg.  I decided to get off I-10 and attempt to reset the GPS in an effort to get around the traffic.  After 20 minutes of intense negotiation, I had failed to convince the GPS that there actually was another way than I-10.  Failure accepted, I decided on another approach a $5.00 map of Texas courtesy of CVS. 

I took my “vintage” navigation device, spread it out on the hood of the rental car and planned my diversion around the parking lot on I-10.  The only significant road that I could make out that ran parallel to I-10 was 16 which would take me up to 46 and back onto I-10 above the traffic jam.  It was a 30 mile detour, but I was on a mission.  The ride along 16 and 46 allowed me to see the “real south Texas.”  There was a lot of open space, 70 mph speed limit and plenty of huge ranches.  Finally, we met up with I-10 and headed toward 87 north, through the town of Comfort, Texas and after approximately 20 more miles of wide open land and ranches we arrived in Fredericksburg.

After driving around we finally found a parking spot on a side street and proceeded to walk around.  Main Street Fredericksburg is very wide and lined with many different shops and restaurants.  The sole reason for taking the drive to Fredericksburg was to find some great southern BBQ, so we set out to locate the best of the best.  The bell hop back at the hotel had stated that there were many good BBQ restaurants.  Unfortunately, after walking the whole street, it was looking like I would have to trade my BBQ ribs for Weiner schnitzel instead. As the Fredericksburg Chamber of commerce website states, “The German families that settled Fredericksburg were proud of their education and culture. That spirit endures to the Fredericksburg of today.”  http://www.fredericksburg-texas.com/External/WCPages/

Instead of BBQ, you will find mostly German potato salad, bratwurst and other German specialties.  Another thing you will find in Fredericksburg is wine tasting rooms.  We stopped at several tasting rooms that promoted Texas wines.  Call me naive, but tasting wine never crossed my mind as I planned our road trip.  If you visit the Fredericksburg Chamber of commerce page listed above, there is a brief history on the Texas wine industry.  The history states that Texas wine making predates California wine making.  Who knew Texas even had a wine industry?!!  The history goes onto to state that “Texas is the country’s fifth-leading wine-producing state in the nation and is home to more than 54 wineries that produce over one million gallons of wine.” 

Some of the wineries located in the Fredericksburg area include:

Bell Mountain Vineyards http://www.bellmountainwine.com

Chisholm Trail Winery http://www.chisholmtrailwinery.com

Fredericksburg Winery http://www.fbgwinery.com

Grape Creek Vineyards http://www.grapecreek.com

For a more complete list visit: http://www.fredericksburg-texas.com/WineriesVineyards

After wining our way along the main street, I was overjoyed to see the most amazing site.  A little BBQ stand located right next to the World War II museum, I promptly ordered a plate full of ribs and sat back to enjoy the scenery.

If you are planning a trip to Fredericksburg check out the following sites for more information:

Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce www.fredericksburg-texas.com

Fredericksburg Food and Wine Fest http://www.fbgfoodandwinefest.com/

Fredericksburg Texas http://www.fredericksburgtexas.info/

Following the BBQ, we piled back in the car and headed back to the Alamo City.  No delays this time and in just over an hour we were back at the hotel and headed for the Riverwalk. I would definitely recommend visiting Fredericksburg the next time you are in San Antonio, it’s a great day trip or even spend the night in one of their many bed and breakfasts. 

As I sit here condensed in my economy seat I am reminded of my last posting which listed the Continental Airlines wine list.  I wrote that on flights “lasting over 3.5 hours there you can pair any above selection with a hot meal at lunch/dinner.”  I feel it beneficial to inform you that on flights over 3.5 hours between Newark Airport and San Antonio your hot/meal dinner consists of a salad, turkey hotdog in a croissant and small Kit Kat bar.  If you can find a wine on their list that pairs well with a turkey hotdog wrapped in croissant, more power to you. Until next time, salude!!

With that in mind, we will begin our review with North American domestic carriers. I may throw in an international carrier once in a while so readers can compare how different the services can be. With all that said, please sit back, place your tray tables down, your seats back, pour a glass of wine and let’s takeoff…

If you travel a lot like I do, you know the misery involved with the whole process. Trying to pack 25 pounds of clothes into a duffle bag to avoid the checked bag fees, arriving at the airport 3 hours early to stand in a 2 hour security line, being forced to throw out your toiletries because they could be used to hide bomb making materials, delays longer than the actual length of the flight, the wonderful selection of food items for sale on board, the list goes on and on. Ready to head out on your next vacation yet?

With the cutbacks at airlines and the obstacle course we are all forced to go through to get to our aircraft, it’s hard to find anything pleasant about an airline trip. However, if you look hard enough, and if you are in the right class of service, there are still some amenities left over from the bygone era of aviation.

In this months Wining and Dining at 30,000ft we are going to take a look at Continental Airlines. Continental is one of the few remaining domestic airlines that still offers free food in the main cabin.

While many airlines have switched to purchase on board offerings, Continental has managed to maintain this amenity at no cost to the economy passenger. However, beer, wine and other alcoholic drinks will cost you $5.00 in the economy cabin. In the main cabin Continental offers the following selections:

Ch Vieux Parc Corbieres 2004*
Fisheye Merlot
Fisheye Chardonnay
Jean-Louis Cuvee Blanc de Blancs Brut (sparkling wine)*
Louis Montillier Chardonnay 2005*
UMA Shiraz
UMA Chardonnay
* On international flights, Continental may substitute regional specialties for the regular beverage selections.

Food pairing in the main cabin is fairly simple and is based upon the length of the flight. For flights less than one hour you will be provided with just a beverage option. If your flight lasts 1 hour to 1.5 hours, you can expect to pair any selection above with either a bag of nuts or pretzels. For flights lasting 2 to 3.5 hours you can expect to pair any selection above with a snack at non meal times and a sandwich hot/cold at lunch/dinner. For flights lasting over 3.5 hours there you can pair any above selection with a hot meal at lunch/dinner.

In the first class cabin, the selection of wines and meal choices is fairly extensive. Below you will find the current wine selections for Continentals BusinessFirst class:

Champagne/Sparkling Wine

Charles de Fère Jean-Louis Brut, Blanc de Blanc NV
Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top
J.P. Chenet Brut

White Wine

New World
A to Z Chardonnay 2007
Laetitia Pinot Blanc
St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc 2007

French
Bouchard Pere Et Fils St Veran
Château Toumillion
Domaine LaRoche Chablis

German
Schloss Reinhart Shaussen “Fountain Blue” Riesling 2007

Italian
Barberani Vallesanta 2007
Moletto Pinot Grigio

Red Wine

New World
Cline Cellars Ancient Vines Zinfandel 2007
Rock Bare Shiraz 2006
Rodney Strong Pinot Noir 2005

French
Domain de Beaurengard Cotes Du Rhone 2006
Ogier Vacqueyras Rhone 2007
French Bordeaux
Château LaGrange Lussac 2006
Château D’Argadens 2005
Château Loudenne 2004
Château LaGrange Lussac 2006

Italian
Straccali Chianti 2003

Portuguese
Dom Martinho
Ferreira Grand Red Douro 2003

South American
Telteca Anta Malbec
Spanish
Miguel Torres Sangre de Toro 2003

Port

Dow’s Fine White Port
Quinta do Noval

Again, meal selections are based upon the length of the flight. For first class flights under 1 hour, you will be provided with just a beverage option. If your flight lasts 1 hour to 1.5 hours, you can expect to pair any selection above with either a bag of nuts or pretzels. On flights lasting 1.5 hours and up, a full meal will be offered. As an example of what you may find, we will take a look at the menu for a September 2009 flight between Newark Liberty International, NJ and London Heathrow. This flight departs at 10pm and the dinner menu is as follows:

TO BEGIN
Warm roasted nuts with your preferred cocktail or beverage

HOT APPETIZER CART
A demitasse of seafood bisque with lump crabmeat
accompanied by mini beef Wellington
and a tandoori chicken skewer with ancho chili sauce

Salad and warm breads

Fresh seasonal greens and frisée with sliced tomato, red onion,
corn and a Kalamata olive

Your choice of Cabernet Sauvignon vinaigrette
or Parmesan peppercorn dressing
Freshly baked garlic bread and assorted rolls with butter

MAIN COURSES
The Chef’s Selection

Grilled Sterling Silver™ New York sirloin steak with pepper rub
and herb glaze, sautéed spinach, roesti potatoes and a piquillo
pepper filled with stewed eggplant and fresh mozzarella cheese

Seared Breast of Chicken
Filled with fontina cheese and spinach, accompanied by Port
wine sauce, creamy polenta, broccolini and carrots

Seared Turbot
With extra virgin olive oil, parslied potatoes and braised fennel,
served over tomato and olive ragoût and fine green beans

Pasta Bowl
Crescent-shaped pasta with truffle and potato filling, creamy
mushroom sauce, caramelized onion and truffle butter,
grilled fresh green asparagus, topped with roasted red tomato
and freshly grated Parmesan cheese

FRUIT AND CHEESE CART
Select American and imported cheeses, grapes, assorted
gourmet crackers and bread, served with Port wine

DESSERT CART
Edy’s Classic Grand vanilla ice cream with choice of toppings
or an assortment of petite pastries

Fresh Brew® gourmet roasted regular and decaffeinated coffee
made exclusively for Continental Airlines or tea with your
choice of milk or lemon

If you visit the Continental Airlines web site at www.continental.com and click on the Travel Information link it will take you to the BusinessFirst Dining page where you can look at Continental’s wine list and menus based on destinations. Airlines will often change menus with each season and may change on a monthly basis. If you travel a lot be sure to check their web sites often to insure you are up to date on the current wine and food offerings.

Well, our Wining and Dining experience at 30,000ft is nearing an end. I hope you have enjoyed the trip, please bring your tray table up, seat back forward and buckle your safety belt in preparation for landing. Until next month, salude!