I don’t know if you recall what happens to me when I pair wine with…well, with anything, really:
From “Maybe I Just Have a Hole in My Lip“
So while I may have a drinking problem, it is coupled with the fact that I don’t know a lick about wine. I drink it. I like it. But I’m stupid when it comes to tasting it. The only thing I know about “legs” and “complex aromas” happens in the barnyard. (And stays in the barnyard.)
Anyway, between my ignorance of wine and a conversation during our weekly Bull Session at Thinkhouse Collective, the idea of a blogger wine seminar was born.
Story Winery in Amador County was kind enough to offer an exclusive Blogger-Only Wine Tasting 101 class this past weekend.
They told us to wear “farm-friendly” shoes.
I’m not the least bit self-conscious that my foot is three times larger than everyone else’s. Really.
Also? I left the white shirt at home.
Aaaand I brought my 64-ounce 7-11 Big Gulp tankard, but they told me to put that disgusting thing away as we were to have our very own complimentary tasting glasses. Sweet! Free stuff.
With the bloggers all seated and ready to start, I went up to the front and did a thank you all for coming blah blah blah sort of thing. Apparently I saw fit to do a song and dance number, literally kicking off the event.
(Photo Courtesy of Eileen of Bringing Up Bronwyn)
After a little history of the place, they poured us one of their white wines and led us out to the vineyard.
These Mission vines are over 100 years old.
This is Brian. He’s the assistant winemaker. Helpful, knowledgeable, and all-around nice guy. He told us it was okay to like two-buck Chuck. We should drink what we like, not what snobs tell us to like.
You may have noticed that you can’t see the ground between the vines. That’s because they are in the process of getting certified organic.
We saw the barrel room and they told us how they made wine and that they bottle it all themselves.
And I learned a few things about tasting wine, like the 3 “S”s: Swirl, Smell, and Sip. And when you sip, you let the wine roll down your tongue.
And when you spit, you put some air behind it. Oh wait, maybe “spit” is one of the three S’s. Or maybe there are four S’s. Oh, crap. Now I can’t remember. Whatever. Maybe the other bloggers can tell you.
Their tasting room used to be a barn a million years ago, but I told them it was full of holes.
Turns out they knew that already. Apparently, woodpeckers have their way with it and stuff acorns in there.
But boy, do they have a gorgeous view of the Cosumnes River Valley.
Now, if you want a decent intellectual review of the class and the winery, you should check out what the other bloggers have to say. They can explain it way better than I can. I just came for the schoolin’.
If you’re ever in Amador County, you should stop by Story Winery in Plymouth. It’s a beautiful place and the wine was lovely.
Is “lovely” a wine term? Can I say “lovely”?
A big THANK YOU to Cinde Dolphin of (Marketing for Mavericks) and Marketing Director for Story Winery for helping us put it all together.
A Correction…
I totally screwed up the announcement of the giveaway winners in a previous post by claiming that Nicky of We Work for Cheese won a T-Shirt when in fact, it was Nora of Door in Face. I am now Margaret of Egg on Face. Sorry Nora!
Here are some Story Wine blog posts from other bloggers:
Dear Hole In Lip, Are we related?! That sure looks like my shirt in the photo.
I felt like I was on the tour with y’all so I had a glass … or two … of Sutterhome in your honor. *hic* I gotta go lie down now …
Sutter Home? That’s a California wine, ain’t it? Cheers to you, girl!
I tried to cheat and vote for you again—but they caught me
Ha! Well, I appreciate your enthusiasm. 🙂
So cool! And BTW, I show evidence of almost everything I eat and drink regardless of alcohol content.
🙂
Traci
Well thank heavens I’m not the only one. Dribblers unite!
Clever story… and clever woodpeckers.
Thank you, Jane! And I probably speak for the woodpeckers when I say thank you, as well. 🙂
One of those signs should say— This Way To Drink. 🙂
Ha! You got THAT right. 🙂
Haha. Heelarious! I pretend to know a thing or two about wine having grown up in California and spending much of my life 2-3 hours from wine country. By the time I hit adulthood (read: legal age to drink) my mom lived (and still does) in Lake County, about an hour or so north of Napa. I’d go to wine tastings and pretend I knew what the [bleep] they were talking about but really, all I know how to do is swirl, smell, and chug…er, uh….sip. Yea. That’s right. Sip.
Good thing is, you had fun right? And you clearly didn’t get bitten by any rattlesnakes. Thanks for sharing an awesome adventure!
Stopping by from SITS!
Lake County! I used to drive through there on my way to school (Humboldt State). I remember during certain parts of the year driving through bugs storms. My car was a mess at the end of the trip. But I always made a stop for lunch. Was it a Foster’s Freeze? It was so long ago, I can’t be sure anymore. Thanks for stopping by!
What a lovely place and view. So do they get to drink wine like water there? lol. This is my first time of seeing the handwork of woodpeckers. destructive critters!
That woodpecker thing was new to me too, Ginger. 🙂
What a beautiful winery.
It looks like you had a great time.
I would love to go on a tour of a small winery like that, we went on a couple when we were in Italy.
Italy? Wow! How gorgeous that must have been.
OMFG, Margaret, I freaking LOVE you. And I cannot stop laughing!!!!!!!
I freaking love you too, Meleah. And I aim to please so,… mission accomplished. Yay!
🙂
A hole in your lip…girl that’s funny!!! I somehow manage to get food on my shoulder when I eat. I used to blame it on the babies but they’re in their 30’s…guess it’s pure talent!!! Heeehehehe!!!
Oh it looks like the winery is a beautiful place to visit and seems they have a great plan for stoppin’ up the holes in the old wine tastin’ barn. Ya gotta love a great plan!!!
I so enjoyed both the tour and the pictures sweetie!
God bless and enjoy your weekend!!! :o)
Thanks, Nezzy! Food on your shoulders…I would definitely say it’s a talent. You have a great weekend, too, darlin’.
I am not much of a wine drinker…but this sounds like it was fun.
Nice pics too…certified organic? That is kind of cool!
Hugs
SUeAnn
It was fun! And everybody knew more about wine than I did, so I got to be the dummy in the class. And yeah, not too many vineyards around there that are certified organic. In fact they might only be the 2nd one. It takes three years.
If I didn’t know any better I would have thought it was me with wine dribble on my top. I have an few pictures that resemble that one … LOL. What a REALLY fun article you wrote. It very much captured the day and how much fun we all had. Thanks for making it happen. 🙂
Thank YOU for coming, Susan! I was so glad to have met you and I look forward to seeing you again soon.
I cannot believe you did not invite me. I am perfectly at home in a barnyard.
Aww, I’m sorry Pricilla. I should have invited you, how thoughtless of me. Next barnyard outing is yours, though!
oops.. linked things twice..cuz i goofed the first time so enjoy the post twice
Eileen
just the 2 of us
I think you’re OK. I only see one. Unless they let you delete one. Thanks, Eileen!