More Wino Parties!

Yes, it does seem that we are overdoing it a bit. But now that we live so close (2 hours is better than 2000 miles), we just can't help ourselves. So we attended 2 more events this past month. First was the Rutherford Tasting Weekend. And then it was the Joseph Phelps 2009 Insignia Barrel Tasting. We have received notices of this event for years. And now at last we could attend. When you arrive, you must park at the bottom of the property.... I mean you must leave your car with the VALETS who will park your car at the bottom of the property. Then you climb aboard a comfy little bus for the ride up to the winery. When you step off the bus, you are greeted by Phelps staff who hand you the cutest clear plastic plate with a corner especially designed to support the stem of the glass of Sauvignon Blanc that they have poured for you. You then start the "cocktail party wander". That means that you aimlessly wander around looking happy and interesting while you REALLY are scoping out where the best snacks are... like the CHEESE table with several very tasty local cheeses. Or the sliders table with little baby hamburgers and salad. Or the pate and french fries and skirt steak table.... oh, I could go on and on. Oh, and yes, you are sipping wine as well... LOTS of wine. They were pouring Le Mistral and Insignia and Merlot and another Insignia and Le Mistral. And don't forget the barrel stuff. Yum. The live music was a violin and guitar gently playing in the background with a crowd of beautiful people milling about under the tents in the sunshine and cool breeze. That is, they were gently milling when we first got there and it wasn't too crowded. As the afternoon wore on, the "gently milling" became "assertively edging in front of" and then just plain pushing to get to the tasty bits. When I was completely full and yet not too tipsy to drive - I always remember to be responsible - Mark and I crawled back on the comfy bus and were whisked down the hill to the valet station. I joked with the very cute and very young valets until they arrived with our car and eagerly stuffed us in. Oh well. Mark then reminded me that we had to stop at Honig because.... OF COURSE! We had wine to pick up. And when you pick up wine, you don't just keep the engine idling while you run in to grab a bag. You must TASTE some wine. So another glass in beautiful surroundings with more lovely people and then we could finally head back home. I think that all the wine events are over..... until Fall when it starts all over again. I can't wait!

Joseph Phelps Party