Wine country or work?

Written last night:

Dear Friends,

I promised myself to hem the drapes. But I also promised myself to take Zing for a long walk — wild if possible — every Tuesday and Thursday. Those are the days we would run 4 miles in the woods in Tallahassee. I want to get back to that. I was a coin toss: hem drapes or go exploring? Hmmm…. 

I can finish the drapes tomorrow.

At 1 p.m. we drove to Napa and Yountville, places people have been raving about for the natural beauty and, of course, for wine country. I put Thomas Keller’s  Bouchon Bakery in Yountville  as my navigation destination and took off. The bakery and cafe are part of Keller’s food empire that includes the French Laundry restaurant, where my Saturday friend had eaten a glorious and expensive three-hour dinner a week or so ago. Yountville is just up the road from Napa. 

Our drive took a little more than an hour. When we arrived, we took a long walk around town, then bought baked goods to go: a $10 slim slice of quiche (very light and tasty, but with a sorry, soggy crust) four croissants and two pecan rolls. From the nibbles I’ve had so far, I’ve got to say the rolls are pridefully made, but not over-the-top delicious. Flaky, yes. Overpriced, yes. Will I come back for more? Yes. 

I was not prepared for wine country. I expected quaint roadside signs announcing wineries every now and then, but it’s more like winery, winery, winery. And then you get to Yountville, which is like a deluxe Disneyland of wine and food: one long road of deliciousness. Summer camp for sybarites. Me. You.  Classy, understated hotels and a couple of clothing stores. A cultivated cemetery. And the scenery looked like a label on a wine bottle — rows of vines with rolling hills in the distance, and maybe a Spanish-style building in the foreground. They aren’t faking it; that’s the way it really is!

Thursday was not too busy, but I have the feeling weekends can be crushing. Zing and I will be back soon, looking for a dog-friendly hotel and nature paths to explore. Then I’ll go out to dinner. 

Love, 

k

Late afternoon on Washington Street, Yountville, CA