There’s nothing better than a spontaneous road trip, especially one involving wine country. On Saturday morning Bottle Shock was on TV (you know, the comedy about California wine defeating French wine in the 1976 wine competition aka the “Judgement of Paris“). The movie was filmed at Chateau Montelena winery so we jumped in our car and made the trek to Calistoga. We stopped at Mustards Grill along the way.
The Crispy Calamari with curried slaw and fresno chilies never fails.
The car thermostat read 1-0-5 when we arrived at Chateau Montelena. Give us some of that famous chardonnay!
We wanted to make one more stop on the way home, so we checked out Lava Vine (and so happy we did!). Their website reads, “A place to experience exceptional wines, celebrate small town life, and leave as a friend.” We left with lots of new friends (mostly Texans) and loved the laid-back, inviting atmosphere. Where else can you drink wine while wearing boxing gloves?
The owner’s wife is an interior decorator and it showed.
The tasting ended with a pour of delicious dessert wine and chocolate nibs drizzled in olive oil and sea salt.
oh happy day!
