Every now and then, one must take a break from the rush of life and surround ones self with pretty, tastiness. One must take the one one loves, whatever state that love is in, and get away. Like a good nap, it's rejuvenating.
We had a huge issue on the morning of our much anticipated date day. We both had been looking forward to it for a long time. Every six weeks, we get a Monday together for five hours or so while the kid are at school. This was our first of the year. Rick even had the opportunity to do overtime and he turned it down so we could have this day. The plan was to get out to Hearst Winery for a tasting. We are members there (being a member does not cost money, it just means you plan to buy so much wine through the year with perks of free tastings for you and your friends and events with Hearst Beef!) because we love the local history of Hearst. Visiting the castle is one of our haunts and we try to go on some of our Anniversaries. It's just north of our favorite getaway, Cambria. The tasting room is right by the pier at San Simeon State Park. IT's held in a quaint old wood floor building that also includes the old post office a small deli. The deli has the most amazing French Dip sandwich with Hearst beef, Au Jus, and horseradish (which you could ask to omit if you are not like us and adore it). Sadly, they are not open on Monday's however so we did not get to eat our yummy favorite with our tasting. We had lunch at a local Bar and Grill we had a BOGO coupon for, and it was OKAY.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. I had a melt down before we could go have our beautiful day. Our dishwasher has not been working and though the household is use to helping me with loading (Rick), unloading (Emma) and putting away (Caedmon and Victoria), if the machine stops no one seems to notice there is a problem. I kid you not, I think EVERY dish in the house was dirty! Rick was ready to go out the door but when I saw my kitchen I knew I could NOT come home to this (or if I knew I had to, I'd be tempted to ask for repeat tastings!!!) When I stuck my hand in and pulled up rice and egg shells and banana from four days ago, yep, I started to cry. I made it clear I needed space, he went do something else, and I did dishes for an hour and a half. I'm hoping everyone got the message when they saw how many were done by hand. I hope. I'm the only cook in the house so it's tough on my psyche when there is a ton of clean up too.
Once that was done I knew I could actually enjoy our date time. It was a gorgeous day on the coast. The lighting coming through the tasting room door was magical to me with the coastal water in the background.
I loved the close up even better and the blue of the sea is easier to see.
We enjoyed our treat of a Three Sister's Cuvee which is almost sold out. It's named after three of the main old mountain tops east of the Castle. I believe they are former volcanoes.
To go with the lovely Cuvee I made a simple Fettachini version of Spaghetti. I love the texture of Fetachini. If find it a lot more pleasing to the palate. I was thrilled to find frozen organic grass fed beef at the Grocery Discount for $2.99 (went back today and bought it out to save in the freezer because that is a fantastic price) and used that with some tuscan seasoning for the dish. Yum.
I'm skipping around in the day but... anyway. We went in the afternoon to visit our friends recommended Ranchita Canyon Winery out east of us a few miles. We got to help "make" some Syrah and Zin! We helped plunge the mixture that was harvested a few days ago. Harvest is in full swing around here! In fact, I have a few fun You Tubes of us enjoying this learning process:
Before we left we got an Old Vine Zin 2008 to save for the holidays.
Earlier in our day of wine tasting we visited Edward Sellers We had been given a free tasting card so it was no loss to try it out. Let me say, I'm SO glad we did! There were only a few to taste but they were really great! I also loved their decor, it was so bright and lovely. They are a newer winery in the area (about five years old). We will have to go back there sometime!
This was our favorite and we were lucky it had been on a Labor Day special of which I asked whether we could still take part in. He said sure and we were happy with our Mayhem. We will save this for a dinner with our friends who we think would love it there.
So, it was a great day (after the dishes and working out real life issues...and may I say, my husband went and built a shelf when he got kicked out of the kitchen for me to cry and do dishes by myself. I've needed that done for weeks, and I'm grateful) out in our great wine country back yard!!
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