CA Wine Country: Russian River Valley

The Alpha Family came to visit us over the holidays, staying for a record 7 days, 6 hours, and 30 minutes. Ha, just kidding, it was actually 7 days, 6 hours, and 23 minutes, but who's counting? We thought we’d show them the sites while they were here, and though I’m not sure how impressed they were with life in the “big city” of Emeryville, they were certainly happy with a tour through the Russian River Valley.

Beta Wife and I haven’t had much of an opportunity to explore life outside of the East Bay, but last summer I went on one of those silly wine tours that involve a large van, a tour guide, and a trip to Muir Woods. The actual experience was pleasant, and depending on the company you keep, maybe a little too much fun. My favorite winery from the tour was the Hook and Ladder, so I thought it would be a good place to start this time.
Hook and Ladder

Located in Santa Rosa, CA, this winery has a simple tasting room set up in a warehouse filled with boxes of wine and what can best be described as a wall shrine paying homage to Cecil de Loach, the winery’s founder who also happens to be a retired firefighter. It’s a nice visual palate cleanser if you’ve just seen a bunch of fancy, touristy tasting-room shops selling goofy jewelry, over-priced wine openers, and other gaudy gift-shop trinkets. As for the wine, my favorites include the zinfandel, white zinfandel, and the port.
Martinelli

We picked this one randomly because it was close to the Hook and Ladder winery, and on the way to our next intended destination, Kendall Jackson. Though we never actually made it to KJ, I’m glad we stopped in the Martinelli tasting room. This is definitely one of the friendliest wineries I’ve wandered into. We tasted the standard variety of reds and whites, but the stand-out wine of the selection was the Chardonnay. Mild and light, it could well have changed my mind about Chardonnays in general, which I typically pursue with as much enthusiasm as I might have for boxed wine. That is to say, very little, in case you had doubts. Great wine, but a little pricey, with most bottles averaging between $35-50.
Korbel

This stop was surprisingly our favorite: touristy fun-factor + giddy with exhaustion + bubbly = temporarily voted best place ever. Ok, that might be going a little far, but certainly worth a stop because much of what you taste after the tour is only available for purchase at the winery. The signature champagne itself is decent, nothing too fancy, but clearly good enough to be served at President Obama’s inauguration. They were bottling for the event the week we were there, though none of us got so much as a peek at the bottles. After the tasting, Beta Wife and I requested to sample the cream sherry, which turned out to be quite impressive. If you’ve tasted some syrupy, nasty dessert sherries in your time, this will give you hope. It starts out sweet and grapey like a typical dessert wine, and then it finishes warm and toasty, tasting heavily of toffee. Unfortunately you can only buy it at Korbel, so we had to stock up. That’s how they get you.

Bear Republic Brewery

After all that tasting we were in desperate need of some grub. The Bear Republic brewery just happens to be located in Healdsburg, CA right in the middle of wine country. So far my overall thoughts about their beer can be summed up as: meh. They’re ok I guess. Though their brews aren’t terribly exciting, beer does make a nice palate cleanser after a hard day of vineyard touring. And it’s certainly worth a stop for their food—fantastic burgers, wings, and garlic fries, all washed down with a mediocre beer. Meanwhile you can wander about the quaint—though touristy—little downtown, where you’ll find tasting rooms from local vineyards and more kitschy shops than you can shake a stick at.

The Reason for the Season: Presents

Just in case you got some horrible gifts this year — for instance, matching sweaters for you and your spouse — I’d like to give you some ideas on what to do with the money you get from returning that twinsy apparel to the store. Also, I’d just like to take the opportunity to make you terribly envious of my most awesome holiday gifts.

The AK Ice Tray
Maybe the coolest thing ever invented: an ice cube tray shaped like an AK 47 clip that makes ice shaped like bullets. Does it actually work? Who cares?! (thanks, Beta Wife)

Small Batch Bourbon Sampler
If booze isn’t the perfect gift, then I don’t know what is. The Alpha Parents were responsible for this gift containing tiny bottles of Knob Creek, Bookers, Bakers, and Basil Hayden bourbon. Believe it or not, it’s available at fine ABC stores in NC.

Penguin Martini Glasses
Drinks just taste better in glasses with animal shapes. Available at Pottery Barn.

Record Coasters Maybe one of my favorite gifts (I mean, next to the Mortal Combat vs. DC Comics game I got for the Xbox). Made from the centers of actual vinyl records (moment of silence), they look even better with a martini resting on them. Available at Uncommon Goods.


Onion Goggles

This is a nifty little kitchen accessory that will make you look completely ridiculous, but ready to attack those pesky, tear-inducing garlic cloves, onions, and shallots. I can usually make it through two or three slices of onion before running out of the room to splash water in my eyes. Beta Wife says if I were chopping it properly I wouldn’t damage the cells, but until then, I have these goggles to help me along and encourage bad form. Yesterday I chopped an entire onion all by myself! (But don’t think you’re relieved of your kitchen duties just yet, BW.) Available at many kitchen stores or online at Organize.com.