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| truman-capote Quote | Reply | | california wine country posted on: 4/5/2005 11:55:02 PM ok, so we admit it. we're cheezy tourists. we saw sideways and liked it a lot. we always had the the impression that the wine country in california was further north, but i saw on the santa barbara website that it's inbetween san francisco and los angeles. is this the part of wine country that's worth visiting? santa barbara this is his first time in california so i think we'll be easily impressed no matter what we see. |
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Pussy Galore
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california wine country
replied on: 4/6/2005 1:22:08 AM I couldn't tell from looking, and I've not been down that far, but Santa Barbara wines (I think it's Santa Inez valley) are quite well known. I should think it would be a good excursion. I've used this guy's web page for help: grape nutz. borderline alcoholic wino, miles the girl |
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Cil
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california wine country
replied on: 4/6/2005 7:34:17 AM I concur with MG. We did Pasa Robles and some other place and it was great. But we fell in love with Santa Barbara. |
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truman-capote
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california wine country
replied on: 4/7/2005 5:57:56 AM thanks guys! Santa barbara even has a sideways themed map and handout. and a guardian travel writer has already done a sideways tour. let's see how we do it ! |
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¡Ño!
Wendylicious Quote | Reply | |
california wine country
replied on: 4/7/2005 10:35:01 AM Santa Barbara is definitely worth a stop even without a winery visit - you'll love it! |
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CredibleHulk
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california wine country
replied on: 4/7/2005 11:06:36 AM quote: If those rat bastards are claiming that the Central Coast "is the California Wine Country," then they're nothing but a bunch of lying liars. There are some great Central Coast wines, but what is traditionally regarded as California Wine Country - Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake Counties - is north of the Bay Area. |
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mle
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california wine country
replied on: 4/7/2005 12:14:12 PM As a wine country native, Hulk speaks the truth. The central coast wineries are Johnny-come-latelies, though I bet you'll have a good time regardless of the wineries you go to. If you do decide to go the more traditional route, I can give you some tips on places to go in Sonoma and Mendocino counties, and I bet MG can fill you in on Napa. grew up surrounded by grapes, mle |
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Cil
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california wine country
replied on: 4/7/2005 2:34:53 PM heh Compared to France, Italy, Spain etc, the entire state of California is a johnny-come-lately. I am an equal opportunity sipper. I think Napa-and-Sonoma's rep is safe as the *original* wine country, but the fact is there are plenty good grapes and good times further south. |
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mle
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california wine country
replied on: 4/7/2005 3:36:51 PM quote: True, but there's been wine in CA since the missionaries started working their way north from Mexico! |
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Cil
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california wine country
replied on: 4/7/2005 6:37:22 PM quote: Yeah, and I think the winemaking started south along with the missions. My aunt told me the first winemaking was San Juan Capistrano, which is pretty far south in CA. San Luis Obispo is awfully old, too. But I realize that Napa/Sonoma did become Winemaking Central. And didn't they have the first pinot noir? That is our traditional Thanksgiving dinner wine. One thing that I think is cool is the exchanges of grapes and vintner skills between CA and Europe, back then and today. |
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wendles
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california wine country
replied on: 6/6/2005 6:43:46 PM So I'll be in SF in a few weeks and The Boy and I have a free Sunday so we're thinking about renting a car and visiting some wineries as he's never been out there. Any suggestions? I might be cheesy but I kinda want to go to the glass beach at Ft. Bragg (or Mendocino? I forget). Is there any way to combine some of this into a day trip? Oh wise NorCals, I ask you! |
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drewmeister_sd
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california wine country
replied on: 6/7/2005 9:46:05 AM Fort Bragg is kind of far for a day trip. You would probably spend way too much time in your car. I would suggest spending the night there. The glass beach is pretty cool, and it does have an excellent brewpub (North Coast). The drive along that area is quite spectacular along the coast and quite a contrast to the inland highway. I'll check my map when I get home. There is quite a hippie colony NE of Ft Bragg, but the name escapes me. All in all, if you've never been to NorCal or have limited time, I'd go elsewhere. When are you going to be in NorCal? I'm up in the Frisco area frequently (probably this week as well). |
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wendles
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california wine country
replied on: 6/7/2005 10:49:52 AM I'll be there June 22-27. I'm at a conference for three of those days. Taking The Boy with me but another friend is coming with as well (staying with 4th friend who's attending the conference as well) so those two can dork around SF during the day while we're sweating over web usability issues. I've been to San Francisco a few times, and out to Sonoma County once. The Boy's never been to the area. I can ditch the glass beach, I just had no concept of how far it was but I just AAA'd it and woah, yeah, screw that. We're mostly interested in wineries. Soooo.... Napa or Sonoma or what? I know what MLE will say! We want a scenic drive as well as tasty wine. |
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vera
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california wine country
replied on: 6/7/2005 12:19:02 PM Go to Sonoma for Christian Bros. Brandy and friends! Although, Napa is beautiful and tasty too. |
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mle
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california wine country
replied on: 6/7/2005 5:28:32 PM I can totally give good winery recommendations for Sonoma county (some of which you haven't been to) (and I'm sure MG can, too) and SOCO also has the added benefit of the ocean nearby. I've been to the glass beach and it's pretty cool, but IMHO not really worth the long, long drive unless you're going to be staying overnight. If you do want to get some ocean in, I can recommend some western Sonoma County wineries. If the ocean doesn't really matter to you, I can rec. some further in closer to where I grew up. I honestly don't think Napa County is worth it; Sonoma County is prettier, not as hot (Napa will likely be HOT at the end of June and is always hotter than SoCo because it's farther inland), and the wine is just as good and cheaper to taste. I wouldn't bother with the town of Sonoma unless you REALLY want to be surrounded by tourists. Stick with central and western SoCo and you will do well. |
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wendles
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california wine country
replied on: 6/7/2005 5:37:32 PM Em, you're awesome. We would love to get some ocean in as well, so western Sonoma Co sounds fabulous. Any suggestions would be mightily appreciated. Thanks for the reality check re: the glass beach. We'll catch it some time we don't have much going on. |
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