Day 125 - Taste Wine!!

This is a follow up to my posting on Friday.  On Friday, I told you about my wonderful experience at Villa Fiorente Tasting room at 10555 Harris Rd. in Auburn.  I promised to share a bit our afternoon there with you.
First we visited the tasting bar of Ciotti Cellars.  Joe was our host and wine maker. I think my favorite wine here was the 2009 Old Vine Zinfandel.  In asking where there were "old vines" in Placer County, he said, to my surprise, Roseville!  These come from vines that are 40 years old! This wine is a silver metal winner.

Next we moved on to Popie Wines.  The wine maker was pouring at another event that day, but our host was delightful, non the less.  My favorite here was the 2010 Bianca Di Barbera.  A nice light Blush wine.  This would be a great summer wine. And this info just in:  Michael just informed me that his 2007

Barbera Reserve and my soon to be released (this coming weekend) 2008
Barbera both won Silver Medals at the 2011 California State Fair Wine
Competition! Congratulations, Michael!

Next was Cristaldi Vineyards.  The wine maker, David Brockman, was on hand as host.  Many of his wines are unfiltered.  I don't know if it has anything to do with being unfiltered, but his wines SMELLED heavenly!  Tasted great, too. David is a cardiologist by trade. And since we know that wine is good for the heart, it's a perfect combination.  David told us to be sure and come back for Italian Days July 9th and 10th. That there would be food, music and Ferraris!  When asked if he owned a Ferrari, he proudly told us about his red Ferrari tractor that he uses in his vineyard.

Lastly we stopped to chat with Lisa Mann at Fortezza Winery.  Her vineyard covers the hills behind the tasting room.  Lisa is originally from Florida, and does not miss the humidity and hurricanes!  She and her wine making skills are more than welcomed in California!  She had a nice variety of tasty wines.  She saved a "surprise" wine for us until the end.  It is not on the tasting list, so you may have to ask for it.  It is a Syrah.  One of the most delicious wines I've had.  We took some to a dinner party later that night, and it was enjoyed by all, with rave reviews!

So go check this place out. You'll have a great time, with nice folks and get to taste some yummy wines.  Take your visiting guests, or gather up some friends. You won't be disappointed.  

Day 124 - Auburn Family Night Out

Celebrating 12years. This Safe and Sober mile long event is filled with activities and fun for the whole family. 16 locations along Lincoln Way and High Street in Auburn include: Chalk-A-Lot! art, McCool Puppets, entertainment, Never Cry Wolf Rescue, music, climbing rock, pony rides, vendors, bounce house, historic wagon display, and lots of games. Admission is FREE!

Day 123 - Wine Tasting in Auburn - Awesome!

Two weekends ago we happened into Villa Fiorente.  A wine tasting room located at 10555 Harris Rd in Auburn. That is at the corner of Mt. Vernon and Harris. It is a small tasting room housing four separate wineries.
Ciotti Cellers, Fortezza Winery, Cristaldi Vineyards and Popie Wines.  Each has a small tasting bar which is hosted by the wine makers themselves.

I have been to many wineries in California and have to say that this was the most pleasurable tasting experience that I have ever had.  In Napa Valley, I usually feel that the host is in a rush and a bit condescending to questions.  Quite the contrary at Villa Fiorente!  Each of the hosts/winemakers were delightful!  They were of course enthusiastic about their wines and just bubbling to tell you all about them.

If you go, be sure to get on their email list, so you are notified of any special upcoming events!

Check back on Sunday for our experience with each of the wineries.
By the way, they do charge for their tastings.  The day we were there it was raining, so we got the impromptu "rainy day discount".  But after knowing what fun I will have, I would not hesitate to pay the tasting fee!
This would be a wonderful place to take your visiting guests! They are open on Sat. & Sun. 12pm to 5pm

Day 122 - Movie under the Stars

This week kicks off the Auburn Movie Night series.  This Wednesday evening, you can see the movie "Secretariat".  It will be playing in Central Square following "Wednesday Night Live". 
Wednesday Night Live is an event in the streets with Food, Music, and Fun for the whole family.

 Come for Wednesday Night Live and stay for the movie.

Day 122 - Inspired Drawing Class

Inspired art comes from within...

This class will take you through a series of exercises designed to strengthen your ability to see creatively, while learning to think like an artist! Beginners and continuing students welcome. A make up class may be available for missed classes.

Artists' Studio in the Foothills (ASiF) Visual Arts Center of Nevada County

940 Idaho Maryland Road
Grass Valley, CA 95945

Phone: 530.409.2330

Day 121 - Go Yard Sale-ing!

One of my favorite weekend pastimes!  If you are like me you love a good bargain.  And in this economy, who doesn't?  Today would be a great day for a drive in the gold country, with a few stops along the way.  Here is a sample of what you might run in to:

JUNE 3rd-5th ESTATE SALE 60 Year Accumulation (Placerville, Ca - Swansboro)

Address: 3480 Stope Dr City: Placerville, CA

Worth the drive for 60 years of accumulation of antiques, tools, fishing and camping gear and household items. Sale is Friday through Sunday 9:00am to 4:00pm. Will consider all offers. Take HWY 50 to Placervilee and take the Exit 47 Broadway exit. Turn right on Broadway and right onto Mosquito Rd. Follow Mosquito Rd about 10 miles to Swansboro. Turn right on Dogwood and right on Stope Dr. Sale is at 3480 Stope Dr. Email or call 530-622-8469.

Location: Placerville, Ca - Swansboro

Day 120 - Foreign Car & Wine Stroll - Nevada City

We are proud to announce the inaugural Nevada City Foreign Car & Motorcycle Show, taking place on June 4, 2011 from 10am – 3pm in the beautiful town of Nevada City, CA! Accompanying our event will be the Nevada City Wine Stroll taking place from 12pm – 3pm, and advance tickets to this event can be purchased with your registration at a discounted pre-registration price of $15 per person. Tickets can also be purchased on the day of the event for $20 per person. Local wine vendors and shops will be helping host the wine stroll for the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce. At the event there will also be live music, a raffle drawing and award ceremony for the People’s Choice winners of top car and top motorcycle. There will also be a raffle going on with some really excellent prizes that will be up for grabs.

Sierra Sports Car Group is hosting this car show to benefit two local non-profit groups, United Way of Nevada County and the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce. This classic gold rush town is the perfect setting for our event, and we are looking forward to all of the visitors we hope to see at the show.