Spring Fling Wine Tasting in Amador Valley, California

On 22May10 I drove east of my home in Folsom, CA towards the town of Plymouth to take part in the Spring Fling wine tasting event. This event is for the newer wineries in the west end of the Amador Valley, where there are many vineyards.

First stop was Sera Fina Cellars, which had a small ballon overhead to show the passing drivers where the place is located as it is a couple of hundred yards off the main road of Latrobe Road. A nice young couple run the vineyards. Tried some very good wine, although they don't grow their own grapes yet, the owner said he will plant vines in the front of the main building.

Next stop was Convergence Vineyards located about 5 miles east of Sera Fina. The house where the tasting room is located had a patio having a great view of the valley in front of it. There was a party of about 8 young women tasting wine. One of them told me that they were having a girls day out for one of the girls was getting married. Tasted their range of wines Covergence was providing. Very good all around.

Third stop was Tanis Vineyards which was the smallest of the wineries. In the front was a chicken coop where a rooster was yelling even though it was midday. The tasting room was out of the garage. A husban and wife team poured the wine for tasting. The husban explain in detail how the wine is grown and the processes of making them. Very informative. There was also a sample of flavored oils, although they actually don't make this but it does have their label on the bottles. I enjoyed the habanero-tequila oil as it was tasting and spicy-hot. I purchased a bottle.

Last stop was Nua Dair. The large room where the tasting room is located had the ceiling partially collapsed. The owner, behind the sampling table, said that the air conditioner failed and they were replacing it for a working one. They had a food sample of what the owner said was a South African dish called bebule, which was curried rice and ground meat. After tasting the wines here I headed home the end of a nice wine tasting day.

I purchased a bottle of wine from each of the vineyards in support. I'm not going to drink them myself so plan to give them away. I was pleasantly surprise how good the wines were in this part of California. Guess I was spoiled from the Napa wines. Will definently try to visit the other vineyards in the Amador Valley.

Photos can be seen at the Facebook site:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=58777&id=1507778102&l=cd8fca0506

Small tour of Vineyards in Amador Valley

On Saturday 15 May 10, I decided to take a quick tour of some of the vineyards near Folsom, CA in the region known as the Amador Valley. The drive was only 45 minutes to the first stop called Sera Fina Cellars. This place is only been open since Mar 10, but they are trying to set it up nicely. I was greeted first by a very excited Australian Sheep Dog who was jumping all over me and wanting the attention. Very cute. A large tasting room with many nice paintings of the valley, an outside patio with the view of the valley.The wines I tasted were alright, nothing spectacular but would buy a glass if offered. The wife's owner was pouring the wine and suggested a couple of other vineyards to go to in the area. I wish them luck as they seem to have a good thing going in terms of location and display.

Then I went down the road and stopped at Tanis Vineyards. The place is small and can easily pass by it. Not much parking. The tasting room is small but the owner, Andrew, was there pouring and explaining the different wines he produces. They had some good wines and bought a bottle of their TNT Dynamite red. Not sure what I'll do with it as I don't drink much any more, perhaps I'll just give it away.

I tried to find some others but got lost in the winding, narrow roads. Decided that was enough and headed home. Next weekend(22-23 May10), these two vineyards and a couple of others near by will have a bar-b-q, wine release party at their location. I think I'll head back out and take a look at what they have to offer.


The Sera Fina dog greeted me as I was coming out of my car

Inside Serra Fina
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View from inside Sera Fina Vineyard Tasting Room

View from Serra Fina Vineyards Patio




Entrance to Tanis Vineyards Tasting room

On 13 May 10, went to see some festival in my new town of Folsom CA.

First was a wine tasting event in the supermarket chain of Belair. There was arts, food samples and other items outside the store.

Next I went to Visconti's Ristorante located in the same Broadstone Marketplace Strip Mall. They were celebrating their 1 year anniversary at this new location and 18 years in business. There was a live band, wine samples and food for the spectators.

It was a great evening with happy people all around.

19th Annual Folsom Handcar Derby

The 19th Annual Folsom Handcar Derby was held on Saturday and Sunday 01-02 May 10 in Folsom, CA abouth 20miles east of the California Capitol of Sacramento.
The Derby consisted individual competition of a Handcar "Push" to see who can push the Railroad Handcar the furtherest on the tracks. There was categories of women, men, heavyweight and lightweights.
The main event was the team timed race.

Pictures can be seen in the location below
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=56985&id=1507778102&l=2324c5c439

California State Railroad Musuem

On Saturday 24Apr10, decided to keep exploring my new habitat in Sacramento, CA by traveling with my friend Jack to the California State Railroad Museum. Lots of nice railroad artifacts from large working trains to toy trains. Also took a 40minute ride on a train up the Sacramento River while in Old Town.
The museum was full of trains both full size and toy form. The most impressive was a hugh front cab train weighing over 1million pounds and just plain enormous.
There were Pullman sleeping trains, dinner cars, mail cars, toy trains and an area where kids can play with wooden "Thomas the Engine" train set.
Learned much about this once main and wonderful method of transportation.

Great day.

Photos can be found in
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=56084&id=1507778102&l=b4acdf2667

Sacramento River Cats Opening Night

On Friday 16 Apr 2010, I attended the openning night of the Minor League Baseball team, Sacramento River Cats, with tickets from my friend Jack. The AAA team plays at Raley Field located in West Sacramento.
The atmosphere was nice will a stadium full of people looking forward to the game. Had a good time seeing the Rivercats comeback and win the game.
I'll probably go to more games it was rather fun.

Photos
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=55344&id=1507778102&l=3a153188d5

Saw the horrow movie "Black Christmas"

On this rainy day,just saw the 1974 horror cult classic, "Black Christmas". Very good! Its from the same guy who gave us everyone's favorite "A Christmas Story". It pre-dates "Halloween" by a 4 years and many say its where the actual teen-slasher movie actually started. Funny to see a pre-Superman Margot Kidder in it.Recommend it as it is funny in places as well.
Truth be told I really wanted to see the movie as it stars the beautiful Olivia Hussey. I currently have a strange infatuation with this movie star of the past. I'll get over it once the hockey playoff starts.