Posted by Adam Brower on Dec 3, 2010 in Outside Houston | 1 comment
In part two of our venture, I bring you to Napa Valley.
Nestled in the hills off of Hwy 29 is a quiet, romantic journey into wine country. #$&%& Strike that – reverse it. I drove on Hwy 29 going into Napa, there was nothing quiet or romantic about it – as one might have thought. I saw traffic and the freakishly large crowds at the vineyards. I wanted to curl up and go home. It felt like Disney Land on a bad trip. Huge crowds of people who crawled out from the woodwork.
As I drove to a recommended winery, I felt as if I should put on my Hawaiian shirt, stick out my belly and lick an ice cream cone. This was tourism at its best. And I wanted to throw up. We quickly b-lined it to 121 to find some “off the beaten path” wineries. The rules have changed also – where you need appointments. Whatever – lets cut down a road and find something redeeming. And we did.
Honig Vineyard and Winery welcomed us (with a quick reservation), not only with scenery but with hospitality.
They offered us some of their best wine. I honestly did love their wines, the staff, and the scenery. A cozy and relaxing surrounding gave us what we were looking for without Mickey Mouse waving us in. Enjoy our pics, all from Honig.
I also have to add, this week at Houston’s Strata Restaurant I had the privilege of meeting Bart O’Brien of O’Brien Estates. Not only a great guy, he led us on a journey of romantic tales as he introduced his wines and we celebrated a relationship from start to end. With each bottle of wine, a piece of poetry on the back tells the tale of a developing relationship between two people. They are soon to go to “members only”, and I am already signing up to be a part of that – as Bart invites you to come to his winery and enjoy a sunset. Because of the personality and depth behind these wines, I will be back to Napa to take Bart up on that sunset… Life is good.
With all that said, I envisioned Napa to be beautiful rolling hills of vines. Guess what – thats not as much Napa but more Sonoma – props to you Sonoma! You are beautiful!
Stay hungry Houston, and pair that meal with some of the finest wines in the US. I do recommend Honig and O’Brien to enhance whatever meal you choose to enjoy tonight.
-Adam
