BOB AND MARY'S TRAVELS 2015
USA PACIFIC NORTH WEST
SAN FRANCISCO - JACKSON HOLE
6TH SEPTEMBER - 10TH SEPTEMBER
Eventually arrived at Pier 39 on the waterfront and spent a few hours looking around at the shops, harbour views and the sea lions. They start coming back into the bay in August after breeding, so not so many there at present. Largest number counted in one season - 1700. A very smelly and noisy addition to the waterfront, but bring lots of tourists!
Was getting very hot by midday so went into the Crab House and sat by the open window looking out over the waterfront and enjoyed a wonderful lunch of grilled shrimps, crab cakes and a whole baked Dungeness crab - really delicious and all washed down with a cool beer!
From here we wandered along the foreshore to Fisherman's Wharf watching all the activity - extremely hot by this time - 34deg and no breeze. Interesting to watch the people cooking crab and shrimps at the stalls in front of the restaurants. Crossed the road to be in the shade as we window shopped along Jefferson St. Finally decided we'd had enough of the heat and having decided we'd take the cable car back to Union Square we walked 3 blocks to the junction of Taylor and Bay Sts and took the Powell and Mason Sts cable car.
Enjoyed the ride as we climbed up hill and then down hill and then up hill again until we reached Union Square. Back to the hotel and rested while watching Serena & Venus Williams play their match. Eventually headed out once it had cooled down a little and went into a wine bar where we tasted some lovely red and white wines accompanied by a cold meat platter and a soft cheese platter - all that was needed after a large lunch!
We were picked up at 8.15am on Wednesday morning the 9th and taken to Gray Line office at Fisherman's Wharf where we transferred to our bus for the Wine Country Tour to Sonoma and Napa Valley. Left at 9am and crossed the Golden Gate Bridge and within 45 minutes we were in the wine country.
A lovely clear day and the temperatures expected to be around 40 deg in the valley! Harbour estuaries stretch a long way up and were told that 40 rivers flow into the San Francisco Harbour!
Our wine tour took us to 3 wineries from small to medium to very large. First stop was Nicholson Ranch in the Sonoma Valley, a boutique winery that is 20 years old and produces 6000 cases a year, mostly chardonnay and pinot noir. Socrates Nicholson was the original rancher and there is a very Greek theme around the property.
 |
| Chapel amongst the olives |
 |
| medal winning wines |
We began outdoors by the pond and tasted two 2013 chardonnays - 1st was in oak for 6 months and quite light and zesty, the 2nd in oak for 18th months and had more body. Had a short talk amongst the lower vines and then indoors out of the heat to taste the 2012 pinot noir - quite a lot of spice, but much lighter than the pinot noirs from NZ. The prices were outrageously exorbitant!
We then moved on to Madonna Estate Winery, Los Carneros, Napa Valley. This winery was established in 1922 and has produced wine since then as when prohibition was brought in it was already making wine for the church so was allowed to continue. We began the tour in the wine cellar as far too hot to be out in the vineyard.
Went into the tasting room where we tried a chardonnay, pinot noir, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, gerwertztraminer and a pinot grigio. The chardonnay was better than at Nicholson Ranch, but not as fruity as ours, pinot noir had better fruit, but not the fullness we know, the merlot was pleasant, cab sav light and disappointing, gerwertz was very pleasant with good flavour and pinot grigio very light.
 |
| pinot noir |
Was time for lunch after this and we drove to Yountville passing many wineries along the way - some with large buildings and others quite small. Most vineyards on the flat along this route, whereas they had been on the lower slopes earlier.
Yountville is a pretty town with lovely gardens and sculptures. Were given an hour for lunch and we found the V Market Place which was originally the Groezinger Winery established in 1870. Large brick buildings abandoned in 1966 and restored by local people and opened as the marketplace in 1968. Went into Napa Style where the Chiarello Family Vineyards have a tasting room and serve light meals alongside the Bottega Italian Restaurant. Had very tasty sandwiches with a glass of wine. Glad to be in the cool of the buildings and wandered around away from the heat until it was time to board the bus again. Last stop was the Sutter Home winery in Napa Valley. This is the 4th largest winery in the USA and the 2nd largest family run winery all due to its White Zinfandel. The history is very interesting as the vineyard originally developed in 1874 by John Thomann, a Swiss-German, and on his death sold to the Leunbergers (also Swiss-German) and named Sutter Home after her father. Was abandoned during the prohibition and stood idle until 1947 when John and Mario Trinchero, from Italy bought the property and refurbished all the buildings. The tasting room and sales room are in the original building from the 1870's.
In 1972 Bob Trinchero made a mistake in fermentation of his Zinfandel wine and ended up with pink juice instead of red - decided to bottle and try to sell the production and to their amazement sold everything. These days they sell 4 1/2 million cases a year - vast difference from the original 220 bottles! We tasted a Reserve White Zinfandel, a Pinot Grigio and a Zinfandel in the private tasting room while learning of the history. After this we went into the public tasting room and tried a moscato and a port which we enjoyed. This was the only winery that had water to rinse between tastings which was good.
 |
| original winery building |
 |
| original homestead |
There were 3 other New Zealanders on the tour and all agreed that the wines we tasted were not to our New Zealand taste.
Back on bus at 3pm and then headed back to Fisherman's Wharf - traffic heavy as we got closer to town but were there around 5pm. We were dropped off at the hotel in Geary Street feeling very weary after such a hot day. Rested briefly and watched end of Federer v Gasquet match before heading to the Old Siam Restaurant at Mason and Ellis Streets for a very nice dinner - great spices. 
Accompanied the food with a Pacific Rim Dry Riesling from the Columbia Valley - more to our taste.
 |
| Saw this at restaurants due to drought |
Had a slower start on Thursday (10th) - breakfast and repacked our bags. Collected at 10am by Lorries Shuttle and got to airport in good time. Checked in kerb side for flight to Denver and then Jackson Hole. No queues at security and were able to get into United lounge with our gold elite status. Very pleasant and had a light snack for our lunch before our 1pm flight. Arrived in Denver soon after 4pm (1 hour time change) and then into lounge where we caught up on emails etc. Had a light dinner at one of the airport outlets and had to show ID for our beers - apparently mandatory at all US airports! Flight to Jackson Hole took off at 7.15pm and we landed soon after 8pm. The approach to Jackson Hole Airport is rated 3rd best in the world as you fly along the valley with mountains on either side. Taxi to Parkway Inn for the night - very tired after a day of doing nothing other than be at airports or on planes!
More to come. Bob and Mary
We both had a good night's sleep and after breakfast headed out on Monday to Union Square to take the City Sightseeing San Francisco shuttle bus to Fisherman's Wharf and then the Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito tour.
Beautiful day again with predicted temperatures to be in the low 30's! The route took us past Ghiradelli Square with the Hyde-Powell cable car, along Lombard St to the Palace of Fine Arts that was built for the Exhibition in 1915 and to the Golden Gate Bridge.
Back on bus and back over the bridge to the information area and view point. Took the opportunity to walk a little way on the Golden Gate Bridge to get views of the city and harbour. Had a long wait for the bus back to Fisherman's Wharf due to the holiday traffic. Route took us back over the bridge to north view point and then back again - all to get onto the correct side to drive south. Good views again to harbour entrance etc.
We have really enjoyed seeing the lovely old architecture around the city that has been well restored, plus some of the new that is being built.
We both had a good night's sleep and after breakfast headed out on Monday to Union Square to take the City Sightseeing San Francisco shuttle bus to Fisherman's Wharf and then the Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito tour.
Beautiful day again with predicted temperatures to be in the low 30's! The route took us past Ghiradelli Square with the Hyde-Powell cable car, along Lombard St to the Palace of Fine Arts that was built for the Exhibition in 1915 and to the Golden Gate Bridge.
Back on bus and back over the bridge to the information area and view point. Took the opportunity to walk a little way on the Golden Gate Bridge to get views of the city and harbour. Had a long wait for the bus back to Fisherman's Wharf due to the holiday traffic. Route took us back over the bridge to north view point and then back again - all to get onto the correct side to drive south. Good views again to harbour entrance etc.
We have really enjoyed seeing the lovely old architecture around the city that has been well restored, plus some of the new that is being built.
Eventually arrived at Pier 39 on the waterfront and spent a few hours looking around at the shops, harbour views and the sea lions. They start coming back into the bay in August after breeding, so not so many there at present. Largest number counted in one season - 1700. A very smelly and noisy addition to the waterfront, but bring lots of tourists! 
Was getting very hot by midday so went into the Crab House and sat by the open window looking out over the waterfront and enjoyed a wonderful lunch of grilled shrimps, crab cakes and a whole baked Dungeness crab - really delicious and all washed down with a cool beer!
From here we wandered along the foreshore to Fisherman's Wharf watching all the activity - extremely hot by this time - 34deg and no breeze. Interesting to watch the people cooking crab and shrimps at the stalls in front of the restaurants. Crossed the road to be in the shade as we window shopped along Jefferson St. Finally decided we'd had enough of the heat and having decided we'd take the cable car back to Union Square we walked 3 blocks to the junction of Taylor and Bay Sts and took the Powell and Mason Sts cable car.
Enjoyed the ride as we climbed up hill and then down hill and then up hill again until we reached Union Square. Back to the hotel and rested while watching Serena & Venus Williams play their match. Eventually headed out once it had cooled down a little and went into a wine bar where we tasted some lovely red and white wines accompanied by a cold meat platter and a soft cheese platter - all that was needed after a large lunch!
We were picked up at 8.15am on Wednesday morning the 9th and taken to Gray Line office at Fisherman's Wharf where we transferred to our bus for the Wine Country Tour to Sonoma and Napa Valley. Left at 9am and crossed the Golden Gate Bridge and within 45 minutes we were in the wine country. 
A lovely clear day and the temperatures expected to be around 40 deg in the valley! Harbour estuaries stretch a long way up and were told that 40 rivers flow into the San Francisco Harbour!
Our wine tour took us to 3 wineries from small to medium to very large. First stop was Nicholson Ranch in the Sonoma Valley, a boutique winery that is 20 years old and produces 6000 cases a year, mostly chardonnay and pinot noir. Socrates Nicholson was the original rancher and there is a very Greek theme around the property.
We began outdoors by the pond and tasted two 2013 chardonnays - 1st was in oak for 6 months and quite light and zesty, the 2nd in oak for 18th months and had more body. Had a short talk amongst the lower vines and then indoors out of the heat to taste the 2012 pinot noir - quite a lot of spice, but much lighter than the pinot noirs from NZ. The prices were outrageously exorbitant! 
We then moved on to Madonna Estate Winery, Los Carneros, Napa Valley. This winery was established in 1922 and has produced wine since then as when prohibition was brought in it was already making wine for the church so was allowed to continue. We began the tour in the wine cellar as far too hot to be out in the vineyard.
Went into the tasting room where we tried a chardonnay, pinot noir, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, gerwertztraminer and a pinot grigio. The chardonnay was better than at Nicholson Ranch, but not as fruity as ours, pinot noir had better fruit, but not the fullness we know, the merlot was pleasant, cab sav light and disappointing, gerwertz was very pleasant with good flavour and pinot grigio very light.
Was time for lunch after this and we drove to Yountville passing many wineries along the way - some with large buildings and others quite small. Most vineyards on the flat along this route, whereas they had been on the lower slopes earlier.
Yountville is a pretty town with lovely gardens and sculptures. Were given an hour for lunch and we found the V Market Place which was originally the Groezinger Winery established in 1870. Large brick buildings abandoned in 1966 and restored by local people and opened as the marketplace in 1968. Went into Napa Style where the Chiarello Family Vineyards have a tasting room and serve light meals alongside the Bottega Italian Restaurant. Had very tasty sandwiches with a glass of wine. Glad to be in the cool of the buildings and wandered around away from the heat until it was time to board the bus again. Last stop was the Sutter Home winery in Napa Valley. This is the 4th largest winery in the USA and the 2nd largest family run winery all due to its White Zinfandel. The history is very interesting as the vineyard originally developed in 1874 by John Thomann, a Swiss-German, and on his death sold to the Leunbergers (also Swiss-German) and named Sutter Home after her father. Was abandoned during the prohibition and stood idle until 1947 when John and Mario Trinchero, from Italy bought the property and refurbished all the buildings. The tasting room and sales room are in the original building from the 1870's.
In 1972 Bob Trinchero made a mistake in fermentation of his Zinfandel wine and ended up with pink juice instead of red - decided to bottle and try to sell the production and to their amazement sold everything. These days they sell 4 1/2 million cases a year - vast difference from the original 220 bottles! We tasted a Reserve White Zinfandel, a Pinot Grigio and a Zinfandel in the private tasting room while learning of the history. After this we went into the public tasting room and tried a moscato and a port which we enjoyed. This was the only winery that had water to rinse between tastings which was good.
Back on bus at 3pm and then headed back to Fisherman's Wharf - traffic heavy as we got closer to town but were there around 5pm. We were dropped off at the hotel in Geary Street feeling very weary after such a hot day. Rested briefly and watched end of Federer v Gasquet match before heading to the Old Siam Restaurant at Mason and Ellis Streets for a very nice dinner - great spices. 
No comments:
Post a Comment