Artisan Wine Gallery update 01/25/14
Reopening next week!
We have been enjoying our little break from the wine shop and the comforting warmth of the California sun, and are now headed north toward home. The wine shop will re-open for 2014 beginning next Saturday, February 1. Mark your calendars now, and look for details late next week!
Terrapin Creek: Shining star in an unlikely place
Last week’s post was written from an RV park at Bodega Bay, CA. Shortly after the posting we discovered that a little restaurant about 1/4 mile away had very quietly been awarded a Michelin Star. Huh? Out here on the Edge of the Galaxy? Turned out to be true; we enjoyed a lovely lunch there and intend to return. Pat had a “sandwich” of roasted prosciutto, pear, and some delicious soft cheese; I had their lovely cassoulet with spicy sausage, small white beans, and just enough bread to sop the plate clean. When I asked owner Andrew Truong about the star (he was waiting on us) he downplayed it: “we don’t want to raise people’s expectations.” The place is small and very low-key, with a creative menu and delicious food. Highly recommended! Read more
The Children’s Bell Tower
Curiously situated in a large field next to the RV park in Bodega Bay is a quietly surprising memorial sculpture. During our five days at the park, we regularly walked around and past the structure. It was built in memory of Nicolas Green, a seven year old boy who ws killed by gunfire while in Italy with his family in 1994. The family gave permission for his organs to be donated to seven individuals, who have all met. The Memorial was commissioned by Nicholas’ parents to honor not just their son, but in a way, childhood itself. See more about the memorial.
Calistoga Morning Moon and Balloon
While staying with family in Calistoga last week, each morning’s early dog walk revealed a brightly colored hot air balloon rising in the morning sun.Each day revealed a different Morning Balloon, already in the air to catch the morning sunlight before the ground below. It also turned out that the just-past-full moon was riding right along with it…!
Artisan Wine Gallery 01/16/14
Greetings to all. Just want to remind you we are closed till Feb 1…!
After a very wet several days driving and visiting friends in Oregon, we broke out into glorious sunshine and 70-degree temperature in Northern California, and all I can say about that is “Ahhhhhhhh….!
Along the way we did some research on chocolate from an artisan producer (Lilliebelle, near Medford), and it is likely we will try some of their bars in the shop soon. At their little factory you can watch the process…
At the moment we are at Bodega Bay, west of Santa Rosa. It was a comfortable 70-ish here today, a relief from the high seventies a bit inland. We started this trip imagining we would have to go much further south for warm weather, but have been pleased to find it quite delightful here in the Sonoma- Napa area. and of course, vineyards are everywhere, always a soothing landscape!
Artisan Wine Gallery 01/11/14
Greetings to all. Just want to remind you we are closed till Feb 1…!
In the meantime, here’s something to think about:
What your favorite drink says about your politics, in one chart
Happy New Year 2014 from Artisan Wine Gallery!
Wine Club members ring in Aught-Fourteen!
Eight years are probably too short a time to establish a bona fide “tradition,” so self-congratulations on our 8th annual “East Coast New Year’s Eve” party here at the wine shop are probably premature by several decades. Nevertheless, it has turned out to be a lot of fun each and every year, and this year was no exception. Again, the crowd pretty well filled the space, everyone seemed to find a conversation worth working for against the din, and the 9pm (East Coast, remember??!!) New Year’s Toast and spontaneous rendering of Auld Lang Syne were heartfelt and full of Cheer. We love the community that has evolved around our little shop, and thank all of you for being part of it! Best wishes to all for a warm, loving, healthy, happy, and fulfulling 2014!
(click on photos to enlarge)
NOTE!!! Wine Shop Closed through January!
Please note that the wine shop will be closed through January and will reopen Saturday, February 1 (Groundhog Day weekend– you know we love those cross-quarter days!). We will continue to post reminders through the month while we take inventory, tidy up the shop, and kick back a bit. Until then, thanks for your support during 2013, and we look forward to another great year in aught-fourteen!
2072 Granger Way