The Sterling Side of Napa Valley
One of those days: thick and heavy with rain all day long. "A frog choker kind of day," Lloyd said.
"What?"
That's kinda funny 'til you think it might be possible and all those cute little frogs... :( I'd never heard the expression until today, but it suited the unrelenting torrent. Ah, well. We slosh on.
First stop: Sterling Vineyards.
An aerial tram swept us off the ground and we headed for the clouds, well, 300 feet to the hilltop.
From there it's a self-paced, entirely self-guided tour save for the pourers manning the three tasting stations. Five samples in all, by the way.
Televisions told us about harvesting, fermenting, and blending techniques. Did you know that egg whites might be beaten into (red) wine? The whites settle to the bottom and the sediments glom onto the cytoplasm so it's easier to separate the juice from the gunk. Yeah, it sounded better when the television said it.
The winery buys their oak barrels from France for the most part, otherwise America.
Chardonnay fills the barrels above. The cabernet sauvignon is stored in the "caves" which maintain a 58F temp all year round.
Me and empty glass #2 on the Sterling observation deck, praying my umbrella remains convex in the blustery weather.
One of several views from the perch. It's spectacular on clear days, promise. I think I see vineyards out there and maybe some mustard fields and definitely some green things.
FYI: free tasting is no more, for about four years now actually. The last time either of us was here, we didn't pay for tastings nor tours and we had real live people guides. Nowadays you pay from $5 to $50, maybe even more, for a winery tasting experience. Mondavi is $25 per person, even if one doesn't drink, and nary a perk for the non-drinking designated driver (Lloyd) I point out. Sterling was $20 per person. Far Niente, another of our favourites, is $50 per person. And, no, you don't get a bottle with that. :)
Now, to the galleries we go.
Cheers!
-P
