cellboy: (GG)
cellboy ([personal profile] cellboy) wrote2011-09-12 04:33 pm

The weekend and week so far


1. Last Friday was the usual, off to SF, Midnight Sun for happy time with friends. [livejournal.com profile] rockyotter, was still in town, and joined us for the evening.

2. Saturday was the usual gym in the morning, then later that afternoon off to pick up friend Carlos ([livejournal.com profile] sfmijo) for our easy hour's drive to Mark's mom's home in Napa.

3. Located in the Carneros region of Napa, the house, although not the grand estate one would expect (Falcon Crest?), was surrounded by 100 + acres of vineyards. The home was very comfortable and nicely remodeled. There was even a small barn/ guest house next to it.

4. 15 yrs ago his mom purchased it (short sale/foreclosure) for what a small one bedroom condo in Diamond Heights would cost today!!

5. Once Tom and Lee arrived, we all piled into Lee's SUV and did a bit of wine tasting.

6. First stop was to Artesa Vineyards. A very modern building with water everywhere, and a wonderful view of the Valley.

7. Our second and last visit of the day was Domaine Carneros, for some sparkling wine sampling.

8. Once home, we relaxed on the outdoor patio, walked the vineyard, then had a wonderful dinner, prepped by Mark. Grilled shrimp and Italian Sausage, Polenta. Plus a wonderful salad, and a few bottles of his mom's wine, Contessa Pinot Noir.

9. Later that evening, we watched the rented videos, Priest, and Jack Ass 3 (awful!)

10. Next morning, we all were out the door by 9 am, and on the way home.

11. Once home, I was able to finish laundry, and make it to the monthly Eagle in Exile at the El Rio in SF.

12. Back to work. Paper work, paper work, paper work. The difficult indecisive applicant of last Friday, backed out of an application on Saturday, only to change his mind 15 hrs later, to end up loosing the apt, due to another holding deposit coming in a few hrs ahead. Now due to his constant indecisiveness, he has a hold on an apt that is opposite to what he wanted (he wanted sunny pool view. I have permission for the current resident to show it today. Bet he'll change his mind on this one.

Contessa Winery

Carlos, Ho, Mark

Dinner outside


The House


A neighboring winery - Domaine Carneros





View from the Kitchen

Driveway to the home

The Barn (guest house)

Valley view from Domaine Carneros

Artesa Vineyards

View from Artesa

Various Photos of Mark's mom's property (Contessa Winery), and the El Rio




The El Rio was packed. Not sure who it was playing, but they were wonderful! Lots of pop rock songs from the 70's to the 80's


[identity profile] dan4behr.livejournal.com 2011-09-13 12:00 am (UTC)(link)
I keep saying I'm going to visit Napa one day!

[identity profile] cellboy.livejournal.com 2011-09-13 03:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Napa is nice. Plus there are so many other areas of California, with excellent wine regions too.

[identity profile] merlinwon.livejournal.com 2011-09-13 04:15 pm (UTC)(link)
lmao @ the "stomp me wine me" .... How was Priest?

... nice pics.. and wine tasting? Yum!!

<3

[identity profile] cellboy.livejournal.com 2011-09-13 08:52 pm (UTC)(link)
I was surprised! Priest was good!

[identity profile] fallenandlost76.livejournal.com 2011-09-15 04:35 am (UTC)(link)
Wonderful pictures, what a wonderful landscape. :-)