A Solitary Weekend

Last weekend I packed the three dogs in the SUV (Hybrid, of course) and headed north up the Interstate 5 to the vineyard. My family was in North Yorkshire, England for my brother-in-law's wedding. So kind of him to have the sacred event in the middle of a colder than usual English winter! Work obligations prevented me from joining them so I decided to take advantage of the long weekend to escape to Wild Creek Ranch! The six and a half hour trek was a bit wet and the dogs were chock full of anticipation. As we drove up the mountain the air was thick with a steady drizzle and a cold fog was creeping up the hillside. After opening up the house, turning on the heat and water and feeding the dogs, (I lost the black dog in the fog for about 30 minutes), I started to plan out my weekend. I awoke on Saturday to a beautiful morning with a view of the fog covering the valley floor like a lake with the tips of the hillsides poking through like islands, and up above bright sunshine! After a quick breakfast and long walk with the doggies around the vineyard, I decided to drive to Healdsburg for provisions (i.e. steak dinner). My first stop was the famous Downtown Bakery for some 'sticky buns' (for breakfast, of course). Next stop Big John's Market for rib eye, greens and stilton cheese. As it was nearing time for lunch I had a sudden urge for a sandwich from the Jimtown store! Located just north of Healdsburg on the Alexander Valley Road it is a great place to visit and put together a picnic lunch, they even have cafe latte and Haagen-dazs ice cream! Right next door is the Hawkes tasting room which I had been meaning to try for some time and so, why not? The server told me that they have been in this location for two years. I settled in to taste a few of their wines:

2007 Hawkes Chardonnay
No new oak for this Chard as it lies in old Hungarian barrels for about six months leaving it with a crisp, clean flavor!


2004 Cabernet Sauvignon
This is 100% Cab from two distinct hillside vineyards. Great flavors of black cherry, earth and cedar!

2003 Red Winery Cabernet Sauvignon
A single vineyard Cab with classic Alexander Valley cherry, mint and earth!

This little tasting room is well worth the visit and why not take advantage of the food next door! Later on in the evening and as I had finished dinner, I stepped out on to the deck to a very clear and crisp view of the valley floor...I listened to the water from the creek literally rushing downward, a sound we have not heard for some time as we have been sorely in need of rain. Up above the sky was full of stars. Down on the valley floor in Cloverdale I could see an area full of colorful lights along with a ferris wheel brightly lit...it was the first weekend of the Citrus Fair in and as I sipped a glass of Rafanelli Zinfandel, I couldn't help but feel that my world was right!!!