Tag Archives: tourism

Cave Winery Tour at Jarvis Estate Napa Valley

Posted on July 25, 2017 by waywardwine

Our Napa Valley tour continues. After an extravagant whole day at Opus One (read here), we continue to dip our toes into this gilded pool with a stop at Jarvis Estate.

William Jarvis went from the Navy, to college and much travel, to found his own telecommunications company (you may have heard of HP) in Silicone Valley. Loaded, living part-time at his Chateau in France led him to wine. As one does, he bought an 1,320 acre retreat in SE Napa Valley, near Coombsville, and planted 37 acres of vines over ten years. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, chardonnay, drinks, Jarvis, Napa Valley, tourism, travel, wine | 3 Comments

Buzzing at O’o Coffee Plantation Farm Tour Maui, Hawaii

Posted on June 12, 2017 by waywardwine

Our Maui drinks tour continues. After we tried good distilled downers at Hali’imaile (read here) and Ocean Vodka (read here), today we wake to caffeinated uppers at a coffee plantation. I could give up wine (probably). But coffee was my first true love (aka addiction). Now in Maui, we have a chance to tiptoe through the coffee bean tulips. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged caffein, Coffee, coffee beans, drinks, farms, island, Maui, organic farming, starbucks, tourism, travel, tropics, wine | 3 Comments

My Love/Hate Relationship With Grower Champagne: Marc Hebrart 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut NV

Posted on January 16, 2017 by waywardwine

Grower Champagne has creeped into popularity for at least a decade. That little RM (récoltant manipulant) on the label provided wine geeks another means to stand out from the seething masses. It allowed shops and restaurants to charge more to customers unfamiliar with it. We have all seen and bought the likes of Mumm, Veuve, Moët, Nicolas Feuillatte, et cetera, and know when we are getting hosed. But today’s grower, Marc Hebrart, probably is not on your grocery store shelf. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged alcohol, Blanc de Blancs, Champagne, chardonnay, drink, drinks, Food, France, grower champagne, Marc Hebrart, restaurants, tourism, travel, Veuve, wine, Winery | 2 Comments

In Bruges 1: Beer, Geese, Religion, and Beer Belgium

Posted on November 2, 2015 by waywardwine

I hate cobbles. I do not care how adorable, quaint, or photogenic they appear. Cobbles are muffins of the devil, sent to drive every wheeled piece of luggage straight to hell.

So it goes in Bruges. We slush through snow, trying in vain to find our hostel. We have no time to look at anything, only which rut will eat our wheels next.

Get a taxi, you say. Well, this is an EU Austerity Drinking Tour. 179 days of travel add up. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Beer, Belgium, Bruges, Carrefour, drink, Food, Geese, Monasteries, tourism, travel | 6 Comments

Ghent Day Trip Visits a Castle, Brewery Gruut, and an Abbey

Posted on October 5, 2015 by waywardwine

Between Antwerp and Brussels, we make a day trip to Ghent. Why? Our worn out travel guide mentioned a fantastic castle, monastery, and a brewery. Done.

Ghent feels very medieval, sleepy, and just about to sink into its canals.

The narrow streets and minute bridges give this town of stone a cosines. We find Ghent castle: Gravensteen. Immediately, Monty Python quotes and songs bubble about our heads. Continue reading →