As part of my birthday celebration, I planned a weekend getaway trip to Paso Robles wine country with friends. We were a group of 8 wine-loving friends. Everybody except for Jason left LA Friday to drive up about 4 hours to the destination.
We rented a huge vineyard property (41 acres!) with a beautiful 4 bedroom farm house on top of the hill. It was a gorgeous property in the middle of a beautiful countryside. Once we entered the gate, we drove up the hill to the house. The house was really nice.
Three of us were the first to arrive in the house. So, while we waited for the rest of the gang, we had a sunset aperitif time in the front patio, overlooking the vineyard. Caviar and Champagne!! Perfect beginning of the celebration weekend. 2002 Paul Bara Brut Millesime was just gorgeous and ready. Mostly PN from Grand Cru Bouzy, this tete de cuvee Brut has both richness, minerality, and nice dry finish. With this Champagne, I couldn't stop eating the caviar.
Once the rest of the group (except for Jason, who was scheduled to come in the next morning) arrived in the evening. We got ready for dinner. We cooked and 7 of us had a nice home dinner. We had Peggye's heirloom tomato caprese, Sonya's pan-seared duck breast, my roasted salmon, sun-dry mushroom salad, brussels sprouts salad, roasted kabocha, azuki rice, etc. And the desserts were Asami's olive oil cake and Asian pair crostata. I was in heaven!
Our first night was really beautiful.
Three of us were the first to arrive in the house. So, while we waited for the rest of the gang, we had a sunset aperitif time in the front patio, overlooking the vineyard. Caviar and Champagne!! Perfect beginning of the celebration weekend. 2002 Paul Bara Brut Millesime was just gorgeous and ready. Mostly PN from Grand Cru Bouzy, this tete de cuvee Brut has both richness, minerality, and nice dry finish. With this Champagne, I couldn't stop eating the caviar.
Once the rest of the group (except for Jason, who was scheduled to come in the next morning) arrived in the evening. We got ready for dinner. We cooked and 7 of us had a nice home dinner. We had Peggye's heirloom tomato caprese, Sonya's pan-seared duck breast, my roasted salmon, sun-dry mushroom salad, brussels sprouts salad, roasted kabocha, azuki rice, etc. And the desserts were Asami's olive oil cake and Asian pair crostata. I was in heaven!
Our first night was really beautiful.
