As promised, here are a some of the photos from our trip! They're unedited - we took about 500 photos so it will take a while for me to get through them all! So I chose some that popped out at me that gave overall highlights of our adventure. I'm sure you will see these, and many more over time as I make layouts and a mini-album.
So, about the trip. The trip itself was marvelous! The weather was perfect and, of course, the location was too! I had been to wine country numerous times, but this was Nate's first visit so I really wanted him to enjoy it as it's one of my favorite weekend getaways from AZ. I think wine country won him over. Hopefully we'll venture back soon! Here's a quick recap:
DAY ONE:
On day one we flew in to Sacramento, stopped for lunch in St. Helena, continued to Korbel and finally checked into our cabin. Korbel is one of my favorite stops when I'm in Sonoma County. I've been there four times now and could go back forty more! I love champagne and the grounds and setting of Korbel are lovely. It makes for the perfect stop during a relaxing getaway.
Lunch at Tre Vigne
Korbel...oh how I love my Bubbly!!
I don't like serious pictures (Korbel).
My photogenic man posing in the meadow of clovers on the cabin property. He doesn't think he looks good in photos. He's obviously crazy...
Pretty Redwoods near our cabin.
Day Two:
On day two, we toured the Alexander/Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County. I'd only been to a limited number of wineries in Sonoma County, all near Santa Rosa, so I was excited to venture a little further north to check it out. We stopped at Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Trentadue, Geyser Peak and Ferrari-Carano ALL of which were recommended to by by Deana!! Thank you so much! We loved them all! Seriously, if she gives you advice on travel stops...TAKE IT!! :) Of the four, I think FFC and Ferrari-Carano were my faves. Overall, I liked how the area was far less touristy and possible more beautiful than the Napa Valley.Francis Ford Coppola Winery
The vineyards at FFC
Nate at Ferrari-Carano (BEAUTIFUL grounds)
Ferrari-Carano
At Goat Rock State Park. Seriously...Isn't he handsome?!
I love the rocky shores of the Pacific in NoCal!
Day Three:
On day three, we ventured to St. Helena and went to my favorite Napa Valley Winery, V'Sattui. Their cab is to die for!! And the winery is just too cute for words. The have a deli, market and picnic area on beatuifully manicured grounds. Nate and I had a picnic lunch of cheese and crackers while we were there. Our next stop was Peju. I'd never been before, but really enjoyed it. Our last destination was a quick stop at Lake Hennessey before we headed to the hotel for the evening (story below).I found the barrels of Cab!! Woohoo :)
V'Sattui
Peju (we had the camera on self-timer balancing on a fountain...eek!)
Lake Hennessey. For those who don't know, Nate's last name is Hennessy...without the "e", hence the reason he's covering it up! LOL :)
DAY FOUR: We visited Jelly Belly and did the tour and purchased a TON of Belly Flops (the misshaped beans that don't make it to the standard package) to bring home as gifts. They don't allow photos so I don't really have any to commemorate our visit.
In the end, our bags were SOOOOO heavy, stuffed with 14 pounds of Jelly Beans and 7 bottles of wine (I have a hard-sided suitecase so the vino was safe!). It was a magical trip in a magical place. I can't wait to go back again. Maybe this fall?? Pretty please?!
Stop back this week for a new What a Girl Loves, Sketchy Thursdays, Finspo and more art journaling :)
