The next morning we were off to Napa to check into the Franciscan houses at the winery and then a quick turn-around and a drive up a very winding mountain road (Oakville Grade) to Mt. Veeder. Once there we were each equipped with a backpack/picnic lunch and hiked up to the highest part of the Mt. Veeder vineyards accompanied by Agatha, the senior wine educator for Franciscan. Testing and tasting grapes along the way, looking at the scenery (and watching for rattlesnakes), we made our way up. They were preparing for harvest the next day and several workers were getting the gear ready for the hand pickers.

 

After a very nice picnic lunch and some great wine we headed back to rest a little at the houses and then took a quick detour into Yountville to visit some favorites of those of us who’d been here before. Another quick turnaround and we were at Mondavi’s To Kalon vineyards and a special after-hours tour of their facilities.

 

We got to see the hand sorting done at Mondavi for their Reserve, followed by a(nother) wonderful five course meal, all courses paired with great wines. The next morning we met up with Agatha again and headed out to Franciscan’s Oakville estate for a tour and a view of some hand-harvesting before sitting down to lunch (with wine) on a patio looking out over their reservoir.

 

After a tour of the vineyard we had a little downtime at the houses, which meant it was time for…sports. Specifically, Bocci ball and a little score that needed settling via a wiffle ball game between the two teams (we’d divided up into teams on our arrival in California, although not in anticipation of wiffle ball matches). Unfortunately my (blue) team lost the epic wiffle ball match and all bragging rights for the trip. I also realized it’s a good thing I sell wine, since I’m not very good at wiffle ball and would never make it as a pro in the sport. Notice there are no pictures of the wiffle ball match.

 

This humiliation was followed by showers and a trek over to Franciscan’s main winery for a tour, then dinner (it’s a wonder we didn’t gain ten pounds each!) – five courses with wine, of course. After dinner a very fierce Bocci ball tournament broke out in an attempt to burn some of the calories.

 

The next morning, we recovered by spending the day in airports and on planes getting home.