MrAndrewBradley

If you were to ask me how the last nine months have been, I would probably say pretty boring, but looking back at a few pictures it does look like I have done a few fun things since February after all and I cannot wait for what's ahead in the coming weeks.  1. Virtual Napa Marathon ... because of the swag (in July 2022 I'll be pacing a brand new WineShine Half Marathon ) 2. An Easter gathering in Lodi spent outside with family 3. I worked a lot, including running multiple virtual events across the country giving high school students the opportunity to learn more about a possible future career in healthcare by learning from oral surgeons, doctors, nurses, and others 4. So many virtual wine tastings, some of my favorite continue to be with Bogle and Rombauer (also I watched the horse Rombauer win the Kentucky Derby , so I had to bring out a bottle of chardonnay). 5. There was also wine tasting. Bogle (their new picnic and seated wine flights are both great), Heringer Estates ...

Evidently there was a world before the pandemic. I injured a toe on New Year's Day, so was stopped from running for three months, but overcame the injury and finished running every street in the city of Napa. There was wine tasting with friends and neighbors, there was the Napa Lighted Art Festival . There were meals out, including La Calenda in Yountville. There was a trip to the Bradley Lodge with family and since I was injured, I didn't get to run the Napa Valley Marathon , but I did get to volunteer at the finish line (I think I'll stick to volunteering in the future too). Then the pandemic hit. Grocery store shelves were empty, but I did get a few essentials and I began working from home. At first it was for two weeks, now it's been almost 20. My temporary desk started at the dining room table, but eventually with some online shopping moved to my master bedroom. Meetings, church, and happy hours are online now and I think the change has been pretty seamless. I...

It's been a fun last couple of months. First, there was my second marathon (26.2 miles is still a very long way) in Fremont . Then there was a run with beer and tacos at the finish line and the opportunity to see Aladdin the musical in Sacramento . There was a quick trip to the Bradley Lodge for Memorial Day ... we got snow! Work has been fun with two team building activities ... the first to Angel Island (on the same day my sister-in-law and nephew were there) and then to Driven Raceway (indoor go-karts). Fourth of July was also celebrated ... first with one of my fastest 10k's at the Kenwood Footrace , then the Napa Parade, followed by a concert and fireworks in the park. Wine was also a highlight (as always). I was able to visit Kunde for the first time before going to my second White Party at Chalk Hill , and got to see one of my original roommates at Azur . My neighbors and I also enjoyed some wine at our neighborhood park, plus two trips to The Village...

As I finished up my last few days as a full-time team member at the resort , I filled them with fun, exploration and more. First ... I ran my first marathon. The Napa Valley Marathon was a lot of fun, and it was great to have my family there at the finish line. It was even better to go wine tasting right after (we rode the gondola up to Sterling for wine tasting and to check out the beautiful views). Second ... There there were a few cooking classes at The Village . They're so much fun and it's amazing what a team can cook. I also tried a few of the spiked milkshakes (The Elvis and Irish Car Bomb) at Crush . Third ... A quick trip to the Bradley Lodge, complete with great food, amazing Napa Valley and Clarksburg wines, and a few runs through snow lined streets. Next a few wine tasting events ... an industry preview event at Louis Martini . The remodeled tasting room facility is stunning. I can't wait to do another tasting there in the future. It also helps that...

I'm going to blame opening a new resort with nine tasting rooms and a lot of events for not posting in nearly 5 months. We'll start with June ... 1. I went to the retirement sale for Bourassa Vineyards to get some great wines at a deep discount and lots of free wine barrels for my house, my parents and others. 2. Toured the brand new resort as I helped move boxes, clean, make beds and do a variety of other things to help get it open. 3. Saw an old friend at his new restaurant in Windsor , Tisza Bistro . 4. Went to Chalk Hill's Annual White Party ... so much fun (although I did cheat and had some red wine too).  5. My cousin flew out from Texas for the day for a Giant's game, so we took full advantage of the day, saw the game (with amazing seats), walked along the Embarcadero and indulged in ice cream at Ghiradelli Square . 6. Found my inner zen during Wellness Wednesday on the Vineyard Deck . See all the pictures here July and August didn't slow...

It has been another fun few months with new experiences, fun outings, lots of running, plus maybe a little wine and food along the way. Falconry demonstration at Bouchaine Vineyards Magazine release party at Wheeler Family Farms in St. Helena Easter Brunch for nearly 700, followed by Easter at Uptown with Hillside Church   A run followed by beer Two estate sales in Lodi, followed by wine and beer A Sac Republic soccer game A very muddy run Happy hour in the Rhine House at Beringer in St. Helena VineRunners 15th Anniversary, complete with wine and Paella  Three TV segments in Sacramento with three different chefs Yoga on the Vineyard Deck as part of a new Wellness Wednesday series Helped at the March of Dimes walk in Sacramento Two Sunday SF Giants games, one with amazing seats close to the field, the other in the Vintner's Suite , complete with food and wine (the Giants won both games) Comedy with David Spade at Graton Casino Trip to the Bradley ...

Living in the Napa Valley continues to have its benefits. First I helped at the Silver Oak Winemaker Dinner in the Estate Cave of The Meritage , although I didn't taste the wines this year, I did eat every dish ... and as always, they did not disappoint. Next it was a quick afternoon of wine tasting at Provenance Vineyards , one of my favorites for a casual tasting in Rutherford , and a quick stop to show some co-workers the beauty of Inglenook . For the weekend a friend came to town and after long runs, watching movies and eating delicious pizza from Forge , we headed to Yountville Live . The Taste of Yountville featured food and wine from great restaurants and wineries in Yountville and St. Helena, plus my hometown airport, SMF . See all the pictures here .

Living and working in the Napa Valley continues to provide endless opportunities for fun, while the holidays provided an opportunity to be with family at the Bradley Lodge. First there were photo shoots ... first at Vista Collina Resort (the new property we are building directly across the street from The Meritage), then there was yoga and painting on the Vineyard Deck of The Meritage. Before heading to the Bradley Lodge for Christmas, I was able to help with a holiday desserts baking class lead by our pastry chef ... including making homemade marshmallows. Once at the Lodge there were long runs through Big Trees State Park , a Christmas Eve Service at Chapel in the Pines , making noodles with gram, and lots of great wine was had while enjoying time with family. I had to leave the Lodge early in the morning, but for good reason ... a private tasting at Charles Krug for a winemaker dinner. I always love visiting wineries and Charles Krug, founded in 1882 is a favorite. 2018 s...

I've honest been overwhelmed over the last few weeks and months. It started our peacefully with a trip to my grandma's house and lunch at Pietro's in Lodi . Then it all changed with the fires in Napa and Sonoma County. I went to sleep on a windy night and awoke to smoke filled skies. I worked 18 hours most days, 23 hours on one day, but it was an honor to work for a hotel that did so much to help the community that we call home. It was an amazing experience to be able to serve our community and provide them a little slice of peace during an extremely difficult time. There were also wine tasting adventures and a birthday celebration that kept on going. It started with a quick trip to Orange County for meetings, then a locals tasting at Freemark Abbey , with quick stops at both Beringer and V. Sattui just to look around.  A FAM Tour with Hotels.com, we tasted at Trinitas , ran through Carneros and enjoyed an intimate dinner for 5 in our Estate Cave. The Napa Valley...

I haven't actually run in a true race situation since high school, so it was time to see what I could do. I ran the Napa Half Marathon and placed in the top 10 (wine was waiting on the finish line), then ran the Bridge to Bridge (beer was waiting on the finish line) in SF finishing in the top 50 , but a few people started after me and ran slightly faster, so I ended up at 51, but top 40 men. Now it's time to rest (and recover from a potential stress fracture or two in my legs - I got x-rays today, so hopefully will have results tomorrow). Beyond running there was a cooking segment on KCRA/My58 where we made scallops, two cooking classes (desserts and seafood), a Crawfish Dinner, a winemaker dinner with Newton Vineyards , and a tour of our massive construction project for a story with the Napa Register . See all the pictures here.

 Life is often an adventure and the last month has been full of activity ... Jesuit Alumni Run (I would have done well if I wasn't racing against former State Champions and Olympians) ... White Water Rafting with W.E.T. followed by dinner at Auburn Alehouse ... a tour of The Village at Meritage Resort, Napa Valley ... a Harvest Party at Luna Vineyards ... a dinner with Schramsberg ... live cooking segments with Fox40 , Good Day Sacramento and KCRA/My58 , a Beer Pairing dinner with Lagunitas Brewing ... Wine Tasting at Trinchero , followed by a tour of vineyards for Stag's Leap Wine Cellars and wine tasting at Liana Estates ... History of Napa in 8 Glasses at CIA Copia and dinner with a friend at Gott's ... Helped at a charity event ... an Office Potluck ... and running, lots of running. See all the pictures here .

Living in the Napa Valley has its perks ... - Wine Tasting at Provenance Vineyards - Lunch in SF with a friend at a rooftop restaurant - Running through vineyards - A quick trip to the Bradley Lodge for 4th of July weekend - Biking and Kayaking through Carneros with with Getaway Adventures with stops at Saintsbury and Etude . - A visit to the Wine Train to learn about all the trips they now offer - Cal Poly Alumni Bochee Ball Tournament in Yountville - Wine tasting at Festival Napa Valley - Wine Tasting at Caymus Vineyards - Lunch at Rutherford Grill - Dinner with Paul Hobbs in the Estate Cave See all the pictures here .

It's been a month and a half since my last blog update ... I used to be so good when I lived in Roseville, but since moving to Napa my blog hasn't gotten as much attention ... oops. Here's a quick post of some of the fun things that I've been up to since the last post (note this only includes the fun parts, I don't want to bore you). 1. Flavor! Napa Valley at CIA at COPIA and CIA in St. Helena 2. Lots of running ... (and eating ... and making cookies) ... and I created a running map for guests at work. 3. Watching hot air balloons fly and land never gets old, it is truly one of the best parts about mornings in the Napa Valley. 4. Cooking ... I did make cookies, but also Tater-Tot Casserole from my childhood ... and maybe a few too many stops at Baskin Robbins and Ben & Jerry's . 5. Candy ... tried a new Chocolatier in the Napa ... ( La Forêt Chocolate ) 6. Wine Tasting ... Kieu Hoang , Trefethen , Duckhorn ... my credit card bill has been higher...

In the last month or so I've been to the Bradley Lodge to spend time with family (and find snow), to Santa Barbara for some time at Bacara , and have been able to enjoy some pretty spectacular wines while also keeping up with my cardio goals ... running lots. It started at the Bradley Lodge for President's Day Weekend, a family tradition that I haven't been able to go to for the last couple of years. Although we got we didn't have any fresh snow at the lodge, it was was nice to enjoy a beer while looking at snow out the window (it was a blizzard) at Bear Valley , and we had our share of wine and food throughout the weekend, including a trip to Murphys . With no snow I was able do some of the mountain runs that I love the most and was even greeted by my youngest nephew at the end of a couple of them. Back in Napa there were wine tastings, nights out, and some long runs. As part of our winemaker dinner series I often get to go to the wineries in advance for a tast...

I was fortunate enough to spend some time in Huntington Beach in January for work. I love our Orange County properties and this trip gave me the opportunity to stay at Pasea for a week, then head to meetings a few miles south at the Balboa Bay Resort and Newport Beach Country Club . I took full advantage of staying across the street from the beach with a quick run with my account manager from a new advertising/marketing firm , spent some time in restaurants at Pacific City Mall , and just enjoyed time with co-workers and hearing the waves crash on the beach from a distance. I also won an award, so that was cool ... small issue, didn't know I was even nominated for the category, so I wasn't in the room when they were looking for me. Back in Northern California I spent a day getting all the paperwork together for my tax guy, ran a lot, went to the gym (loving InShape Napa ), enjoyed a tasting with Trinitas , learned about what makes Napa so special for wine grapes from t...

One would think that living in Napa I would go wine tasting a lot more than I actually do. It's actually a pretty rare event for me to go to wineries on my off time. Yes I go sometimes for work, but on the weekends I stay home, go to the gym and otherwise avoid leaving home. That said, when friends are in town, I take the opportunity to visit new places, head to my favorites, and check out some of the ones that I help send our guests to. With friends in town I headed to Clos du Val , Robert Baile , Luna , Silver Oak (and toured with the winemaker as part of the Napa Valley Vintners " morning in the winery " program), Stag's Leap Wine Cellars , Bourassa , Jessup Cellars , Peju and Delectus . All were fabulous (although I'm partial to ones that include cheese ... so if you're in Yountville ... Jessup is a great tasting ... with a few days advance reservation Bourassa also does a food pairing). I also don't normally go out to eat alone, so this was a ...

Dinner with reporters in Siena . Wine Tasting at B Cellars , Chimney Rock , Artesa (led by the winemaker ), and Domaine Carneros ? Meals in the Estate Cave with reporters, wedding planners, and a wine dinner with Silver Oak ? A trip to Newport Beach filled with tours of an industrial oven/kitchen manufacturer , butcher (well they cut and age meats), and more wine tasting? Wine Blending at Paraduxx ? Wine tasting at a Robert Parker event (some of the top wines in the world)? Yep, all those questions pretty much sum up my life over the last few weeks. Thankfully the last few weeks have also included a minimum of a five mile daily run (in some cases eight or nine) and were balanced by a couple of meals at both my house and much better cooking at my parents' house.  Plus the fence wrap is up for my "little" construction project, learn more here . Link to photos .