Snow Country and Wine Country for the Holidays

I celebrated Christmas at the Bradley Lodge with good food and good wine. From fried chicken to Cioppino and prime rib, we enjoyed the food with the wine, and ... 15+ inches of snow. There was also a day of skiing at Bear Valley, a few friendly games of Pinochle and walks along snow covered streets.

On our way back to Sacramento we stopped in Roseville to visit with my cousins, then enjoy a fabulous salmon dinner (with more wine) at a friend's house. During dinner we decided we needed something to do the next day and decided on a trip to Lodi for wine tasting. LangeTwins and Oak Farm did not disappoint with their fabulous wines and friendly hospitality.

For New Year's I headed to Napa to celebrate with 450+ of my closest friends at The Meritage. I started out 2016 right with a few days of wine tasting. Napa is always beautiful and the winter is a little less crowded, meaning more personalized service, less traffic, and still great wines. There was a stop at Rutherford Ranch Winery for a wine and chocolate pairing. Quick visits to Raymond and Cosentino. Tasting where history was made at Chateau Montelena, unplanned stops at Charles Krug, the Culinary Institute at Greystone, and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, and a fun tasting at Judd's Hill. Beyond the wine there was time to watch a few movies, including Joy, the Rose Parade, and even enjoy some great food, including a meal at Tarla in downtown Napa after a walk downtown and through Oxbow Public Market.

I finished off New Year's weekend with the final 95.7 The Game radio broadcast in Crush at The Meritage, and a stop in Davis at CREAM (ice cream sandwich made from cookies). At home it was back to reality quickly when I took down and put away all of my Christmas decor.
Pictures for those with iPads.
 

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