…before I even call to ask the individual vins, may be people here are in the know:

Carlisle
Herb Lamb
Paloma
Radio Coteau
Realm
Switchback Ridge

Thanks as always.

Radio Coteau does not allow tastings, tours, or pickups.

Herb Lamb does. It is at their home, but I have been there, and I know a number of other forumites who have also been there.

If you want Jennifer's email address, send me a PM.

Mike

I believe you can arrange for a tasting of Realm's wines up at Sherwin on Sprint Mtn.

Also, I know that Kelly from Switchback is willing to meet with people if her schedule allows. She rotates between the vineyard in Calistoga and her office in St. Helena.

Your list looks great - I hope you can get the tastings and report back!

Realm does (you might as well hit Sherwin while you're at it). Paloma does but you may need to be a good direct customer.

a

Eiger... Sprint Mtn??? Were you watching Lance today???

Thanks, guys. My actual initial list is as follows. Obviously, this initial list will need to be cut down as we only have a day & a half for appts. The rest of the time is reserved for spas, mineral pools, relaxing, dining, & such... So, here is that initial list:

Anomoly: visited last year, would not mind to visit again
Carlisle: do they host appts/tastings?
David Arthur: read that it is a MUST here on VC
Herb Lamb: may be, will contact mbansek to discuss
Kosta Browne: visited last year, would not mind to visit again
Outpost: never visited, never had any wines from them, but many post favorable TNs
Paloma: will contact to ask for an appt/tasting
Peay: never visited, but would love to, will contact Andy
Realm: will contact to ask for an appt/tasting
Ramey: visited last year, would not mind to visit again to taste the 03s that are coming out
Switchback Ridge: may be, will contact Kelly to ask for an appt/tasting

P.S.: I was going to contact Mr. Bob Bressler but with the latest news, I did not obviously.

been to herb lamb and she does take apt but will not taste the HL stuff....she will pour you the EII which is good too

i have been going to paloma for years and barbra and jim are great people! no tasting room but tasting is done in their kitchen and balcony. great view from their balcny! once in a while we get to taste some stuff in the barrel if they are up to it

good luck and have fun!

LCC... if you want to visit Andy at the vineyards, it'll take at LEAST half a day.
The ride there is more interesting than most amusement parks!!!!

l_c_c-

When are you going? Sounds like a blast. The bride and I are thinking a lot about our next trip to wine country sometime in December or early '06. We're considering some of the ones on your list too. What restaurants and spas are you planning to hit? Sorry for being nosey, just thrilled vicariously for you. Our four days on Long Island's north fork wine country for her brother's wedding last month didn't quite feed that jones.
c.

Randy... not just the next day, probably beginning later that same day!!!

RandyW/Budman: lightweights! You see, you guyz lack that Russian blood in you, so no tolerance for alcohol. It’s in our blood, you know... Wimps! Seriously, the list will get cut down. That’s the initial list. Obviously, as much as I would like to, it is not achievable to get to all those places in a day & a half.

Crafty: we are going for the Harris Estate shindig taking place in a few weeks. There is a thread in the Events section. We come back to the Motherland just about every year since 96 or 97 (can’t remember). Actually, it is the ONLY travel destination that I’ve ever visited more than once.

As far as Restaurants: we will dine @ Terra on Fri, & whatever place Brent decides to choose for Satur. And Sun, of course, is the Harris Estate shindig. But, we have pretty much dined @ most of the places in the Motherland. We just consider Terra to be one of the MUSTs. And, it is a shorter trip than usual. So, Terra it is for Fri. But, there are people here that are more knowledgeable than I am about Wine Country dining. Plus, there are many, many threads already on the topic.

As far as Spas: again, there are existing threads, but we always go to Calistoga Spa on Washington St right in Calistoga. They offer a variety of body treatments & massages. We like that place, so we keep coming back to that place. Plus, it is walking distance from our hotel. We always stay in that one hotel. If interested, I will get the spa’s info for you & the hotel. Considering the prices for hotels in that area, this hotel is reasonably priced & not that bad @ all as far as rooms, services, pools, etc...

I seriously doubt that the new winery facility is finished @ Outpost, but just drop Frank Dotzler a line.. the winery is waaaaaay up on Howell Mountain in Angwin, and the view is breathtaking....cool, old zin vines up there, too. Angwin is where Bob Foley's new facillity is, too, so possibly give him a shout. It's where he is also producing Switchback, Hourglass, etc.

Quote:

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Carlisle: do they host appts/tastings?

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Am curious to hear the result of your trip to Carlisle. I recently signed up for their mailing list and have recevied very responsive answers to my emails. So, even though I have yet to order wine from them, the customer service is already good!

re Carlisle: sorry, but our schedules did not allow us to make this possible.

Visited on this trip (did not want to go crazy with appts this time around). Some short notes...:

KB: these guyz have great wine & are great guyz! A must stop for me. 'Nuff said.

Outpost: 1st visit & a great one. We met Frank & Thomas B. Loved the wines, bought the wines, & a great visit! Recommend.

Neal: Met Gove & Pyang. Will try to set up another dinner with Mark & Gove in NYC in Nov. We snuck in there w/o an appt.

Herb Lamb: a GREAT couple of hours spent! Now, how to get on the list.

Martinelli: bought some 03 G&Ls.

Rochioli: they were pouring swill. But, it was on the way, we were there for 5 mins & needed some alcoholic liquid in our bodies.

Rafanelli: Great wines for reasonable prices & great people. Now, how to get on the list.

Peay: I can't say enough about the treatment that Andy & Nick displayed for us (above & beyond). Needless to say, as most here know, that their wines are a must buy. And, will only get better... Met Vanessa Wong too.