Remember that one time, that I went to California and took forever to post my pictures?  Well, if you do, today is your lucky day because I have more pictures.  If you missed the previous recaps about Tahoe, see here, here and here.  Today, we finally get to our Sacramento/Napa Valley adventures.

We left Tahoe around 7 AM and headed towards Sacramento.  The drive along I-80 is beautiful coming out of the Sierra Nevada’s.  We took the Donner Pass which was highly recommended and even with the smoke from the Yosemite fire lingering, the views the BEAUTIFUL.

We got to Sacramento at breakfast time and found Fox & Goose and ordered up a feast complete with a bloody.  Don’t even get me started on not being offered a beer with my bloody.  Reason #234 that I love the Midwest.  We walked around a little after breakfast and explored Old Town.

We got back in the car and headed towards Napa Valley.  I was beyond excited.  We got into the town of Napa and decided to take the Silverado Trail north.  Katie recommended Milat’s Vineyard to us and said that we would love Bob.  Wow, was she right.  We walked in and were the only people in their little store front.  We were greeted by Bob who was in his sixties and were a nice Carhardt t-shirt.  It was BFF status at first sight.  We just hung out with him and drank for the next hour.  As he had to turn down temperatures in the back and move things around, he just invited us to follow him and help out.  He poured us a glass from one of the tanks that wasn’t quite fermented yet so we could taste the wine in different parts of the process. It was the perfect place for us to spend our afternoon.

I pictured lots of big expensive vineyards that required appointments and fancy clothes.  This guy just loved wine and was excited to tell us all about it… and then go on to tell us that Napa is being run down by commercialization and it just isn’t what it used to be.  We left with a few goodies and a new favorite white wine, the Chenin Blanc.  I can’t complain.

After our visit there, we stopped and had a nice late lunch/afternoon snack and just enjoyed the scenery.

After spending the afternoon there, I totally understand why people love it.  We had beautiful weather and a beautiful drive.  I think I would like it more if we spent more time there, but it just wasn’t going to happen on this trip.  I guess I’ll just have to plan another visit.  Me + Wine + Sunshine = Happiness

Have you ever been to Napa Valley?  What were your favorite parts?