Catch a good thing while you can - CHEERS! St. Helena is coming to town this Friday

Thankfully the feel-good folks at CHEERS! are back at it this week (Friday September 4th / 6-9PM) with the best excuse yet to celebrate the onset of harvest and everything that goes with it. If that’s not a good enough reason to get in on the action, it’s Labor Day which means you have ample time to recover from all of the food, wine, and frolic that this month’s swing around the CHEERS! maypole is sure to instigate. The formula doesn’t change (which is a damn good thing – why mess with a job well done?) so we can expect wine pours from hottest grapevines in town (70+), music from our local vintner-musician set Wristrocket (playing until 10PM), bluegrass from The Flat Earth String Band, merchants opened late night (6-9PM), a bounty of street meat and food, and of course social interaction with a few thousand of your closest friends, tourists and neighbors. Rumor has it you might even spot a 50-person marching band trolling our town's streets. Admission is free and open to the public. If you want in on the wine tasting magic $35 beans grants you free tastes from all those that are pouring for the occasion. And parents need not be concerned because just like last month childcare and activities will be on deck for the little and mid-sized set. If you’ve yet to hop aboard the CHEERS! good times express (or the Napa Valley Wine Train) what are you waiting for? Time is literally running out. This is the last rendition where streets will be blocked off for the outdoor event action, and October marks the final social of 2009 (yes grab you’re hankie and pray for some sort of social miracle – like extending the frolic for months to come). So go ahead, even you commitment phobe types (you know who you are!) get over yourselves and commit to a rollicking good time this Labor Day weekend. You'll be glad ya did.

If only every day were a Hall – O – Day!

TGIF! It has taken me a week to recover from the wine goodness that Hall Vineyard threw my way last week. Go for broke on these bottles baby! No, seriously. They’ve got their Napa Valley collection and the Artisan collection (these gems are sold in small lots). Jack’s Master Piece Cab is just that, a masterful work of wine art (both the bottle and its contents). I was fortunate enough to taste its lush yet light richness (yes these traits all contradict one another, which is probably why this wine works so well), sadly not lucky enough to score a bottle of my own, as this pup is sold out. I’m not sure what you would need to do and with whom to score some of this, but start by joining their wine club and mailing list so you’re in the know for the next batch. Darwin was another dilly of goodness in its 80% Syrah/20% Cab blend, rich, smooth, silky with mucho berry bravado. My favorite of the night was the Diamond Mountain District Cab, also in limited release – so get some now! If you like a cheery/blackberry mash-up in your wine, with a sensuous bite to it, smack your lips all over this one and enjoy basking in the aftermath. And the Napa Valley estate collection is banner too. The Sav Blanc was dry, crisp and fruity, and the Cab is deep and jammed tight with cherry, currant, and spicy goodness. So go ahead, declare today a Hall – o – Day and hit the wine trail in search of the good folks and grapes at Hall, where every day feels like Friday. Wacky WineSense Rating: 4.70 Grapes!

Steve Lucky & the Rumba Bums at Bodega Festival

This Saturday and Sunday brings the Bodega Seafood, Wine, Art and Music fest, all antics that are my middle name. I've never been personally but the street cred on this ditty is strong. One thing I do know about is a kicking hep cat band Steve Lucky & the Rumba Bums that will be playing at the fest on Sunday 12:45-2pm. This is worth the drive in and of itself. The lead vocalist and guitar beast is a woman no less (Carmen Getit - even her name is hep to the jive) who can whip any fool out on the dance floor. So hit the the not so long trail out to Bodega (summer is drawing to a close so catch the waves while you can!), slurp some wine and food, get artsy for the day, and slide onto the outdoor boogie flooor and remind yourself that life out in these parts gives you something to dance and sing about just about everyday of the year.

One redeeming morsel from LA's Venice Beach

It is rare (ok next to never) that I ever have anything nice to say about my former stint as an LA resident (6 years too many), and especially on the food front. While it is one of our biggest cities I have never been wowed by the food, not even close. And believe me I wanted more than anything for there to be something that would offset the many not so cool things about living there (smog, traffic, more smog, plastic people, and more smog). Unfortunately the food was not that something. But on a recent jaunt back I finally found something worth typing about at a hip (aren't they supposedly all in La La land) Venice Beach haunt in the Abbot Kinney district called Gjelina. Folks clamour to get into this place at all hours of the day, and for once, it is rightly deserved. Everything here from the rustic minimalistic communal table style decour on up to the fresh small plates, cut to order cheeses and meats, smart and savory takes on veggies, mussels that made my own explode just by sucking these babies down, and their uber thin crispy pizzas (my fav was the lamb agiaso). All cry worthy, as were a handful of wines. But all of that goodness aside the desert that draws me and calls me to make the blessedly long journey to SoCal is the Butterscoth pot de creme. It sounds like a simple dish, and one I would typically pass up, not being a huge fan of butterscoth, but this thing is, there is not other way to put it (children hide your eyes), simply orgasmic. And it's impact and memory last well into the night. The rock salt garnish tops off this decadent delight just right and reminds me of a super gourmet pay day bar without the nuts. It is so rich that you could share, but so damn god I would never dare. After 6 years in LA I finally found something to shout about. If you find yourself subjected to the area, Gjelina is a must stop, but call and book ahead. Otherwise you'll be left staring from the outside in, which is an eye candy better than any wannabee BranJelina could ever be.

Brown (Estate) my new favorite wine color

I had the fortunate luck of stumbling into the folks and the fine wines of the family owned and operated Brown Estate at Acme Wines Friday tasting. While Zin is my middle name and the future name of my would-be-dogs and children, not all Zins are created equal nor are Chardonnays and crazy concoctions called Chaos Theory (a 60/40 cab/zin blend). While I typically scoff at those that criticize me for conjuring up chaos in my life, in this instance I take that tag as a compliment. The name of this vino (Chaos Theory) lives up to its reputation – a chaotic explosion of rich and heavy fruit, along with floral and cappuccino tendencies, with god knows what else, all colliding in my mouth, a place that I wanted to spend the rest of my night in. While this wine was paws down my favorite, I came back for seconds, thirds, forths, yada, yada for the lot of them. The 2007 Zin (Chilies Valley) was a lively jammy-bold fruity concoction. The Chard was the type I can get behind, more pineapple fruitiness than tangy grapefruit, with scant traces of oak and butterscotch – I wanted to pour it over my hand and suck it for desert (and remember I’m not a fan of whites). And as if all of this goodness wasn’t enough they spoke to my rambunctious side with the little ditty called “Arrested” Zin (code name for desert style wine). This speaks to those that like their sweet wine not so sweet – it was rich without being overpowering. I attempted to sip this for the rest of the night but the tasting sadly had come to a close, and I was forced (not really) to vacate the premises until next Friday. I had visions of sweet wine sugar plums dancing in my head well into the thick of the night. Wacky WineSense Rating: 4.75 Grapes!

Acme Fine Wine Fridays

Looking for something to lead you off the tasting trail and into your Friday-night-happy-hour-pre-dinner extravaganza? Look no further than St. Helena’s Acme Fine Wines. This joint takes the wine store concept to sultry new levels. The minimalist-industrial-swank style décor make you feel more like you're in a hip sun-kissed lounge than a place to buy primo wines. I felt cool just by the association of standing in their shop. They showcase sought after and slurp-worthy wines on a wall shelving unit that bordered on looking like a piece of fine art, as opposed to being a wine perch for displaying the vino. Acme hosts weekly Friday tastings from 5-7 (get on their PULSE mailing list to learn what's up each week), where they fetch up a new winery each week, that brings their tasting room to you, in the comfort of Acme's vibe'in shop. Whether you come in for the tasting or to shop for a great wine in hopes of wooing a neighbor or would-be suitor, the owners of this establishment are there to serve you in more ways than one. They offer a bounty of wine club options from choose-your-own, collectors club, and the big Kahuna. I’ll let you do some digging to find out what that baby is all about. Hang out, buy, sip, slurp or just slide into a bench and soak up the ambiance. Shopping never felt so fine - this from the proclaimed anti-shopper. Wacky WineSense Rating: 4.75 grapes

Summer Swings at Oxbow’s Public Market

It’s about time that us locals (and tourists posing as locals can apply) got a break and the Oxbow Public Market was just the place to provide it. One-stop shopping for all your indulgent food and drink needs. Locals night (Tuesdays) serves up a bounty of food, frolic, and slurp-worthy beverages. Too much to cover in one quick swoop, but here are some shenanigans that I suggest you partake in. While I love to slurp wine as much as the next, this Tuesday I found something almost as enticing. Sucking down cheap Hog Island oysters and brew skies. And I don’t mean cheap in the sense that you will spend the night in the emergency room spewing out sullied seafood and PBRs, no sire. Cheap as in succulent oysters ($1 pop – I kid you not) and Class A beer (3.50 a pint) all on the cheap from 5-7PM. And you even get to be entertained as you slurp and suck. Live music (6-8PM) hums in the background ranging from jazz, standards, blues, techno (well, not really) and beyond. I followed up with killer, knock-you-off-your-diet-for-life cupcakes at Kara’s. I thought about eating one of everything she had to offer but opted instead for a Sweet Vanilla (inside and out) and Fleur De Sel. Each made me cry tears of food joy for different reasons. The butter cream frosting was just the right balance by not being overpowered with butter and not so sweet as to make you go into sugar shock. For local’s night you can get cupcake minis for $1 (one per/person minimum – so augment with the reg. size). I have it on good accord that the banana caramel one could convert even the most devout non-sugar fiends. Cheese, cheese and more cheese at the Oxbow Cheese Market. Belly up to the cheese bar and order yourself a slice of the Caveman. And I don’t mean that strapping young gent that’s eye chickies from the wine bar, it is a cheese my friends and a damn tart/tangy/tongue defying blue one at that. I had to be peeled off the cheese fridge. Finally when my belly and liver could take no more I slid out to the terrace and planted my butt in a chair and enjoyed the sites of new friends and old dancing in some of the delights that bring this fair city to night – a night where food and drink finds are friendly to the locals that help make this joint and town hop. Wacky WineSense Rating: 4.5

AUGUST CHEERS! – standouts of the night – so many to count!

All I can say is to give those chaps behind CHEERS! St. Helena a raise! Good clean small town fun is hard to find, and even harder to rely on, but month after month CHEERS! has delivered a bang up time and then some. With only 2 more socials left for the season (the doors close in Oct.) I challenge us town-folks to ban together and instigate a riot. The point? To inspire the gang at CHEERS! to rustle up a new social incarnation to transport us through the stone-cold nights (ok how cold can it really get here?) of wineward winter. Who’s with me on the crusade? But back to some of the showstoppers of the night. So many wines grappling for attention and more than a handful got mine. Here is the run down on wines that I was more than happy to slurp. Faust's Cab, in one word – sinful. In a few words, ruby red rich berry goodness. Petite Syrah – how I love these, Raymond's won my heart. I’m not sure about you but I tasted deep smooth black currant goodness as I slid it down my wine tube. I love when a white wine sidles up to me and knocks me off my red wine high horse. Joseph Phelps’s Sauvignon Blanc did the trick. Beautiful pineapple explosion! Chappellet’s Merlot turned my blushing cheeks in their direction. It was light and beefy (if wine can be such things), quite a pairing in one smooth slurp. And not to leave out the price busting find of the night in the quirky Quixote’s petite syrah. Dry, kicking, tasty and downright spunky – despite a night spent power-tasting, it brought my taste buds back to life and the affordable price is downright delightful. And since CHEERS! has much more to offer than just wine the tunes of the night are worth a mention, especially Taylor Brown and his sway-worthy acoustic sounds. I hate to make comparisons but if you hail from the Jack Johnson side of the music house, check this kid out because he gives old Jack-O a run for his strumm’in money. I can't be certain but that guy next to Taylor looked a lot like Doug Strewblow from the CHEERS! gang, regardless, he’s got some pipes too. And I wanted to raise just one more glass to the folks at Martini House for hosting (unofficially) the post social after-party, not sure how many people is reasonable to squeeze into that tight little bar space, but the crowd was beyond CHEER-ful. Wacky WineSense Rating: 5 Grapes!

Boutique really is better when it comes to the Wine Country Inn

People are ever-confused when they visit Napa which leaves most staying at over priced under-performing hotels in the heart of the city as opposed to seeking out quaint gems tucked between hilly grape-filled countryside towns like Calistoga, St. Helena, Rutherford and Yountville. The Wine Country Inn gives you a little bit of a lot under one beautifully posh yet cozy-comfy B&B nestled into nature giving you a real slice of wine country life. You've got stellar views, outdoor patios, along with superior bungalows and suites that can make even the crabby content. If that ain't enough they top things off with home cooked breakfasts that go well beyond B&B norms (homemade apple sauce, granola, cobbler and an army of other tasty delights including baked breads, create your own waffles and European coffee that put hair on my girly chest). And they don’t stop there folks! They offer up a custom wine tasting tour that’s built to your own interests and wine preferences and they continue the magical madness with their afternoon wine, app/snack social. It transports you out of your tough day on the tasting trail and ushers you into the next phase of the day. Every day they hand pluck select vineyards to pour stellar wine in the comfort of the Inn. Nothing short of rejuvenating and readying you for a tasty night out at some of the best bite joints around. They can score reservations at the hottest tickets in town from the intimate to the scene-y or whatever else in between). Hospitality, spa services, amenities, and concierge with a heart filled of grapes are why folks get hooked into life-timer status at the Wine Country Inn. They all but had to kick me to the wine curb (though they were too kind to do so), because, if given the chance I might've shacked up as a permanent resident amidst the bliss that busted through the grapes of the Inn’s grounds. Wacky WineSense rating: 5 grapes!

The reindeer games start early this year…CHEERS!

Even though the blissful days of winter are months away the reindeer games are kicking into gear later this week. Friday (August 7th) marks the 4th installment of CHEERS! St. Helena where a bounty of good clean fun comes riding into a neighborhood near you. If you’re adverse to driving out of your own town comfort zone just hop aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train that is porting peeps to the party from Napa and Yountville, allowing just about anyone who wants to, get in on the festivities. On the first Friday of every month (through Oct. 09) St. Helena’s main strip closes down to car-folk and opens up to street-folk. Standard crowd pleasers stand including wine pours from 70+ vineyards that graciously set up their makeshift tasting rooms inside and out of the hottest shops in town. Get slightly snockered while you shop (don’t mention that you heard that here)! Hang out for free at the friendship lounges located at each tip of town (Hunt & Adams St. closures) and catch live tunes at Ana’s Cantina and outside Neiman’s Motorcycles. The CHEERS! gang has even set up a kiddie corner and (child care for the small fries, activities of the older tots) bike valet so leave your four wheeler safely parked at home and get your butt on a bike. The antics start at 6PM and end at 9. This is your chance to meet an estimated 3000 other reindeers that have decided life is too damn happening to hibernate at home. Admission is free. If you want in on the wine, individual pours are available for purchase, but I recommend the evening pass for $35 beans. What more of a stimulus do you need - 70 swigs in a two block radius. Having attended every CHEERS! since my arrival in town, I’m going rate this bash before it even happens because that is how much of a good time you are guaranteed to have. Wacky WineSense rating: 5+ Grapes!