Yesterday was incredible. Today, a different kind of enjoyment. But to begin, if you can recall the photo I took from our hotel room of the landscape, I mentioned something about what looked like an apple tree. So I went this morning to that area, and, indeed, apples. The drive to Hearst Castle took around 40 minutes. Rough Pacific Ocean near the entrance to the site. Then the entrance. Inside. The visit was essentially a bus tour to the mansion and back. Stopped at the entrance of Hearst Castle. Naval oranges. Oak tree. Hearst Castle. Has 165 rooms. Tour is wheel-chair accessible. Senator, prospector and businessman George Hearst purchased 40,000 acres near San Simeon Bay in 1865. Wife Phoebe. Son William Randolph, who eventually acquired 250,000 acres. William Randolph Hearst went to Harvard, took over his father's San Francisco newspaper, and built an empire Began building Hearst Castle in 1919, and took 28 years to complete. Architect: Julia...
This was one of the most memorable days for all of us. A story surely from fiction, but true and real. More decor from our hotel, plus, outside, olive trees and olives. Then, a short drive to Daou for Petite Sirah and lunch. The surroundings were colorful and tranquil With Linda and Joanne under an umbrella with a spectacular view of the vineyard. These were the wines. No Petit Sirah! Our shared appetizers. There was also a fish dish. BUT NO PETITE SIRAH. Then a walk through the grounds. At this point, we had still not any tasting of Petite Sirah, and not even a grape on a vine. We then drove into downtown Paso Robles, walked around and had beer with mezcal and a beef taco. Then came the magic of serendipity. It would take a long story to get to the point of stumbling into a tasting room of Vino Juan. Here is Juan himself doing the pouring, for the staff member who was supposed to be doing this got ill, and only he was available. Most important of all...