Day 8, Wine at Contadi Castaldi

Yawning, as you can see by our bulletin board note...we're scheduled for an early morning departure from Lake Maggiore.  Bags out at 6:45, breakfast starts at the same time and we're to be on the coach at 7:45 am, ready for departure.

Welcome to day 8.  Our tour guide posted signs like this every day on the bulletin board at each hotel, so incase we forgot what he told us, we always had a reference.

Our itinerary for the day says we're following the southern fringes of the European Alps to the vineyards, close to the shores of Lake Iseo.

The purple twins for the day, perked right up at the sound of wine, vineyard, and snacks.  See how ready Jeanie and I are!  We've shaken off the sleepy early morning start and have disembarked the coach to Que up for wine tasting.  

But, before we get to drink the wine, this good looking guy wanted to talk to us.  LOL  He really did have all the ladies attention, as he described the process and location (see maps behind him), about this vineyard.

 We continued on with the promise of getting to taste the wine.

 He even showed us how they rotate the bottles, explaining as the process continues the need to tip the bottle more comes into play and these special wine racks help accomplish that task....even though they are manually turned...one bottle at a time.

 Back upstairs, I spot some rather large wine glasses!

 The tasting room was quite pretty with flowers about

Glasses and bottles a plenty lined up....can we have a drum roll.

We enjoyed our tour and wine tasting at Contadi Castaldi, and now it's time to board the coach and make our way to Verona,  O Romeo, Romeo wherefore art thou Romeo?

PLEASE leave me a comment when you come visit, so I know you were here. Your visits and comments are very special to me.

Day 4, Continued Fattoria Dianella and Montecatini

You saw Ern and I just as we were observing the pretty hillside view of the vineyard in the previous post.  This was our Dine at Home experience.  Which means a local invites you to dine in the home...in this case her Mediciean villa.  Veronica welcomed us and told us a bit about her family, and the vineyard.

We had a tour where a member of her staff explained the process of making wine.

The types of grapes they use: Sangiovese, Colorino, Vermentino, Malvasia, and Sabernet Sauvignon.

Then we settled in to do some wine tasting and have a delicious meal, that seemed like it would never end.  One course after another paired with appropriate wines.  Fantastic meal, and lots of fun.

 Lots of folks having a good time.

In a beautiful setting, with good food and wine.

This group was paying attention!  This was an included item in our tour, not an optional pay extra item.

Can't take credit for this lovely photo, it's from their website.  We walked around outside for a few minutes, while some were in the wine cellar (yippee my hubby Ernie was) buying wine.

Wonderful photo of Veronica and her husband Francesco.  Also from their website.  Please take time and visit their page.  It's a B & B.  You can stay there, you can go taste wine, you take cooking classes there, and you can buy wine!!

This is me...excited as our case of wine from Dianella winery arrived yesterday!  We opened one last night at dinner.  Naturally we were having a pasta dinner!

Thornton Winery

Welcome to Thornton's Winery
(W post)

located at 32575 Rancho California Road, Temecula, CA  92589.  We've been to Temecula several times now and have tried several different Wineries, but I believe Thornton's would be our favorite.  We had a fabulous lunch, and

wine tasting.  There were 3 of us, one got all reds, one a mix white, rose, and 2 reds, and

I had a flight of champagne. 

With your flights you get a description to help you remember which ones you liked.  See my 2 stars.  We ended up ordering a case of Champagne, 6 bottles of each.

Desert was beautiful and delicious.  We shared it, all of us were full.

Walked around the gift shop and this gave me a idea of something I perhaps should try with all my saved corks.  I've got several zip lock bags full of them.  Though it's been a little over a year since I saw this...and well the corks are still in the zip lock bags.  lol

Still needing to do a bit walking to help with being so full, the gift shop wasn't enough.  We toured the grounds, which are quite pretty.

I went through the gate and got Jane, and hubby before they started down the steps.

A good day, a full day.  We headed to San Diego from here to spend a few more days before heading home.

Great place for adults.

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations. (5)

Lunch in Bluffton South Carolina at 55 Vineyard

The 55 Winery in Olde Town Bluffton also called 55 Vineyard is located at 55 Calhoun St and is a must stop when visiting Olde Town Bluffton.  A great day trip, only about half an hour from Hilton Head.  As you can see very quaint little winery with a wonderful wine selection.  It's rustic interior is very comfortable whether sitting at one of tables made from wine barrels or the small bar.

 They have an excellent and very comfortable patio, covered for sun protection with outside fans during warmer weather.  The menu is varied.  We opted for personal pizza and a choice of adult beverages for lunch.  It's peaceful and relaxing there on the patio.  Even has a porch swing at one end, several rocking chairs in addition to the tables and chairs. 

 Another view of the inside.

 Oophs, my wine glass is empty.  This problem can be solved as I preview the list of what we've already seen and what we'll see next on our walking tour of Bluffton.

 Hey, let's try a picture of the two of us.  The kids manage to do it all the time.  Typically, we're not able to get both of us actually in the picture, so this was a surprise.

You can see the rockers, the pretty greenery.  It doesn't get alot better folks.  Great food, super service, wonderful atmosphere and lunch outside on the patio.  Add this to your list of places to stop and enjoy yourself.

*hope you've enjoyed the newest Menu Monday post, even a wee bit early, check back next week*

How to Safely Pack Wine and More

When we travel, here there and everywhere......Domestically or Internationally. We always pack kitchen essentials to aid us. This small Bread Dipping Seasoning pack is just the thing. We have larger ones at home, and have been (until this new find), packing those. We like to cook in a good number of our meals. This seasoning pack has 4 different blends, all good for seasoning your olive oil for dipping bread, or adding to pasta (always a favorite meal for us). I also think you could use this to flavor meat for the grill (beef, pork and chicken). The Flavors in this blend are: Sicilian Blen, Tuscany Blend, Parmesan Blend, Rosa Maria. 4 Flavors, 4 separate shaker areas, and the whole thing only weights .60 oz....perfect even when flying vs traveling by car.
Wine carriers a MUST in our travels. These come packaged 3 in a container, we recently purchased 2 packs. We've used these in the past with wonderful success.

1. They are easy to use, slid the bottle in and Zip it shut
2. Since it seals well, should there be a breakage the wine would be contained
3. They are well padded inside, but better then bubble wrap it's a super absorbent cushy fabric....which not only protects the bottle against breakage; but offers back up protection to minimize liquid.
4. They mold nicely and can easily be worked into your luggage.

One bottle of wine typically weights somewhere between 3-4 pounds, depending on how thick the glass bottle is. It's a good idea to weight what you're taking, as they all won't be the same. There are different limits of what you can take Internationally, depending on where you're going. A while back hubby and I traveled to Mexico and each person was then permitted to carry 3 bottles in their luggage.
Both above items were purchased through Amazon.com. SuperPoints (click on above badge to join). I belong to SuperPoints and earn points, I convert my points to Amazon gift cards and shop........when you're order is $25.00 you don't even pay shipping. SuperPoints is both a way to make and save money. You can clip coupons to save money, buy daily deals to save money on items you would probably purchase anyway...but this way you earn points to do so. You can watch video's and or play games.........again you earn points. You can spin the lucky wheel daily to win additional points. Joining if free, and easy. 3 Simple Steps:

1. Click on above button and join
2. Verify your email addy
3. Fill out your profile...........that's it, you're now ready to earn points.

I might suggest you use a separate email account in order to keep things separate from your personal and or business email account.

The above items are only a few of the thousands of things you can purchase through your amazon gift cards. You can always convert your points to Pizza Hut, Best Buy, and Starbucks gift cards.......and more. Additionally, you can turn your points into PayPal Money.

Join today and start earning, and keep checking in for helpful travel information. Travel Safe

Mon Ami Winery, Port Clinton Ohio

Mon Ami winery has changed hands many times. It was originally Catawba Island Wine Company which was first organized way back in 1872 by a group of Islanders who grew grapes, though most principally the 3 families were: The Ellithorpe, Neals, and Laudy's. They made 130,000 gallons of wine. (pictured above Me, Julie, & Jan)

In 1937 the winery was purchased by Mon Ami Champagne Co. when they moved from Sandusky after the 18th amendment was repealed. At that time 55 men produced 400,000 to 500,.000 bottles of champagne and wine a year.
(picture from parking lot looking towards outside eating area)
In 1945, after a terrible fire gutted much of the winery the first floor restaurant was added.

In 1956 it once again changed hands. It was purchased by Norman Mantey, another Sandusky wine grower who's family had been in the business since the 1800's.
The Meier's Wine Cellars purchased Mon Ami in 1980, making it the largest producer in the state at 40-50-,000 gallons of wine.


(a couple brought their pet with them who let me get a photo)
Another purchase took place in 2000, when renovations of the main dining room, the chalet were done as well as a complete over haul of the kitchen. Additionally, a new gift shop was built. Throughout it's many changes of ownership it has maintained the name of Mon Ami.

(outside bar area and picnic area beyond)

Today Mon Ami attracts visitors from all over to it's wine tasting, tours, and restaurant. Wine tasting is offered at $1.00 a taste in a relax and fun tasting room that adjoins the gift shop. You can dine in or out; and be entertained on Friday and Sat with live performances. Happy hour runs from 4-7 pm Monday through Friday. A special Sunday Brunch is available. Banquets and weddings in this beautiful historic setting are also available.




We had a ball and enjoyed our lunch outside followed by wine tasting and I highly recommend it. .





When you go, the baked brie is a must!