Welcome to Favorite Places. The purpose of this weekly feature is to share some of the places we’ve been. They are places that stay with us for one reason or another. We’ve been in northern California for the winter AND the spring as my handy-man husband helps our son, Christopher and Genevieve work on their new house and it’s property.
We’ve taken a little time off to see some special places around the area. Last week we drove over to Napa Valley via the back roads. I’m not exaggerating when I say that you can see vineyards everywhere.
This picture is of one of the more scenic areas. You can see some new grape plants on the right and the older plants to the left. Beyond the flat fields you will see vinyards growing up into the hills. Every spare space is used for the growing of grapes. The railroad tracks in the front of the picture is for the Napa Valley Wine Train. It’s a nice excursion for wine-tasting and gourmet meals.
In addition to vineyards you will find elegant Winearies where you can also do some wine-tasting. If you are a wine connoisseur you can purchase wine club memberships at local vineyards which will entitle you to wine-tastings, tours, parties, and bottles of wine. It all depends on which membership you buy.
We also found a small herd of cattle. We had to get off the road and drive back in for a closer look. A few weeks back, Zetor of Mog’s Blog shared a picture of her part of the world in northeast England. In her picture was a herd of cattle called Belties. I thought these Oreo-looking cattle were only in England but no, here they were in Napa County, California.
Rolling hills, lush green pastures, unique cattle, plenty of wine – yes, definitely one of our Favorite Places.
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I’ve been lobbying for years to go to The Fearrington Country Inn in North Carolina because they have belties and I wanted to see them. My husband couldn’t imagine why we should go. But a trip to wine country is a different story! So this is very exciting. I have it all planned already for tonight: a bottle of wine, a bag of oreos, and a proposed wine country itinerary…! Thanks for the great info!!!
Oh my they look just like the ones in my photo, it’s a small world. They originated from the Border country, between England and Scotland. Thanks for the mention in your blog.
Interesting looking cow. I’ve never seen one like that before. He does look remarkably like the one on mog’s blog. Napa is a fun place to go. Unfortunately California wines give me a headache and the sniffles.
I’d love to take a trip to wine country in California. I’ve spent a summer in LA and a week in San Fran, but no Napa tour yet. We did do a tour of the Finger Lakes in New York a few years ago that had more wineries than we had time for! It sounds like you have enjoyed your time in California
Well this is just about in my back yard.. and we love to go to Napa… awh… I love everything about it.
Hi Margot,
Your California wine country photos are just lovely. Thanks for sharing.
What about your favorite places NOT on the west coast.
Here in Indiana I cant wait to have you find some new favorite places this summer.
J and I went to SFO for my 40th birthday, rented a jeep and drove to Sonoma for a day — gorgeous, gorgeous part of the country!
I love the “Oreo-looking” cattle (maybe they produce chocolate milk)! Had you seen them before, or did they stand out after seeing them at Mog’s Blog?
We have driven through Napa Valley and seen the scenery you portrayed. I do not drink wine and Andy didn’t really either at the time – he does more now – no – I have not driven him to drink! I remember it was so frickin’ HOT there though. We stopped in Calistoga for lunch – that was a pretty town.