Thursdays - the New Friday.

Last night we went out for dinner for a coworker's birthday at Uva in downtown Napster. I had a spinach salad (yummy) and the asparagus gnocchi. It was delicious but the pancetta was too salty and there was too much cheese. That's right, you heard *me* say too much cheese. I really didn't think that was possible! Maybe I was still full from the two MASSIVE slices of Filippi's pizza I had for lunch at the warehouse. In any event, yes, there was too much cheese.

A bottle of Etude Pinot, Elyse Zin and an Italian Barbera were ordered - they were all divine. The Pinot was smooth and delightful, the Zin was a kick in the shorts, but the Barbera was by far the best. At only $36 a bottle - it was a steal and more than worth the price. I'll have to see if anyone remembers the producer and find it somewhere.

We capped off the night at n.v. - which I think stands for Napa Valley. In SF, there's a club called Club NV so I always think of that when I hear people talk about n.v. in Napster. It was swank and mod - I dug it. And guess what - there's a Mervyn's in Napa! Why did I not realize this? It just seems random to me...and why can't it be a Macy's? Ok, or an Old Navy.

Cheers to finally writing about wine again!

I Love it Here.

I like coming to work. I never thought those words would escape my mouth. Ever. Not since my Video Droid days when life consisted of getting up at 10am, making a bagel and smoothie, watching Jerry Springer at 11 (keep in mind I was 21), heading to the pool at noon, laying out until 3 when it was time to get ready for work, starting work at 4, watching Office Space or Disney movies (they make the time pass extremely fast) or Swingers over and over and over, getting off around 10:30, heading to Friar Tucks or the 8 Ball in Cotati, staying up till 3am, go to bed, and doing it all over again the next day. Man, that was the life. I mean really, who wouldn't love that?!

But alas, I have grown up, and Jerry Springer doesn't really do it for me anymore. Now laying out by a pool, that's different. With this growing up thing, I have finally found a place that I like going to day in and day out, and I can't wait to get really settled.

As for the home life - nothing new to report. The frogs are still loud, even through the double-paned windows, though I haven't heard the rooster through the closed windows. Good thing, I might have shot him by now. The place is still a construction zone with some hazardous materials and conditions thrown in, but it has such potential! Of course, saying a house has potential can sometimes mean the same thing as saying that someone has a nice personality. You know what I mean.

Cheers to pool days and fun jobs!

What Is the Deal?

My life has been a whirlwind! Moving out of the condo completely, learning this job, moving, cleaning, moving, cleaning, setting up, taking down, eating at Chevy's two nights in a row...what a weekend.

I wanted yesterday to be the last day I was in the condo except to clean and then get my stuff out when I sell (please be soon...). Wenis came over and helped all day - moving and packing and moving and emptying. My realtor came over in the morning and we all went to look at the 2bdr/2ba that just sold. It wasn't as awesome as it looked online which is good for me! Around 1, Wenis and I went to the open house next door to mine (hope to crush the competition) and I proceeded to completely lie to the realtor. I told her I knew nothing of the complex, that I was just looking at open houses, the lies go on and on. It wouldn't be so bad except that she kept drilling me, and then I ended up giving her my full real name! What was I thinking! At that point, Wenis and I couldn't move more out of my condo because she'd see us, so we took what we had to the new Napa house. I'm a dork. Where's my t-shirt that proclaims that?

I decided to sleep in the Napa house last night for the first time. It was pretty cool, but the frogs are SO loud and a lovely rooster starts its open mic night at 6am. That was not a pleasant sound.

This morning, I started up the shower and tried to find clothes in the disaster zone that is my house. The water was cold. It wasn't getting warmer. At all. I realized then that no one ever changed the hot water heater back to normal - the previous owners had it set to "Vacation." "Vacation" does not give me a warm shower. My only option at this point is to throw on some clothes and head to the office, where there are showers in the bathroom. The only clothes I could find were the jeans I wore yesterday, complete with paint and dirt, and a zip up sweater with nothing underneath. Let me tell you - I was HOT. I got my hair done on Saturday afternoon, and she styled it like they do with lots of product, which by this morning looked greasy and dirty and mullet-y. I burst into the office, plowing past the receptionist and hopped in the shower.

Once again, I had to get ready for work somewhere other than my own bathroom. And the stories, they just keep a'comin'.

Cheers to showers at work, frogs and roosters!

Blogging. The Super Fun Pasttime. For me anyway...

My co-worker, C-Money, and I were just talking about blogging. I made a mental vow to blog more often. Since I'm passing out my blog URL more often, I want to be sure there's actually something for people to read. Though I'm sure that most people aren't as interested in what I have to say as I am, I know that I get addicted to other people's blogs a lot (like BlogMasterG's, my good buddy in NY). It's a glimpse into other people's lives, and even if you don't stay long or visit often, you know just a little more about that person, and you have an instant bond.

I dig it.

Cheers to blogging and more of it!

What a Week!

Highlights from the week:
~Had a meeting with some people from my favorite store
~Hung out with those folks and my team
~Stayed in a sweet hotel
~Sat in on a meeting with some folks from the a commission that is all about my favorite vegetable (fruit? vegetable?) that makes guacamole
~Moved my life from a condo to a house

Now for some details on the funniest happening of the week...
Tuesday we had a meeting with the buyers from a certain store that I love. If you know me, you know what this is! After the meeting, my boss and our sales guy who calls on this certain super store went to a dive bar to play some pool before we met up with those buyers and my boss' boss for dinner. Napa Valley Grille was not what I expected - very fancy pants given the name. The food was declicious and the conversation was hilarious and random. After dinner, we headed back to that dive bar for some more pool and bonding time. My boss and I played pool once the pool leaguers had headed out. It was the worst showing of pool I have ever had ever. I was crushed 5 times by my boss - unfortunately my review rides on my winning. I used to be a hustler - what happened to me? Time to buy a pool table.

While we were chatting, my boss' boss got me a room at the hotel nearby so I didn't have to drive all the way back to Sonoma. For the 6 hours or so that I spent there, it was amazing! If I had had time, I would have built myself a Duraflame fire, sat on the balcony, and taken a bath in the Jacuzzi tub. As it turned out, getting in at 1:30am, I went straight to sleep and woke up around 8am to shower and bolt outta there. I had to get to my favorite store to buy clothes and toiletries for work that day.

After checking out around 8:30am, I headed to said favorite store to get clothes, toothbrush, toothpaste, and makeup. Everyone knows how high class I am, and this just proves it. Since I had already checked out of that wonderful room, and I was at the super store in my gross, smoky clothes from the day before, I pulled a perfect Walk of Shame moment.

I purchased the clothes and toiletries and headed for the super store bathroom. I changed into my cute new outfit, brushed my teeth, combed my wet hair, and put on the brand new makeup I had gotten. That's right - all in the store bathroom. Only three people came in and out while I was getting ready for my day, and only one gave me a weird look. I hope the people watching the security cameras got a kick out of my transformation.

I think I looked better than day than any other day at this job so far. Go figure.

Cheers to the Walk of Shame and sweet hotel rooms!

One Company Owns the World

Smoking Loon & Pepperwood Grove are owned by Sebastiani. Barefoot & Dancing Bull are owned by Gallo. Stag's Leap & Chateau St. Jean are owned by Foster's (Australian for beeeah). I find this extremely interesting...but I know it means that very few companies actually exist. It makes the world a very small, and somewhat scary, place. I used to love researching who owns who, and now it's not so glamorous. The wine industry is just like every other business - choices are made in the name of the almighty dollar. That's fine - I'm all for makin' a buck - but in an industry where obscure names take on a certain mystery and intrigue, knowing that a big guy owns what you thought was a small, fun label, sort of ruins it.

That said, I am learning that even though that may be the case, the big guys owning the majority of labels, the integrity of some acquisitions is maintained. Single vineyard still means single vineyard. The winemaker may have stayed on board and is still producing amazing wines, s/he just has a different ultimate boss. The label may stay the same, and though seemingly deceptive, it just good marketing.

Cheers to wine integrity!

PS - Can wine have integrity? Seems like a stupid thing to cheers to... How about this instead - Cheers to the bigger wineries who value the environment of a small winery - they're the reason I have a job!

My Blog, How Do I Miss Thee

It's been too long since my last post - a lot has happened and I'm trying to get my bearings! We closed on the house, signed the papers, and on Thursday the keys will be mine all mine. At the same time I'll be doing a little work on that place, I need to get my condo in tip top shape for a sale! Do I sound like an HGTV show? I should, it's all I watch lately!

We went to Mustards last week - it was very enjoyable. The food, the weather, the company - all perfect for a Friday. I certainly lived it up that day, going to Market with friends for dinner. Talk about delicious carbs. Of course I got the mac & cheese (very adult, remember?) and a side of cornbread. I like my food all the same color. We topped off that carbalicious dinner with some amazing s'mores (that's right, s'mores) and some brownie-ice cream heavenly thing. Did I mention I've gained a pant size since I started this job? It's a bittersweet fact.

Today was amazing weather-wise - it's definitely a beautiful thing to live in California. Days like today, with the sun up till 6:30 and the temps in the 80s, put a smile on my face and a spring in my step. I needed both of those!

Over the weekend I had some of The Show - it's quite yummy. The label is awesome, the wine is good, I'm a happy camper.

A Month in...

It has been almost one month since I started here, and though I am probably still starry-eyed with all that happens here, I am still extremely happy! Even the work I have to do is fun (I know, I know, I'm blinded by the stars in my eyes.)

Writing copy is so much fun! Here's my gig: Write wine tasting notes without tasting the wines. Is there soemthing wrong with this picture? On top of not actually tasting these specific wines, it has been challenging since there are only so many words for "delightful" and "refreshing" and "palate" and "aroma." Thesaurus.com is my new best friend. I hope that this copy makes it onto the final label so that when I go to the store I actually see it!

So the house. The details didn't seem to scare off my parents, so the house is ours! We'll sign the title papers within the next week or so, and then it's go time. Move half of my furniture into the new place to stage the condo. Paint the red wall to appeal to more buyers. Start painting the new place, rip up the disgusting carpet, tear out the vanity and mirror in the bathroom, and start updating fixtures & lighting. Pray my place sells QUICKLY.

Cheers to wine tasting notes & new-to-me houses!

Not Quite in the Groove

This week has been the first week of actual work. My official orientation ended last week, though today was field trip #3. I got to meet one of the sales reps in my group along with some reps from a distributor. As everyone said, they really are a great group of people. We headed to two of the tasting rooms today, with a lunch at Silverado Brewing Co. in between. I tried so hard to get a salad, and ended up with a French dip instead. So much for eating healthy. I need to join a gym just to work off the past three weeks.

The reps are long-timers, some have been in the industry since before I was born. I won't be telling them that tidbit though. No need to make anyone feel bad - just yet anyway. I did score a vest with one of the logos on it - nice way to end the meeting!

I'm still getting the hang of my responsibilities, and cannot wait until the day that most of this is second nature. It's a good thing I was blessed with a great memory, especially one for names, because that's everything in this industry. So far, so good.

Cheers to more tours, more tastings, and free logowear!

Swig, Swirl, Suck in air, Spit

The 4 S's of industry tasting. That seems to be how it goes.

Field Trip #2: Far Away Winery Tour & Tasting
Today we headed up to the Far Away Winery to do some tasting and get a tour from the winemakers. The facility is incredible - state of the art - and a perfect subject for some amazing photographs. I'll be heading up very soon to shoot like crazy. We tasted about 19 wines, and I did my first swig, swirl, spit. You see that technique #3 is missing for me...I can't figure out how to suck in air. The wine just dribbles out of my mouth. I must master these techniques because I can't actually drink 19 wines while working. Wine tasting for me has always been "swallow" and not "spit" as the 4th S, so this will be an adjustment. "Swallow" can also be replaced with "drink & enjoy" though that's not an S. Homework item #572.

Today was amazing - it was such a pleasure to meet the winemakers. The tour was casual, friendly, and extremely informative - another great bunch of people.

Cheers to the 4 S's of tasting and again to field trips!

Enjoy it While it Lasts

I am floored (in a good way) by how this company treats their employees, how active they are in the community, and how generous they are...every employee I have met so far reiterates this fact. The people are awesome - everyone has been extremely helpful and patient with the newbie.

Field trip #1: St. Helena/Napa Tasting Room Tour
Today I got to see each of the properties and taste many of the wines we produce. Yep, you read that correctly, I got to taste wine and go on a tour for almost three hours today. I'm starry-eyed. I'm in heaven. I know that the real work will start, and soon, but I will remember the past few weeks and revel in my experiences. Good thing this is all extremely fascinating to me - it'll be a while before it feels like work.

There's a house. It's in southeast Napa. It's cool. It's big. It could be all mine - stinky, dirty, blue carpet and all. The inspections were done today - it's an old house so the electrical is original, the hot tub is making the deck rot quickly, there's some funky plumbing going on under the house...all in all an interesting report. Doesn't scare me. Ok a little. Unfortunately, all I see is a house, spacious and in need of some TLC, and a shorter commute. The rest are just details. Potentially expensive details, but details nonetheless. And I want all those details to be mine. See a dangerous pattern with my starry-eyed attitude?

Cheers to field trips and old houses!

Aren't We Lucky

To the poor folks of Minnesota, and I'm sure many other places in this country: I'm sorry you can't buy wine at Target. Granted, I have yet to buy a bottle of wine at Target, though if I were running errands and already there, it sure is nice to know that I CAN buy wine at Target.

This little tidbit is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the Do's and Don't's of wine sales and distribution. I have been surprised by the laws of many states - laws that seemed to have been passed right after prohibition and never reviewed again. They all seem like such a hassle! Another reason it's great to live in California.

There is a freebie table in the coffee room here, and since I'm new to the industry, green so to speak, I still think that free wine and swag is cool. So far I snagged a license plate frame that reads "Forgive me for I have zinned..." (awesome) and a 1.5L of wine. Yay for me. Hopefully when I get a permanent desk I'll be given a lot more stuff to fill up the shelves.

Cheers to buying wine at Target and the free table!

Wine. Chocolate. Enough Said.

Wenis and I made it over to Rodney Strong's Wine & Chocolate Fantasy event today. The wine was flowing around the entire barrel room, and the chocolate was plentiful, but what made the day (and it worth the $30 each) was the moneymaker-shaking, smile-inducing, soul-warming tunes of Earl Thomas and his 7-piece band.

The wines were hit or miss today, which surprised me because usually I love most Rodney Strong wines. The reserves definitely trumped the rest in every varietal, prompting us to go back for seconds on the cab and zin. It also helps when you get an "I Got Knotty" sticker with the zin. Stickers will do a lot for sales, or tastes in our case, and Wenis and I may be showing up with our own someday.

And the chocolate...yum. Can't really go wrong here.

Later, my gals and I hung out at my place, chatting it up for a few hours. We then randomly went to Napa for some delicious Chinese food and ridiculous conversation. At the wine bar, I sat in my reserved saddle seat (no one else but me knows it's actually reserved for me of course), while I had the pinot noir flight. The Taz "Fiddlestix" was my least favorite, but I ended up trading for Bean's $16/glass Rudd cab which was yummy. We headed back home to watch tasteless television - American Idol from Tues & Wed. I love my DVR.

Cheers to bad singing and saddle seats!

The Second Friday

I have now completed my second week here. I am pretty burned out, but in a good way. Is that possible? For the first time in my life I think it may be.

Superbowl Sunday, Cornbread and I tasted at Sebastiani. Neither of us had been there before, so it was a perfect day to do a couple tastings after a late breakfast (I guess when we're older, we'll call this brunch). The tasting room gal was extremely friendly, chatting with us about the wines, the grounds, the history, the old labels, you name it. It was such a pleasure having her as our pourer...many times the staff won't even look at you, let alone talk to you about the winery & wines.

Cheers to friendly tasting room staff!

Wined & Dined

Since I started this new job only a week ago, I have been wined & dined to death. Well, not sure that that's actually possible considering how much I love food & wine. So I may die of a heart attack...the food is plentiful & rich, and the wine is everywhere. Takes some getting used to. AutoCAD boxes in offices didn't exactly thrill me - wine bottles, now that's office decor.

Today will be my fourth "work lunch" - basically someone in the office taking me out for lunch for orientation. My favorite orientation in existence. Not only is today's lunch paid for by someone else, but it's Rutherford Grill, home of my favorite side dish in the world - wild rice salad.

So far I have enjoyed lunches at:
~Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen: papaya & avacado salad - absolutely delicious but quite small and a little pricey
~Market: Top two of the best mac & cheese I've ever had (Underwood in Graton is the other)
~Pizzeria Tra Vigne: My first experience with a piadine - basically a small pizza crust with a caprese salad on top, folded in half like a taco and sooooo good. I ate the whole thing, which is an accomplishment given its size, but not a surprise coming from me.

Cheers to wine industry new-hire "orientations"!

You learn something new everyday...

On January 19, I learned that you can move on.

Last Tuesday, I learned that moving on is actually quite scary...yet thrilling.

Yesterday I learned that there was finally a name for my age group (those of us between Gen X and Gen Y): The Millenials. Sounds like a trippy 60s soul rock band.

Today I learned that there are no wine writers in the industry between the ages of 21 - 30.

Today I decided to change that. No, I won't be writing for Wine Spectator or Wine Enthusiast, or even the Napa Valley freebie papers, but I will write here as often as I can. I'll tell you about my adventures in the world of wine (probably referred to later in this blog as WoW, because I know how many people dig acronyms), tastings, reviews, people I meet, and more.

Cheers to starting a new life!