Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Get thee to a winery!

Food Czar 005


It seems like wineries are popping up all over - it's no longer necessary to head to Napa or Bordeaux for a tasting and nice scenery. In fact, going down the road to Grapevine, Texas makes a great everyday vacation!

This past weekend, the weather was absolutely perfect. Perfect! A few clouds, temperatures in the 70's, light breeze. So my husband and I got in the car, opened the sunroof, and headed to La Buena Vida winery on College Street in historic Grapevine. This wonderful winery not only serves their own wines labeled as either La Buena Vida, La Bodega, or Springtown, but they also pour several additional labels as well. We decided to stick with the $7 tasting of 3 selections from their local listing, and while we probably loved the Cabernet the most, we decided on a bottle of the Blush to take out to the patio.

Ah, the patio! What a delightful place. There is lush landscaping, and Spanish-inspired tile fountains in an impressive mission-like setting. We selected a table near one of the fountains, opened our bottle, and "drank" in the sunshine and pleasant atmosphere. Later, we indulged in the tapas menu, settling on a snack of boursin cheese and crackers.

In the summer months, the patio at La Buena Vida is equipped with misting fans to keep you cool. In addition, Thursday evenings and Saturdays bring live entertainment to the patio - you don't want to miss my favorite, Andrea Dawson, who performs smooth jazz & blues there on a regular basis.

Don't live in the North Texas area? No problem. Check around your area for wineries within easy driving distance. If no wineries nearby, I'll bet you could find a pleasant tasting room. We go to lots of wineries throughout Texas, and all have their own unique pours and personalities - I'm sure you'll find a favorite, and enjoy the search!!

Taste some samples, then buy a glass or a bottle of your favorite, and spend a few hours getting away from it all, only you'll not have actually gone too far away.