T-Day and the Winery

 

Last week DH and I finally took advantage of a 2 night stay I had won way back in December.  It was at the Croad Inn and Winery, not all that far from here.  We couldn't have asked for nicer weather, and such a unique and pretty place.

 

The day we checked in we met the owners in the wine tasting room, he and his wife are there every weekend to help run the Inn and winery.  Really wonderful and gracious people.  Since it was late in the afternoon, he offered us a tour of the winery....just DH and myself.  He took us into the cellars, which was so very interesting......and we even got to taste wine straight from the barrels......one I just fell in love with.....but sadly it won't even be bottled for two more years!!  We were given a glass of wine and a plate of assorted cheese and crackers, when we finally headed for our room.

 

Since I am an early riser, the next morning I grabbed my coffee and my camera and went outside, there were so many things I wanted to get pictures of.  You can see my coffee cup there on the edge of the fountain (above photo for the T-day gang).  I LOVE taking pictures in the early mornings........I know.....lots of shadows...but I think that is why.  I love to see the fresh sun light highlight the new day.

 

The top vineyard is over 80 years old, not old by comparison to other areas or countries, but I was surprised that THIS area had been growing wine grapes for that long.  Years ago, this winery(not Croad) sold their wine to a Basque restaurant over here in the valley, for their table wine........and I'm sure I have had some...*grin*.  Now this winery sells their wine for $100 plus per bottle!!! YIKES!  I don't think I'll ever be drinking anymore of their wine! 

 

The bottom photo is of one of the Croad vineyards.  They grow their grapes dry.....no irrigation, and they don't tie up the vines, but leave them in more of a bush state.......I found that very interesting.

 

Wayne and Patty took a lot of care in designing their Inn and winery with pathways leading to vista areas, with these metal musicians all over the grounds and pagodas for shade over comfy chairs .  It does get hot in this area too, which is why I was surprised they dry grow the grapes.  But the soil is perfect and they get the coastal breezes, and moisture in the late afternoons and evenings.  This area is about 45 minutes from the beach.

 

I fell in love with the fountains, there were two very large ones.  It was early enough that they had not turned the water on and I could get close up photos.

 

A couple more musicians and a random photo of a arched walkway.  This is actually looking across the walkway to the tasting room......but the wooden door, at the back caught my eye.

 

So this is where I will stop, I took over 100 photos of this place, but only got the above ones edited and ready to post.  Hopefully I can share more of this trip later, but right now I'm headed over to Altered Book Lover-----Elizabeth's blog and link my drink related post, then hop around and see what everybody else is drinking this fine Tuesday morning.

 

I'm not too sure how often I'll get to post after this week.  Next week I start having my granddaughters four days a week.  With one being 6 and the other 9 (almost 10) I'm not sure if I can pull off a "Camp Grandma" this year with their age difference ......but I'm gonna give it a good try.  So my post might be late and a little on the crazy side......just thought I'd throw out the warning now...LOL!!

 

Inky Hugs

Krisha