California Christmas: Days 1-2

We decided to spend Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa Lindstrom out in California. Since it is a long way from Ohio to California, we spent a little over a week out there. We had a great time and Inga was a wonderful little traveler. Since we did so much I'm breaking up the trip into multiple posts.

We left Ohio on Thursday before Christmas at about 4am. Our flight left Columbus at 6:30am. It was a very early morning for all of us and a very long day. We flew with 5 pieces of checked luggage, 2 carry-ons, and Inga in our laps. We felt like real pack mules. I am very glad we chose Southwest because none of the checked bags cost any extra fees.

In the Oakland Airport with all our bags

We didn't do much that day other than travel. We headed for my parents' house to get some sleep.

The next day my parents took us to a couple wineries in Sonoma county near Healdsburg. I had never been wine tasting in California and insisted that we go this time. We had lunch at the Bear Republic Brewery in downtown Healdsburg. It was a pretty good place for lunch and the waitresses loved Inga.

Inga and Grandma Lindstrom at the brewpub

After lunch we drove up the Dry Creek valley to Ferrari-Carano. The area is known for its zinfandels and this winery was suppose to have an excellent old vines zin. They had a nice pinot grigio and excellent zinfandels. We bought a couple bottles to ship home. There was a tasting room in the basement that had the premium wines, but they only allowed people over 21 in that tasting room. Given how wonderful their regular wines are, I might order a premium bottle. The winery grounds were immaculately manicured and a real pleasure to walk around as well especially in such a beautiful day.

You touch the boar's nose for good luck. There was a whole story that went along with the boar that I don't remember.

Zinfandel grape vines

Part of their beautiful gardens

Grandpa Lindstrom and Inga sporting the same hairstyle

Wine cellar

Enjoying the sunny weather

Next we headed down the valley to Dry Creek Vineyard. They also had great zinfandels and a crisp fume blanc. The two people serving the wine really loved Inga and her wild hair. They were so overjoyed to see a baby Sam was able to talk them into opening a bottle of the special vintage served at the SAG awards ($125 for a magnum). The grounds were also very pretty and great for a picnic, but it was getting late in the day and time to head home with the little peanut.

Sonoma county was more beautiful than I remember it and the wineries and towns had a very relaxed atmosphere. It is definitely worth another visit and more wine tasting.