Another place featured by Guy Fieri on the Food Network's, Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives is Taylor's Refresher in Saint Helena, just up from Napa. I figured this would be the perfect place to end our sightseeing trip up in the wine country area as I've been dying to try their burgers. They are known for the Ahi Steak burgers - sushi grade ahi brought in from San Francisco every day, seared rare (that is the only way they serve it as it would completely ruin the flavor otherwise). So, after a number of wrong turns trying to short cut through the windy roads between Santa Rosa and Calistoga we made it! This is also another place that is known for their long lines so I passed the menu around the car so everyone knew what they wanted and we weren't standing there like dorks! Of course, I knew I was getting the ahi burger, no need to look at the menu, right? Wrong....LOL. They have a huge parking lot and nice picnic area out behind the restaurant and it was a perfect evening to sit out. There were only a couple people in line ahead of us and I went to order and he said they were out of the ahi burger!!! WHAT?!?!?! I've been waiting for weeks to try this and I am here now and you are WHAT?!?! Yeah, sorry, out today....then the salt in the wound came. They just ran about about 10 minutes ago!!!! The snickering that came from my parents behind me was hilarious (of course not to me at that moment though) as Mom pointed out had I not made those two wrong turns trying to find the petrified forest on a last minute whim (which ended up being closed by the time we finally found it), I would've had my ahi burger. (See what no plans cost me OldSchool!! HAHA) So, now I am the one who doesn't know what they want and we have to let people go ahead of us while I scramble to pick one of the burgers. Oh the irony! Of course, I am not a big burger lover so I was rather disappointed to be eating some cow versus the ahi! :-( I ended up going with their Western Bacon Blue Ring burger which is topped with an onion ring with crumbled blue cheese, bacon, pickles, red onion, and bbq sauce on a toasted bun ($8.99). One note,their ahi burger is not inexpensive ($13.99) but given that it's sushi grade fish, I am not surprised. So anyways, I opt for the garlic fries as well since I can never pass them up - theirs are tossed in garlic butter ($3.99) and parsley and they actually look green! And unlike some garlic fries, you definitely cannot accuse these of lacking in garlic! Whoooo Weeee. My parents both ate ordered the Wisconsin Sourdough Burger which had grilled mushrooms, bacon, cheddar cheese, mayo, and bbq sauce on grilled sourdough ($8.99) and they each got an order of onion rings which are battered with local microbrew Anchor Steam beer ($3.99) and a regular order of fries ($1.99). I noted sweet potato and chili cheese fries on the menu too. I was surprised to see beer on the drink list so we ordered a couple local microbrews ($4.50 each). Now that I am writing the review this seems obviously clear but at the time it didn't. It hit me then......the total for 4 people was $68.83!!! FOR BURGERS??!?!? I was still replaying that number over and over in my head as he's rereading the order and I am looking at them to verify this is right while I try to keep from passing out! LOL. We went and sat in the picnic area behind and our food was out in no time. Thank heaven as my Mom practically needed the garlic to revive me! The food ended up being excellent and although I didn't get my ahi burger, I will say that blue cheese burger was heavenly. And the garlic fries, well, let's just say that not even the dogs would still come near me the next day! But they were good!!!! The onion rings are the best I've found since leaving Vegas and the beer battered ones from the Crown and Anchor pub. I can't stand breaded onion rings and often beer battered ones fall quite short of the mark. So, although this was the most I've spent on a burger outing, it was definitely worth it! And obviously I have to go back and will update my review when I finally get my coveted ahi burger with ginger wasabi mayo and asian slaw...mmmmm. UPDATE: Went back on Oct 11, 2008 - OMG....I got my long awaited Ahi Burger! I had to stand in a line of at least 50 people first but it was definitely worth it! The burger is a thick Ahi steak cooked RARE (fyi, they will not serve it any other way- this is a sushi grade of fish, it would be ruined by any more heat than searing) and the giner wasabi mayo and slaw were perfect compliments to an excellent cut of fish. My friend Gavin opted for their regular hamburger and chili fries. Both looked really good (I admit I stole a fry or two...ha ha) - they must have been good as Gavin inhaled them in seconds! LOL They are also known for their shakes so I decided to try their featured one of the day - Pumpkin. I love pumpkin everything so although it didn't quite go with the burger, I thoroughly enjoyed it! Again, it was not an inexpensive trip - my total bill was $21 for the Ahi burger and the pumpkin shake. YIKES! But guarantee, I will be back again!

Steph and Nick wanted to have brunch at V. Sattui and I wasn't sure Michelle and I could make it that early (and we didn't) but we made it nevertheless!  Upon arriving at Sattui, I went downstairs to chat with the cellar club people to see if they could end up accomodating our group since I am one of their higher level members.  They were pretty empty and said they could do a tasting for 10 of us but would be better to come down now versus after lunch.  So, I rounded up the troops and we headed back downstairs to the cellar club.  When I got back inside...I saw Jay!  The Cellar Club Manager and a good friend I like to bug!!! I haven't seen Jay since earlier in 2008 at one of the events so I was excited to see him and he agreed to take our group for the tasting!  Somehow, we ended up staying down there for quite a bit and Jay being the most amazing person ever, let us take the private Gold Room for lunch and would finish off our dessert tasting in there.

We ran back up to the deli and bought bread, salami, various cheeses, olives, etc and proceeded back down to our special room.  By this time, there was really only 7 of us left - Michelle, Nick, Steph, Carol, Jason, Sierra, and me.  It was a nice sized group and we really enjoyed consuming more wine and the yummy food.  Normally, a picnic on the grounds might've been better but the weather was pretty nasty and it was drizzling so this was perfect - no one to bother us, except....Jake I think was his name.  One of the guys had a full size poodle down there who came up to the Gold Room to visit us for awhile! LOL. 

Hard to believe by the time we were done, it was pretty much late afternoon and we called to see what time Domaine Chandon had their last tour and we were off and running.  Hugs to Jay for taking care of me so well like he always does!!! 

This place is really nice to visit when you are in the valley tasting some good wines. One of the best things is they still offer free tastings. They have a very nice picnic area that is free to use. I would come here all the time because my big brother from the fraternity I am in was the head wine maker. He has since moved to WA state, but everything is just as good if not better. They have remodeled the tasting area and it is more welcoming. You can learn a lot about their history and about the differnt areas they grow grapes. I really have enjoyed their Monte Rosa Cab the best. Each year seems to be better and better. The wines are very reasonable.I would recomend a mixed case of their reds. The Zinfindale, the Napa and Monte Rosa Cab. You will not be disapointed.

If a trip to wine country is in your future, I recommend trying to coordinate it with some type of winemaker dinner, a private event, or perhaps a wine blending class - just to make your trip more special. Anyone can visit the wine regions any time of the year but partaking in some of the events unique to the area are what makes your time that much more special and memorable. As I've mentioned in my other wine blogs, Sattui is one of my favorite vineyards and they have some of the best events I've ever attended. One of their most popular is the Tax Relief Party which takes place on the weekend right around Tax Day every year! All the events except (for one where they fly in a chef from Italy) are catered by Tony Knickerbocker, whose menu creations are superb. He has designed a menu for the 2008 event to include roast suckling pig, Spanish paella, and smokehouse bbq options. Usually there are multiple food stations with a wide assortment of options and passed hors d'oeurvres. There is live music, some barrel tasting opportunities, but obviously lots and lots of wine to sample! New releases, some special older releases, and a chance to try some future releases aging in the barrels! Sattui touts this as the biggest discounts available on their wine throughout the year, as high as 27% on cases. And whatever futures did not already sell out at the Barrel Tasting Event in January are still available for purchase at a discount as well. This is a great event to get your "feet wet" in the Napa wine environment without feeling out of place or intimidated if you do not know a lot about wine. Everyone is incredibly friendly and willing to explain the various wines and wine making process. If you are lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of Darryl mingling with guests. For the 2008 event, details are: April 19, 2008 6:30pm - 9:30pm $69.75 pp for members(tax included) and $75 for guests and non-members If unable to attend the Tax Relief party, check out their other events - Fiesta Italiana in July, Harvest Ball (formal black tie event) in September, and the Crush Part in October.

Several months following harvest, Sattui has a barrel tasting party, providing the first opportunity to taste the new 2007 wines.  Over 45 wines are available to taste straight from the barrels and it also is the first opportunity to purchase futures from the 2007 vintage.  Sattui always caters some of the best food and this event was no exception!  This year featured the usual passed hors d'oeuvres, as well as French, Italian, and American stations.

Some may remember my Dec trip blog regarding the excitement of meeting Tom Davies (President of Sattui) while on a private tour...well, this trip I got to see him again and get a picture with him!  Darryl Sattui was walking around but he was so busy and there was just not a good time to catch him, especially for a picture!!!

Based on the early samplings of the barrels, it would seem the 2007 vintage is going to be a pretty good year!  Notes regarding the wines indicated 07 brought excellent fruit, just not a lot of it.  There was a drought in early spring which produced smaller berries which resulted in lower weight clusters.  The bright side is the smaller berries created a high juice-to-skin ratio so the wines should turn out to be fabulous!! :-)  Of course, I ended up purcasing a case of futures (one of my favorites The Morisoli Cabernet - only avaible to Gold Club members, limited to one case). 

All in all, another fun night at a Sattui event and now I am eagerly awaiting the tax relief party  in only a couple more weeks!!!  :-) 

After spending a couple days in San Francisco at a legal conference for work, I decided to take a quick trip up to Napa and visit my favorite vineyard and also the new one owned by Darryl Sattui (Castillo di Amorosa) which opened in April 2007.  

In all the years I've been a member and visiting Sattui, I never have seen Darryl Sattui or Tom Davies (the President).  We were getting a tour and out in the vineyard Tom Davies actually drove up and talked to us for a bit.  When he found out Scott and I met because we shared Sattui as our favorite vineyard, he was clever enough to remind us they do weddings there! Uuuuuh, awkward moment......ok! LOL.  Later on when we were back down in the Cellar Club, Darryl Sattui walked in to hand out Christmas gifts to the Cellar Managers.  What a fun time! 

Jay who used to be the long time Cellar Club Manager at Sattui had recently left but came back about a week ago!  He always takes excellent care of the members but he treated us like royalty.  I am one of their Gold Club Members so we have access to the private room and he let us go get our picnic food and eat down there by ourselves which was just an awesome time! 

Thought I had to include a review of the V. Sattui Winery since it is my favorite! Their wines cannot be purchased anywhere except direct from the vineyard. I've been a Cellar Club member for a number of years now and within the past year, managed to upgrade to a lifetime Gold Club Member (one time 5 case purchase). To be a Cellar Club member, you either need to belong to their wine of the month club or purchase a case over the course of the year. This will allow you access to the downstairs cellar club where Jay, the Manger is now back. All the staff at Sattui are great, but Jay has always been super popular with the members and I was thrilled to see he was back when we were there last month. Sattui has a number of events throughout the year, including the Harvest Ball in the fall which is a black tie event. I've always wanted to go but never made it due to scheduling conflicts or the event being sold out the one time I was able to go! I've been to their Tax Relief Party and the Winter Barrel Tasting is right around the corner! All their wines are great, but several of my favorites are: Duarte Old Vine Zinfandel (no longer available due to Duarte selling off their vineyard for a condo project), Gamay Rouge, California Madeira, Angelica, Morisoli and Preston Cabs, and their Port.

Great restaurant in the wine country! The restaurant is part of the Culinary Institute, which is a school for those studying to be a chef, or current chefs/culinary artists seeking to further their skills and knowledge. Which is a great boon to those of us who enjoy great food and wine! not only is the food spectacular, but the atmosphere is wonderful too! The kitchen is open in different sections so you can see the artists at work! Make sure you make your reservations well in advance,(we made ours 4 months out, i think) as they are VERY popular!

This is a stop I always make when going to Napa Valley.  Located on Hwy. 29 just outside of St. Helena, V. Sattui is a great first stop before embarking on your wine tasting excursion. 

The deli there is great, I have to get the shrimp, roasted garlic and cheeses every time we go since they have picnic grounds outside on the lawn.  Sattui offers a free tasting of 4 of their wines (which is rare these days) and I highly suggest trying their Muscat.  It's the best around.

Spend some time walking around and touring the winery after having lunch and prepare yourself for a great day of wine while in the Napa Valley.  Go early as this place gets busy, even in the off season, and bring your picnic basket.