A Healdsburg Winery with a Nautical Twist!

summer grapes in Dry Creek

Our good friends, Walt and Kathi Bailey introduced us to Dry Creek Vineyard last summer when they met us in the Dry Creek Valley on a stunningly gorgeous day for an afternoon of wine tasting.  They've been coming to Northern California's famous wine country for nearly 25 years - and they know all kinds of cool places to go that we have never been to!

The vines in wine country are simply loaded at this time of the year with plump green grapes, just had to show you!

The last time we had been in Healdsburg was on the 4th of July and many of the wineries were closed, including one of Walt's favorites, Dry Creek Vineyard.  So, when Walt and Kathi came to visit later that month, it was an absolute treat to visit their tasting room and vineyard, not only because they make fabulous estate wines at great price points, but also because the "nautical" twist was so unexpected in the middle of Sonoma County.

(Dry Creek is quite a way from the actual ocean)

Welcome!

Walt and Kathi with Tom - allowing me to take pictures! 

Walt and Tom tasting the famous Chenin Blanc.  Check out the cool rope chandeliers and the  sailing ship painting in Dry Creek tasting room!   This particular painting is reflected in much of their marketing and in their wine label designs.

And the model sail boat on their massive fireplace mantel...

Fun nautical wine related gifts too! 

They have a wonderful picnic area in front of the tasting room, but don't worry if you forget to bring your lunch, the vineyard has a selection of local cheeses, meats and fresh fruit to purchase. When we went up to pick up our wine club selection a few weeks ago, (that's right, I joined the wine club - could not resist!)  we did bring our lunch and enjoyed a bottle of Dry Creek Vineyard's fabulous 2007 Endeavor Cabernet Sauvignon.

A delish red wine that we highly recommend!  It might be sold out (?) currently.. 

"At first swirl, this incredible wine offers aromatic elegance and classic Dry Creek Valley characters of bright red cherry fruit, black tea and dried spices. On the palate, the flavors become harmonious and lush with mocha, plums, cassis, and juicy red cherry elements. The silky tannins are refined and polished presenting underlying characters of earth, minerals and dried flowers. The result is a pleasing and lengthy finish with a smooth texture and a refined structure which offers the potential for very long term aging."

Loved this one too - good thing we took a bottle of it home!  The bottle is a "saver" - the "Mariner" is etched into the glass.

Ah... one more Chardonnay to try before going home.  I would consider serving the 2011 Petite Zin Rose' with our Thanksgiving feast this year.  We did sample a glass while we were there, and it was simply lovely - definitely not a summer Rose', which I am not always a fan of.

Thanks Walt and Kathi!

A Very Special Holiday Wreath

Country Coastal Wreath from Caron's Beach House

I've been wracking my brain for ideas of how we can help the Hurricane Sandy Relief effort. It's been  incredibly devastating for so many families in the coastal areas on the Eastern Seaboard. My heart simply breaks for what these families must be going through to just get some semblance of their lives back, and we'd like to help.

I feel so lucky and blessed to live on the West Coast.  We might have a few earthquakes now and then, but we are never subject to such brutal storms and weather that our friends on the East Coast have to endure.

We've teamed up with my good friend and beach artist, Judy of Just Beachy,  and between the two of us we decided to showcase one of Judy's coastal Christmas wreaths for the Red Cross effort on the East Coast.  We will be donating 10% of each sale from the Country Coastal Wreath to the Hurricane Sandy Relief Effort directly to RedCross.org.   In addition, we will be sending a special donation message with each package.  Perfect for gift-giving for the holidays, and for a great cause.

Thanks for your help and for your support.


P.S.  PLEASE let me know if you have any products or programs that you'd like to promote for Hurricane Sandy Efforts and we will be more than happy to feature on our blog

Thanksgiving Tablescape Ideas for the Coast

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday!  I get to cook (I don't clean up)  and I get to hang out with my family.  I have so much fun getting out all of my grandmothers' china and silverware, then mixing it all together with a few choice coastal elements to create something very festive.  It's a pretty low stress holiday for me.  Love it.

This year, there has been rumors of a trip up to Tomales Bay for Tom's favorite oysters and champagne for brunch....  I will skip the oysters, but will be sipping the champagne!  (Starfish Flutes available on our site)

Here are a few ideas that I have been collecting for inspiration - Enjoy!

From one of my all time favorite holiday articles from Coastal Living Magazine - I actually kept this pinned on my bulletin board long before I figured out how to find it in digital version.  A simple driftwood twig piece,  orange fall-toned dinnerware, mixed with rustic raffia and gorgeous stemware.  Yep, this would work for me!

Wouldn't this rustic table decoration be fun for an outdoor Thanksgiving celebration?  That is, if you are lucky enough to live where it will be warm this year!  So simple, just natural fall leaves and red berries slipped into a large glass vase filled with green hedge apples.  I have no idea what those are, so I would use "green" somethings that are local to our area ie: Granny Smith or even Gala apples would look great.

Here's the rest of the pretty table from Sweet Something! Harvest Apple

Just take a look at this spectacular arrangement! How fun - I especially love the branch coral silverware and the mix of coastal themed dinnerware. The amber glassware is just divine!

You must pop over and see all of the details at Rattlebridge Farm!

Simply fabulous from Home is Where the Boat Is!  Who says Thanksgiving tables have to be orange and gold?  Love the crushed shells and the pretty greens.....

Oh, a travel destination table scape! Now isn't that a fun creative idea??  You could use maps (or nautical charts) for parts of the world that your family has traveled to.  Mix in a few white and brown seashells and you've created something coastal and very special!

Can you just imagine the fun memories and conversations this would start around the dinner table?

Here's the rest of the story - Cabin and Cottage

Simple and easy to create this orange beachy table setting!

White plates, rattan charges, clear vases with sand and starfish - very modern and festive.   It has a Thanksgiving feel without being kitschy.  I like it.  (sorry - not sure of the source!)

Stunning flower arrangement mixed with colorful dinnerware and non-matching glassware.  All presented beautifully on a rustic plank table with very simple table linens.  So pretty!  I think the plates might be Vietri...

Here's another idea - use coastal themed table linens in fall colors!  Add a some fall elements, like tiny pumpkins, and you've got a pretty beachy Thanksgiving table.

From my Gourmet White Wine Steamed Clam post - here's my experiment for another fun "nautical" themed tablescape.  Nautical charts, rope, a vintage lantern and driftwood all create a fun atmosphere for a holiday table.

P.S.  This clam recipe is totally scrumptious!


Have a great weekend everyone!  We are off this afternoon to see James Bond - can't wait.