Kiddie Birthday Weekend Part II.
So after my 5-year old Hawaiian jumper Saturday, I didn’t know what to expect on Sunday. Mind you, Sunday’s party was for a 1-year old; my good friend Doug’s daughter, Siena. A one-year old’s party is a whole different animal. There were lots of babies running around (actually lots of mommies running around with babies on their arms), and Siena got to sit and play a few notes on ‘baby’s first piano’ which was a gift from her parents. Loads of cameras, kazoos and party favors too. And some Foxen.
Yes, like Fernando the day before, Doug had stocked up on grape juice so that he, and all his friends with kids, could enjoy the party as much as the babies. To accomplish this, Doug turned to a reliable source of good wine, Foxen Winery in the Santa Maria area of Santa Barbara County.
It’s a must-stop any time we do a Santa Barbara tasting trip, and you may remember it from the movie Sideway, in the scene where Miles and Jack stop at the vineyard and Miles gives their Chardonnay a passing grade. When driving through Santa Barbara wine country just off highway 101 on Foxen Canyon Road, the place is pretty easy to spot: the weathered redwood tasting room with the corrugated metal roof beckons the thirsty to come in for a taste.
When I got to the party, a nice chilled glass of 2007 Foxen “Ernesto Wickenden” Santa Maria Chenin Blanc was handed to me. Chenin Blanc of course is a variety of white wine grape, originating in the Loire valley of France and known for its high acidity.
It was nice and cold and a pale shade of lemon yellow. The nose was filled with aromas of fresh flowers (kinda like a viognier), and tangy pineapples and a hint of ginger on the palate. Nice and crisp and perfect for a Sunday afternoon birthday party.
Once we dug into the homemade panini sandwiches from Chef Doug, the bottle of 2007 Foxen Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir was poured. Spicy berries on the nose, were followed by a mouthful of velvety cherries and raspberries and a touch of vanilla. Also, it should be noted that sipping on the lovely pinot made the children get a little quieter.
By the end of the party, all the kids had gone home, Siena was playing a little number on the piano and Doug and I were sitting on patio chairs finishing the Pinot. Sort of a Sunday afternoon at my favorite piano bar.
Sort of.
Cute piano… nice wine. It is like being in a piano bar… sort of.