Dreamy Preston Vineyards

6 / 16 / 145 / 3 / 15

Healdsburg is a magical little place isn’t it? Sometimes I think it’s too precious for me, but then I have a few glasses of wine and I take that thought back. I recently went to Preston Vineyards, which has a bocce ball court, picnic tables, a farm, and homemade bread and olive oil. It’s just too cute for words. Literally, so here’s a photo gallery.

Get here early to take advantage of the produce and picnic tables. Bocce ball is closed on the weekends.

Got the travel bug?
Preston Vineyards
For picnic goods in the area head to Dry Creek General Store.

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Fancy and Fresh: Tacos at C CASA

5 / 18 / 115 / 3 / 15

A few Saturdays ago (yes, I’ve been a bad blogger) I skipped Oakland’s first battle of the taco trucks because, aside from my general aversion to anything screaming Cinco de Mayo cheesiness, I already had the best tacos I could have possibly tried that day, at C CASA.

C CASA is one of about twenty gourmet stalls at the Oxbow market in Napa, where you can start your morning with Ritual Coffee, have an oyster snack at Hog Island, make a top hat with the amount of frosting on Kara’s Cupcakes, and even get your fruits and veggies at the farmers market on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

The prices at C CASA are a bit jolting at first. You’ll look at the chalkboard, you’ll grimace softly, and you’ll whisper to the person next to you, “do you think that’s $6 for just one taco?”
But then you’ll look a little closer at the menu and notice that the meat is grass fed or free range, the seafood is sustainable, the produce is local, and ingredients are being combined in unusual ways, in unusually big forms.

Each taco we had came piled with a mountain of some kind of greens. There was a carnitas taco with pineapple, avocado, and coleslaw. A duck taco with goat cheese, tangerines, and baby spinach. Spiced lamb with aioli, mint, and microgreens that tasted like Istanbul and Mexico City had a baby taco. I was completely satisfied with one, although I did think about getting a roasted duck to nibble on during the ride home.

The tortillas were fresh, the mango agua fresca was of not-too-sweet perfection, and the outside seating was adorable. Good Mexican food with a twist of bougie, you know you like it!

Got the travel bug?
C CASA

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Wine Country (off the stuffy, tour bus path): Mazzocco

9 / 15 / 106 / 16 / 14

So you know about wine, you know what you like, and you know how to bullshit well enough to thrown in the occasional “blackberry notes” and “barnyard nose” commentary if absolutely necessary. But if you’re like me, you only really want to schmooze about wine and stand at a counter listening to tourists or annoyingly sophisticated people schmooze about wine if it’ll get you some free pours. Which it will, if you’re a cute girl and/or slightly charming and down to earth. Here’s one way (and there will be many more ways from Ferronlandia) to enjoy the best of the wine country without compromising your wallet or your company.
If you’re a Zin lover like me then Mazzocco Winery is for you. Zinfandels are their specialty and they get better and better as you go down the tasting list. My favorite was Maria, she’s full-figured and berrylicious, I’d curl up with her and some dark chocolate any day.

And speaking of food (oh, were we not talking about food?), before you stop at Mazzocco you should continue on and make a left on Dry Creek Road to stop at the Dry Creek General Store. They’ve got all the essentials: Salami, truffle tremor, gourmet popcorn, baguette and… well, if you feel the need to balance that meal, a delicious beet salad. Take it all to Mazzocco and ask to bring your wine glasses outside (they’ll even let you borrow a knife for your cheese cuz they’re cool like that). Sit in the picnic areas that overlook the vineyards and indulge. Cheers says Danny.

Got the travel bug?
Mazzocco: http://www.mazzocco.com/ Free tastings, bottles range $30 and up.
Sto’: 3495 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, CA‎ (707) 433-4171‎

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