This blog was dedicated to all things wine. That is, until a recent trip to Belize and I had a chance to stay at an incredible resort in exchange for writing about them. Guess what!? Now I'm also a travel writer! Life's little lessons, don't limit your potentials and possibilities! Soooo, whether you're a wine enthusiast, a foodie, a travel junkie, or a fashionista, this blog's for you! A fresh & fancy look at all the fun stuff that makes life fab!
Showing posts with label Bridlewood Winery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bridlewood Winery. Show all posts
I really should copyright this phrase that I coined about a year ago when doing an article on unique, local places to shop. Being a small business owner myself, I know how critical it is to the heart of our business to have the support of our local community.
I was reminded of these series of articles that I did when a friend recently sent me a forward on purchasing USA made products this holiday season as well as buying from local artisans, supporting family-owned businesses, helping struggling musicians by booking them for your holiday parties, and dining at local restaurants. A feel-good, boost our own hometown movement. I like that. Pitch in, do your part, think locally, give experiential gifts, be unique & shop boutique. Here is the "jist" of the forward that was sent to me (and I threw in a few personal tips as well!):
"This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. It's time to think outside the box. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?
How about gift certificates from your local hair salon (my friend, Ricardo is amazing) or barber?
Guitar lessons? Yoga classes? Car detail? Oil change? (Massages from either of my sisters, Liz has Avani in Hastings, NE and Priscilla has a place in Palos Verde!)
Perhaps you know someone who would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, (try my son's business Kinnanscaping in Omaha, Nebraska) or driveway plowed all winter (Kinnanscaping, again!), or time at the local golf course.
GIVE TO A CHARITY that you know will do some good!
My friend's charity, Baakari!
What about a month of breakfast at the local cafe? SUPPORT your home town... Americans with their financial lives on the line need to keep their doors open.
Incredible Rustico's!
Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? She would love the services of a local cleaning lady for a day, month, or year.
My computer could use a tune-up, and I bet I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.
My friend's store in Murrieta
Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.
Plan your holiday outings at locally owned and operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. Musicians need love, too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.
Christmas is and should be about caring anyway! Let's encourage American small businesses to keep plugging away by helping them keep their doors open and dreams alive. When we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine. Let's make this the new American Christmas tradition."
Belize is a blip of a coastal country in Central America and something of an anomaly for the region.A little melting pot of cultures, terrain, and tourist attractions.When they say that Belize offers something for everyone, you better Belize it! With tumultuous times in Mexico, Belize offers beautiful resorts, sandy beaches, Mayan ruins, tantalizing rum drinks with naughty names, and, mostly, safe travels.
Culture and Comfort found here
If you’re looking for an idyllic place to stay, try the tiny, laid back Belizean island of Caye Caulker.Caye Caulker is a beautiful tropical paradise located five minutes away from the second largest barrier reef in the world, and only a 30 minute water taxi ride or brief commuter flight from Belize City.Slip away to complete relaxation or zoom into full throttle excursions of snorkeling and scuba diving with nurse sharks, manatees, and sting rays.Take a trip down the river with spider monkeys and crocs on your way to see the ruins of Chetumal, Mexico. Be lazy and set sail on a romantic, sunset rum cruise around the island.Whatever your heart craves and your soul desires, it may be found on this island where your only mode of transportation is by foot, bicycle, or golf cart.
The serenity of Seaside Cabanas on Caye Caulker
Take it easy upstairs or down at the Seaside Cabanas in Belize
Quaint thatched roofs and seaside cabanas offer respite
Reluctant to travel to an unknown destination and take your chance with unchartered hotels?After enjoying nine days in this sanctuary of sun and surf, my top choice is Seaside Cabanas.Intimate and romantic, combining beautiful blends of Mexican and Belizean architecture; Seaside Cabanas is only a shell’s toss from the ocean and offers a freshwater pool, cabanas with fabulous roof-top sundecks, ten additional rooms with verandas and views, anda quaint, two-story bar with covered palapa where 2-1 rum drinks are served all day, every day!
The friendly and knowledgeable staff is second to none and provides guests with assistance in booking tours, travel arrangements, and tips on where the freshest, tastiest lobster dinner in town can be found.Seaside Cabanas offer a continental breakfast, which serves as a greeting time for guests to meet, mingle, and compare notes on various adventures in and around the island.The gift shop has an array of local art and souvenirs as reasonably priced as any street vendor without the hassle.
The manager, Israel, and his friendly staff at Seaside Cabanas
Bright colors welcome weary travelers at Seaside Cabanas in Caye Caulker
Plenty of fun in the bar, Uno Mas, at Seaside Cabanas
Each room offers all of the conveniences and amenities that weary travelers expect and are designed to make your stay pleasant and memorable.Enjoy their bamboo furniture, cable TV, DVD player, mini fridge, remote control air conditioning, and even telephones where they’ll preload your phone to call anywhere for about $1.00 Belizean.There’s an ocean view from almost every point at Seaside Cabanas with hammocks, padded chaise lounges, and a thatched cabana just perfect for watching the boats come in.
Fresh catch of the day grilled surfside!
Caye Caulker is known for friendly folks who are primarily English speaking, offers world class water activities, and first class relaxation.Step into another world that asks you to “Go Slow.”Be charmed and enchanted by all that the island has to offer.This three mile island has sandy streets that allow you to stroll along barefoot, take in the brightly painted clapboard buildings, and pontificate with the locals!
Caye Caulker is sure to surprise and delight visitors from around the world.Book your winter escape now.Call the Seaside Cabanas at (501) 226-0498, email them at info@seasidecabanas.com, or visit them at www.seasidecabanas.com. Tell them Debbie, The loveable Winemaker’s Wench, sent you!
Local children enjoying their island
Sleepy and serene fishing village
The picturesque mangrove tree is plentiful on Caye Caulker
The famous rum drink of Belize,
The Panty Ripper!
Fresh catch of the day - YUMMMMM!
Cooked to perfection & ready to share
Going slow for sure
No skimpin' on the Lobster at the Tropical Cafe!
Belize it!
A welcoming band sits above the luggage belt at the airport
No caption needed!
Oh yeh, that be a banana pancake with fresh fruit
A local favorite for breakfast, Cafe Y Amor.
Begin or end your vacay with a visit to this amazing spa on Caye Caulker
Travel writer & bestie, Sue Richter with The Wench gettin' around with ease
on bikes from island mainstay, Mario's!
Friends gather at the island's swankiest restaurant, Habenero's.
Travel writer, Sue Richter (L) and Moi (R)
One would think that actually being The Winemaker's Wench, it wouldn't be a big deal to sit next to a winemaker at an event. Wrong! I was thrilled to find myself plunked down next to Bridlewood Winery's very own surfing winemaker, David Hopkins. It's true. Winemaker's really are the rock stars in the world of wine. Although a colleague and I recently debated whether the general public could care less about who the winemaker of such and such winery is, I stay firm in my opinion that the winemaker is the lord and master of a winery. True, also, that good wine begins with stellar vineyard practices; however, a great winemaker can turn a so-so wine into something delightful. I digress. Enough about the winemaker. How about those Bridlewood wines and the chosen food pairings from the quaint, inviting setting of Bo-beau Kitchen and Grill of San Diego.
Thanks to an invitation from my travel & fun writer pal, Sue Richter, I was thrilled to accompany her to this perfect evening under the stars of the open air patio with walls at Bo-beau's in San Diego. We opened our evening with a lovely 2009 Monterey County Chardonnay, which was creatively paired with...brussel sprouts! Yep, brussel sprouts for grown ups and served as our starter...set in a crispy pancetta, parmesan, and basalmic mixture that was amazing. The Chardonnay was also served with a delish spinach salad complete with shaved fennel, cumin toasted almonds, and tasty, crunchy chick peas. Another advantage of sitting next to the winemaker? No way is your glass ever allowed to be empty. That's just insulting! Thanks, David!
Next stop on our tour was David's self-proclaimed most prized child of all, his 2009 Monterey County Pinot Noir. He compared this wine to your perfect child. The one that never gave you any trouble, received all A's, and was the Valedictorian of her class. That sums up this beautifully crafted Pinot Noir. A few weeks later, I was thrilled to find this wine in a little Fareway grocery store while on a trip back to Omaha, Nebraska. You can bet I was snatching up this little jewel with happy exclamations of oh's and ah's! The chef at Bo-beau's, Katherine Humphus, surprised us all again with a unique pairing of croque madame tartine cooked to perfection.
Chef Katherine and her pizza baker
The fourth course was far and above my favorite for both the wine and selected fare. The 2009 Red Blend 175 was a symphony of flavors combining a cab, petite sirah, and a sirah in a bountiful blend. But, here's the real kicker...10% Viognier is ingeniously infused in this red blend. Magic! When complemented with an unreal chorizo flatbread with serrano, marinara, five italian cheeses, and basil, it was like a John Phillip Souza March in my mouth. Stars & Stripes forever SALUTE to San Diego heritage and California Red Wines!
The taste madness (that's like the kids saying something is sic, that's really cool! In this case, madness is like so way good!) doesn't end there. The fifth course cascades into our being with a fab cab from Paso Robles. Also, a 2009, (there seems to be a pattern here in the year we were served!), this Cabernet Sauvignon stood solid with the bold taste of rib eye au poivre, herb butter, haricot verts, and pomme frites.
Just when we think we will be like Mr. Creosote from Monty Python and truly EXPLODE if we eat one more bite, they launch one last course barrage of sweet delights with a lovely 2010 Late Harvest Viognier and tahitian vanilla bean + seasonal berries in a scrumptious creme brulee. Both wine and dessert were incredible in their own rights. Not being one for overtly sweet wines and desserts, the combination was not one of my preferences, not to diminish the quality of either. I would have chosen a fluffy angel food cake or simple New York style vanilla cheesecake to accompany the honey goodness of the Late Harvest wine.
Oh, I know what some of my fans have been thinking while reading this post. The Winemaker's Wench is all about keeping it real, boutiquey, and local. Yes, true. However, my main goal is to educate about all things wine and all wines. Recent statistics just announced, that for the first time in history the USA finally showed as many wine drinkers as beer. This is HUGE to those of us in the wine world. There will always be those times when you are out of town (in Omaha, for example!) and you are in the mood for a solid wine that you aren't going to break the bank to purchase (a modest $14.99), and you can find it in a local grocery store (like Fareway!). Don't you want to know what a sure bet will be?!? I thought so! Here you have it!!
Bridlewood Winery is located in a picturesque setting outside of Santa Ynez, California and known for wines that reflect the eclectic diversity of their region. The winery also combines the beauty of wine with the work of local artists and has recently unveiled a new gallery on the estate. Enjoy strolling around the manicured grounds, gazing at art, and sipping on first class wine. Oh, and on your way back home, if you're heading down the coast, be sure to wave at David as he's sure to be out catching the last wave of the day before making his way home.
