99 Wine

On Murisa's birthday this past week, Murisa, Bill and I headed up to Santa Barbara for a day trip. Little did we know what we had in store for us.

We arrived just in time for lunch in the town of Solvang, which happens to be the Danish capital of the U.S. We dined at a charming Danish Inn, of course ordered the cheese plate, then strolled the town with it's cute shops ... and delicious bakery. Seriously, this place was amazing. See the cookie near the bottom half dipped? Yeah, that one. Amazing.

After our cookie coma, we headed over to the town of Los Olivos. We did a few wine tastings, Bill was kind enough to buy Murisa and I two bottles of wine, which I believe we will be enjoying this weekend since our boys are out of town. Scratch that, we will definitely be enjoying them this weekend!

While at Consilience, a local by the name of Patrick walked in. Ironically, Murisa had met Patrick a few weeks ago and they remembered one another. Patrick invited us all to his restaurant where the town was having a celebratory dinner for a local wine maker, Joey Tensley. Tensley Wines had just been scored, that day at 3pm, a 99 by Robert Parker, which is apparently a big deal in the wine world.

So of course we took Patrick up on his offer and headed over to his place. When we got there, Patrick had out over 10 bottles of wine and simply said "grab a glass, pick a bottle, but pick this one, it's the best." Murisa and I followed his advice, without even looking at the bottle. We followed Patrick to the kitchen area of his restaurant (which was closed for the evening), he showed us the tomatoes he grows in his own yard. They were so beautiful, all bright vibrant heirlooms -- reds, purples, yellows. And the funny thing is, I used to despise tomatoes. It's only in the past year I've started eating them (I know my mom is laughing while reading this thinking "I knew you'd like them one day!"). Makes me look forward to the day I have a garden of my own.

A few moments later, Joey Tensley arrived. He had in his hands two bottles of his wine, both Syrah's and both just rated -- one a 99 and the other a 98 (but who's being picky here?).

Bill and I with Los Olivos wine makers

We headed over to the table, a little timid at first, but then Joey simply said "Here. Have some wine." Of course, he's drinking a Corona (the best wine makers NEVER drink wine). There we were, sitting, drinking, talking and hob-nobbing with these Santa Barbara townsfolk. Yep, that's right, I said townsfolk. I'm from the South, I know townsfolk when I see them. Everyone was so friendly -- every random local walking by was invited to join us out on the patio, and of course, grab a glass. No biggie, it's just 99 rated wine.

Patrick had disappeared for a while ... turns out, he was in the kitchen ... prepping a HUGE meal in honor of Murisa's birthday. He brought out on a silver plater a huge summer salad, with butter leaf lettuce, grilled chicken, corn, and of course, the heirloom tomatoes. But he wasn't done there. After the salad had been demolished, then next dish was a delicious duck paella. And of course there was dessert. Fresh berry cobbler, key word fresh. (It's needless to say that we were spoiled to the max, and I'm still feeling a little afraid to put on the brand new skinny jeans I bought last weekend...it's probably more of the Danish cookie than then fresh food from Patrick's!)

What an amazing night we had. Who could have even had planned for this? As the night began to die down and we said our thank you's and goodbye's, I did a little sneaking (this is so my mom coming out in me). The lights were off and the table hadn't been cleared. I decided to go for it. I stole the empty 99 bottle.

As soon as we were on the road and on our way back to Los Angeles, I reached my arm through the center console up to the front seats to proudly display my thievery. "SURPRISE!" Of course Murisa was cracking up, but Bill, well he was up to his own no-good. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the missing piece -- "What's the bottle without ... it's cork?!" Bill and I had stolen pieces of wine history, but more importantly, pieces of our little family's history.  

Murisa a little flustered over her birthday meal, and of course, the wine.

Happy Birthday Murisa, enjoy the memories from the wonderful day and empty bottle and cork - which I hope will serve as a "mantle" piece in our office one day.