Wine Caves, Taking Chances and Organization-Part Deux

Gargiulo Vineyards

In case you missed my piece two weeks ago, this is the second and final part to my series on learning about taking risks reaching for the stars AND organizing things all whilst sipping wine in the confines of a wine cave. I could also title it “Bachelorette in Napa” because one of the reasons that I was in Napa was for my friend Aerin’s bachelorette weekend. And in case you’re wondering whether it was just the wine that lead to my epiphanies, I assure you it was not. These were not your average Napa tourist wine tastings. Aerin’s friends are serious wine aficionados, which meant serious wine tastings or maybe not serious but at least not the type where you all get blottoed and pass out before 5pm. Oh and two of these ladies took all of these amazing photos, thanks Jill & Kathryn!

Our first stop was at Gargiulo Vineyards, whose owner Jeff Gargiulo and employees were so interesting and friendly, living and working in a picturesque setting so dreamy, that I would’ve bought them and the place that day if I were on Fantasy Island—and lest I forget to mention as I did during my last entry, their wine was delicious.

Our next stop, and my favorite, was Hourglass Vineyards where we essentially got a mini course in wine making, the history of Napa, and taking chances in life all from the proprietor himself, Jeff Smith, who was a mix of East coast prep and West coast surfer cool. He practically exuded happiness. What is it with happy Napa vintners named Jeff? We got this unique opportunity because we had an in with the owner and it was a treat.

Hourglass WinesWe heard about how he ended up inheriting some of the best land to grow grapes in the valley—his dad moved the family out on a hunch in the late 60s and started a bed & breakfast when Napa barely had any hotels. How before he became a vintner he was a grape farmer—he sold his grapes to vintners until one of his main customers refused to buy his grapes one year because they thought they were such high quality he ought to be making his own wine and so he did. How he created his super, cool wine caves carved into the mountain on his property—lots of blasts of TNT and digging. How he ended up with an extra room in the cave mainly because it was just so much fun to blow things up that he didn’t want it to end. Although, they now have a vaulted cave room where they host large dinners so I’m betting it was actually all part of a grand plan. And lest I forget the important part of the tour, his wines were out of this world.

These organized barrels relaxed me even before a sip of wine— all in a row & matching—it’s a Classic’s dream pantryAs someone who took the straight and narrow path for three decades, it never ceases to amaze me how things can come together with a loose plan as long as you’re willing to take calculated risks along with a little elbow grease. The lesson for me—outside of blowing things up is fun—was that sometimes it takes a shove off the plank to get yourself headed in the right direction. I should know as I’ve been shoved off a plank or two in my life—it’s painful and scary until you get to shore and thank your lucky stars that you’re not still out at sea. I left Napa in awe of its beauty, its wine and the two Jeffs.