It's Monday and I've been on the road since mid-day on Friday.  I drove from San Diego to Salinas that first day.  Saturday was spent in San Francisco.  Rob, our VinVillage CEO and I attended an open house at CrushPad.  Michael and his team have done an incredible job.  Most wineries/winemaking operations can handle up to 15 different wines or so, tops.  CrushPad makes 1500 different wines for their custom winemaking clients.  VinVillage now has our own barrel of Syrah from the Eagle Point Ranch Vineyards in Mendicino.  I am very familiar with the Zins that come from there and I can't wait to taste this Syrah from the 2007 vintage.
 
After the reception, I drove up through SF and across the Golden Gate Bridge on the 101 to Sonoma.  One of my oldest friends has a restaurant, Lattitudes Grill, in Rohnert Park.  We had dinner and drinks and catch-up conversation at the restaurant.  Dave has always had a talent for seeing the big picture, while at the same time being really good at taking care of the details.  The restaurant is gorgeous in a way that takes you right to the tropics.  I'm going to make a point to get back soon.
 
I'm writing this from a resort in Reno, NV. where I stopped last night.  I've got more to say about road food and the worst drivers in the world, but that will wait.  I want to make sure that I talk about our next VVSD event.  I've been wanting for a while to do a paella and wine-pairing event.  In fact, I've wanted to do it since the Chefs of Del Mar charity event.  At that event, Rob and I teamed up with Susan Sbicca from Sbicca in Del Mar to host a VIP reception prior to the charity auction.  We served seafood and vegetarian paellas paired with Beringer Vineyards "Alluvium Blanc" 2005 and Chateau St. Michele "Nellie's Garden" Dry Rose 2006 (96% syrah).  Well, the pairings were great, but I've wanted since to do a BYOB event wherein I do the paella and perhaps a green salad, and members bring wines to pair with the paella.  The date is Sunday, July 20 from 3-6 at my place in the UTC area of La Jolla.  We'll use the clubhouse.  Space is limited so please sign up early.  Volunteers are welcome and appreciated.
 
More from the road later.  See you soon,
Chuck
Leader, VinVillage, San Diego
Chef/Owner, Chuck Samuelson Catering