Temecula Valley: Day 2

This morning got off to an inauspicious start. The free breakfast was fifteen minutes tardy, and my stomach felt a little off after consuming it. I also took the rare L in Wordle, just like my Padres did in ten innings last night. On the flip side, I remembered to take a photo of Rosa's Cafe before they opened for business. I'll walk across the parking lot to pick up dinner there after I post this.

Upon my return I asked the front desk if I could add to my classic book reading pile. They stated that Marriott corporation provides them free of charge to the hotels, so therefore I'm allowed to acquire them gratis. I'm a curious soul by nature so they're coming home. One is self explanatory while the other is the Evangelical version of what I already have via Kindle.

I finished both my first draft and Genki Kawamura's If Cats Disappeared From The World last night. This cropped image of its back cover tells you what this tale is about. It's only 168 pages long, so it's up to you if this quick read is worth its $14.99 listed price.

Just after eleven o'clock I headed over to Callaway winery. I can't believe how the hills have come alive with growing vines. I remember this as well as the front of the property was nothing but stakes in the ground when I first visited in late January.

Before I entered Meritage I picked up my wine club wines, and then sampled the following in the tasting room:

• 2021 Wild Yeast Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2017 Wild Yeast Syrah
• 2018 Winemaker's Reserve AKA Port

I switched things up for lunch. I dined on beet marinated fish tacos drenched in Cholula hot sauce, a house salad and an upside down pineapple cake. The 2019 Winemaker's Reserve Rousanne really drew out the spiciness of the normally pallid hot sauce and made my palette sing. The meal was $55 minus my wine club discount, but when I added tax and tip it became my $70 indulgence.

In most Fate animes, light novels and video games Artoria Pendragon is a 35-year-old woman. It's fitting that she's got a "hooch pocket" in her boot, and thankfully it's not big enough for boxed wine. That would be too low brow for her anyway.

My first wine club purchase includes the following wines. The prices listed are regular price:

• 2024 Special Selection Sauvignon Blanc, $35
• 2021 Wild Yeast Cabernet Sauvignon, $65

When I returned to my hotel room I took an hour long nap and then headed to Promenade Temecula. I struck out when I looked for Artoria merch but I found this lovely Mitchell & Ness Padres hat at Lids. I've owned every Padres hat design during my lifetime except for this one that was used by the team between 1969 to 1973.

This one makes an excellent "Dad hat".