Temecula Valley: Day 2

Unlike yesterday, today got off on the right foot. About 12,672 of them to be exact. In plain English, I walked 2.4 miles after I digested breakfast, and after editing a chapter of my manuscript I headed to that happy place known as Callaway Vineyard & Winery.

After I picked up this month's wine club shipment in the Gift Shop, I made my way to the Tasting Room and noticed several new wines were available to sample. Then it hit me. The wine club event I'll attend in less than two weeks is to celebrate the release of these new (to me) varietals. I tried a few of them and like the hills outside the window I came to life by the time I strolled into Meritage.

I was about to order the prosciutto wrapped halibut when I was advised the menu would be updated next week for the summer season. I decided to step outside my comfort zone and try something I've never had before. This duck leg and spatzle dish with a herb demi glaze, when paired with a glass of 2019 Winemaker's Reserve Profonde I discovered in the tasting room minutes earlier, was quite profound. I loved it!

With everything that's going on between the immigration protests, the Mexican manhunts, and being blacked out from watching the Dodgers-Padres game... well, I needed to get fucked up. That's why I ended my dining experience with bread pudding and a glass of Special Selection Ambrosia, a sweet wine that combines Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvedre, Cinsault, and Grenache. 

Understandably, it was awhile before I loaded Artoria's boot with my bounty and headed back to my suite. After I put the bottles in the fridge, I changed into more casual clothing and then promptly dozed off on the trundle sofa for the next two hours. Ara ara!

This month's wine club pickup includes a 2022 Special Selection Chardonnay ($35) and a newly released 2022 Wild Yeast Petite Syrah ($65) that's quite bold by itself per my Tasting Room notes.

With an eye toward my birthday, I picked up a bottle of 2022 Winemaker's Reserve Late Harvest Cabernet Sauvignon. This is divine when paired with a chocolate truffle cheesecake, which I'll enjoy once my blood work confirms I'm still in my doctor's good graces.

Dinner was a barbecue chicken sandwich with fries at Richie's Real American Diner because I'm on vacation. I declined dessert for obvious reasons, but I picked up a red hat with their logo on the front. It'll be the only red hat I'll allow inside Le Crash Pad.

In case y'all are wondering, I'll publish my weekly update post in the afternoon or evening hours tomorrow. Upon my return I have to get the cars washed, buy groceries, do laundry, and get my GTA Online character's businesses ready for next Tuesday's launch of the Money Fronts DLC.