Red or white?

The chocolate tasting of yesterday was logically followed today by a tour of vineyards in the Sonoma and Napa valleys, just north of San Francisco. Unlike in France, where the business philosophy is that drunk visitors will buy more wine, most US wineries charge for tasting! Learning this led to shock and justified European anger, but a quick flick through the guidebook revealed some "off piste" destinations that still offer a free tipple.

The guidebook also helped me to learn phrases like "well developed tannins" and "complex structure" which I sprinkled throughout my increasingly slurred conversation. Everyone we met was fooled, as far as I can remember...



Emily, Amanda, Jack and Hannah at the first call of the day - Champagne!



Cheers!



Emily's new best friend.



A lot of bottle.



David, Jack, more Champagne.



Vineyard number two, something to do with hummingbirds.



Newly harvested Pinot Noir grapes.



Jack fills the trunk.



Lunch stop! But eating's cheating.



Vines everywhere.



Perhaps sir has had enough to drink...?



Hannah and her weekly Chardonnay order.



This way guys!



The view from the bottom of an empty glass.