Napa Valley Wine Tasting Adventure: Artesa and Mondavi, June 14, 2010

The second vineyard we visited was Artesa.  From their press kit: "Our Carneros estate comprises 352 acres with 145 planted to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, a diverse planting of numerous clones and selections in a variety of elevations, exposures and soils. Our 409-acre northern Alexander Valley property has 100 acres dedicated to Bordeaux varieties, as is almost half of our 180-acre ranch on eastern Napa Valley benchland. Our 300-acre Sonoma Coast property will yield 100 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  Located in Carneros, (the only sub appellation shared by California’s two most famous wine regions, Napa and Sonoma) Artesa is committed to the exploration of premier appellations and vineyard sites."

 Artesa is the complete opposite of Domaine Carneros where it is more modern while the latter is the traditional French chatteu.

the view from atop the terrace

 At the top of the stairs before you enter Artesa is an infinity pool.  I TOTALLY want one in my backyard... my other option is to have the beach on the north shore as my backyard.  Either one will suffice.

NEXT STOP: ROBERT MONDAVI

Napa Valley Wine Tasting Adventure: Domaine Carneros, June 14, 2010

 The night before I had a little too much irish car bombs at a pub near the hotel and I was still hungover the following morning.  I was in desperate need of GREASE so we stopped by this cute little restaurant for a burger.  YUM!

greasy cheeseburger + fries = happy camper and no nauseated feeling

I love vintage so when I saw this truck parked outside the restaurant I had to take a picture.  It reminded me of the 1995 film A Walk in the Clouds starring Keanu Reeves minus the war and grape smashing.  However, it was appropriate for our trip to the vineyards.

from the back.

first stop - Domaine Carneros. The chateau at Domaine Carneros is considered one of the most beautiful wineries in North America. Visitors approach the winery via a grand staircase, passing chardonnay and pinot noir vineyards.  They have excellent table service and a beautiful view on the terrace.

i walked around the foyer while i waited for our wine tour

i enjoyed a complimentary bottle of their black grape pinot sparkling wine

i love white wine.  this one was smooth and bubbly.

taken during the tour. these are pinot grapes.

old contraptions

the bottling process

at the end of the tour.  on to the next vineyard...

Diaz-Marquez Wedding

RiaMae Diaz & Brian Marquez
June 12, 2010
St. Victor's Church, San Jose, CA

 

RiaMae and Brian decided to have a traditional Filipino wedding.

Lighting the unity candle - uniting the two families together

Sponsors (god parents) place a veil over the couple. This is usually done during the Sanctus, where the veil sponsors carefully pin a large veil on top of the bride's head and onto the shoulder of the groom. The veil symbolizes unity and that the couple shall be "clothed as one."

Next, the other two sponsors place a cord in a figure eight configuration over the bride and groom.  The cord symbolizes the lifelong bond or tie between the bride and groom.

 The coins - Arras, "earnest money") is "... a sign of fidelity bestowed irrevocably"

 

The final blessing

 introducing.... Mr. and Mrs. Brian and RiaMae Marquez

MIA

I know.   I've been MIA, but I haven't stopped taking photographs.  It has been over a week since I've had internet access and I'm jonesin' to post my fabulous pics online... Unfortunately, it'll have to wait another day.  This is my last night in SF and I'll be flying back to HI-town in the morning.  Pictures will be posted once I am home sweet home.

Diamond Head Surf Session

May 22, 2010 Diamond Head, Hawaii - Despite the gusty winds, surfers were pounding waves near the light house at Diamond Head this afternoon.  I parked my awesome new beach chair I bought from Costco under a tree and did my photography thing. 

view from atop

Hanauma Bay

I spent the entire weekend polishing my research paper that was due on Monday, April 26th at 9:30am.  I re-read my paper over and over again until the words looked like a bunch of nothings.  I wouldn't say that I gave up, but that I had to face reality.  I turned that sucker in at 5:15am praying to the law school gods that my professor will have mercy on me.  Running off of two hours of sleep, I still had enough gas for a photo session at Hanauma Bay on the east side of Oahu. 

Kama'aina pay $1 with local I.D. and visitors pay $7.50

from the top

Skate Park Shinnanigans: Diamond Head, Hawaii

Last Thursday I spent what seemed to be a never-ending day at school feeling discombobulated with the senseless yet sensible teachings of the law so I needed an escape to wonderland... and FAST!   Who knew BUTTJINGLES had the answer! An afternoon photo session in Diamond Head, Hawaii was the perfect end to my day.

branching out

 tarnished

linked-in

up for a ride?

 base

farewell diamond head