Thursday, May 30, 2013

Unti Vineyards in Dry Creek Valley

Unti winery

"Unti Vineyards is a small, family-owned and operated winery specializing in red varietal wines with vineyard personality." Unti Vineyards

Domino effect that started on Friday night and ended on Sunday here at Unti. Friday at happy hour at Bravas I was told about a restaurant called Diavola. I went to lunch on Saturday at Diavola and had Unti's Montepulciano. Sunday I ended up at Unti Vineyards and met the owners who were kind enough to let me wine tasted without reservations. Typically you need reservation for the tasting room, but I had luck on my side and a friendly smile!

Unti winery

Production: Approximately 6,500 to 7,000 cases per year
Appellation: Dry Creek Valley
Founded: Vineyard = 1990; Winery = 1997

Unti winery

"...French oak barrels and foudres to highlight the aromatics and flavors derived from the vineyards."

I left with 6 bottles of wine. 3 2010 Montepulciano, 2 2009 Zinfandel and 1 2010 Syrah

Bravas Bar De Tapas

Healdsburg California

Rolled into Healdsburg on a Friday night to meet up with some friends for a happy hour at Bravas, Sonoma County’s first Spanish “Ham and Cheese Bar”.

Healdsburg California

Lovely outdoor patio next to the bar is great for drinks on a hot summer afternoon.

Healdsburg California

First things first! Cocktails. Off the Gin and Tonics cocktail menu I present the Chubasco! St. George Terrior, Rosemary, Lemon and allspice. Very lovely aroma and flavor. Very clean.

Healdsburg California

Salmorejo Soup - Chilled Tomato and Almond Soup. It was amazing! I felt like I was eating homemade, fresh soup. Whole almonds accompany this soup.

Healdsburg California

Escalivada - Marinated Fire Pit Vegetables with Garlic Toast

Delicious dish to share!

Healdsburg California

Bocadillos! Duck Meatballs, Tomato Sofrito, Green Olive Tapenade! Get the balls!! They are to die for!

Healdsburg California

Wackiness will ensue with good friends and an iPhone! We also shared: Patatas Bravas (fried potatoes, spicy tomato sauce and alioli), Fresh Gulf Prawns (pimenton salt and pepper), Croquetas (creamy chicken), Bacon Wrapped Dates (blue cheese, marcona almonds). Everything was perfect!

Healdsburg California

Typically, I dislike ice-cream of any flavor. However, I gave this one a go. Strauss Family Organic Vanilla Soft Serve toped with Extra Vergin Olive Oil and Sea Salt... piece de resistance! Lovely light flavor dessert - I could have had two of these. I am going back!

Healdsburg California

Love the saying on the bottom of the business card.

Healdsburg California

Heading to Diovla tomorrow!

Diavola Pizzeria for Lunch

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Diavola!

Healdsburg California

After seeing a friend wearing the 'Diavola' t-shirt the night before at a restaurant in downtown Healdsburg and talking about how amazing this place is, I decided to try it the very next day. My buddy and I drove 10 minutes up the highway to Geyserville where the restaurant is located.

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The front of the restaurant is 'rustic Italian' and feels like you just stepped into Northern Italy.

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Continue walking to the back outdoor patio to dine al fresco. Very causal and relaxing.

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We started with a local wine from the Dry Creek Valley area. Unti Vineyard's Montepulciano, a dark and fruity wine with moderate tannin and bright acidity. We got a bottle!

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Perfect warm day with red wine and house made breadsticks

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Grilled Asparagus Salad with fried egg, crispy pork belly (house made), arugula, truffled pecorino and lemon vinaigrette

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Salami and Cheese - house-cured, local salumi. Amazing! Very flavorful dried meat.

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House made charcuterie by Dino Bugica - owner and head chef

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Last we ordered the Boscaiolo Pizza. I wanted to fight my buddey for the last slice! This pizza knocked my socks off with it's thin crust and fresh, local flavors. The Bosciolo comes with Sausage, mushrooms, house smoked pork belly, peppers, spinach and creamed onions. We asked our server if we could have olive oil in the place of the creamed onions and it was perfect! I didn't want the cream to overpower the flavor of the meat and mushrooms. Ask for olive oil...trust me! (They have a gluten free options)

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Last on the list was dolce! Affogato!

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While we were eating lunch, Dino came over to say hello to my buddy Darin. They know each other from living in the area and making their own wine. It was a real treat to meet the owner of this amazing restaurant.

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Dino and my buddy think I'm a shutterbug, but I do enjoy photography.

Diavola Restaurant:
21021 GEYSERVILLE AVE.
GEYSERVILLE, CA 95441
TEL: 707-814-0111
FAX: 707-814-0114



Swimming in the Bay at the Dolphin Club of San Francisco

Dolphin Club Swimming History

The Dolphin Club at Aquatic Park in San Francisco. Established in 1877 by John Wieland and his brothers, along with the Kehrlein brothers, all immigrants from Germany.

Dolphin Club Swimming History

Views from the club's main room - looking out to Aquatic Park.

Hazel Langenour becomes the first woman to swim the Golden Gate in 1911.  In 1915 the concept for Aquatic Park was approved by the city of San Francisco.

Dolphin Club Swimming History

Moored at the north end of Hyde Street Pier is a square rig sailing ship called Balclutha (1886). She is a U.S. National Historic Landmark.

Dolphin Club Swimming History

Enjoying the lounge with views of the bay, a bar and a TV.

Dolphin Club Swimming History

After a swim in aquatic park, turn on the TV and watch a soccer match.

Swimming in Aquatic Park, San Francisco

The Flag!  A landmark known to all who swim in AP.

Swimming in autumn in San Francisco Bay with water temps at 59 degrees.

Swimming in Aquatic Park, San Francisco

Balclutha! She is the only square rigged ship left in the San Francisco Bay. It's said Balclutha rounded Cape Horn 17 times in 13 years while carrying goods such as wine, oil, timber, and grain.

At high tide we'll swim up to her and play on her mooring lines. She is a beautiful ship with lots of history.

Swimming in Aquatic Park - May 30, 2012

Swimming in salt water makes everyone happy. The cold water mixed with salt clears the mind of all problems and leaves a feeling of pure bliss and joy.

Swimming in Aquatic Park, San Francisco

"The Jacuzzi" at the end of the Muni Pier and the opening to the Bay. The quality of light under the pier is beautiful and a common swim destination.


Swimming in Aquatic Park, San Francisco

"The Jacuzzi" at the end of the pier. Check out the other landmarks in Aquatic Park. Aquatic Park Landmarks

Dolphin Club Swimming History

A place to sit and enjoy the flowers and veggies

Dolphin Club Swimming History

I don't have much information about this person, but he is responsible for the 'il giardino de Cecco' at Dolphin Club. His photos is weathered from the saltwater and time, but you can still see a very charming smile.

Dolphin Club Swimming History

Two lovely labs frolic in the sand in the garden as their master pulls weeds and tends to the veggies. It's a very communal club and everyone volunteers their time to keep the club looking fresh.

Dolphin Club Swimming History

In 1976 women are allowed to join both the Dolphin Club and the South End Rowing Club.

Dolphin Club Swimming History

While reading about the club, I found this interesting tidbit of information on their website, "1967 - Lieutenant Colonel Stewart Evans swims from the Farallon Islands to Point Bolinas (20 miles north of San Francisco), becoming the first and only person to achieve this feat."

Dolphin Club History

The boathouses at the Dolphin Club

Dolphin Club History

The boathouses for rowboats, kayaks, and SUP's.

Dolphin club history

Tuesday night sunset on the club - view from the deck

Dolphin club history

View from the deck of the Dolphin Club

Dolphin club history

Boat launch

Dolphin club history

The Dolphin Club

Dolphin club history

After working on the boats, communal dinner with members. One thing we all have in common, addiction to swimming in our beautiful Bay.


Website:
Dolphin Club