Colibri Ridge Winery & Vineyard is releasing 2 of their latest premium wines this weekend and they are just a short drive from our Placerville bed and breakfast, in beautiful El Dorado County.
In this release they have the latest vintage of their award winning El Dorado Zinfandel (2004) and the latest vintage of estate grown Fair Play Primitivo (2006). Both of these wines will pair nicely with most pastas or lighter meats.
As a tidbit of superfluous information DNA fingerprinting has revealed that it Zinfandel is genetically equivalent to the Croatian grape Crljenak Kaštelanski, which found its way to the United States in the mid-19th century. DNA fingerprinting has also confirmed that Primitivo and Zinfandel are clones of the same Croatian variety that was traditionally grown in the "heel" of Italy, where it was introduced in the 1700s. Comparative field trials have found that "Primitivo selections were generally superior to those of Zinfandel, having earlier fruit maturity, similar or higher yield, and similar or lower bunch rot susceptibility.” Now you can taste these 2 wines side by side to determine which one is your favorite.
They currently have some of our 2003 vintage wines on sale for 50% off. These include award winning 2003 El Dorado Zinfandel ($9.25 / bottle), award winning 2003 El Dorado Syrah ($9.50 / bottle) and award winning 2003 Fair Play Cabernet Sauvignon ($9.50 / bottle). Quantities of these sale wines is limited so hurry in to take advantage of great deals on spectacular wines.
Colibri Ridge Winery & Vineyard
6100 Gray Rock Rd.
Fair Play, CA 95684
Phone & Fax: (530) 620-7255
Open Fri. - Sun. 11:00 to 5:00
The Albert Shafsky House bed and breakfast inn in Placerville blog. Find out about innkeeping from an innkeeper in California. We have been innkeeping in Placerville, California for over 8 years. Keep up with the happenings in California's beautiful, historic Gold Country, in the foothills between Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe.
Showing posts with label innkeeping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label innkeeping. Show all posts
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Stay with us for Christmas or the weekend after...
Book and stay with us two nights mid-week during Nov or Dec 2008 and receive a gift certificate for $50 towards a stay with us for your next visit or use as a gift for someone else! Certificates will be valid through December 15, 2009. New bookings only and must mention Cabbi. Can not be combined with other offers. Gift certificates have no cash value.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Haunted happenings at the inn
As promised here is more of the finding of the Gold Rush Ghost folks from their visit at the Albert Shafsky House B&B.
From Paul Dale Roberts:"After gathering all of the history about the Shafskys, I wanted to know the experiences of Rita and Stephanie. I wanted to know what the guests also felt in this spacious bed and breakfast. While I was getting the information from Rita and Stephanie, Nancy sensed their was a ghostly fuzzy white dog and a ghostly tabby cat that was still roaming around in the premises of this home. As the interview continued, I learn that Rita and Stephanie owned the home for 6 years, they absolutely fell in love with the enchanting personality of this home. They have both experienced hearing heavy footsteps on the second floor, books being flown off the shelves, lightbulbs being unscrewed. They will also find pennies laying about the house. Mrs. Shafsky was known to save pennies. Nancy was feeling the presence of a small child in the neighboring room. Later she feels that two kids are playing. Could this perhaps be the children of Albert & Kitty? Rita and Stephanie at times hear piano music playing in the lounge room. Sometimes they smell cherry pipe smoke from 7:30pm to 8:30pm in the evening. On this very night, the cherry pipe smoke aroma filled the room for a matter of a few minutes during the interview process.
I learn that during storms, the activity seems to increase, as if the entities may be drawing energy from the ion particles in the atmosphere. Guests have seen a man on the stairs, it has been suggested that the man is Albert Shafsky himself. Shoes have been placed in order underneath the bed by an unseen force. We later learn that Kitty Shafsky's mother Thora Bean died in this home. Nancy conducting a psychic reading of the house, discovers that Albert Shafsky and his wife Kitty are here in this home. She also feels Alberta, Boyd and Bernice are still here. Nancy feels that it is Kitty, who is playing the piano in the lounge area room. Nancy picks up the fact that two dogs are buried in the backyard and the ghostly presence of the fuzzy white dog and tabby cat are also in this home. There was one more entity that Nancy picked up on, she said that Marian Wing a former resident of this home is still here making her haunting presence known.
Nancy picks up more energy signatures that indicate that Boyd had some kind of breathing problem and she could see Kitty beating on a rug outside on the porch. She said that Kitty was always concerned on the condition of her floors, she wanted the floors cleaned and tidy. Going through some old notes on the Shafsky, I found something comical. When Albert Shafsky was a little boy, he was on a ship with his father, he wanted to know what the time was and picked up an English dictionary to say "what o'clock is it?" and instead accidentally said "son of a b****".
The entities of this home, seem to be completely benevolent, they mean no harm to the owners and only want to make their presence known at certain times. Since little children are seen, this home probably has a combination of residual haunting activity in which an act replays itself over and over again. Case example, the children playing in the adjourning room. The children could possibly be the children of Albert & Kitty Shafsky. There seems to be some intelligent activity with the books flying off the shelf, as possibly one of the entities is trying to make a statement or let the owners know that he or she is around. With this beautiful bed and breakfast there is absolutely nothing to fear. If you ever stay at this bed and breakfast, you will even be greeted by the cutest miniature dachshund named Lily. Lily has detected presences in this home too. She will bark at an area where there is nothing there to be seen.
The Shafsky House is pretty popular, since established people of Hollywood have stayed here. Such as the location scouts for the movie Memoirs of a Geisha and the Director of the movie trailer Pirates of the Caribbean has stayed here too. Steve Hanks the well known artist has comfortably stayed the night at the Shafsky House to rejuvenate from his travels. If there was a haunted home I want to live in, the Shafsky House is right there on my list! "
From Paul Dale Roberts:"After gathering all of the history about the Shafskys, I wanted to know the experiences of Rita and Stephanie. I wanted to know what the guests also felt in this spacious bed and breakfast. While I was getting the information from Rita and Stephanie, Nancy sensed their was a ghostly fuzzy white dog and a ghostly tabby cat that was still roaming around in the premises of this home. As the interview continued, I learn that Rita and Stephanie owned the home for 6 years, they absolutely fell in love with the enchanting personality of this home. They have both experienced hearing heavy footsteps on the second floor, books being flown off the shelves, lightbulbs being unscrewed. They will also find pennies laying about the house. Mrs. Shafsky was known to save pennies. Nancy was feeling the presence of a small child in the neighboring room. Later she feels that two kids are playing. Could this perhaps be the children of Albert & Kitty? Rita and Stephanie at times hear piano music playing in the lounge room. Sometimes they smell cherry pipe smoke from 7:30pm to 8:30pm in the evening. On this very night, the cherry pipe smoke aroma filled the room for a matter of a few minutes during the interview process.
I learn that during storms, the activity seems to increase, as if the entities may be drawing energy from the ion particles in the atmosphere. Guests have seen a man on the stairs, it has been suggested that the man is Albert Shafsky himself. Shoes have been placed in order underneath the bed by an unseen force. We later learn that Kitty Shafsky's mother Thora Bean died in this home. Nancy conducting a psychic reading of the house, discovers that Albert Shafsky and his wife Kitty are here in this home. She also feels Alberta, Boyd and Bernice are still here. Nancy feels that it is Kitty, who is playing the piano in the lounge area room. Nancy picks up the fact that two dogs are buried in the backyard and the ghostly presence of the fuzzy white dog and tabby cat are also in this home. There was one more entity that Nancy picked up on, she said that Marian Wing a former resident of this home is still here making her haunting presence known.
Nancy picks up more energy signatures that indicate that Boyd had some kind of breathing problem and she could see Kitty beating on a rug outside on the porch. She said that Kitty was always concerned on the condition of her floors, she wanted the floors cleaned and tidy. Going through some old notes on the Shafsky, I found something comical. When Albert Shafsky was a little boy, he was on a ship with his father, he wanted to know what the time was and picked up an English dictionary to say "what o'clock is it?" and instead accidentally said "son of a b****".
The entities of this home, seem to be completely benevolent, they mean no harm to the owners and only want to make their presence known at certain times. Since little children are seen, this home probably has a combination of residual haunting activity in which an act replays itself over and over again. Case example, the children playing in the adjourning room. The children could possibly be the children of Albert & Kitty Shafsky. There seems to be some intelligent activity with the books flying off the shelf, as possibly one of the entities is trying to make a statement or let the owners know that he or she is around. With this beautiful bed and breakfast there is absolutely nothing to fear. If you ever stay at this bed and breakfast, you will even be greeted by the cutest miniature dachshund named Lily. Lily has detected presences in this home too. She will bark at an area where there is nothing there to be seen.
The Shafsky House is pretty popular, since established people of Hollywood have stayed here. Such as the location scouts for the movie Memoirs of a Geisha and the Director of the movie trailer Pirates of the Caribbean has stayed here too. Steve Hanks the well known artist has comfortably stayed the night at the Shafsky House to rejuvenate from his travels. If there was a haunted home I want to live in, the Shafsky House is right there on my list! "
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Vineyards are sprouting up all over El Dorado County
Vineyards are sprouting up all over El Dorado County and today's SacBee had a nice article about some of our newest players in the El Dorado Wine region. It is really great for us as there are so many good ones for us to try and pass on to our guests at the bed and breakfast.
"Dunne on Wine: El Dorado wineries are sprouting like vines
By Mike Dunne
Aside from wine enthusiasts, no one may be happier with the growing number of wineries in El Dorado County than the guy who prints the map for the El Dorado Winery Association.
Every time a new winemaker joins the group, the printer must get a work order to run off a new batch of maps.
And new vintners look to be showing up in El Dorado County at the rate of one every couple of months.
We recently took advantage of the association's 17th annual Passport Weekend to catch up with a few of them.
Iverson Vineyards & Winery
Pedigree: Eight years ago, Mike and Melodie Iverson were living in El Dorado Hills and working in the power business, he with Pacific Gas & Electric Co., she with the California Independent System Operator.
She's still on the grid, but he's now working full time in their vineyard and cellar, on a ridge along Perry Creek Road in the Fair Play area of southwestern El Dorado County.
They bought the property in 2000, and today tend 8 acres of grapes, all for such red wines as primitivo, sangiovese, zinfandel and barbera.
They planted malbec, too, but won't be making any wine from that plot in the near future. "Raccoons ate all the malbec this year," says Mike.
The Iversons opened their winery a year ago. Their winemaker is Rich Gilpin, formerly of nearby Windwalker Vineyard, now with his own winery, Lavender Ridge, in Calaveras County.
Why El Dorado: On wine-tasting treks into the Sierra foothills, the Iversons became especially keen on Windwalker wines.
On one of their visits they noticed a "for sale" sign on a 32-acre spread that included a house and a barn, the latter of which they've replaced with the structure that now houses their tasting room.
Focus: "We want very drinkable wines. You can take any of our bottles and drink it on the patio; you don't have to have anything with it," says Mike Iverson. "Nothing we have is big, thick and chalky. You don't need a steak to enjoy them."
Don't miss: With its alluring strawberry smell, note of pomegranate in the flavor and austere structure, the Iverson 2007 Sierra Foothills Grenache Rosé ($18) is suitable for patio sipping as well as pairing with shellfish. The Iverson 2006 El Dorado Barbera ($22) has been in the bottle less than two months and starts off tight, but with a little time in the glass it blossoms into a zesty representative of the varietal. Also check out the Iverson 2005 El Dorado Merlot ($19) and the Iverson 2005 El Dorado Syrah ($22).
Particulars: Iverson, 8061 Perry Creek Road, Fair Play, is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday through Sunday and by appointment; (530) 620-7474.
Sierra Oaks Estates
Pedigree: Jim and Toshi Brown's infatuation with wine began innocently enough with a home winemaking kit they bought some 30 years ago.
"We liked it, and went on from there," says Jim, at the time living in Marin County and working as a manager with Pac Bell.
By 1994 they'd bought a 40-acre parcel of bare land in the Fair Play area and had begun to plant what now amounts to a 10-acre vineyard, doing all the work themselves.
They were content to sell their grapes, but when Jim became convinced that the merlot he was making as a self-taught winemaker was better than the merlot that a Napa Valley winery was making with his fruit, he decided to start his own operation.
That was 2001. Because of a "private-road issue," the couple's winery isn't open to the public. As a consequence, five years ago he opened a tasting room at the junction of Fair Play and Mt. Aukum roads.
Why El Dorado: While living in the Bay Area, the Browns belonged to a wine-tasting club that spent one weekend a year in the foothills, customarily Calaveras County.
"We went to Amador County one year and liked it pretty well, but we couldn't find a parcel the size we wanted," says Jim.
Their continued exploration brought them across the Cosumnes River into the Mount Aukum and Fair Play area, where they found the sort of spread they envisioned.
Focus: Full-bodied wines without the gritty tannins. "We work real hard to get ripe fruit without harsh tannins," he says. "I grew up liking cherries and berries. I like to see that in wines."
he couple, now assisted by consulting winemaker John Montero of Napa Valley, makes only red wines.
"I have no passion for whites," says Jim.
Don't miss: The couple's signature wine goes by the proprietary name Zinzabar ($19). It's a slightly smoky, slightly spicy and youthful blend of zinfandel and barbera. The current release is a mix of zinfandel from the 2005 harvest and barbera from 2006, a decision Jim made when he couldn't find any 2005 barbera that he liked. We also liked the Sierra Oaks 2002 Fair Play Zinfandel and the Sierra Oaks 2002 Fair Play Merlot, but they're sold out.
Particulars: The tasting room of Sierra Oaks Estates, 6713 Mt. Aukum Road, Fair Play, is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday; (530) 620-7079.
Busby Cellars
Pedigree: Elliot and Sherrie Graham were working in Sacramento and living in Rocklin – he was in sales, she was in advertising – when in 1999 they bought a 34-acre chunk of the landmark Meyers Ranch along Grizzly Flat Road just east of Somerset.
A sagging barn dating from the 1930s dominates the site, but now it's flanked by 14 acres of wine grapes. It's a diverse vineyard, planted to 15 varieties, though zinfandel forms the single largest block, 8 acres.
"We do everything ourselves," says Elliot, who learned home winemaking under his father's tutelage. "It's a hobby gone wild."
Since building the winery in 2003, he's been making about 2,000 cases a year, almost all of which is sold directly out of their tasting room, though at times the Sacramento restaurant The Waterboy has stocked Busby wines. "Busby," incidentally, is Sherrie's family name.
Why El Dorado: The couple spent three years scouting the foothills for suitable vineyard property.
Focus: "We're definitely into small-lot batches," Elliot says. "We make too many varietals, but I like so many types of wine.
"Our focus, however, is zinfandel; why fight it?" he added, referring to the region's long-standing reputation for zinfandel.
Stylistically, he's aiming for "well-rounded, fruit-forward wines with backbone." Their vineyards tend to give wines a spiciness suggestive of pepper and clove.
Don't miss: The Busby 2005 Fair Play Zinfandel ($18) carries its high alcohol (15.6 percent) well, the heat not at all intruding on its blackberry, licorice and peppery highlights, though its sturdy tannins suggest it be laid down for a few years. Also check out the Busby 2005 El Dorado Tempranillo ($16); the Busby 2005 El Dorado Petite Sirah ($16); and the nonvintage Busby El Dorado Apparition, a Bordeaux-style blend based largely on cabernet sauvignon ($18).
Particulars: Busby, 6375 Grizzly Flat Road, Somerset, is open 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday; (530) 344-9119.
Miraflores Winery
Pedigree: For three years, Yuma pathologist Victor Alvarez and his wife Cheryl scouted Arizona for potential vineyard land before they happened upon the Pleasant Valley area of El Dorado County.
That was in 1992. They liked the look and feel of the area and ended up piecing together a total of 254 acres, which they started to plant to vines nine years ago.
Today, they're cultivating nearly 40 acres of grapes, much of it syrah, zinfandel and petite sirah, but including cabernet sauvignon, viognier and muscat canelli.
In 2005 they created the brand Miraflores, at first making wine in leased quarters. A year ago they opened their own monumental facility, rising like a Tuscan villa amid poison oak and throw rugs of daffodils 2,000 feet up the Sierra.
Why El Dorado: "We didn't come here to build a winery. This place is so beautiful. It was meant to be a retirement place," says Alvarez.
One thing led to another, with their small vineyard expanding and their growing confidence in the quality of their grapes.
When local consulting winemaker Marco Cappelli urged the couple to hold on to their fruit and use it to start making their own wine, they began to stake out a site for the winery.
Focus: To Alvarez, Miraflores clearly is meant to be a "New World" winery, turning out big and brassy wines. He wants them packed with rich fruit, and he isn't leery of saturated color and high levels of alcohol, though he also wants his wines refreshing.
"We are an American-style winery, with wines with lots of flavor and fruit," he says.
Don't miss: Marco Cappelli, the former winemaker at Swanson Vineyards in Napa Valley, is recognized for crafting wines of clarity, balance and elegance, which at Miraflores is shown especially in the 2006 El Dorado Syrah Rosé ($15), the 2006 El Dorado Viognier ($18), the 2005 El Dorado Zinfandel ($20), the 2004 El Dorado Syrah ($30), and the 2005 El Dorado Petite Sirah ($22).
Particulars: Miraflores, 2120 Four Springs Trail, Placerville, is open 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. daily; (530) 647-8505."
"Dunne on Wine: El Dorado wineries are sprouting like vines
By Mike Dunne
Aside from wine enthusiasts, no one may be happier with the growing number of wineries in El Dorado County than the guy who prints the map for the El Dorado Winery Association.
Every time a new winemaker joins the group, the printer must get a work order to run off a new batch of maps.
And new vintners look to be showing up in El Dorado County at the rate of one every couple of months.
We recently took advantage of the association's 17th annual Passport Weekend to catch up with a few of them.
Iverson Vineyards & Winery
Pedigree: Eight years ago, Mike and Melodie Iverson were living in El Dorado Hills and working in the power business, he with Pacific Gas & Electric Co., she with the California Independent System Operator.
She's still on the grid, but he's now working full time in their vineyard and cellar, on a ridge along Perry Creek Road in the Fair Play area of southwestern El Dorado County.
They bought the property in 2000, and today tend 8 acres of grapes, all for such red wines as primitivo, sangiovese, zinfandel and barbera.
They planted malbec, too, but won't be making any wine from that plot in the near future. "Raccoons ate all the malbec this year," says Mike.
The Iversons opened their winery a year ago. Their winemaker is Rich Gilpin, formerly of nearby Windwalker Vineyard, now with his own winery, Lavender Ridge, in Calaveras County.
Why El Dorado: On wine-tasting treks into the Sierra foothills, the Iversons became especially keen on Windwalker wines.
On one of their visits they noticed a "for sale" sign on a 32-acre spread that included a house and a barn, the latter of which they've replaced with the structure that now houses their tasting room.
Focus: "We want very drinkable wines. You can take any of our bottles and drink it on the patio; you don't have to have anything with it," says Mike Iverson. "Nothing we have is big, thick and chalky. You don't need a steak to enjoy them."
Don't miss: With its alluring strawberry smell, note of pomegranate in the flavor and austere structure, the Iverson 2007 Sierra Foothills Grenache Rosé ($18) is suitable for patio sipping as well as pairing with shellfish. The Iverson 2006 El Dorado Barbera ($22) has been in the bottle less than two months and starts off tight, but with a little time in the glass it blossoms into a zesty representative of the varietal. Also check out the Iverson 2005 El Dorado Merlot ($19) and the Iverson 2005 El Dorado Syrah ($22).
Particulars: Iverson, 8061 Perry Creek Road, Fair Play, is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday through Sunday and by appointment; (530) 620-7474.
Sierra Oaks Estates
Pedigree: Jim and Toshi Brown's infatuation with wine began innocently enough with a home winemaking kit they bought some 30 years ago.
"We liked it, and went on from there," says Jim, at the time living in Marin County and working as a manager with Pac Bell.
By 1994 they'd bought a 40-acre parcel of bare land in the Fair Play area and had begun to plant what now amounts to a 10-acre vineyard, doing all the work themselves.
They were content to sell their grapes, but when Jim became convinced that the merlot he was making as a self-taught winemaker was better than the merlot that a Napa Valley winery was making with his fruit, he decided to start his own operation.
That was 2001. Because of a "private-road issue," the couple's winery isn't open to the public. As a consequence, five years ago he opened a tasting room at the junction of Fair Play and Mt. Aukum roads.
Why El Dorado: While living in the Bay Area, the Browns belonged to a wine-tasting club that spent one weekend a year in the foothills, customarily Calaveras County.
"We went to Amador County one year and liked it pretty well, but we couldn't find a parcel the size we wanted," says Jim.
Their continued exploration brought them across the Cosumnes River into the Mount Aukum and Fair Play area, where they found the sort of spread they envisioned.
Focus: Full-bodied wines without the gritty tannins. "We work real hard to get ripe fruit without harsh tannins," he says. "I grew up liking cherries and berries. I like to see that in wines."
he couple, now assisted by consulting winemaker John Montero of Napa Valley, makes only red wines.
"I have no passion for whites," says Jim.
Don't miss: The couple's signature wine goes by the proprietary name Zinzabar ($19). It's a slightly smoky, slightly spicy and youthful blend of zinfandel and barbera. The current release is a mix of zinfandel from the 2005 harvest and barbera from 2006, a decision Jim made when he couldn't find any 2005 barbera that he liked. We also liked the Sierra Oaks 2002 Fair Play Zinfandel and the Sierra Oaks 2002 Fair Play Merlot, but they're sold out.
Particulars: The tasting room of Sierra Oaks Estates, 6713 Mt. Aukum Road, Fair Play, is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday; (530) 620-7079.
Busby Cellars
Pedigree: Elliot and Sherrie Graham were working in Sacramento and living in Rocklin – he was in sales, she was in advertising – when in 1999 they bought a 34-acre chunk of the landmark Meyers Ranch along Grizzly Flat Road just east of Somerset.
A sagging barn dating from the 1930s dominates the site, but now it's flanked by 14 acres of wine grapes. It's a diverse vineyard, planted to 15 varieties, though zinfandel forms the single largest block, 8 acres.
"We do everything ourselves," says Elliot, who learned home winemaking under his father's tutelage. "It's a hobby gone wild."
Since building the winery in 2003, he's been making about 2,000 cases a year, almost all of which is sold directly out of their tasting room, though at times the Sacramento restaurant The Waterboy has stocked Busby wines. "Busby," incidentally, is Sherrie's family name.
Why El Dorado: The couple spent three years scouting the foothills for suitable vineyard property.
Focus: "We're definitely into small-lot batches," Elliot says. "We make too many varietals, but I like so many types of wine.
"Our focus, however, is zinfandel; why fight it?" he added, referring to the region's long-standing reputation for zinfandel.
Stylistically, he's aiming for "well-rounded, fruit-forward wines with backbone." Their vineyards tend to give wines a spiciness suggestive of pepper and clove.
Don't miss: The Busby 2005 Fair Play Zinfandel ($18) carries its high alcohol (15.6 percent) well, the heat not at all intruding on its blackberry, licorice and peppery highlights, though its sturdy tannins suggest it be laid down for a few years. Also check out the Busby 2005 El Dorado Tempranillo ($16); the Busby 2005 El Dorado Petite Sirah ($16); and the nonvintage Busby El Dorado Apparition, a Bordeaux-style blend based largely on cabernet sauvignon ($18).
Particulars: Busby, 6375 Grizzly Flat Road, Somerset, is open 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday; (530) 344-9119.
Miraflores Winery
Pedigree: For three years, Yuma pathologist Victor Alvarez and his wife Cheryl scouted Arizona for potential vineyard land before they happened upon the Pleasant Valley area of El Dorado County.
That was in 1992. They liked the look and feel of the area and ended up piecing together a total of 254 acres, which they started to plant to vines nine years ago.
Today, they're cultivating nearly 40 acres of grapes, much of it syrah, zinfandel and petite sirah, but including cabernet sauvignon, viognier and muscat canelli.
In 2005 they created the brand Miraflores, at first making wine in leased quarters. A year ago they opened their own monumental facility, rising like a Tuscan villa amid poison oak and throw rugs of daffodils 2,000 feet up the Sierra.
Why El Dorado: "We didn't come here to build a winery. This place is so beautiful. It was meant to be a retirement place," says Alvarez.
One thing led to another, with their small vineyard expanding and their growing confidence in the quality of their grapes.
When local consulting winemaker Marco Cappelli urged the couple to hold on to their fruit and use it to start making their own wine, they began to stake out a site for the winery.
Focus: To Alvarez, Miraflores clearly is meant to be a "New World" winery, turning out big and brassy wines. He wants them packed with rich fruit, and he isn't leery of saturated color and high levels of alcohol, though he also wants his wines refreshing.
"We are an American-style winery, with wines with lots of flavor and fruit," he says.
Don't miss: Marco Cappelli, the former winemaker at Swanson Vineyards in Napa Valley, is recognized for crafting wines of clarity, balance and elegance, which at Miraflores is shown especially in the 2006 El Dorado Syrah Rosé ($15), the 2006 El Dorado Viognier ($18), the 2005 El Dorado Zinfandel ($20), the 2004 El Dorado Syrah ($30), and the 2005 El Dorado Petite Sirah ($22).
Particulars: Miraflores, 2120 Four Springs Trail, Placerville, is open 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. daily; (530) 647-8505."
Friday, March 14, 2008
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
El Dorado County Wineries A-Z (okay, W)
As innkeepers it falls to us to know great places to visit in the area, and one of the reasons people visit use in El Dorado County is the local vinyards that have sprouted the last dozen or so years. Yes, some are older, but there has been a wine boom in the last several years....With so many vineyards to taste at, you could easily spend a week in El Dorado County tasting to your hearts content. There is sure to be something to please you palate! Why not use Placerville and our bed and breakfast as a home-base and explore the new "gold" in the foothills--above the fog and below the snow. El Dorado wineries are about a one hour trip from either Sacramento or South Lake Tahoe, and about 2 hours from Reno or the San Francisco Bay Area. El Dorado has familiy-owned wineries, friendly tasting rooms and great views. Many times you will be served by the winemaker or their family members, all while enjoying great views of the foothills.
Arrastra Vineyard
2399 Kingsgate Road
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 626-3377
Auriga Wine Cellars
http://www.aurigawines.com/
3500 Carson Road
Camino, CA 95709
(530) 647-8078
Boeger Winery
www.boegerwinery.com/home.html
1709 Carson Rd.
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 622-8094
Busby Cellars
http://www.busbycellars.com/
6375 Grizzly Flat Road
Somerset, CA 95684
(530) 344-9119
C. G. Di Arie Vineyard & Winery
http://www.cgdiarie.com/
5200 di Aire Road
Mt. Aukum, CA 95656
(530) 620-6500
Camino DiVino Winery
3500 Carson Court
Camino, CA 95709
(530) 644-1884
Cantiga Wineworks
http://www.cantigawine.com/
5951 Mt. Aukum
Somerset, CA 95684
(530) 621-1696
Cedarville Vineyard
6320 Marestail Road
Fair Play, CA 95684
(530) 620-9463
Charles B. Mitchell Vineyards
http://www.charlesbmitchell.com/
8221 Stoney Creek Rd.
Fair Play, CA 95684
(530) 620-3467
Chateau Rodin Winery
http://www.chateaurodin.com/
4771 Green Hills Rd.
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 622-6839
Chateau Routon Inc
http://www.chateauroutoninc.com/
2800 Omo Ranch Road
Fair Play, CA 95684
(530) 620-5818
Chevalier Winery
http://www.chevalierwinery.com/
5720 French Creek Road
Shingle Springs, CA 95682
(530) 677-1676
Colibri Ridge Winery and Vineyard
http://www.colibriridge.com/
6100 Grey Rock Road
Fairplay, CA 95684
(530) 620-7255
Crose Family Vineyard
3720 Wilson Loop
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 644-4488
Crystal Basin Cellars
http://www.crystalbasin.com/
3550 Carson Road
Camino, CA 95709
(530) 647-1767
dkcellars
http://www.dkcellars.com/
7380 Vineyard View Drive
Fair Play, CA 95684
(530) 620-1132
Fenton Herriott Vineyards
http://www.fentonherriott.com/
120 Jacquier Ct.
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 642-2021
Findleton Estate & Winery
http://www.finzinwines.com/
3500 Carson Road
Camino, CA 95709
(530) 644-4018
Fitzpatrick Winery & Lodge
http://www.fitzpatrickwinery.com/
740 Fair Play Road
Fair Play, CA 95684
(800) 245-9166
Fleur de Lys Winery
http://www.fleurdelys4wine.com/
7696 Perry Creek Rd.
Somerset, CA 95684
(530) 620-2246
Gold Hill Vineyard
Cold Springs Rd. & Vineyard Lane
Coloma, CA 95613
(530) 626-6522
Gold Note Wine & Noel Christmas Trees
http://www.goldnotewine.com/
7600 Fair Play Road
Fair Play, CA 95684
(530) 620-4758 (800) 585-6635
Granite Springs Winery & Vineyards
5050 Granite Springs Rd.
Fair Play, CA 95684
(530) 620-6395
Holly's Hill Vineyards
http://www.hollyshill.com/
3680 Leisure Lane
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 344-0227
Illuminare Estate Winery
http://www.illuminarewines.com/
3500 Carson Road
Camino, CA 95709
(530) 647-1894
Iverson Vineyards and Winery
http://www.iversonwinery.com/
8061 Perry Creek Rd.
Fair Play, CA 95684
(530) 620-7474
Jodar Vineyard & Winery
http://www.jodarwinery.com/
4103 Carson Road
Camino, CA 95709
(530) 644-3474
Latcham Vineyards
2860 Omo Ranch Rd.
Mt Aukum, CA 95656
(530) 620-6642
Latrobe Vineyards
4861 Memory Lane
Shingle Springs, CA 95682
(530) 676-0108
Lava Cap Winery
http://www.lavacap.com/
2221 Fruitridge Rd.
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 621-0175
Madrona Vineyards
http://www.madronavineyards.com/
High Hill Road
Camino, CA 95709
(530) 644-5948
Mining Camp Winery
4801 Rock Barn Road
Shingle Springs, CA 95682
(530) 677-6510
Mount Aukum Winery
http://www.mountaukum.com/
6781 Tower Rd.
Mount Aukum, CA 95656
(800) 591-WINE
Narrow Gate Vineyards
http://www.narrowgatevineyards.com/
4282 Pleasant Valley Road
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 644-6201
Oakstone Winery
http://www.oakstone-winery.com/
6440 Slug Gulch Rd.
Fair Play, CA 95684
(530) 620-5303
Perry Creek Vineyards
http://www.perrycreek.com/
7400 Perry Creek Rd.
Somerset, CA 95656
(530) 620-5175
Primus Winery
http://www.primusvineyards.com/
2875 Larsen Drive
Camino, CA 95709
(530) 647-9463
Sierra Oaks Estates
http://www.sierraoaksestates.com/
6713 Mt. Aukum Rd.
Somerset, CA 95656
(530) 620-7079
Sierra Vista Winery
http://www.sierravistawinery.com/
4560 Cabernet Way
Pleasant Valley, CA
(530) 622-7221
Single Leaf Vineyards & Winery
7480 Fair Play Road
Fair Play, CA 95684
(530) 620-3545
Sogno Winery
http://www.sognowinery.com/
3046 Ponderosa Road
Shingle Springs, CA 95682
(530) 672-6968
Stone's Throw Vineyard & Winery
3541 N. Canyon Rd.
Camino, CA 95709
(530) 622-5100
Stover Oaks Vineyard & Winery
http://www.stoveroaks.com/
5241 Nashville Trail
Placerville, CA 95667
(530) 626-9463
Toogood Estate Winery
http://www.toogoodwinery.com/
7280 Fair Play Rd
Fair Play, CA 95684
(530) 620-1910
Van Der Vijver Estate
7451 Fair Play Road
Fair Play, CA 95684
(530) 620-3210
Venezio Vineyards & Winery
http://www.venezio.com/
5821 Highway 49
Coloma, CA 95613
(530) 885-WINE
Windwalker Vineyards
7360 Perry Creek Rd.
Fair Play, CA 95684
(530) 620-4054
And last, but not least!!!
Wofford Acres Vineyards
http://www.wavwines.com/
1900 Hidden Valley Lane
Camino, CA 95709
(530) 626-6858
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Apple Hill is still going on near Placerville, CA
Those who have left the highway and driven through the orchards, vineyards and forests above Placerville know what Apple Hill is all about... Take the drive... the kids will love it! Located in Camino, CA, Apple Hill was once a fledgling association comprised of 16 original ranches. Today it boasts more than 50 ranches including Christmas tree growers, wineries, and vineyards. Free to the public. http://www.applehill.com/ You will find many tasty treats to tempt you and unique gifts for the holiday season.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Upcoming events near our Placerville bed and breakfast
There are many events upcoming in our little town of Placerville, or very near. Why not make a weekend getaway, get your tree and do a little relaxing at the same time.
Nov16 thru Dec 16
Imagination Theater presents Lil Abner A family musical Call Box Office for times on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, 100 Placerville Dr Adults $16; Seniors (over 55) $13; Children & Students $9. And there are group rates available. Business hours of the Box office are Tuesday thru Friday 3:30 - 6:00. For more information contact: Box Office (530) 642-0404 or call us at the Albert Shafsky House to book a room and a show 530-642-2776
Nov17 & 18
Chili & Chocolate Holiday Celebration at Sierra Vista Winery Come join in and taste …more detailed information to follow for more details, visit their website or call them $10 per person includes logo wine glass, and chili and chocolate samples www.sierravistawinery.com For more information contact: (800) 946-3916 Yummy!!!
Nov.17
Third Saturday Art walk is back!!Art galleries and merchants stay open late to host changing art show. Wine, hors d’oeuvres, demonstrations, and entertainment. Sponsored by local galleries and merchants. 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Historic Main Street, Placerville. Free to the public. www.placerville-downtown.org For more information contact: Placerville Downtown Association (530) 642-0177
Nov.23
Festival of Lights The old-fashioned festivities will close Historic Main Street. There will be music, entertainment, Santa, stagecoach rides. Holly Jolly Trolley rides (to outlying parking lots). 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tree-lighting around 6:00 p.m. Historic Main Street, Placerville Free to the public. www.placerville-downtown.org For more information contact: Placerville Downtown Association (530) 672-3436
Nov.23 & 24
Merchants Open House on Historic Main Street merchants welcome visitors with coffee, cider and seasonal goodies. Enjoy hometown holiday shopping and hospitality in one convenient setting. Free parking, entertainment, stagecoach rides and visits with Santa. Extended Hours. Call each store for more details about their hours. Historic Main Street, Placerville. Free parking. www.placerville-downtown.org For more information contact: Placerville Downtown Association (530) 672-3436
Dec. 01
Shakespeare Club's Elizabethan Family Celebration 15th Annual family celebration will be held at the Shakespeare Clubhouse. The holiday event will feature Father Christmas, Mother Christmas, minstrels, jesters, tumblers, children's games and lots of Yule music. There will be a grand entrance paradeaccompanied by festive bagpipe music by Scotsmen arrayed in full regalia. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Placerville Shakespeare Club, 2940 Bedford Avenue, Placerville $30 for adults, $18 for teens 13 - 18, $7 for children under 12 For more information contact: For more information and to purchase tickets call Merrilee at (530) 676-3749
Dec. 01
Christmas in the Cellar at Madrona Your invited to the cellar of the winery for a day of no-stress shopping merriment. Music by Dickin's Carolers, Christmas Tree, delicious food, holiday vendors and of course,Madrona will have specials on several wines to prepare you for your holiday feasts. 12:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Madrona Vineyard, 2560 High Hill Road, Placerville Open to the public and free of charge, come relax and enjoy For more information contact: (530) 644-5948
Dec. 08 & 09
Christmas in Coloma Enjoy the Annual old-fashioned Christmas, with period crafts, strolling musicians, historic trade demonstrations, 19th century children's games, and wreath making. A visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus is a colorful highlight of the day. Vendors offer hand-crafts aswell as a variety of foods. Snow is guaranteed! 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, 8 miles north on Highway 49 from Placerville in Coloma. The admittance fee is only $7.00 per vehicle, everything else is free (except $3.00 cost of photo with Santa). Children can visit Santa for free without a photo. www.marshallgold.org For more information contact: Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, call the events line (530) 295-2162
Dec. 08 & 09
Annual Historic Country Inn Holiday Tour Tour 12 inns decked out in seasonal finery, meet the innkeepers and enjoy Inn specialties and refreshments. Weekend tickets available, good for both Saturday and Sunday.Portion of proceeds benefit local charities Each day from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. This is a self guided tour going to the Historic Country Inns located throughout El Dorado County. $15 in advance or at the door. Tickets are available at every member inn or calling. www.goldcountrylodging.com For more information contact: Historic Country Inns 877-262-4667
Nov16 thru Dec 16
Imagination Theater presents Lil Abner A family musical Call Box Office for times on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, 100 Placerville Dr Adults $16; Seniors (over 55) $13; Children & Students $9. And there are group rates available. Business hours of the Box office are Tuesday thru Friday 3:30 - 6:00. For more information contact: Box Office (530) 642-0404 or call us at the Albert Shafsky House to book a room and a show 530-642-2776
Nov17 & 18
Chili & Chocolate Holiday Celebration at Sierra Vista Winery Come join in and taste …more detailed information to follow for more details, visit their website or call them $10 per person includes logo wine glass, and chili and chocolate samples www.sierravistawinery.com For more information contact: (800) 946-3916 Yummy!!!
Nov.17
Third Saturday Art walk is back!!Art galleries and merchants stay open late to host changing art show. Wine, hors d’oeuvres, demonstrations, and entertainment. Sponsored by local galleries and merchants. 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Historic Main Street, Placerville. Free to the public. www.placerville-downtown.org For more information contact: Placerville Downtown Association (530) 642-0177
Nov.23
Festival of Lights The old-fashioned festivities will close Historic Main Street. There will be music, entertainment, Santa, stagecoach rides. Holly Jolly Trolley rides (to outlying parking lots). 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tree-lighting around 6:00 p.m. Historic Main Street, Placerville Free to the public. www.placerville-downtown.org For more information contact: Placerville Downtown Association (530) 672-3436
Nov.23 & 24
Merchants Open House on Historic Main Street merchants welcome visitors with coffee, cider and seasonal goodies. Enjoy hometown holiday shopping and hospitality in one convenient setting. Free parking, entertainment, stagecoach rides and visits with Santa. Extended Hours. Call each store for more details about their hours. Historic Main Street, Placerville. Free parking. www.placerville-downtown.org For more information contact: Placerville Downtown Association (530) 672-3436
Dec. 01
Shakespeare Club's Elizabethan Family Celebration 15th Annual family celebration will be held at the Shakespeare Clubhouse. The holiday event will feature Father Christmas, Mother Christmas, minstrels, jesters, tumblers, children's games and lots of Yule music. There will be a grand entrance paradeaccompanied by festive bagpipe music by Scotsmen arrayed in full regalia. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Placerville Shakespeare Club, 2940 Bedford Avenue, Placerville $30 for adults, $18 for teens 13 - 18, $7 for children under 12 For more information contact: For more information and to purchase tickets call Merrilee at (530) 676-3749
Dec. 01
Christmas in the Cellar at Madrona Your invited to the cellar of the winery for a day of no-stress shopping merriment. Music by Dickin's Carolers, Christmas Tree, delicious food, holiday vendors and of course,Madrona will have specials on several wines to prepare you for your holiday feasts. 12:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Madrona Vineyard, 2560 High Hill Road, Placerville Open to the public and free of charge, come relax and enjoy For more information contact: (530) 644-5948
Dec. 08 & 09
Christmas in Coloma Enjoy the Annual old-fashioned Christmas, with period crafts, strolling musicians, historic trade demonstrations, 19th century children's games, and wreath making. A visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus is a colorful highlight of the day. Vendors offer hand-crafts aswell as a variety of foods. Snow is guaranteed! 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, 8 miles north on Highway 49 from Placerville in Coloma. The admittance fee is only $7.00 per vehicle, everything else is free (except $3.00 cost of photo with Santa). Children can visit Santa for free without a photo. www.marshallgold.org For more information contact: Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, call the events line (530) 295-2162
Dec. 08 & 09
Annual Historic Country Inn Holiday Tour Tour 12 inns decked out in seasonal finery, meet the innkeepers and enjoy Inn specialties and refreshments. Weekend tickets available, good for both Saturday and Sunday.Portion of proceeds benefit local charities Each day from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. This is a self guided tour going to the Historic Country Inns located throughout El Dorado County. $15 in advance or at the door. Tickets are available at every member inn or calling. www.goldcountrylodging.com For more information contact: Historic Country Inns 877-262-4667
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Lily the wonder dog
So many of our guests just love Lily. So to honor the little "innkeeper" here is a whole post about her...
This is the very first we saw of her, on our breeder's website. Lily is on the left. The other picture is Lily at 4 weeks, when we went to visit to see if we would be good parents for her and to meet the breeder. And the photo in the grass is her first days at home, at about 8 weeks old.
This is the very first we saw of her, on our breeder's website. Lily is on the left. The other picture is Lily at 4 weeks, when we went to visit to see if we would be good parents for her and to meet the breeder. And the photo in the grass is her first days at home, at about 8 weeks old.
She has only gotten cuter!!!! We sometimes wonder if our guests would like the Albert Shafsky House Bed and Breakfast as much without Lily!
Monday, April 30, 2007
More on Tori and Dean and "reality" TV
A good buddy send me this recent article from the Fallbrook Village News about Tori Spelling's B & B and it turns out Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott DO NOT actually own Chateau La Rue. Which means that all that stuff the media bought from the duo about them taking Tori's pithy $800,000 inheritance from Aaron Spelling and investing it in a B & B is not true.
Reporter Christina Macone-Green writes:
A trip down to the San Diego County Assessors office on April 19 proved to be quite interesting. An assessment clerk, Ms. Lerma, easily pulled up the Chateau La Rue property address and reported that there had been no activity since 2004. There was no new document number and/or transaction for this residence.
"Nothing new has been recorded with the County of San Diego," Lerma said. The assessment clerk explained that the computer systems were up to date, having only a three-day lapse for transactions.
So who are the property owners of this Fallbrook bed and breakfast? There is no one new. "Christopher King and Patricia King are still the owners," asserted Lerma.
Very interesting...so, I guess the King's are getting a nice piece of change for not running their inn and the "fame" of having Tori and Dean there...explains why they are staying in a trailer...
Thursday, January 25, 2007
InnSide Innkeeping at our Placerville bed and Breakfast
Well, we are finally off to the California bed and breakfast conference in Irvine to spend time actually planning and thinking about what it is we do as innkeepers here at our Placerville B&B. I will certainly post some tip and tricks we pick up while at the events/seminars upon our return.
In our absence, we will have one of our trusty innsitters minding the inn and taking care of our bed and breakfast guests. We know he will be great! He always gets rave reviews on his cooking.
Speaking of which...a good innsitter is an important part of running a bed and breakfast. With the average life cycle of an innkeeper at about 7 years due to burnout, it is crucial to remember to getaway yourself once in a while and that means either shutting the bed and breakfast or finding someone to take your place while you get pampered yourself!
So, you want to be an innkeeper? Know an innsitter too!
In our absence, we will have one of our trusty innsitters minding the inn and taking care of our bed and breakfast guests. We know he will be great! He always gets rave reviews on his cooking.
Speaking of which...a good innsitter is an important part of running a bed and breakfast. With the average life cycle of an innkeeper at about 7 years due to burnout, it is crucial to remember to getaway yourself once in a while and that means either shutting the bed and breakfast or finding someone to take your place while you get pampered yourself!
So, you want to be an innkeeper? Know an innsitter too!
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Learn to be an Innkeeper in California at bed and breakfast conference
So you think you want to be an innkeeper of a California Bed and Breakfast? Come to InnSpire and meet a whole bunch of California Bed and Breakfast owners who are living the dream. Come to Irvine, CA and learn the art of innkeeping!
Schedule subject to change
Sunday - January 28, 2007
9:00am - 6:00pm Innkeeper's Registration
11:30am - 12:15pm New Member / First-time Attendee Orientation Great chance to meet new folks
12:30 - 2:00pm Welcome to InnSpire 2007 - Annual Membership Town Hall & Lunch Hear what is going on with the State Association!
2:15 - 4:30pm Concurrent Workshops I get great ideas everytime!
4:30 - 7:30pm Opening Reception with Exhibitors
4:30 - 7:30pm Cyber Café Open
Monday - January 29, 2007
8:00 - 9:00am Concurrent Workshops
9:00 - 10:30am Exhibit Hall Opens ñ Coffee with Vendor
9:00am - 4:30pm Cyber Café Open
10:45 - 11:45am Keynote Address
12:00 - 2:00pm Shopping & Box Lunch with Exhibitors
2:15 - 3:15pm Concurrent Workshops
3:30 - 4:30pm Exhibitor Teatime, Innkeeper Shopping, Vendor Drawing
4:45pm Trade Show Closes
4:45 - 5:45pm Concurrent Workshops
7:30 - 11:00pm Celebration Party! Lots of fun and gives the innkeepers a chance to relax and mingle.
Cocktail Reception, Silent Auction, Dinner and Dancing
Tuesday - January 30, 2007
8:00am - 12:00pm InnTouch One-On-One Appointments
8:00am - 12:00pm Cyber Café Open
9:00 - 10:15am Concurrent Workshops
10:30 - 11:45am Concurrent Workshops
12:00 - 1:45pm Lunch & General Session
2:00 - 4:00pm Seminars and Training
Guest Management Software Training / User Groups
Schedule subject to change
Sunday - January 28, 2007
9:00am - 6:00pm Innkeeper's Registration
11:30am - 12:15pm New Member / First-time Attendee Orientation Great chance to meet new folks
12:30 - 2:00pm Welcome to InnSpire 2007 - Annual Membership Town Hall & Lunch Hear what is going on with the State Association!
2:15 - 4:30pm Concurrent Workshops I get great ideas everytime!
4:30 - 7:30pm Opening Reception with Exhibitors
4:30 - 7:30pm Cyber Café Open
Monday - January 29, 2007
8:00 - 9:00am Concurrent Workshops
9:00 - 10:30am Exhibit Hall Opens ñ Coffee with Vendor
9:00am - 4:30pm Cyber Café Open
10:45 - 11:45am Keynote Address
12:00 - 2:00pm Shopping & Box Lunch with Exhibitors
2:15 - 3:15pm Concurrent Workshops
3:30 - 4:30pm Exhibitor Teatime, Innkeeper Shopping, Vendor Drawing
4:45pm Trade Show Closes
4:45 - 5:45pm Concurrent Workshops
7:30 - 11:00pm Celebration Party! Lots of fun and gives the innkeepers a chance to relax and mingle.
Cocktail Reception, Silent Auction, Dinner and Dancing
Tuesday - January 30, 2007
8:00am - 12:00pm InnTouch One-On-One Appointments
8:00am - 12:00pm Cyber Café Open
9:00 - 10:15am Concurrent Workshops
10:30 - 11:45am Concurrent Workshops
12:00 - 1:45pm Lunch & General Session
2:00 - 4:00pm Seminars and Training
Guest Management Software Training / User Groups
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