Week 17: Fam-cation

Dec 29, 2011 | 111 Comments

Hey friends!  Today’s post is going to be quicker than planned – the ‘charming’ motel we’re road-tripping at is having some Wi-Fi issues.  More fun and fab pics tomorrow for sure…

Family mini holiday up to the Central Coast of California began with a stop at Chick-Fil-A where my brother got a peppermint milkshake for breakfast.

I mean...

I mean...

I got fries and yogurt, so no judgement, obviously :)

We stopped in Morro Bay by the large rock in the middle of the water…

Morro Bay!

Morro Bay!

…before making it to our first destination, the Hearst Ranch Winery.  We did some wine tasting…

Familial Wine Tasting!

Familial Wine Tasting!

…before making it over to Hearst Castle…

The Castle of Hearst

The Castle of Hearst

…for an evening tour which was incredible!!  It was lit gorgeously and I kept on wanting to sneak into crevasses and dressing rooms like this one…

One of my favorite spots!

One of my favorite spots on tour!

…to pretend I was one of William Randolph Hearst’s guests back in the 20s, swimming in the Roman pools, having meals with Groucho Marx, and playing tennis way into the wee hours under flood lights.  Yeah, I can’t play tennis to save my life, but I’d still do it just ’cause.

The pool was insane and with all the pillars could have doubled as Caesar’s Palace in Vegas.  OK, well we won’t go that far.

La Piscine!

La Piscine!

Tomorrow will be chock full of more goodies… To leave you tonight, I’m giving away a lovely wine-themed pack with a gorgeous brocade fabric wine bag with jade stone, some LU water crackers, a sterling silver wine cork (it’s a shell, but is hard to see), a travel wine screw, and a Cheers card by Rock Paper Scissors.  Ideally this will make the perfect gift for someone with the addition of a bottle of wine, however feel free to pick and choose what to keep and what to bring as a hostess gift, winner.

Day 29 Giveaway Goodies

Day 29 Giveaway Goodies

To enter, leave a comment below of a favorite wine or cheese – for those who aren’t into either, just give me something that’ll make me smile.  A winner will get chosen today (12/30) and mentioned on tomorrow’s post (12/31).

I love fuller bodied wines and Cabernet Sauvignon is my usual go-to.  I love Tempranillos too and with cheese, there really is no wrong in my book.  A yummy brie perhaps to accompany or on it’s own.  I would live in a house of brie if possible.

Congrats to Leah D. who won yesterday’s goodies!  Everyone’s cocktail choices make me want to throw one, big, group Happy Hour…if there was only a way to do this over the interwebs.  Le sigh :)

In all · Giveaways
  • Sue

    I’m a big fan of Asiago cheese.

    Looks like you and your family are having a lovely time with some beautiful scenery.

    Safe travels.

  • http://profiles.google.com/merinda Aarika Denton

    I love almost any Prosecco of any variety at any time. 

  • Darsedee28

    I dont have an real favorite, but I enjoy wine tastings at local wineries with my husband on occasion.

  • Marissa

    The Hearst Castle looks so neat!

    I love dessert wines, like ice wines.  And I’m a big fan of smoked cheeses, yum!

  • Jo holley

    i dont drink wine, but i love pretty much any cheese you can imagine. even “chose”, our name for that fake cheese they put on nachos… not sure where that name came from, but it has been that, for me, since high school. its funny that this post is about cheese, i’ve been craving string cheese for hours..

  • munchesmom

    I LOVE cheese, but if I have to choose a favorite, I’ll go w/ fresh mozzarella (esp. if it’s on a fresh baguette & topped w/ a leaf of basil).

  • Hlzy7

    I LOVE cheese!  One of my fav’s is manchego so dreamy!  Goes well with sherry or port!

    • Anonymous

      I love manchego too!

  • Virginia

    I’m all about chevre and feta – so salty goat cheeses.  However, almost any cheese that isn’t melting and sliding around the plate in a puddle of goo is delicious to me!

  • PattyT

    I usually drink red wines but once had a phenomenal light lunch combination of Gewertztraminer, goat cheese, and fresh peaches.  Yummers!

  • DinaB

    I visited the Cuba (New York) Cheese shop last Fall after visiting the Cuba Garlic Festival. The cheese selections were amazing and they have samples all the time. I love the Mango Ginger Cheese! Big chunks of fruit in a full flavored yummy sharp cheddar! 

  • http://profiles.google.com/mandakitty Amanda Barroso

    My favorite cheese would have to be the one we’d get from this little family owned place back home in NY called Kutters. They have the best aged cheddar, It is a bit more expensive than normal grocery store cheese but omg. so worth it. As for wine,  I haven’t found too many I really love but there are 2, Ice Wine and Arbor Mist Blackberry Merlot. :)

  • Dianna

    my favorite wine is usually something sweet with a little bubbly like a moscato – I’m currently trying to try all of them so I can find my favorite!

  • KatlynMcNeil2

    I have absolutely fallen in love with any sort of Malbec.  And who can resist a big hunk of brie when sipping on their favorite wine?

  • Ashley Byrd

    A winery in Missouri–Stonehill–makes this pink catawba wine that is so delightful and interesting!

  • http://twitter.com/twinkietwin94 Kelly Davis

    I used to be a big sweet wine fan but I’ve drifted away, a few years ago my parents found White Merlot and that’s now my go to wine.  I love visiting wineries, and it’s so easy to do living here in Mo, did a big winery trip for Octoberfest with the fam, it was so much fun.

  • http://mamasuburbs.wordpress.com/ Stephanie

    Favorite wine…red…I like Cabs, but have been branching out more lately.  Cupcake Red Velvet is a great red wine (sold at Safeway & Nob Hill).  I have yet to meet a cheese I don’t like.  My favorite is Drunken Goat Cheese from Spain (Whole Foods carries it)

  • Jennifer Gaspar Schreiner

    Big Riesling fan here.  But I’ll pretty much drink any wine  that isn’t too tannic or too sweet.  As for cheese, I’m kind of on a chevre kick right now.

  • Kathe Gardner

    My old stomping grounds – used to live just south of Pismo – enjoy!  I do miss it.  Never saw the ‘Castle’ at night – beautiful.  There are a lot of wineries up there – going to check them all out?  As for my favorite wine - I like white zinfandel.  My favorite cheese – all of them!!  Thanks for sharing.

  • Tina

    red wine and almost any cheese!!!

  • luciaburnett

    In Bandon, Oregon there is the Bandon Cheese Factory, which always has lots of samples to try. My favorite is the extra sharp white cheddar!

  • Gayle406

    OK, we’re in Santiago, Chile, but live in Texas, so a wonderful Chilean Carmenere is what you should try sometime.  Mayba a Casa Silva.

  • Marilyn

    Love dry wines, especially reds, but not toooooo dry–especially whites, and most any kind of cheese–like brie, cheddar, blue, havarti (big yuuummmm), mozzarella, asiago, etc., etc., etc.

  • Angels_envy

    my favorite cheese is this white cheese that has blueberries in it.  it is so soft and amazing!! im a wisconsin girl and totally obsessed with cheese! :)

  • Lindsay

    My go to wines used to be red.. either Cabs or Merlot… Then I started trying white wines and I really enjoy Pinot Grigio .. fave cheese would have to be cheddar… Any cheddar!

  • Linda H.

    I love Reisling.  And I’ve never met a cheese I didn’t like.  I’d have to say bleu cheese is my fav. 

  • Vanessa

    Love my Finger Lakes wine here in New York.  My all time favorite is from Americana and is called ‘Cayuga White’.   Very Delish! 

  • Til

    LOVE LOVE wine, but my wine education is lacking.  my fave thing to do is wine tastings.  Where they give you like 5 glasses of wine to “taste” and the tiny crackers for pallet cleansing. 

  • Shannon

    Your trip looks like ooodles of fun…stay safe.  Recently I enjoyed the melty goodness of brie served with crackers & rasberry jam, YUM.  Also, like trying the different wine selections of the ”Middle Sister” brand & love seeing the quirky labels they make for each one.

  • Gail P

    Sweet wines are my way to go.  We have several local vineyards here, and I think the locals are the best!!

  • Savannah Fowler

    I am not a wine drinker, but I do love eating cheese. I love handmade mozzerella, it is so yummy.

  • Deb Darby

    OH MARISA! I can feel the seaspray and envision my weekend with my hubz back in about ’83! We too love Cabernet Sauvignon – Beaulieu Vineyards, and we shared a bottle in a quaint restaurant in Baywood. We didn’t have any then, but I love a nice, creamy Havarti with dill. Have fun! 

  • Kate Gray

    My husband and I honeymooned in New Zealand in April, and although he’s beer-only, I thoroughly enjoyed the Sauvignon Blanc that’s a specialty of the northern part of the South Island.  I had a glass of amazing wine each night with dinner.  Now I get really excited when I see wine from Nelson in restaurants – I always get it!

  • Micki

    What a very cute giveaway!  And I’m jealous of your vacation.  Its so great that you travel with your folks.  Favorite wine: Gewürztraminer.  Which I still can’t pronounce, not even after a few glasses!

  • Keysdeb

    I am not a big wine drinker, but love homemade Sangria with a splash of club soda, when I do have wine. For our New Year’s Eve open house (come visit) here in the balmy Florida Keys I am doing a Brie in a puff pastry. Sounds so elegant and complicated to make…NOT!! My fave “fancy” appetizer. Enjoy your family time…I am dreading the end of our family visits. Kids back to college next week…:(.

    • Anonymous

      Sangria, yum! Have fun with the kids before they head back to school…that was always the worst part when I went home for the holidays, having to leave the family :(

  • Valarie Lewis

    I love me a good cab, and cabernet blends are usually yum, too. I like to eat strong cheese with my bold wine, so I tend to choose a smoked gouda or sharp cheddar. I save the milder cheeses for when I’m eating fruit, like grapes and apples with havarti and brie. I’m hungry!

  • ally

    i am not a fan of the dry wines unless they are prosecco.. my all time faves are sweet muscatos.   my local chick-fil-a gave free small peppermint milkshakes to their email subscribers last week–yummm!  have a good trip!

  • Anonymous

    I love, love, love cheese with bite, like goat cheese and gorgonzola. I made a mac’n cheese yesterday with gouda though, that was a dream.

    As for wine, any Tempranillo or Malbec please! I’ve yet to taste one I don’t like. :)

  • Arebswan88

    I LOVE me some plum wine!! It’s really sweet and fruity, making it a perfect dessert wine! :)

  • Amys30

    I love all kinds of wine and all cheese.  That is my all time favorite snack (or even dinner!)
    But my favorite is goat cheese and a Pinot Noir!

  • KC

    A glass of chardonnay, crackers, and sharp cheddar cheese = the best dinner!!

  • Afg24

    I am a cheap college girl so I usually end up drinking franzia or barefoot…. both blush wines (I pretend I am classy sometimes but in all honesty defiantly not). As for cheese I eat it by the block (not great for you), I love brie, extra sharp cheddar and the list could go on forever. Have fun on your mini vaca!

  • Lilo

    In my:

    20′s:  Boone’s Farm and cheetos (I counted that as cheese)

    30′s: Schwartze Katz wine from Germany mit Kase (I was living in Germany for 12+years)

    40′s to present:  Lambrusco with Boursin, followed by a chaser of water and a fiber pill

    Happy New Year,  thanks for keeping us entertained in 2011, looking forward to your book!

  • ArtisticInAZ

    We went to the deli to order food for my aunt’s 90th birthday party ~ WOOHOO!!!

    Deli person – “Would you like to taste the cheese?”  Me – (in my head) “Um . . . duh, yeah!!”

  • Susie28

    I am a red wine gal all the way but all wine is awesome to me. I usually combine my glass of red wine with a glass of water with lemon so I don’t get dehydrated and end up with a headache the next morning – not fun. I love the Washington state wines – so fruity and smooth on the palate. Sometimes Washington state wines are hard to find in the restaurants in Arizona but I always look for them on the menu. My favorite go-to place to buy wine is Total Wine. I look for my favorite Cabernet but I also enjoy a Merlot or a mixture of the two. For an inexpensive wine I choose Lambrusco - I first tried it at Olive Garden and got hooked. It goes well with just about any dish but especially pasta!

    Your photos of Hearst Castle are amazing. Have a great time at the wineries and I will put them on my bucket list. Happy New Year Marisa and fans!!! Cheers to a fabulous 2012!    

    • Anonymous

      Mmm, Total Wine sounds like a place I’d really enjoy :)

  • Carrie Hodge

    My favorite wine of choice is Orvieto Classico! It is a delicious white and my go to wine.

  • Hotmamoo

    I’m not into wine,sorry couldn’t handle the tase, but I really do like cheese. There are so many cheese that I would like to have a taste of!! How about a good aged blue cheese or some exotic cheese! Wow there is an endless variety to choose from!! WOOT!  Maybe I should make that one of my New Years resolutions to try to taste as many types of cheese as I can this year!!

  • Kridcutie

    I LOVE any Moscato. It is so sweet and delicious! Even the $5.00 bottles taste good and that is fabulous for a girl on a budget!

  • http://www.wom-mom.com/ Wom Mom Ethne

    Agreed.  Brie is perfection.  I’m a Syrah/Shiraz kind of gal for reds, and a Riesling for whites.  This changes regularly.  Did you know that it’s illegal to add sugar to Riesling in France, but the Germans do it to their Rieslings where it’s not illegal?  Fun fact.

    • Anonymous

      So interesting, I had no idea!! Rieslings are so good – probably my favorite white!

  • MarisaTT

    My favorite wine is the pinot noir from Willamette Valley Vineyards – my wedding wine! Favorite cheese? Not sure why I would need to pick just one, but I will go with cheese curds from Beechers in Seattle or a local Oregon Chevre….

  • Adriana M.

    I guess I’m what a serious wine drinker would call, well, a “not-so-serious-wine-drinker”.  I like the sweet stuff.  Moscato, Lambrusco, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and some port on occasion.  I do also enjoy a pinot gris and a white zin of course.  Cabs, merlots and the like are not for me – I don’t enjoy the dryness.  But when I’m introduced to those wines on wine tasting tours, then I’m totally down to drink whatever they’re pouring.  Happy New Year everyone!

  • Pascale

    My husband has a fascination with Amarone della Valpolicella, a savory red wine made from three types of partially dried grapes. He hoards the wine like it’s a rare gem that someone might need in the future to build a laser-telescope that will save the planet. Every time he comes back from Costco, there’s another bottle of Amarone in tow – so now we have about 10 bottles of Amarone in our wine cabinet, and literally no bottles of “regular” wine that people are allowed to drink.

  • LENT

    I love Shirazes.  From anywhere.  Yummo!!  I also love Cabernet Sauvignons. 
    Enjoy your vaca!

  • Anonymous

    I’m a Pinot girl myself and I’m partial to Grigio :)

  • Jacqueline in Atlanta

    Snoqualmie puts out some nice wines. I like their Sauvignon Blanc (look for the windmill on the label). Cheese? yes!

  • Rowdycat2222

    I love manchego cheese wrapped with proscuitto and honeydew melon.  YUM!  My fav wine of all time:  Late harvest chardonnay.  DOUBLE YUM!

    P.S. I surprised my boyfriend with a trip to Hearst Castle for his birthday this past June.  It was raining cats and dogs when we got there; but we had a blast.  We stayed at the Morgan and did karaoke at the bar across the way; with Elvis as the DJ.  WOW!  What fun!!  Have a blast!!

    • Anonymous

      Ha, we drove past the Elvis karaoke spot but he was only there on the weekends per the signs outside.  I’m going next time for sure!!

  • Erica Newhart

    I like wines that are slightly sweet, preferably rose, blush, or white.  I’ve never met a cheese I don’t like!

  • Elizabeth Fiedler

    My favorite wine is an old vine zinfandel, like 7 Deadly Zins.  :)  And my favorite cheese is camembert.

  • Jesica

    I like pinot grigio.  Every now and then I like to drink one of the local wines – like a sweet blueberry wine I picked up at the store this past summer.

  • Disneychick1980

    My favorite is a yummy smoked Gouda with salami and crackers and a good Merlot like Rex Goliath Rooster. It’s a pretty good wine for under 10$ But my favorite wine ever is from Casa de Fruita. They have an anniversary wine made from cranberries. It is super yummy!! It’s a fun one to use at celebrations!

  • Kadi Easley

    I took some amazing photos at Morro Bay a few years ago. The surf and the wind were just nuts. One of my favorite places in the central coast. Kind of jealous. :)

    • Anonymous

      And that rock in Morro Bay…right in the middle of the water!  We took some fun pics.  Come out and visit!

  • Tagati

    Absolutely luv a full bodied red. Opus is the best, but saved for special occasions! A nice Cambonzola with water crackers is great too.

  • Cinak630

    recently introduced to chocolate espresso wine. Killer stuff!

  • Valerie Satula

    My favorite wine would be Chateau St Michelle Riesling. WE had it at our wedding- it is sweet but not too sweet and goes great with everything.

  • elise

    my boyfriend and i found falanghina a few years back and i had forgotten about its existence until a recent trip to Seattle where it was on a menu at an adorable wine bar.
    that and any cheese, really, make me a very happy girl.
    i used to throw wine and cheese parties all the time when i lived in Brooklyn.  Those were the days…

  • Miss Crayola Creepy

    You’re on the Central Coast wine tasting and going to Hearst Castle?!?!?! I live on the Central Coast and I’m jealous! Next time you are in town let me know and I can recommend some good wineries. And isn’t Hearst Castle amazing? It’s my all time favorite place, I go at least once a year, but this year I didn’t get to go. The night tour is the only tour I haven’t been on :(

    My favorite wine is the Pinot Blanc from Kynsi winery in Arroyo Grande (where I live). 

    • Anonymous

      I will totally reach out next time I go up for suggestions!  The night tour was magical, especially with all the holiday decorations and lights :)   You have to go!  Thanks MCC!! xx

  • Notjustabreeder77

    I love a good dry riesling but my favorite wine is from Vinn distillary in, Wilsonville Oregon. It is not made from grapes but from rice. Rice wine or Mijiu is different from saki (which I love too) and it is a lot of times used in cooking. I love Rice wine cause of its low tanins which meandering fewer headaches for me :)
    Mijiu Fire is my favorite and it is a naturally dark red wine that has a flavor of blackberries with just a hint of cinnamon. Mijiu fire is made from a black rice and I love to eat it with a blue cheese and/or a cheese with a nutty flavor…I had one from Tuscany wrapped in walnut leaves, I don’t remember the name right now but it was yummy!

  • Sbrdek

    We did a trip through Oregon wine country and I fell in love with pinot noir.  As for cheese, a nice blue (not too strong or “stinky sock” flavored) is just the best.

  • Hancla3

    Smoked gruyer is the best cheese…gvina mushenet if you happen to be in Israel.

  • Jean

    I like wine that’s sweeter – so my favorite is Moscato.  Pair it with Brie and I love it!

  • Hannah

    Sparkling wine! Champagne is great, but I’ll also take cava, prosecco, whathaveyou…I’ll definitely be drinking some this weekend.

  • Brittney

    I love the blackberry wine from a local winery called Forgotten Fire. And I like trying unique cheeses. My most recent was a mocha flavored cheese. It was pretty good.

  • Anonymous

    For those who like blue cheese, there is a brand called Maytag Blue Cheese that is wonderful. It is made in Iowa, produced by people who were related to the Maytag appliance founder.

  • Anonymous

    Geoff Tate’s (Queensryche) Insania.  But I did do the Boone’s Farm thing when I was much younger:).
    And I just can’t pick one cheese, I even like it squirted from an aerosol can!

  • kinder teacher

    I am glad you are enjoying the Hearst Castle.  Each room is a museum within itself!!!  Kewl place!  My favorite cheese is not fancy at all…Boars Head Lacey Swiss wrapped around Boars Head Buffalo Chicken…yummy!!!!

  • Alison Morning

    I love goat cheese – especially from Woolwich Dairy Inc. They have a wonderful line of fresh cheese – the plain is yummy as is the cranberry cinnamon (to name but two) and their goat brie is awesome! Peppermint milkshake for breakfast sounds delish – hope you and your family enjoy your road trip.

  • Sassyinblue

    I love Bordeaux’s … preferably St. Emillion which are my favorites! And I love pairing it with either a Baked Brie with fig jam and walnuts or with Idiazabal cheese – which is one of the best cheese’s ever from Pais Vasco in Spain… if you’ve never tried it, I highly recommend it!

  • Jill Moore

    Moscato much?  Why yes, thank you!  ;)

  • Phoenixselene

    Moscato or raspberry mead. Huzzah!

  • Elizabeth S

    rex goalith cab with smoked gouda cheese

  • Lia

    Brie is absolutely delicious, as is Swiss Gruyere (le sigh).

  • Billiarddragon

    I just love anything smoked, but especially baby swiss

  • ~M

    Mimolette is my absolute favorite cheese ever.  My husband calls it parmacheddar.  Not much of a wine drinker – but there’s nothing like a nice beer, some mimolette, some salty salami, and a crusty bread.  

  • Shrav

    White Zinfadel…yum,I like cheddar chesse (Kraft Singles,ha ha)….I just got back from visiting your part of the world…LA was awesome! :)

  • Jenn

    Smoked Gouda or a nice creamy Brie with a yummy bold Cab and I’m a happy girl! 

  • Katyfroglady

    I never met a cheese I didn’t like. When I lived in Sweden for a year, I would buy a cheese with cracked black pepper in it. It was very common there, but I have looked and looked here in the states and have never been able to find a similar cheese.

    • Maureen

      Katyfroglady,
      Here in the Charleston,SC area at Harris Teeter grocers they carry cheese w/ balck pepper in it.

      • Anonymous

        Can’t wait to try…

  • Judy B.

    I’m planning on taking up wine-drinking, but no recommendations yet. For cheese, I’ll go with stilton.

  • Sandra

    Myzithra, Gouda, Havarti, Provolone and Cottage cheese.

  • Waterhlz

    I love this Chianti from Trader Joe’s.  It’s D’Agostino. From italy. so delish.

    • Calpearl2

      I know, Isn’t it amazing? And the price can’t be beat!

      • Anonymous

        Just saw this and thought of you guys!!  I made homemade gnocchi a few days ago and had this with it!  D’Agostino rules!

  • Maureen

    The Niagara wine from Pennsylvania Ren Faire in Central Pa is awesome! {Imagine Welch’s white grape juice as a wine.
    The grapes used and wine made for Faire is from NW Pa where I hail from.
    In the town of North East,Pa is a Welch’s plant w/ some of the grapes grown literally behind my grandparents former home so there’s a sentimental factor to my love of the wine.

  • Calpearl2

    I love Hearst Castle! Spent some time out there this summer… sigh!
    CHOOSE a wine or cheese? I can’t but if. I . must… chevre.. Lots of chevre. and Pinot Noir if I can’t get any Champagne.. mmmmm, excuse me as I rush to my kitchen!
    Lovely pics. Thx

  • Paola

    My absolute fave cheese is Cambozola – a cross between Camembert and Gorgonzola!  Best thing ever! 

  • Janet D

    This time of year, it’s a bubbly Prosecco for me (sparkling Italian wine).

  • JenniferRose

    I love Snoqualmie Whistle Stop Red wine – I’ve never been much of a red wine drinker until a friend convinced me to try this one and now I’m hooked! Plus, Snoqualmie is local for me so I’m supporting the local economy :-)

  • Mary Garrett

    It’s almost champagne time — Happy New Year (almost) and happy 6th day of Christmas.  
    I just remembered a bottle of champagne, won at a Halloween party by my date (gorgeously and femininely attired — fooled nearly everyone).  It was a great evening, until I dropped that heavy bottle on my big toe . . .

    • Anonymous

      Oh no!! I dropped a jar of baby food on my big toe when I was a teen and it hit right in the center and made the nail fall off. Fingers crossed that doesn’t happen to you MG! xx

  • Woojimmie

    Red Rock merlot is my absolute favorite. It’s so smooth without being too sweet.

  • http://twitter.com/semprini Nikki Lariosa

    I love california red wines like 159 and 331 and my favorite white is Santa Margarita. :)

  • Legolas7

    You should of stopped in Morro Bay & Cayucos, CA. They have the best antique/thrift shops. I was there a few months ago. I couldn’t help but think of you when I was there. You having spent so much time in them. ;)

    • Anonymous

      Next trip for sure – we briefly stopped in Morro Bay to take a few pics, but without enough time to browse!  I’m sure I’d be occupied for hours!

  • Katy Beck Mallory

    Gotta love chick-fil-a! (does it make you miss Georgia?!?) :)

    Katy (aka Savvy in the City)