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Thirsty Thursday: Italian Wine Chasing

Rambler: Beth

Drink at Hand: 2009 Nada Fiorenzo Barbaresco Rombone

Thirsty Thursday here again! Time to pour something yummy and make those weekend plans. This week's installment is full of yummy drinkable goodness, but is not really a weekend destination from California. Welliver Photography was fortunate to spend a week wandering around Italy with nothing to do but eat amazing food, drink incredible wines, and take pictures.  

We scored a private wine tasting (thanks Wendy!) at a great family-owned winery called Nada Fiorenzo, not too far from Alba, Italy. The Piedmont region is known for its barbaresco, nebbiolo, barolo, barbara, and dolcetto varietals, and Nada Fiorenzo's barbaresco definitely did not disappoint. Plus, getting the opportunity to taste wine one-on-one with the son of the winemaker (who will likely take over as winemaker down the road) was incredible. We really learned about the wines while also getting a sense of the pride and love affair the family has with its vines, grapes, and wines. Great experience. Thanks Danilo! 

After tasting we wandered around the endless vineyards...and spent most of the rest of the day doing the same in and around Alba. It was such a beautiful area of Italy and I would love to go back to do an agriturismo stay at a vineyard in the area. 

Rodello

The view from Castello di Grinzane Cavour

So, I won't be getting back to Italy this weekend, or any weekend anytime soon...but fortunately I can still enjoy some great wine and cool vineyards right here in Monterey County. Enjoy your weekend! 

Thirsty Thursday: Lichtenstein Views

Rambler: Terry
Drink in Hand: 2007 De Tierra Pinot Noir 

Beth's last Two Word Tuesday inspired me to finally begin to dig into my photos from Germany and Italy. We both have thousands of shots to go through and I have been having a hard time motivating myself to edit them. I'm not sure why, but it's just been tough lately. I suppose the best way to start is just to start. . .so, I picked the day with only a dozen images. To my dismay, sifting through the dozen photos took me quite a while. I think it had something to do with trying to style the photos. I kept feeling like they needed a vintage look or something like that. Perhaps I should have more wine. I finally settled on these seven shots.

 They were all taken almost immediately after I arrived at Beth's hostel in Germany. Well, I take that back. When I first arrived at Beth's hostel, she was still in class, so I let myself in and immediately fell asleep (jet lag gets me every time). Beth woke me up sometime later and we were off to the castle. I don't think I was entirely sure where I was and I didn't even know what castle it was until I saw her Two Word Tuesday! I promise many more shots are coming. Enjoy the weekend!

Thirsty Thursday: About a Year Ago

Rambler: Terry
Drink in Hand: 2009 Ventana Rubystone

About a year ago we were lost in the wilderness. Specifically, we were in the Eldorado National Forest Desolation Wilderness, CA searching for a place to camp and walking across seemingly endless granite. The Mas was enjoying everything about the adventure save the blisters on her paws from the granite. We were enjoying the views and watching her run around. Looking through the archive this evening, I stumbled across a few shots that neither of us posted. Happy virtual Friday!

Thirsty Thursday: Celebrations

Rambler:  Beth

Drink at Hand: 2011 Noble Vines 446 Chardonnay

Thirsty Thursday here again! Time to pour something yummy and celebrate! What are we celebrating? Today happens to be my dad's birthday, so Welliver Photography is raising a glass to my dad for kicking butt through what's been a tough year, and to my mom for kicking butt right along side him.  

Terry and I are very fortunate to have parents who get along very well. With our families spread across the country, it helps that we can all get together in one place and have a good time on those rare occasions when we get to see one another. Back in May we extended a trip to Colorado to see Terry's parents in Wyoming...and my parents came out from Iowa so we could all be together for a few days! There's always good BBQ, good drinks (margies, wine, beer, whatever), and good laughs.  

This was dad's first trip to Wyoming since becoming a paraplegic, so it was nice for me to see him away from home. He even showed off with a little walking!  

Happy Birthday Dad!  

Everyone else, get out there and celebrate something this weekend!

Thirsty Thursday: Esslingen, Germany

Rambler: Beth

Drink at Hand: Ventana Monterey Red Table Wine  

Thirsty Thursday here again! Time to pour something yummy and make those weekend plans. We just got back from a little time away in Europe. I spent two weeks in Germany doing a little school work, then Terry joined me and we headed to Italy for a week. All around awesome!  

While in Germany I was staying just south of Stuttgart in a town called Reutlingen. On the train ride from Stuttgart to Reutlingen I noticed this quaint town with what seemed like miles of vineyards around it. I made note of the name...Esslingen. One evening after classes were done for the day (and after too many nights of biergartens) I decided to go on a solo exploratory stroll around Esslingen...on the train I hopped and off I went. I didn't have an agenda, just to see the sites, and hopefully capture some grape vines overlooking the city. I didn't find exactly what I wanted, but I still found some great old buildings and some cool views from the old city wall. Definitely an worthwhile outing! 

Totally jealous of these mountain bikers. 

Just a few from a little city wandering. Many more photos of our euroadventure coming!  

Thirsty Thursday: Spring Flowers

Rambler: Terry
Drink in Hand: Ventana Red Table Wine

With the summer months rolling on and the greeniness disappearing, it's nice to look back on the time a few short months ago when the flowers ruled the landscape.