Ribbit

Went wine tasting today...in Hollister. (What?! You did not know that Hollister was one of the key wine regions in California? Come on!) Please, I ask, do not so quickly dismiss this cow-poke town from your list of possible wine regions you would like to visit. I mean, it cannot compete with Napa in regards to its yuppie atmosphere, with its quaint down town, BnB's on every corner, or five star restaurants with their celebrity chefs. But if you do decide to put those need for extravagances aside and just focus on tasting some darn good wine then you will actually discover that a dusty little city with its rambling hills and roads can actually proudly boast of several great wineries. Of the many, we went here and here.

My Life Lessons learned today? 

1. When you are having a fun day out with friends, sans kids, you really do not give a hoot as to where you are. 
   
2. You can laugh at the fact that you are in a silly little place called Hollister, driving down old streets lined with weathered houses, used car lots, Burger Kings, and laundry mats, but once you hit the outskirts of town and find yourself meandering along the country roads and winding through the gentle hills (spotted with my favorite ancient oaks), you realize that peace and quiet (and good wine) can be found anywhere, if you are willing to explore...and, what's the cliche...don't judge a book by its cover, or a wine by its name, or a wine region by its locale. You get my drift. 
3. Good fruit (literally and figuratively) can be produced in the unlikeliest of places...as long as the conditions are right. How many times have I limited my expectations because of my inability to believe in the possibilities?! Or, failed to see that the conditions of the soil or the weather patterns were just right for fostering growth?

Oh, and all these lessons were equally applied as we drove up to the restaurant at which we had made dinner reservations. Many had recommended it so we gave it a try (with a spirit of adventure I might add). Upon arrival, it was no posh style eatery--from the looks of it. Sooooo glad we stayed. Dang. It was G.O.O.D.  Ribbit!