Napa

On a recent trip to Napa Valley we discovered an amazing winery called Castello di Amorosa located on North St. Helena Hwy, Calistogo, California. This winery is 121,000 square foot castle with 107 rooms that took 14 years to build. This castello has everything you would expect to find in an authentic 12th century tuscan style castle winery. The castle produces 15,000 cases of wine which are only sold at the winery.
We of course did a wine tasting and had the pleasure of meeting Michael Skylar who works at the winery. Michael served us well in the wine tasting with great conversation about wine and the winery but in addition his knowledge of music was extensive. It happened to be 9-08-09 and the Beatles re-mastered CD’s was to be released on 9-9-09 and my business partner (John) was wearing a John Lennon t shirt. All this lead to the discussion on music. Michael Skylar had a musical background introduced to him by his father Sunny Skylar (check the internet). Sunny Skylar had an amazing career in music. So while we were in Napa on a business trip (TwistedCorkscrew.com) we discovered a great new winery and enjoyed an interesting and informative conversation with Michael Skylar. This is a must for anyone going to Napa, make sure you stop by and say “Hi” to Michael.

NAPA Valley

On a recent trip to California we were lucky enough to spend a day in NAPA Valley. We stopped at a number of wineries including Robert Mondavi on the Silverado Trail. We had an excellent wine tasting conducted by a very knowledgeable Wine Educator (Doug Nanfria). Doug took time to show us where the reserve wine was stored and let us take a number of photos (John & Jim from TwistedCorkscrew). Mondavi has 56 oak vats each containing 5000 gals of reserve wine……very impressive. In addition to the excellent wine tasting and great photos we learned some very interesting facts from Doug, some of which I have already forgotten. We noticed many vineyards had roses growing around the perimeter and Doug explained that the rose bushes were placed there because roses are more susceptible to disease and therefore would warn the vintner that some action needed to be taken to protect the grape vines. If you want to learn more about wine you need to go see Doug Naufria at Robert Mondavi Winery and get an education on wine. Check this blog in the future for more information on wine education from http://www.twistedcorkscrew.com/

Classic Gourment

This is an attractively priced steamlined version of the Corona classic peppermill. Has permanently affixed stainless steel grinder inside. Durable finish. This pepper mill is a top quality, exquisitely designed mill that you will be both pleased to use and proud to show your guest. We also carry Grand Cuisine Electric Pepper peppermills as well as the personal peppermill. Any of these pepper mills are great gift items for a birthday, anniversary or Christmas. Check them out at TwistedCorkscrew.com

Recycle Wine Bottles into Stylist Outdoor Torches

Think cheap Tiki torches are tacky? Want something a bit sturdier and with more refined looks? Use this simple tutorial to turn recycled wine bottles into swanky bug-repelling outdoor lighting.
Gerardot&Co http://www.gerardotandco.com/blog/recycled-bottle-torch/., a design and marketing agency, put together a tutorial on recycling wine bottles into mounted torches. The design is ingeniously simple, and requires only a few bucks worth of parts from your local hardware store. You'll need a few copper fittings, a bolt, a few nuts, and a mounting plate, along with a standard torch wick and some oil.
Assuming you've got the bottles on hand, or some friends willing to down a few for a good cause, for under $50 you could outfit a sizable yard with wine-torches. Torches, we might add, that have a sizable 750ml reservoir to them burning bright, no matter how late your dinner parties last.

Stone Hill Winery

Stone Hill Winery - Hermann, Missouri
Grapes to Glass 2009

Saturday, August 15, 2009
TIME: 3 p.m. (tour & tasting will last approximately 2 - 2 1/2 hours)
WHAT: A special VIP wine tour and tasting. A member of the winemaking staff will lead you on an insightful journey from our Norton vineyard to our tasting room, where you'll learn a few secrets behind our winemaking success.
Hear about our history and winemaking processTour our vineyard, press house, tank building and cellarsTaste a special barrel sampling of wine or a new tank sampleEngage in a private wine and cheese tasting with our winemakerTake home your free souvenir wine glass WHERE: Stone Hill Winery-Hermann.
TICKETS: Advance reservations are accepted. Tour size is limited to 40 people. Call Aimee Viehmann at 800-909-9463 ext. 21 for reservations.COST: $20 per person. Tickets will be mailed along with your credit card receipt.

Michigan Wine Country

Had a nice time in Traverse, Michigan. We visited a few vineyards L.Mawby, Willow and Black Star Farms and all were enjoyable and in close proximity to each other. We would recommend anyone checking these out. L. Mawby in particular was unique in that it only produces sparkling wine. It was a different tasting experience but we were guided through the tasting by an enthusiast staff. Enjoy wine in Michigan next time your there. TwistedCorkscrew.com

Picnic at Ascot

Just added a new line of picnic baskets and backpacks from Picnic at Ascot. These are top of the line baskets and backpacks with a lifetime warrantee. In addition to the baskets and backpacks we carry barware, barbeque tools and sets, picnic tables and trunk organizers which includes golf trunk organizers.