The Aftermath & Changes

 
As you can see from this picture, the Easter Sunday fire at the winery came that close to the vineyard. I heard from a source that the winds carried the flames along the property edge but nothing was damaged. That's still one hell of a close call when it's busy on a holiday weekend.

The dining area was remodeled, and now we have pub chairs to sit on. They still have some of the old tables and chairs reserved for handicapped seating, but otherwise you'll need to climb up into your seat. I don't mind. It's just something I'll have to get used to.

The menu is changing in two weeks, so I ordered the chicken kale salad and a glass of Rose of Sangiovese one last time. Assuming my jury duty is over, I'd love to come back for the seasonal menu's debut on the 29th.

I also witnessed a weird food pairing. A burger, fries and a white wine? If it's anything other than the oaky, buttery Winemaker's Reserve Chardonnay I don't get it. Considering the person that ordered it barely touched their food while giving their iPhone their undivided attention, it's a safe bet there was something else inside the glass.

In the tasting room I made headway into Hawthorne, and now I understand why I hated The Scarlet Letter when I was in eighth grade. The Custom-House chapter at the beginning was boring as hell to thirteen year old me, and I struggled to get through it in 2026 even with the assistance of a steel barrel aged Chardonnay and Dot's pretzels.

Not pictured is my wine haul. I brought home a bottle of the above Chardonnay, a Roussanne, and a Pinot Gris I'll pair with an upcoming dish I haven't cooked in several months. Stay tuned for that.