Message Udated 3/21/02

Thanks to a particularly insightful suggestion made by someone during the West L.A. meet, we're going to organize an overnight, Wine Tasting Meet in Santa Barbara.

Here's what we're thinking:

- Caravan up the coast early on Sat. Morning (leave LA area at like 8:30am to give those further away more time, but arrive by 11am)
- Park at the Solvang Inn and hop on the tour bus
- enjoy being shuttled around from winery to winery tasting as we go (picnic lunch provided after the 1st stop)
Stops will probably be: Sunstone, Bridlewood, Fess Parker and Curtis
- dinner
- party? drinks? whatever...
- sleep (optional, but recommended)
- get up Sun. morning
- more wine? the beach? (TBD)
- take some twisties on the way home

Date: 4/27-4/28(Sat.-Sun.) (FRIM)

The hotel cost is $89 per room (up to 2 people) with the group rate. If you are unable to conceive of staying in a hotel without solid gold fixtures, feel free to arrange your own, more costly, accommodations. We'd like to keep this as accessible as possible. The room reservations are made, just bring a credit card to put on your individual room. I don't want to be billed when you raid the mini-bar.

The cost of the tour is $65 per person. Please note, all of the wineries charge a $5-$10 tasting fee. This cost, lunch, the guide, and the "luxury" bus and driver are included in the price of the tour of 4 wineries.


FAQs:

"Why pay to take a bus? We'll all have our cars up there."
lots o' wine + a bunch of s2ks + Murphy's Law = trouble (see MADD drive)
Also, most of the winery's are on dirt or gravel roads/driveways. Not s2k paint friendly at all.

"I don't know squat about wine. Can I still come?"
Of course. Those that do will likely be happy to share their knowledge. Also, the tour guide will provide explanations and tips as we go. This is a great opportunity to learn more!
(You'd never ask someone to go for a beer, and hear them say "oh, I'd like to go, but I don't know much about beer..." Wine shouldn't be any different. :) But good question, nevertheless.)

"I can't go because there's a meet/track event/Llama Owners Convention on one of the dates you guys picked."
Tell us now, it's only Feb. Hopefully we can find a weekend in April that makes most everyone happy.
NEW ASNWER: it's on the 27th, you have to choose, us or the Llamas

"I'm not allowed by my religion/AA sponsor/wife to drink. Is there any reason for me to come?"
Absolutely. It'll be a great drive up and back not to mention a nice weekend getaway at the lovely city of Santa Barbara, CA. It's not going to be wine tasting for 48 hrs. straight. Come, hang out, drive with us, have dinner etc.


The meets I've been to so far have been filled with amazing people having loads of fun. I hope to continue that trend with this one. Some of you organizers have set the bar a little high;), but I think this meet will be a ton of fun.

If you agree please tell your friends, so I can get 20 people.

I'll keep the FAQs up to date as I get more questions.

Interested Parties list: {lunch selections}

(o) Dinnyin +1 {2A + 1C}
(o) Kidwhiz +1 {1B + 4A}
themeloman +1 {1E + 1A}
Marks2k {1C + 3D}
Kuni +1 {1B + 3C}
s2k_redhead +1(son):D {1C + 3A}
wanabe {4E +1A}
1Y2KS2K {1A}
Oscar Dufau +1 {3C + 4E}
Mingster +1 {3B + 1E}
John M {3E}

[
Lunch Choices
Everyone, please make your lunch selection. Pick 1 item from each list. It also includes bottled water and a cookie (mmm... coookie...:D). I need to let them know what everyone wants by the 25th.

Sandwiches
#1 Smoked turkey croissant w/ brie, tomato, basil and mayo
#2 Montadella Salami & delux ham on french roll w/ provolone, lettuce, honey mustard, mayo, and italian dressing
#3 roast beef on sourdough baguette w/ aged yellow cheddar, lettuce, tomato and bermuda onions
#4 roasted bell peppers on toasted whole wheat bun w/ aged cheddar, tomato, cucumber, lettuce, sprouts, B. Onions, roasted garlic mayo and horseradish

Salads
(A) Classic Potato Salad
(B) Classic Macaroni Salad

kuni and I were just talking about doing something like this. Looks like you beat us to the punch. I'm definitely interested in going. I know 1Y2KS2K and others were talking about doing this a while back.

Like I said, I can't take credit for the idea, it was definately someone else's suggestion during the W. LA planning.:) Organizational help from them, though, would be welcomed.

Dinnyin

I'M DEFINETELY IN FOR THIS. PROBABLY WILL BE ME AND MY SICK WIFE.;)

Dinnyin,
Count Anna and I in for the run and the planning!

I`m white trash. The only alcohol I drink is Natural Light Ice :D

Yes!!! I'm down for getting drunk...err, i mean wine tasting.

Under age....have fun tho

Count me and my wife in, but can we lock down a date soon. I don't know what it is like for others, but my schudule gets filled up a month in advance and I want to put this in there before something else comes up.

[QUOTE]"Why pay to take a bus/van? We'll all have our cars up there."

[QUOTE]Originally posted by kuni
[B]Count me and my wife in, but can we lock down a date soon.