On our recent trip to Apple Hill, we accidentally ran into the cute "Bugs Gold Mine" and then headed up to the pumpkin farms. We never it made that far as the roads were congested with tourist and visitors that had the same idea in mind. Apple Hill has grown so popular that even in the first weeks of October it's packed. There are now shuttles that take through the apple farms and pumpkin patches. It was such a gorgeous day I talked Stan into taking our vintage convertible BMW. But we just didn't want to brave the crowds and stopped at the first farm we saw...
http://www.smokeyridgeranch.com/Smokey_Ridge/Welcome.html
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| Chestnuts |
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| Lucie gathering chestnuts |
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| Stan and Lucas gathering chestnuts |
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| Have you ever had roasted chestnuts? They aren't not common place in California, but I did have them often while living in France. They had several delicious prepared dishes as well as in their chestnut puree, a savory chestnut mash. Loved that and even a chestnut pudding and chestnut mousse (which is common place in the grocery stores sold with the yoghurt. However there is nothing like buying the roasted chestnuts in Paris while Christmas shopping and enjoying the store windows on Haussman Boulevard, I have to admit. |
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| Our tranquil view at lunch |
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| Just about anywhere you go now in California you can expect the best quality and many great gourmet choices. Here we opted for the Charcuterie platter. It's always one of our favorite things to order. The kids love it too. Here we had rabbit rillettes; container in bottom right. Hard to see as it's covered in rabbit fat...it was De-lish. We had duck prosciutto, and a fabulous pot pate. All handmade a scrumptious served with marinated onions, old fashion mustard and an olive tapenade. One of those Emmmm, Ahhh, Yummm moments that I had stop myself as I realised how loud I was being. |
Now....something to was it all down, just up the road, Boeger Winery!
http://www.boegerwinery.com/
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| This is a great little winery and...the tasting is FREE. You don't see that all over California. There was a sign outside the door that unattended children would receive a puppy and espresso. We thought it was worth the chance. The kids sat on the benches outside the doors with the hand held video games and I even came out with my glass of wine and sat with Lucie. I love California. Their wines are fantastic by the way. I loved every one I sampled. Great. |
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| Beoger Winery, Apple Hill; California |
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| California, October 2012 |
The best part about it....it's bye bye until next year, it's here we come for our Christmas tree!!!!!!!!
