Well, I’m not really sure what’s going on with Word Press but from my home computer photos are refusing to upload. So I popped into my office to post today. Now that is dedication! Or an unhealthy addiction to blogging. Not sure .

Lots of fun yesterday so please allow me to share. As mentioned, my friend Anna and I visited Paradise Springs Winery for their “soft opening”. It was super sunny and not too cold, so it was a great day to be there.

When we arrived, we started out by trying all of their varieties in a tasting, down in the adorable little wine cellar.

I’ve been to quite a few VA wine tastings in my year out here and I have to say, this was one of those rare awesome occasions where I really liked all the wines on the list. Particularly the Viognier and the Cab Sauv, which is actually a triple gold medal winner.

After our tasting, myself Anna and her friend Jeff walked around a bit. The vineyard is small but really cozy and I’d imagine it looks beautiful in a season other than the dead of winter .

We spent the rest of the day drinking wine and chatting and listening to music… I could get used to Saturday afternoons like that .

A few glasses of wine in we were feeling pretty relaxed and didn’t exactly rush to meet our friends for dinner in time – which actually worked out okay since the wait was an hour over at 2 Amy’s.

Due to our day of boozing, I hadn’t had lunch and after my morning’s run I was huuungry by the time we sat down to eat supper. Turns out the dish I had my eye on, the eggplant parm (one of this year’s Washingtonian magazine’s best dishes in DC) was just a small plate, so I ordered a salad alongside.

The salad was really yummy. Escarole hearts with hard boiled eggs and anchovy dressing. I especially loved the little crutons which were perhaps the best I’ve ever eaten. I have to admit though, I was less than impressed with the eggplant parmesan. It wasn’t what I had expected I guess and because I was so, so hungry I wasn’t very satisfied with the dish. Unfortunate, but of course all recommendations are subjective. Perhaps I’m the one in the wrong.

I did try a little piece of Anna’s pizza, which I think I was a bit jealous of!

Now that was delicious. Lesson learned: when at 2 Amy’s, stick with the pizza.

And then we headed back to my friend Avery’s house for a girlie movie night. We ate brownies and drank a bottle of Cab Sauv that Anna and I brought from Paradise Springs. Because it wasn’t getting mixed up with all the other wine we were trying, I enjoyed it a lot more in the evening. I may even go so far as to say it is pretty much my new favorite Cabernet ever .

So that should do it for today. If you’re near the area and in search of a good day at a winery I’d highly recommend this one. It’s super relaxed and friendly and the wine is gorgeous. They’re just starting up and it’s always nice to support new ventures.

See you for the start of the week!

- Beth