Napa Vine Time Podcast Harvest 2017

I really like the Napa Vine Time podcast from the staff of 99.3 The Vine. Here is the latest episode.

Find them all at 993TheVine.com

Good Morning Bob gets the details from Napa’s 16 year old Travis Risley as he finished A Ride to Support Fallen Police Officers a bicycle ride the length of California to raise funds for the California Peace Officers’ Memorial Foundation, which supports the families of fallen officers.

Big Rick gives you the first Napa harvest update of the 2017 season

Drive time Mindi lets you in on Things Mindi Loves

Sharpie talks to Fly With Wine about the best way to take your wine on an airline

Of course there is music as well. The host of Monday night’s Napa Homegrown Music show Victoria Field Sykes plays a favorite from Mars Lazar.

Thanks to our Napa Vine Time Podcast sponsors Hope And Grace wines.

RAGBRAI I Did It! The Question Is...

RAGBRAI 2017

Would I do it again?

I am working on getting my photos together and writing more about RAGBRAI the Registers Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. There are so many stories to tell and things I was surprised by it will take me a while. It is hard to describe. It is so much more than over 10,000 bicycle riders spending a week on bicycles going across Iowa.

Part of my RAGBRAI experience was doing daily phone reports to our morning show Good Morning Bob on 99.3 The Vine in Napa.

Would I do it again? I want to. This was the 3rd shortest route and 3rd least climbing (no Iowa isn't flat) and every day kicked my butt. The weather wasn't as hot as usual they all said.

I could barely get to camp to have dinner then was so tired I just about collapsed and was asleep by 9 or 10 every night.

I missed all the night time concerts and fun stuff in the overnight towns because I was too tired. By mid week 45 miles in to a 60 mile day I was struggling.

Don't get me wrong it was really fun. The daytime towns we visited were really cool and interesting and super fun!

But I couldn't have done it if it was longer, had more climbs, or hotter.

All my friends that ride would love RAGBRAI and they are all in much better shape to enjoy it all. I highly recommend they do it next year no matter the course route (it changes every year)

So the answer is yes I would do it again, but I have to keep at it to get in better shape. I want to have even more fun and not finish every day so whooped.

It was the toughest thing I have ever done and I am really glad I did it. A benefit many RAGBRAI riders talk about is "the decision to do RAGBRAI changed my eating and exercise choices for the year before the ride."

That's true for me for sure. I'm probably in the best condition I have been in for a long time and I don't think it is that far to go to be able to comfortably do the ride again if I stay at it.

I remember the hand crank lay down paraplegic trike bicycle rider I talked with, the 90 year old RAGBRAI veterans, the big guys and gals that I saw riding, and I will think of them all as I train.

During the week I thought about the 1st time I did a nonstop 5 mile bicycle ride in the Oakland Hills. I was so flippin happy! It was so tough to get that milestone. That wasn't so long ago!

More photos and some incredible video coming soon

Morimoto Napa

Everything about Morimoto Napa is outstanding. The food, service, location, are all among the best of the best.

The wine list has a great number of Napa wines and the drinks also include a big selection of drinks including Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve and of course some wonderful sake choices.

I had dinner there recently and it started with this tuna tartar that has a unique presentation of the tuna and side flavors you can mix to your preference. It comes with a small metal spatula or paddle that you use to build each bite.




The tasting menu continued with a little of everything including sushi, beef, vegetables and a unique fondue with vegetables and a warm bowl of anchovy paste and olive oil. It was sooo good! The food was paired with some excellent Twomey Sauvignon Blanc that the server kept in an ice bucket for us. It was a nice touch on a warm early evening. She was very good about keeping the glasses from sitting empty.



There is an open kitchen so you can see things being prepared and getting ready for service.

The outdoor riverfront seating is in the shade and allows for some nice views and a look at the eastern Napa hills at sunset.

Ample free parking is across the street and it is just steps from the new Napa downtown dock so you could even boat to Morimotos.

I give it 2 thumbs way way up!

more photos of Morimoto Napa here

BottleRock Visit? Local Fave Casual Eats And Wine

Heading to Napa for BottleRock? It's going to be fun and you already know it's expensive. This might be the perfect time to have some good food at a good price that is loved by locals.

Bacon, blue and radicchio. Breakfast, anyone? #pizzaparty

A post shared by Foodshed Take Away (@foodshedpizzanapa) on Feb 4, 2017 at 9:49am PST

I suggest Foodshed just off 29 near Trancas. They have pizza, salads, sandwiches, lasagna, Chicken alla Cacciatore, braised pork,  desserts, soup and more.

Friday lineup! #contorni #napafood

A post shared by Foodshed Take Away (@foodshedpizzanapa) on May 12, 2017 at 10:44am PDT

Menu here

Mobile friendly pdf menu here

Squash the summer heat with a summer squash slice. Also featuring feta, red onion, and olives.

A post shared by Foodshed Take Away (@foodshedpizzanapa) on Jul 23, 2016 at 2:27pm PDT

You can eat in there or get things to go and they even deliver. BottleRock probably won't let you in with food but you can get something before you go or take it to a picnic spot before a day of music. If you want things hot call in 2 hours ahead and it will be ready.

They close at 9, before BottleRock ends, so it won't work for late night eats. Locals love it and you can order by phone. Put it in your fridge at the hotel or figure a way to eat it or keep it until ready.

If you are staying where you have a little kitchen it's perfect to have waiting for you after a day and night of music.

Here is Lasagna Bolognese made with layers of bolognese, marinara, ricotta and béchamel. It tastes great and you get some delicious house bread with it.

Need beer or wine? They have a really unique selection of both including lots of craft beers and local and Italian wines. This 2015 Pecchenino Dolcetto Dogliani di San Luigi was a perfect match with the dinner.Lots of big red juicy wine flavors of black cherry, boysenberry and more. Plus it is a solid buy at under $15.

Their wine selection changes. I use my phone to look things up.

In addition to the great food there is a great story that includes an internship program. Intern candidates must be low-income Napa county residents.

The initial goal was to serve up delicious, house made food while expanding opportunities for at-risk youth and aspiring young chefs.

After only one year of operation, over two dozen applicants had completed Foodshed's culinary internship program, many graduates had secured employment in the local service industry (including in our kitchen), and some had already earned promotions.

 Foodshed had also been featured in local and Bay Area press, earned 38 “Five-star” reviews on Yelp.com, and contributed over $40,000 to local nonprofit On The Move. 

Yelp reviews

Facebook page

Foodshed Take Away
3385 Old California Way
Napa
707.255.3340

10am-9pm Tues-Sat.
10am-8pm Sunday (Closed Monday)

Napa Valley Bicycle Ride 25 Miles 1000 Feet of Climbing

Need a good 25 mile loop in the Napa Valley for a scenic and moderately challenging bicycle ride?

Here is a favorite of mine. Most of it is on quiet roads or a bike path and the clockwise version has a nice gradual climb.

It takes me about 2 1/2 hours at a casual pace and will probably take you less. You end up doing 25 miles and 1000 feet of gradual climbing and a fun downhill with great views but be sure your brakes are working well!

click the image for a bigger version

Start from Yountville and head down the awesome Vine Trail all the way to Redwood Road.

Take a right on Redwood to Dry Creek. Take a right and head up to the Dry Creek fire station. There will be some water and a Karma Kit with some bicycle necessities and a pump if you need it.

Continue east up the Oakville Grade (left from the fire station, right from Dry Creek road)

Get ready to lose all of that climbing in one shot to the valley floor. If it scares you a little take your time and even stop at the side of the road and check out the incredible view.

At the bottom you can grab something to eat if you take a left across 29 to Oakville Grocery.

To continue on this route turn right down Highway 29. It can be busy but the shoulder is pretty good and you get to ride right next to some world famous vineyards.

Cross 29 to Yount Mill road and you will be taken back to town on Yount St.

(If it is too busy to cross keep riding and there is a stoplight in just a little bit that will allow you to get back into Yountville.)

Make a right on Madison to the stop sign.

Turn left on Washington and you are back to downtown Yountville.

From here you are on your own because I don't know where you parked!

P.S. avoid the long lines at Bouchon and order from them online!

Here's a 1 minute video of the route

I'm On The Board of Napa Valley Bicycle Coalition! Here's what we do...

When they said they wanted to make the board bigger I didn't take it personally. 

I had the honor of being voted on to the board of the Napa Valley Bicycle Coalition last night. It is a group of really smart people that do a lot of cool things all over the Napa Valley to help advance the world of bicycle riding.

I am really impressed with the variety of topics they are involved with. At the government level NVBC works with city and county and state officials to have input on transportation and infrastructure planning. Proposed changes to a road? They will monitor it and give input. Issues at an intersection looking for ways to make things safer for bicycle riders and pedestrians? We give ideas to make it better for all including drivers.

Mountain biking access issues? We try to make sure everybody does the right thing and people are allowed to ride where and when they are supposed to ride.

Safety classes for kids? Yes we do that. Safety classes for adults? Yes we do that. A safer way for visitors to the Napa Valley to ride a bicycle while here? (a very growing trend) Yes we do that.

Helping plan a safe route to school for kids? (and teachers) Yes we do that.






Work with other bicycle coalitions and local and national groups to stay up to date on what works for their community and stay up to date on new ideas? Yes we do that.

Bicycle parking at Napa Valley events? Yes we do that.

Participate in and help organize events like Bike To Work Day? Yes we do that.

Promote bicycle riding for health? Yes we do that.

Work with the awesome new Vine Trail bicycle path in the Napa Valley? Yes we do that.

Work with local clubs and shops and special events in the Napa Valley like the Ride To Defeat ALS and the Tour de Cure Napa? Yes we do that.

Have fun riding our bicycles? Of course we do that!

The board is all volunteer and we raise money in various ways for what we do at events like the Bike Fest and with donations


I am really happy to join and hope I can help out to make things better, safer, and more popular. The mostly flat Napa Valley is a great place to use bicycle transportation for any reason. The infrastructure is being upgraded to meet these usage needs and the Napa Valley Bicycle Coalition will be part of all of it.

Have an issue we should know about? Let me know!

rick@bigrick.com

Queen Meets Kraftwerk! Audio for the Napa Cherry Pie Criterium Bicycle Race

Queen meets Kraftwerk! Here is some audio I produced for the Eagle Cycling Club to use at the Cherry Pie Criterium bicycle race today. Yes a race in the rain!

It was to thank their sponsors Velo Pizzeria, Clif Family Winery (of Clif Bar fame) and their Velo Vino tasting room, Bicycle Works The Hub Bicycles Napa River Velo The Model Bakery.

The goal was to be kind of casual and not too "announcer guy" sounding.

I had fun doing it. 

I hope people liked it!

Wine Buys At Napa Grocery Outlet

Picked up a few bottles of wine today at Grocery Outlet. The Cornerstone Cellars Sauv Blanc was $7. That's a deal.

I'm interested in the Bonnin Pichon.

After all who doesn't love an affordable Lussac Saint Emilion Bordeaux Merlot?

99.3 The Vine Napa Vine Time Podcast Billy Bob Thorton Episode

Here it is! I think this is a fun podcast episode.





DJ's from 99.3 The Vine Napa get together on a podcast
Good Morning Bob interviews "Bad Santa" Billy Bob Thorton
Big Rick Stuart has wine reviews and a wine movie tip
Sharpie talks to the owner of the Napa hot spot Napkins
Napa Homegrown music from BottleRock band Secure The Sun

It is all brought to you by our sponsors Hope and Grace Wines in Yountville.

Enjoy!

Silver Oak Release Party for 2012 Napa Cabernet

Silver Oak release day is always fun.

Great wine, food, music, and the best bathroom signs ever!

Napa Valley Winter 2007

I took my old DiMage xi digital camera and stopped a few times along the Silverado Trail in the Napa Valley today to show how nice the valley looks in winter. It is a great time to visit. Big Rick says "check it out."
















I never saw a purple cow,
I never hope to see one;
But I can tell you, anyhow,
I'd rather see than be one!
Frank Gelett Burgess

Hey look close, it is a cow and a bull!



Click on each picture for a bigger version.