We are out in Orange County for the first leg of our South California beach vacation and spent 12+ hours at Disneyland yesterday. Being a winegeek in Disneyland used to be an experience in futility because the only wine in the park was at the exclusive (and private) Club 33 in New Orleans Square. But five years ago they opened the California Adventure park across from the Magic Kingdom and one of the attractions is the Golden Vine Winery. So after a hard day of attractions such as the awesomely retooled Space Mountain, I found time to enjoy a glass of Sauvignon Blanc amongst the nearly ripe Chardonnay vines at Golden Vine. The Brancott SB from 2005 tasted better than the ’04 I reviewed on Winecast 44, but it could have been the setting and the heat of the day. Later in the evening we dined at the new Cafe Orleans restaurant in New Orleans Square. Although just across the street from Club 33, no vino was available to pair with their solid menu. A modest proposal, Mr. Disneyland: please offer wine in your finer dining establishments in The Magic Kingdom, too…
Hi Tim
Sorry to about your BAD experience(?) at Disneyland. Had you posted you were going to the Magic Kingdom I would have told you to bring you own wine, and sit out in the parking lot and drink it. I’m catching up on your Blogs and having a glass or two or three of Bishop’s Peak Arroya Grande Valley Cab Franc 2000 (Talley Vineyards second label). They are located in San Luis Obispo County, part of California’s South Central Coast. It is quite nice. Medium dark ruby with lite ruby on the edge. It has nice fruit in the nose (haven’t learned how to pick out what they all are yet). Lots of fruit on the pallot(?)with smooth tannins in the finish.
Looking forward to your new Blogs and Podcasts.
Hope you find some good juice from Baja California
Later
Steve
I didn’t have a bad time at Disney, I was just pointing out that the wine-friendlyness of California Adventure vs. the classic park. Given that there are only a couple of decent restaurants in the Magic Kingdom, I was just suggesting they bring their wine list from the other park. More money for them, and a bit of vino for us; a “win-win” in my book 😉
I hope to start posting about Baja juice starting today, if I can find some… thanks for your comment!
While in OC, you HAVE to check out Hi-Time Wine Cellars. It’s located in Costa Mesa, close to where the 55 fwy ends. One of our best “local” shops. Of course, Beverages and More (limited to Ca and a few other states) is another great place to visit while in the area.
Even if you can only run in for a minute, you’ve got to check out these two places, they’re within one mile of eachother.
Hi-Time Wine Cellars
250 Ogle Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
800-331-3005
http://www.hitimewine.com/
Hours of Operation:
Sunday 10am -7pm
Mon-Wed 9am-8pm
Thurs-Sat 9am-9pm
Beverages and More
1835 Newport Blvd. Sts. B-129
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Phone:(949)548-4919
Fax: (949)548-4822
M-F 10:00am – 9:00pm
Saturday 9:00am – 9:00pm
Sunday 10:00am – 7:00pm
Sorry to say that our visit to Orange County is over for now… Will look for a Bev & More down here in San Diego. I have been to Hi-Time, Wine Club and Wine Exchange in the past. All great stores… thanks for the tips.