This past October, Gene O’Gorman and John Asmus put together a weekend
for fun driving through the Sierra Gold Country foothills from Placerville
to Fairplay. We all gathered at Mel’s Diner in Placerville for
breakfast, since participants traveled from as far away as Lake Tahoe
and the Bay
Area. . .
Afterwards, twenty-two of us, with a fist full of Maseratis, one Lamborghini
Countach and a Ferrari, headed out on the winding back roads for Fairplay
and the wineries of El Dorado County...
Our first stop was at Windwalker
Vineyards, then a quick left right next door to Perry Creek, then a
short jaunt down to Slug Gulch Road
and Oakstone
Winery. We were the first group at each winery so we got to taste a wonderful
variety of wines, really enjoyed a bit of chocolate with the ports and
easy conversation with the hosts. By then it was nearly time for lunch,
so we headed off to The Winery by the Creek in the tiny spot in the road
called Fairplay. We sampled their wines as well as their futures before
heading into “The Cave” for our buffet lunch. What an inviting
setting for our banquet tables, stacks of barrels along the back wall and
candles everywhere adding the perfect ambiance of dining in a cave. We
enjoyed a selection of three salads, grilled Panini Reubens, turkey and
cranberry wraps and delicious to die for dark chocolate brownies. After
lunch, wine buying and some photo taking we made a quick stop at Fitspatrick’s
Vineyard. They have a huge deck that overlooks the surrounding vineyards
and the El Dorado hills. We said our good byes to those who came just
for the day, while those remaining rested up for dinner. Good grief...
more
food.
That evening we gathered
at the Bee Bennett Victorian mansion, Sequoia. It is by far one of
the best Victorian settings I’ve seen. We dined
in the enclosed sun porch and because we didn’t have a large group,
we were able to order off the menu. Don and Sandi Treadwell joined us for
dinner along with Sandi’s mom Lee, whom they were visiting in Placerville.
Before eating, we honored our long time Maserati member, Erwin Ferer,
who passed away in early October, with a salute and a toast.
Sunday was left open for
those who wanted to visit Placerville or “Hangtown” as
it was once known for that exact reason, more vineyards, or take the short
drive up to Apple Hill for what else....apples. The day certainly couldn’t
have been more perfect, warm with clear blue skies, trees with gold foliage
and the vineyards in hues of orange and red. Can’t wait until next
year. Ciao!
– John Asmus |
