When I was new to California and just starting my third trimester of pregnancy with Eli, Brian's cousins came up from San Diego for a few days. I'd been spending day after day unpacking, settling in, and working on my book project, so I let them coax me away for an afternoon in the wine country.
By lunchtime I was getting hungry and hoped we'd stop soon, but they heard of a deli they wanted to try. Just the word "deli" conjures up images of American cheese slices and dry bread crumbs. Now that I've spent more time with our cousins, I realize I should have known better. We soon rolled into the parking lot of V. Sattui Winery.
Oh.
Old stone buildings tucked between vineyards, the lines of grape vines spreading away into the distance. Huge old oaks spreading branches over amazingly green lawn and flourishing flowerbeds. Sturdy wood picnic tables dotted here and there. And then we went inside.
This time "Deli" meant gourmet salads, still-warm loaves of crusty bread, cheeses from around the world, chunks of fresh fruit, rows of interesting crackers, and pastries that make your eyes pop. After strolling the aisles with a shopping basket, soon we were settled in the shade, enjoying the breeze and tasting wonders to please any gourmand. V. Sattui forever changed my definition of "picnic" and became a favorite spot to take out-of-town guests. (The drive to get there through the wine country is lovely and pairs nicely with a late-day visit to the redwoods at Muir Woods.)
Here are some images from our last visit...
All this and then Dean & Deluca "Purveyors of Fine Food" is located across the street...
If you have a chance to get to the Wine Country north of San Francisco, don't miss the delights of St. Helena!
(Click HERE for the V. Sattui website with address, directions, and more information.)
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