It’s no secret that I really have never liked to drink. As a child of the 60s, I hit college just about the time that I learned to roll reefers rather than mix drinks. And I never really acquired a taste for alcohol.

Recently, though, I’ve enjoyed those Aperol Spritzes I’ve blogged about. And of late, I’m enjoying some nice Chardonnay from one of my favorite small Carmel Valley wineries: Joullian. The tasting room isn’t too far from my California place. And the High-Tech Exec started to pour wine there when we were still married. Since he is a wine collector, it’s the perfect retirement job for him.

Carmel Valley is about 12 miles from Carmel. Its climate is hotter than the Monterey peninsula, sometimes a dozen degrees hotter than the coast, where fog cools and moderates the climate. It’s a cute little town with huge ranches and a few really good restaurants.

Joullian’s vineyard and winery are in Cachagua, one of my favorite rather remote and stunning places in the Ventana Wilderness. The wine is very good. The scenery is spectacular.

For an incredible slide show of the area: http://www.joullian.com/store/custom.aspx?id=14

Join me in a virtual toast to great friends, great times and great wine.