A beautiful summer evening, half-way through the work week, and we were looking for a way to relax and enjoy some of our local wine scene. No problem! We just drove over to Darcie Kent Vineyards for their Wine Down Wednesday!
We arrived at about 5:30, the stated starting time, to find the party already in full swing. There were plenty of tables scattered around the back lawn area (now called the Pepper Tree Lawn) but at least half were already occupied by happy wine lovers! We found an open table that offered nice proximity to the food tent, a clear view of the band, and wonderful vistas of the vine-covered hills. Something of a triple play, but there were plenty of tables that filled the bill.
The band was already rocking, with rock tunes from our teen years all the way up to the 2000’s. They called themselves Kinetic NRJ, which was an intriguing enough name to inspire us to look them up on-line. A few minutes on the smart phone showed us that all the capital letters in the name referred to band members: Kevin Snyder, Nick Selchow, Robert Allen, and Joe Lee.
We set up our table with a nice selection of Darcie Kent wines: their Chardonnay, their Victories Rosé, and a perennial favorite: their Firepit Red blend. After a few sips, our attention naturally shifted to food. We were thrilled to see Island Style Company Hawaiian BBQ setting up. When we’re not wine tasting we’re dreaming about our next trip to Hawaii. This was a bit of both!
We ordered their BBQ Mix Plate, a BBQ Sampler, and the BBQ Beef/Chicken Skewers. In short order we had amazing plates of food, fresh off the grill. Wow! We had very high expectations, given our many trips to the Big Island. The marinades were nicely conceived, the seasonings spot on, and there was far more food than we could eat. Paired with some delicious DK wine; we were having the perfect California wine country experience.
What a great way to spend a Wednesday evening! Good wine, good music, good food, and good company. We soaked it in and watched the sun sink to the horizon. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make a perfect night!
About the Author: John grills a mean steak and is always in the market for another wine fridge. Believes that if a winery has more than 10 employees, it's probably too big. Buys wine faster than he drinks it, but who cares?
