I'd been forewarned that this was winter in wine country, that the near-perfect summers were offset by incessant clouds and rain. But, in winter. It's only October, barely fall. We haven't even changed the clocks back! (Though one might guess otherwise by the dark skies at 6pm...).
Yet, the rain has arrived and has set in place the fear that I might actually - gasp - not like winter here. Come to think of it, I didn't see much of a summer either, according to the locals. I'm getting quite accustomed to hearing, "It's not usually like this at this time of year."
In fact, I'm starting to get the sense that everything I've experienced thus far in my little valley bubble has been atypical. Take, for example, the "Pink Party" on Thursday evening, an annual bubble-gum decorated soiree held by Domaine Chandon to benefit breast cancer treatments at the local hospital. It's one of the parties of the year, I'd been told, and it's always crowded.
Don't get me wrong, I had a blast sipping on the winery's Brut Rose and dancing outside (partly in the rain), but it certainly wasn't the busy scene I'd been forewarned about. And, those who forewarned me agreed: "It's usually more crowded than this."
I heard the same thing on Saturday night when I attended a Halloween party (yes, I realize it's a week early) at the Silverado Brewing Company up in St. Helena. "It always sells out, so get there early."
Despite the insider's tip, the place was never more than half full in my three hours of listening to bad music and having beer spilled on me by drunk girls wearing next to no clothes (aka "a costume"). I have to admit, had that party reached its typical capacity, I don't think I would have even lasted the three hours.
Appropriately, it seems the unusual rainy weather has led to even more unusual circumstances in my short northern California existence. However, one unusual happening that I was grateful for: finding a parking spot in San Francisco! In the rain! In less than half an hour!
My motivation for the journey: high tea with Rose, Mina and Heather, San Francisco-based friends who I met through my New York-based friend Sheridan, at The Fairmont Hotel.
For those who aren't familiar with the British custom, it was the perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon: sipping on Kyoto Cherry Rose tea and munching on tea sandwiches, scones and pastries in the most civilized of settings. A drastic (welcome) change from the college frat party scene I'd found myself in the night before.
Ah, things I thought - and hoped - I'd never relive again.
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