2006 Joseph Swan Vineyards "Cuvee de Trois" Russian River Pinot Noir

Now, I know you may think living in California means endless days of sunshine and warm weather, but I have to shatter that idealistic view. Northern California isn't quite the same as southern California (from what I hear). No, I didn't suffer from a winter the likes of the many I spent in upstate New York, but I did experience a rainy season where it, well, rained. A lot. Constant clouds, wind and rain for months (okay, that's an exaggeration - it wasn't everyday, but it sure felt like it!).

I know what you're thinking, east coasters. Poor girl, suffering from above freezing cool temperatures and rain, while we endured an endless battering of snow storms leaving us stranded and shoveling ourselves out of our driveways. Believe me, I know it could have been worse. And, I'm not complaining. Yet, those months of less than ideal weather still made these first returning days of sun feel like the best thing that has ever happened to me.

I'm spoiled, because I got a taste of summer a week earlier than other Napa residents with a quick weekend trip to Arizona. Last weekend, Ryan and I flew to Phoenix, a getaway prompted by the Railroad Revival Tour headlined by English folk rock band, Mumford & Sons.

It was dark when we landed, but that first step outside the airport was such a release. Putting on flip flops, my feet felt freed from months of captivity in boots.

We lucked out: despite finding ourselves in the middle of the desert, the entire weekend was sunny and warm without being unbearably hot. We enjoyed Saturday lunch at a lavish resort outside Scottsdale, Sanctuary, with Ryan's friend Alexi and his fiancee, Krystal. The four of us then took in the concert in Tempe, enjoying openers Old Crowe Medicine Show and Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, before singing along to Mumford & Sons.

The concert was over by 10pm and we found ourselves at a nearby bar in the collegetown - and I found myself to be pathetically far past my college days. I could barely keep my eyes open as the bass blasted from inside the Mexican-themed dive bar. By the time we returned to Alexi and Krystal's, I was essentially already asleep before even getting into bed.

Perhaps I can blame my exhaustion on the sun? A non-stop few weeks at work (that are bound to continue)? Weekly tasting groups and constant (attempts at) studying for my WSET exam that is inching closer and closer (June 7. June 7. June 7.)? Whatever the cause, I was perfectly content to enjoy a nice lunch and lounge by the pool on Sunday afternoon - before a very delayed plane ride back to reality.

I enjoyed it so much that this Sunday I did just the same - this time in Napa. The sun followed us home and this weekend was the first taste of summer. Oh, how I've missed summer. Despite spending the early part of my days studying, sitting outside with the warm rays on my back somehow made it feel less like work (and left me with a lovely little racer-back tan line on my back).

I think I could get used to Sunday afternoons by the pool. Today, it was at Laura's house for her first official summer pool party of the season. I'm still amazed at her accuracy in predicting May 1 would have pool-worthy weather two weeks ago, but I won't question it. I'll just sip my rose and take it.

After a night of decadent food and a 2006 Joseph Swan Vineyards "Cuvee de Trois" Russian River Pinot Noir - light-bodied, with soft cherry flavors - at FARM at the Carneros Inn, a little sunshine was just the cherry on top of the cake of the weekend.

That, and seeing sun in the picture for every single day in the long range forecast. Hello summer.