Postcards from San Diego - Parks & Photography

So this wraps up my Postcards from San Diego Series...at least for now.

And I'll let the photos speak for themselves - photos taken at Balboa Park and Presidio Park. 

"Postcards from San Diego - Parks & Photography"

"Postcards from San Diego" - Pass me the wine, please

"Postcards from San Diego - Pass Me the Wine Please"

San Diego may be known for beer, but if you go about an hour and a half north towards Ramona, there is a great little winery by the name of Hellanback Ranch. Not easy to find, so be sure to get directions. To learn more about the Winery and its owners check out this fun video:

Earning our keep...
So, we actually had the opportunity to help in bottling 40 cases of wine while visiting.
This was truly a great experience, and I'm really hopeful that we'll get to make it back for the harvest this year!

On bottling....
Even though bottling is just one part of the process of wine-making, I have a whole new appreciation for every bottle opened. Because when it's a small-boutique style winery, believe me, there's a lot of love and care that goes into that bottle. My arm can attest...I sealed roughly 480 bottles by hand!

So after earning our keep and bottling, I got to snag a few shots around the ranch, dogs, pigs and all.

 

Postcards from San Diego - Food & Drink Recommendations

"Postcards from San Diego - Food & Drink Recommendations"

Recently I traveled to San Diego for a little fun in the sun, beer tasting and wine bottling.

 And before I get to the posts highlighting my photography excursions, I thought I would share a snapshot of all the great food and drinks we got to check out while there.

Mission #1: Find Pliny the Elder. And the results....

Well, I finally got to try this famous Double IPA (Pliny the Elder) by Russian River Brewing Company...and I have to admit, I understand what all the hype is about. It was one of the best IPA's I've ever had. Hoppy, but super floral, and so smooth that it goes down way too easy. It's worth the trip out to the west coast and searching for the bar that has it on tap.

Mission # 2: Eat, drink and be merry. And so we did, at the following:

Alpine Beer Co. - A short drive outside of San Diego. Recommended Brews (besides all of them): Pure Hoppiness and the Mandarin Nectar.

Tiger Tiger - Great beer selection and phenomenal food like pork belly sandwiches slathered with pâté and fries covered in gravy (otherwise known as poutin).

Polite Provisions - Crazy good cocktails are served up at this trendy little spot. Just check out their phone number - 691.677.DRUG, and you'll have no doubts that as manufacturers of local tonics, elixirs and cures that you will find a remedy for whatever ails you.

Green Flash Brewing Co. - What can I say. It's really great beer, and they have a lot to sample. Opt for the samples sizes, so you can taste a variety, and definitely try the Palette Wrecker, but please save it for last. It is named this for a reason.

Alesmith Brewing Company - They have a really fantastic nut brown ale, among other things. Definitely worth a visit, since they're only available right now in California.

Hamilton's Tavern - Amazing beer selection. No frills bar scene.

Toronado - Amazing beer selection, and pork belly skewers are a must try appetizer.

Small Bar - Amazing beer selection. I'm beginning to see a pattern here. 

So as you can see from the sampling of local fare, I left San Diego, not hungry or parched by any means.

-Mo