During our stay at Brewery Gulch Inn  we enjoyed Fathers & Daughters Cellars wines and learned that our Host Guy Pacurar was one of the owners.  How all this came about proved to be a most interesting story.  It begins when two families came together through marriage.
Kurt Schoeneman, after a successful career as a Bay area builder, decided he would like to grow grapes and his daughter, Sarah Schoeneman aided in finding the right place which turned out to be a  vineyard in the Anderson Valley, this in 1996.  Named the Ferrington vineyard, under Kurt, it soon gained a reputation for its premium quality grapes which were being sold to wineries in the region. 
Then Sarah and Guy Pacurar married and the idea of using Ferrington grapes to make their own wines developed and in 2012 the first vintage was made as a daughter was born to Guy and Sarah named Ella.  Also involved was Guy's daughter, Taylor. So the name Fathers & Daughters Cellars was chosen to  launch what has become a most successful brand.
Its first vintages were Pinot Noir, the varietal that has brought  Ferrington Vineyards fame but also Sauvignon Blanc from the same vineyard.  Acting as winemaker is Phil Baxter who has his own wines under the name Baxter Wines. The Fathers & Daughters wines and label have received accolades at wine events.  The first wines released were  a 2012 Pinot Noir and then a 2013 Sauvignon Blanc.  They were released in 2015 and the Pinot Noir is entitled Ella's Reserve after Guy and Sarah's daughter.  This was followed by further releases of Pinot Noir as well as  Chardonnay and  Gewurztraminer, all from the Ferrington Vineyard.
Other bottlings include The Dance, a blend of old vine Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer and Chardonnay.  Sarah's Rustic Bubbles is a most unusual wine, made from Chardonnay grapes, in the "petillant-naturel style', it is sparkling when pressed into the bottle, then crown capped and allowed to ferment without disgorgement or dosage as is the process with most sparkling wines.  Opening a bottle of Sarah's Rustic Bubbles produces some sound as the bubbles take away the remaining yeast.  We found the flavor delightful.
In this Writer's discussion of Fathers & Daughters wines with Guy Pacurar at his Brewery Gulch Inn he told us that quality of the wines was most important and were never released until they had properly matured.  At present all the grapes are from the Ferrington Vineyard which is included in the Anderson Valley Appellation. 
 This appellation which has become well known for the quality of its grapes and wines in a relatively short period of time.  At present Ella's Reserve Pinot Noir is available in the 2013 and 2014 vintages, the Sauvignon Blanc in 2014, 2015 and 2016, the Chardonnay in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and Gewurztraminer in 2015 and 2016 vintages. 
To purchase Fathers & Daughters wines at present visit their website www.FandDCellars.com.  Their address P.O. Box 29, Philo, Ca. 95466, Telephone 707 813-1137.

As a lifetime railroad buff I had long wanted to visit the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, regarded by many to be the finest of its kind in America.  So at last I was there.  First impression is just how large it really is thanks to its 100,000 square foot main facility.
Once inside first stop was the Museum Theater and a movie entitled "Evidence of a Dream" which illustrated the huge role the railroad played in developing the country and especially the west and finally linking California with the rest of the nation.
This linking of east and west is also covered in a special exhibition and the role played by thousands of Chinese laborers brought to California especially for the building of the railroad through the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
All told the Museum houses over twenty restored locomotives and railroad cars, some from the Golden Age of railroading with Pullman and Dining cars showing the luxury that existed at the time.
One floor is devoted to toy trains which have existed as long as the railroads themselves.  Here there is a huge collection of the trains, stations and landscape, all i set up and ready for use by children.  I recall that my first train was not electric but windup and a few of these were on exhibit as well.  And had me  wondering what has happened to my later electric train set and that of my children.
Photography is permitted throughout the museum and there is indeed much to photograph.  The locomotives vary in size from some used at mines to the giants that pulled the cars over the Sierra Nevada mountains.  Modern diesel electric models are also included.  There is much to see here so allow plenty of time.
During the summer months from April to September there is an Old Sacramento Excursion Train ride available.  The train takes one on a six mile, 45 minute trip along the levees of the Sacramento River.
The California State Railroad Museum is a part of Old Sacramento State Historic Park and located at the corner of Second and I Streets in Sacramento.  Telephone 916 323-9280,  www.californiarailroadmuseum.
If you visit the Railroad Museum you will want to visit Old Sacramento as well since it is adjacent to the Museum.  Historic Old Sacramento dates back to 1848 when gold was discovered at nearby Sutters Fort.  It was also last stop for mail delivered by the Pony Express as well as the terminus for the transcontinental trains that could now cross the entire country.   The original area also was the first home of the California Supreme Court Chambers.
The area now includes fifty three historic buildings and offers everything from dining to shopping and entertainment.  Tours are available to show how the streets of the community had to be raised to ease the flooding that often took place by the adjacent Sacramento River.
For more information on Old Sacramento call 916 808-7059, web www.oldsacramento.com or for visitor information telephone 916 442-7644, web www.sacramento365.com. 

For being the Capital of a State that has one of the world's largest economies Sacramento may seem unpretentious.  It still likes to maintain its original agriculture background proving it once again with its current slogan maintaining itself as the "Farmer to Fork Capital."  But in reality California has been a  recognized world leader in cinema, entertainment, technology and much more for decades.
On our recent visit to Sacramento we settled in at Hilton Garden Inn which became our home away from home for the next three days as we made like tourists to explore some of our State Capital.  Located in a business center just minutes from Interstates 5 and 80 as well as the city's old town established  in 1849, museums and Capital building .
The hotel offered all amenities with its 150 comfortable rooms, an expansive free parking area and with its Garden Grille the perfect place for breakfast or dinner after a busy day.  The setting of the Grille and Pavilion  Lounge  is casual but the service was excellent and either for breakfast or dinner the entrees were made to order for freshness and flavor.
Our accommodation  could be called a one room suite with its sofa, comfortable working desk, free HiFi and king size bed, all with a view out to what was truly a garden.  There was also a large fitness center,  a place we personally never go or use.  The Pavilion Bar was more to our liking.
Hilton Garden Inn in Sacramento is located at 2540 Venture Oaks Way, Sacramento, Ca 95833.  Telephone 916 568-5400,  web www.sacramento.hgi.com.
Famous and picturesque can describe the Crocker Art Museum which was one of the museums we visited on our Sacramento tour.  The Crocker name is famous in California and Judge E. B. Crocker was one of the family.  He served on the California Supreme Court and was the brother of Charles Crocker, one of the 'Big Four' railroad barons that built the Central Pacific Railroad. Judge Crocker and his wife, Margaret, started collecting art after a trip to Europe and then expanded their collection with art by contemporary Californians.  The original site of the museum was once the Crocker home and is most impressive both with its Victorian exterior as well as its stately rooms. New is the Teel Family Pavilion which was completed in 2010 and has tripled the size of the Museum. 
With three floors the museum shows European and Asian art as well as California from the Gold Rush to Impressionism.  Another floor houses African and art from Oceanic Islands.  As usual for us the landscape paintings of early California artists got the most attention and envy when compared to this Writer's poor efforts with oil painting.  The collection of l6th and 17th century Dutch and Flemish paintings is most impressive.
Founded  by Edwin and Margaret Crocker in 1885 Crocker Art Museum has continued to expand until it is now the 69th largest art museum in North America.
The Crocker Art  Museum is located at 216 O Street, Downtown Sacramento, Telephone 916 808-7000, web www.crockerart.org.

Brewery Gulch Inn proved to be the perfect base for some explorations of the surrounding areas including the delightful community of Mendocino,  originally a lumber company town but now with the traditional look and decor of a New England Victorian town.
One of our first stops was to visit the home of Jerome and Martha Ford built in 1863.  Now the Ford House is a museum as well as the Visitor Center for the Mendocino headlands State Park.  But from the time Jerome brought his twenty three year old bride to Mendocino it served as their home until 1872.  When she first arrived Martha was one of only three settler women in Mendocino.
 After our visit to the Ford Home we continued to an overlook of the ocean from Mendocino Headlands State Park,  We had been told that at the time of the year of our visit whales would be moving south and could often be seen from there.  And sure enough soon we could see the splashes of white water that could only be whales breaking to the surface and once we actually saw the black streak  of a surfacing whale.
It was also the time for some photo opts as the morning clouds were yielding to the sun and the air clear for perfect viewing.
We had one more thing to do in the town of Mendocino.  The TV series "Murder She Wrote" opens with scenes of what appears to be a New England town and a residence but was actually shot in Mendocino.  My traveling partner wanted to write about this so we set about finding the residence named Blair House.  Finally we got directions from the Visitors Bureau and did take photos of Blair House which today is a private residence.
On leaving Mendocino we drove a few short miles to Ft. Bragg.  After the marvelous feast which is called breakfast at Brewery Gulch Inn we had little appetite for anything more that as few snacks for lunch which we found as expected at the McDonald's in Ft. Bragg. 
Some of the afternoon we wanted to spend leisurely in the luxury of the Inn, both in its great room and our own room with its fireplace and views of the waves pounding the rocks and beach of Smugglers Cove and then somewhat impatiently for the beginning of the nightly wine hour and appetizers preceding the buffet dinner.  It does not take long to get completely spoiled at Brewery Gulch Inn.
 During our stay at Brewery Gulch Inn  we enjoyed Fathers & Daughters Cellars wines and learned that our Host Guy Pacurar was one of the owners.  How all this came about proved to be a most interesting story which will be related in a separate Vittles story.
The intimate atmosphere and luxury of Brewery Gulch Inn has not gone unnoticed.  It has won awards as California Inn of the Year and was chosen as one of the 10 most romantic Inns of the Year, also as a coveted four diamond award from the AAA.
Brewery Gulch Inn is located at 9403 North Highway one at Mendocino, Calilfornia.  It first opened in 2001 and a large number of its guests return again and again.  It is open year round and its rates do change between low season and high season.  For more information call 707 937-4752 or 800 578-4454, web www.brewerygulchinn.com.

When visiting Mendocino County in the far north of California think big.  The trees are bigger and taller, the rugged coast line bordering the Pacific Ocean appears endless and the curves on Highway One that will take you there seemingly without number.
In planning our most recent trip to this region we were fortunate to learn about Brewery Gulch Inn which offers five star accommodations and amenities while maintaining in architecture, decor and ambiance the life-style of the region and its history. 
On Highway One we spotted the water tower graced with a sign proclaiming Brewery Gulch Inn and once inside the attractive reception area and lodge found a wondrous refuge.
Waiting inside was a smiling innkeeper who had been expecting us.  What we saw was a beautiful redwood paneled front desk with adjacent wine bar, then a huge fireplace with blazing logs surrounded by a large lounge.  This lounge overlooks a stretch of ocean that is called Smuggler's Cove and on this day under fierce attack by angry ocean surf.
Soon our Innkeeper had our luggage in our own suite which was named the Madrone.  Each of the ten rooms at the Inn has the name of a tree.   Our room had windows and patio overlooking Smuggler's Cove, and its own gas fireplace surrounded by easy chairs.  The luxury continued with a king size bed,  and a full bath with a two person tub, desk, flat screen TV and complimentary local and domestic long distance telephone service.
That evening as we were tasting the complimentary wines that are part of the service we met Guy Pacurar, proprietor of Brewery Gulch Inn who has a most interesting history.  After a very successful career heading a national student exchange program based in Southern California Guy decided he would like to become an Innkeeper of a resort in a scenic and exotic location.  After a search that took a full year and included viewing twenty nine proprietors in five states he found what he was looking for at Brewery Gulch Inn located close to Mendocino on Highway One
.Amenities at the Inn include complimentary gourmet cooked to order breakfast.  Following the evening wine hour a light dinner buffet is offered that is changed each night by the in house chef.  That first evening we tasted four wines, all from surrounding wine regions.  First was Fathers and Daughters 2015 Sauvignon Blanc for adjacent Anderson Valley, then Michael Sullberg 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon,  and McNab 2013 Petite Sirah from Hopland.  Our buffet dinner included an much admired French Onion soup, Shrimp Risotto and the Chef's inspired Quitch.
Another evening our wines included Old Vine Red OVR from Marietta Cellars, Fathers & Daughters 2014 Pinot Noir and, an Italian white wine Arneis from Enotria.  For the buffet Chef Joe Niesyn prepared a peppercorn flank steak with a most tasty mushroom sauce, steamed fresh vegetables, baked sweet potatoes and his own freshly baked chocolate cake.
Brewery Gulch Inn proved to be the perfect base for some explorations of the surrounding areas including the delightful community of Mendocino,  originally a lumber company town but now with the traditional look and decor of a New England Victorian town.

Five Star Phoenicia in Glendale was the restaurant chosen by the Academy of Culinary Professionals to open its eighteenth year as one of Southern California's premiere dining groups.  It was conceived and created by the late Doris Crandall and James Woodin who continues to head the AOCP.
For the occasion the menu was designed to display traditional Lebanese cuisine and served family style.  At Phoenicia Proprietor Ara Kalfayen has showcased the classic foods and wines of Lebanon  for decades earning the title of being the best place in Southern California to experience this interesting cuisine.
Some fourteen difference appetizers and specialities were on the table along with some traditional wines as well.  Some of the specialties included Sambusik, Labni, the traditional Lebanese Hummus, Baba Ghanouj, roasted eggplant and one of this Writer's favorites., Shenklish, and Kibbeh Nayeh,  classic Tartar.  Then there was Shish Taouk, marinated chicken breast on skewers, Lehem Meshwi, choice marinated beef cubes, also on skewers as well as Muhamara, a spicy dip.  And the dishes continue to arrive including Basturma, slices of cured beef, Smoked salmon,  and Beef Kafta, ground beef with onions, parsley and  grilled on skewers.
 Through the years Ara Kalfayan has always featured  excellent wines from Lebanon in his cellar.
When it comes to wine Lebanon has a history that extends back almost six thousand years. The land and climate was friendly to viticulture and it was peopled by Phoenicians who were renown principally for their wide travel and trading. They were shipping wine to Egypt two thousand years before Christ. Modern vineyards and winemaking received fresh stimulus when the French arrived in the country during the last half of the 19th century. First by Jesuit monks and then by French vintners.
This is a restaurant where everything is done well and most professionally.
Phoenicia is located at 343 North Central Avenue in Glendale with off street parking. It is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. except on weekends there is live entertainment with a 2 a.m. closing time. For more information or reservations call 818 956-7800.

In San Pedro we shared one day of Viking Sun's inaugural world cruise.  During its two day stay in port the media was invited to come aboard  to tour Viking Sun and learn of its unique style of cruising.  Less traditional in ambiance than most cruise ships the Viking Sun is contemporary in decor and ambiance with more of the look and feel of a five star hotel.  This contemporary  Scandinavian decor is carried out throughout the ship including its cabins and dining areas.
Viking Sun is one of three new ships that will join the fleet in the next two years. 
We were briefed about Viking, with both its ocean ships as well as its large number of river boats that regularly tour the major waterways of Europe.  This briefing was well told by Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen  who also oultlined  the large number of superior ratings the Viking passenger experience has received over the last few years.  These high ratings in competition with other cruise lines.
It is certainly true that Viking Sun offers a unique experience from other cruise ships.  There are no photographers, casino, inside state rooms, and all passengers must be at least 18 years old.
After our tour and briefing we sat down to a most elegant luncheon served in one of the dining rooms with wide expansive windows.   Our starters were 'a taste of arctic Norway' with crab claw, lodderogn, shrimp and salmon tartare accompanied with a Noble Vines 242, Sauvignon Blanc, 2016, Monterey , California.
Next was 'Chairman's Choice', Poached Norwegian salmon with cucumber salad and broil potatoes, the wine Altano Branco, 2016, Douro, Portugal or oven roasted rack of lamb with mustard herb crumb gratinated potatoes, baby vegetables, and rosemary jus, the wine 770 Miles Zinfandel, 2015 from California.
Dessert was Mille-Feuille, crispy baked puff pastry with light vanilla cream, the wine Domaine de Montgilet Coteaux de l'Aubance from Loire, France.
This repast assured us that the cuisine and service aboard Viking Sun matched its  many other amenities.
Then we left the Viking Sun with some regret that we could not continue on its passage around plant Earth.