After years of hearing about the famous Filoli estate in
Woodside, Matthias insisted upon visiting the place before our journey to the
Napa Valley.
But I told him this was not possible.
"We can't see the place in the morning because Jonathan and Lucy have
invited you to come in the evening and stay for dinner." I wrote back.
We started in the cellar with a schluck of Tolmach beer.
"Nicht schlecht!"
We then went for a stroll in the garden.
Matthias checks the Filoli "Sonnenuhr" for accuracy.
Happily, he did not spill his beer!
Jonathan & Lucy had quite a program!
Prepping the pizza:
Amy, having perfected this art at the Obester's place the past couple of years,
steps in and makes a pizza.
Jonathan had then put the pizzas in the wood-fired oven outside.
Hot stuff!
Jesper & Jonathan.
Pizza slicing.
Sandy Obester.
We then sat down to Lucy's fabulous Artichoke Soup.
Paired with The Ojai Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, this was a real treat!
Gunhild has become quite a wine drinker here in California!
A "ball" of tomato seeds is admired by Ike.
We told her this was a small American "knoedel."
Meanwhile, the oven was in use once again, roasting both salmon and potatoes.
Roasted potatoes and roasted salmon.
Matthias on the "chow line."
Ike is happy to see food.
So is Paul Obester!
Claudia checks out the cuisine.
The Zinfandel was flowing out in the dining room!
Whisper pronounces the wine "damned good."
Matthias agrees.
The vino was good, but the vittles were grand!
Followed by freshly picked salad greens.
Jonathan was able to find enough ripe berries for a dessert.
We had heard how Gunhild bought a gift for Matthias last year...a book on Chteau
d'Yquem. She thought of getting him a bottle of this fine Sauternes until
she arrived at the Frankfurt wine places and discovered, much to her horror, the
price of this liquid gold.
"He'll have to make do with the book." she said.
We surprised (and delighted) the crowd with a special bottle of the outstanding
1995 vintage of Chteau d'Yquem.
"Unglaublich!"
(Unbelievable!")
Bunch of sweet things.
"You bet I'll have a schluck of that!"
Matthias is a big music fan.
We gave him a CD of the music of William Hung.
This music will be unlike anything Matthias has ever heard.
Gunhild shows off a tea towel featuring a tourist map of California.
"Anybody for more d'Yquem?" Claudia asks?
What a splendid evening!
Many thanks to the Tolmach's for hosting!
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