Amy Alkon, Wine Snob
These are a few photos from our trip to wine country; or, more specifically, Clautiere country.
Former Angelenos Claudine and Terry aren't your typical vintners.
They throw drag queen parties, and have a wine-tasting room filled with wigs and hats...
Yet, when we were going to dinner, they explained earlier was better: "We're farmers." My kind of farmers. Here are some photos of the entrance to their winery.
The car is a customized 1951 Chevy (or, in Gregg's words, "Call it a Classic Custom 1951 Chevy with a million coats of a canary yellow lacquer"). I think he forgot "pearlized." It's that, too.
The mosaics are by Claudine.
P.S. The wine's really good, too. My favorite was the Cabernet. A bit more about the actual stuff they sell here:
Clautiere has been generating quite a buzz lately—and not just the one from their all-Estate, mostly Rhone varietal wines. The winery won a gold medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition for their 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon. You may have also seen them recently on the NBC show “In Wine Country.”Their wines include rich and wonderful Syrahs, Rhone Blends, Viognier and Cabernet. Prices are reasonable, from $24 - $34 a bottle...
Next time you're in Paso Robles, drop by and try the wine and a wig, too!
Clautiere Vineyard, 1340 Penman Springs Road, Paso Robles; 805-237-3789; www.clautiere.com.
Photos by Gregg Sutter
Comments
Amy, it's amazing how well you pull off the green fright wig. Have you thought about changing hair color? By the way, you have a video on youtube.com.
Posted by: Patrick at December 22, 2006 12:29 AM
Thank you, dahlink. I actually have a black wig at home. Straight black long hair. I look like a Chinese hooker in it.
Posted by: Amy Alkon at December 22, 2006 12:45 AM
And thanks -- was traveling so crazily, I forgot to post that video!
Posted by: Amy Alkon at December 22, 2006 12:48 AM
How fun! I lived up in that neck of the woods for many years and still have a lot of friends up there. Next time we're up visiting, we'll have to plan a group excursion to do some bewigged wine tasting.
Posted by: deja pseu at December 22, 2006 6:30 AM
You have to go! And tell them when you're there that you're a friend of mine, and you read about them on my blog. They're just great, and Gregg and I loved the wine.
Posted by: Amy Alkon at December 22, 2006 6:47 AM
My little boy sooooooooo wants to wear that red wig!
Posted by: Melissa G at December 22, 2006 8:21 AM
Just heard your speaking voice / saw you live for the first time Amy! You definitely should have a syndicated show!
Posted by: eric at December 22, 2006 8:58 AM
Speaking of videos, have you had the chance to look at the world's coolest eight year old I sent you? And Bull O'Lielly's dumbass child advocate's response to it?
Posted by: Patrick at December 22, 2006 6:46 PM
Actually, very observant John, but the truth is, I can't drink very much, and I got...don't laugh...carsick on the way there!
Posted by: Amy Alkon at January 17, 2007 8:14 AM
