When our friend, Cyndy invited Bob, Jenny, Steve and me to her exceptional home in the Wine Country, we all accepted without hesitation.

After arriving, we headed out to explore. There was no better way to spend our rainy day than meandering through this beautiful valley with really fun friends.
We kicked off the weekend by arriving at Castello di Amorosa which was like driving up any Cypress-lined road in Italy. It was breathtaking and a bit surreal.
Hand-crafted Italian styled wines in an authentically-styled, 13th century medieval Tuscan-style castle. It doesn't get more spectacular than that!

Additional authentic features included are items one would expect to find on the grounds of a castle: a church, a drawbridge and a picturesque courtyard, in addition to a torture chamber, loggia, numerous secret passage ways, an outdoor oven, olives and a couple darling pigs.
What an incredible place to explore and one to which we will return.
Our most favorite place to be was at Cyndy's magical la maison du coucou (the house of the cuckoo).
Local delicacies were purchased to share.

New treats were created. These blue cheese filled, bacon wrapped dates were ambrosial!
Frequent trips to the wine cave were welcomed.
We each were to prepare a dinner. Tonight Jenny roasted vegetables and chicken-Exceptional!

What a comfortable and wonderful way to start our weekend!