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Wine Tasting B.C. Canada – 8/3/2016

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August 3, 2016 (Wednesday)

Happy birthday my darling husband, Michael!

Today was a fun day. A few days ago I had gone onto Groupon (always checking for deals) and came across a wine tasting tour for four for $395 (Canadian).  Then another offer came in for an additional 20% off. So for less than $100 per person (which included the tip), we got a six hour wine tasting tour to three wineries in a beautiful limo, and lunch.  Too fun. I was worried we wouldn’t get to do it because it says you have to reserve it at least seven days before. I emailed LA Limos and a nice woman replied that she would be able to squeeze us in for today. So excited.

Birthday boy bringing up the rear.
Birthday boy bringing up the rear.

We were picked up by Gary at 10:30 AM.

The Limo has arrived.
The limo has arrived.
Ready to hit the road.
Ready to hit the road.

 

Interior.
Interior.

 

Ceiling controls.
Ceiling controls.

 

Ready to hit it.
Ready to hit it.

 

I was so excited to finally get to ride in a limo. Didn’t realize how uncomfortable they are. Fun but uncomfortable, especially for Larry (who is 6’5”). Next up was a nice couple from New Jersey. We picked them up across the harbor in a lovely hotel called the Delta. The last couple were locals that just wanted to do something fun and a little different.  The first winery we went to was on top of a hill with a view to die for. Gary (the limo driver) said on clear days you could see all the way to the mainland. Just a stunning view and a beautiful winery. The winery was called “De Vine.” Good wines and Michael and I were already feeling tiddly. We got four generous tastes, ( a flight of four), but we didn’t have an option of what we tasted.

 

First winery.
First winery.

 

Great views from up here.
Great views from up here.

 

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Nice decorations at DeVine.
Nice decorations at DeVine.
Hand blown by the owners son.
Hand blown by the owners son.

 

It is a small winery that uses stainless steel and oak barrels.
It is a small winery that uses stainless steel and oak barrels.

 

They make a rum from honey.
They make a rum from honey.

 

They have a nice sense of humor here.
They have a nice sense of humor here.

 

The sales room.
The sales room.

 

The bathroom was very nice and classy.
The bathroom was very nice and classy.

 

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In the showroom they had several cards and larger drawings from Helen Windsor.
In the showroom they had several cards and larger drawings from Helen Windsor.

 

They were thoughtful and easy to get lost in. I really liked the star gazing in the brain and fire in the back of the mouth.
They were thoughtful and easy to get lost in. I really liked the star gazing in the brain and fire in the back of the mouth.

 

De Vine humor.
De Vine humor…

 

Always enjoy a sense of humor when it comes to pets.
Always enjoy a sense of humor when it comes to pets.
Renee and Larry enjoying some outdoor tables.
Renee and Larry enjoying some outdoor tables.

The second winery was just a short distance away, called Church and State. Beautiful. While we were tasting our five wines of our choice, we also got to order our lunch. Renee and I got the cobb salad, Michael got an ultimate cheese sandwich, Larry got a pizza. Larry won the prize as the pizza was the best. Glad he shared but I wanted more. Michael and I also ordered a white chocolate cheesecake with raspberry sauce on top. So yummy and just enough as it was very rich.

Pretty woman, at last, where she belongs.
Pretty woman, at last, where she belongs.

 

"Heavenly Tastes...Earthly Rewards."
“Heavenly Tastes…Earthly Rewards.”

 

The biggest and nicest of the day and also where we had lunch.
The biggest and nicest of the day and also where we had lunch.

 

Pretty carboys.
Pretty carboys.

 

Pretty woman approached this fellow on behalf of our daughter Lex. He said he would like to meet her.
Pretty woman approached this fellow on behalf of our daughter Lex. He said he would like to meet her.

 

We ate on the deck and it was a very pleasant day.
We ate on the deck and it was a very pleasant day.

 

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Edie and Renee got the chicken cobb salad. Both reported it was excellent.
Edie and Renee got the chicken cobb salad. Both reported it was excellent.

 

Larry had a pizza that was very reminiscent of Naples.
Larry had a pizza that was very reminiscent of Naples.

 

I had the ultimate cheese sandwich.
I had the ultimate cheese sandwich.

 

We shared a white chocolate cheese cake.
We shared a white chocolate cheese cake.

 

Perfectly manicured vineyards.
Perfectly manicured vineyards.
Lots of awards.
Lots of awards.

The third winery was called Symphony. We got to sit outside and the fun wine lady brought our five choices out to us one at a time. So relaxing and so lovely. She also gave us some cheese, crackers and some jelly they make at the winery. We ended up getting some of the jelly as it was just too good and unique.

The third winery.
The third winery.
Our fellow knew how to back up.
Our fellow knew how to back up.
Their flowers were so unusual that we think they must have gone to the seed store at Butchart garden.
Their flowers were so unusual that we think they must have gone to the seed store at Butchart garden.

 

This place was very close to Butchart Gardens.
This place was very close to Butchart Gardens.

 

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Very unusual colors.
Very unusual colors.
Common shapes and uncommon colors.
Common shapes and uncommon colors.

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Pretty woman at Symphony with a flight of 5 samples.
Pretty woman at Symphony with a flight of 5 samples.
The lady worked very hard to make sure we all got to taste what ever we wanted, many trips up and down the stairs. Cheese, crackers, jams and jellies were tasted as well.
The lady worked very hard to make sure we all got to taste what ever we wanted, many trips up and down the stairs. Cheese, crackers, jams and jellies were tasted as well.

What a fun day and the weather ended up being just perfect. It started out a little gray and cold but ended up being gorgeous.

We got back to our “home” at around 4:30 PM. What a lovely day! Larry and Renee walked across the street and through the park to go back to Finest at Sea Fish Market to get some fish to make for dinner. Michael and I had some leftover pasta and salad. I think Michael talked Larry into making him some fish since it’s his birthday. (Michael uses guilt a lot on his birthday.) Then Larry and Renee surprised Michael with a wonderful small chocolate cake complete with candles and “Happy 67 Mike” written on it.

My surprise birthday cake from Larry and Renee, thoughtful and very tasteful.
My surprise birthday cake from Larry and Renee, thoughtful and very tasteful.

 

Edie and I took a dip after the outing.
Edie and I took a dip after the outing.

It was fun and delicious. We hit the hot tub and have now called it a night.

That was our day. Hope yours was great!