Chapter 223

"I’ll wear something that gives you easy access, too," she said. "Maybe we can sneak away into a vineyard and you can take me again. I like knowing you might want me anytime, anywhere."

"It’s one of my favorite things about you," I said.

We dressed, had a late cup of coffee, and went to our first tasting. On an empty stomach, we felt a decent buzz after powering through a handful of Cabernets. We grabbed sandwiches for lunch and decided to call an audible. Instead of hitting a couple tasting room stops we had planned on, we went south on Highway 29 until we jogged over onto Highway 121. We pulled up at the grandly perched Domaine Carneros, bought a couple bottles of cold bubbly, and snuck off on the grounds to find a secluded spot for a picnic. The vineyards were too sloped and out in the open, but there were plenty of nooks and crannies between the parking lot, perfectly groomed lawn, and the long staircase up to the imitation Taittinger ch