Picnic dates have become a permanent fixture in our road trips, and we try to go creative. It’s the kind of dates that forces you to talk to each other face to face, and as long as weather allows so, you are under no pressure to leave (think: with restaurants, customers waiting for your table or once the bill is on the table). Instead, you have the glorious permission to sit-and-talk until the sun goes down quite literally so.
Especially, if you are both conversationalists.
I always know I love a good soul conversation – just ask my girlfriends about our 6-hour brunches! – but I did not know my true capacity until I met my husband and he has taken the life expectancy of my heart-to-hearts to a new high. For a couple that works together and lives together – in so much breathing the same air 99% of the time – it has surprised even us how we never seem to run out of things to talk about!
Though that is not without us relentlessly allowing each other to hear our most vulnerable, honest inner thoughts. It’s not the easiest thing I’d say, but there is something about the warmth of an old fashioned picnic that eases people into it. And how about pairing it with some wine tasting to add a fine touch? 🙂
We were driving through San Luis Obispo to get to Santa Barbara for a wedding this summer and with SLO known for its vineyards, I thought it’d be fun to stop by Edna Valley for some Chardonnay tasting.
Edna Valley is known for growing Chardonnay, so the combination of Google and Yelp took me through a dozen of wineries, but Tolosa had me at “picnic area” – and our first picnic brunch at a winery was born!
Wine tasting was $15 per person at Tolosa which was steeper than other wineries at $10-$12 in the SLO area. Though we got the fee waived by simply purchasing two bottles of their estate wines (just about $50 in total)! We picked and took home with us a 2012 estate Chardonnay and a 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon.
(I’ve got a fruity tongue when it comes to alcohol. So with wine, some of my current favourites are the Couvent Des Thorin’s, Sutter Home White Zinfadel, and Bottega Manzoni Pink Platted Moscato Rose.)
The “picnic area” did not disappoint. We arrived before noon so it was relatively empty still. Picked our spot, laid out our picnic mat and then it was just soaking in the soothing scenery as we paired our wine with the ever reliable chicken nuggets from McDonalds. (The famous cheese shop I love in the area was not open on that very day, but you will be surprised how very well nuggets go with wine – not kidding.)
Even as the winery got busier, it only created a festive atmosphere with toddlers taking their first strides, old couples contemplating on their sun chairs, all against a backdrop of live music from a one-man band.
For sure I’m lovin it. 😉
TOLOSA WINERY
4910 Edna Road
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
United States of America
http://www.tolosawinery.com
This is part of the wander workbook series where the wanderer in fivetwosix scribbles her worldwide finds of #whimsicaldateideas with her man or girlfriends without burning a hole in their pockets. Hopefully, they inspire you to always take time to smell the roses and make time for a creative date with those you love.
#edplusjan 