That’s right – I won a contest on Pinterest. And you should be jealous. Because it was freaking awesome.
That sounds a little snotty doesn’t it? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to come out that way. I’m not trying to brag (much), it’s just that – WOW – this was really super fantastic and I really, really have to share.
Last year I found out about this contest from Middle Sister Wines on Pinterest. You had to pin a picture of one of their new wines –Rebel Red, Drama Queen, Wild One or Mischief Maker- and where you spotted it (or bought it) onto a pinboard on Pinterest. The prize was a trip for two to Napa for the 2nd annual Wine Sisterhood Gathering. I had no idea what the Wine Sisterhood Gathering was, but I knew I wanted to win. I mean a free trip to Napa with a girlfriend – what could be better? (It turns out nothing! Could be better, I mean. Because this trip was the bomb!)
Here is the photo I pinned:
Yeah, it’s a pretty sucky picture of me. In fact, I almost didn’t post it because I really didn’t like it. But I’m so glad I did. I mean, who needs dignity when free wine and travel are involved?
What exactly is the Wine Sisterhood Gathering? It was a three-day conference featuring interactive workshops, winery visits, ridiculous dining experiences, and time to mingle with influential women from a variety of industries and backgrounds. Translation: Wine tasting + gourmet food + amazing women = AWESOME!
I was a good friend to one and a bad friend to many when I chose my friend Jennifer to go to Napa with me. (Sorry everyone else – really!)
It started on Sunday, March 3, when Jennifer and I flew to Napa on a teeny tiny airplane.
Once we landed at SFO were met by a stretch limo (that I’m pretty sure was bigger than the plane) that whisked us away to the fabulous Andaz Napa Hotel. We shared our limo with three amazing women who had flown in together from the East Coast – Elizabeth Mascali and Dawn Sandomeno from the fantastic better-than-Martha-Stewart party planning blog Party Bluprints, and Carol Cain from the very cool (I wish it was my) travel blog Girl Gone Travel. We chatted the entire hour-long limo ride and really hit it off. These ladies are FAB!
When we arrived at the hotel our rooms weren’t ready yet (we arrived before official check-in time) and everyone was starving, so the five of us had lunch two doors down at a restaurant called Tarla Mediterranean Grill. I chose their crab sandwich which was basically a BLT with avocado and lump crab meat on ciabatta bread. So in a word – YUM!
When we went back to the hotel we had to wait a little longer for our room so we checked in with the sisterhood and each got this awesome bag full of swag with items that can be purchased at the Wine Sisterhood store in the near future.
We sat in the hotel lobby and enjoyed a complimentary (and very delicious) glass of John Anthony 2010 Sauvignon Blanc. I’m telling you – I could get used to the Napa lifestyle. We were given a beautiful double king room that I was too lame to remember to take pictures of.
So here’s one I stole from the Internet. (It’s from their website – I don’t think they’ll mind!)
After relaxing for a short while we changed into flapper(ish) outfits because we were headed to the speakeasy at Raymond Vineyards Winery.
Raymond Vineyards – what a trip. We are talking crazy good wine and a winery that David Lynch could have created. I’m telling you this place was surreal. Our host, Jean-Charles Boisset (who was wearing a purple velvet suit) greeted us and told us the history of the winery in the red room.
We then headed to the Crystal Cellar for an appetizer dinner. (My favorite kind!)
Here I am enjoying some yummy apps with my new friends…
BTW – side note… speaking of awesome women – do you see the 1st person in this picture? Her name is Lorraine Robertson and she ran a marathon earlier in the day. Yes, you read that right. Lorraine flew in from Atlanta on Saturday, ran a marathon Sunday morning and Sunday evening partied like a rockstar. She is my idol. Seriously!
Off of the Crystal Cellar was the Barrel room. And it was full of cheese.
And olives…
and other yummy things…
While we were in the barrel room Jean-Charles came in and offered a back-room tour of the place. Unfortunately I was treating the table in the barrel room like a feed bag and did not see my friends go. Dawn and Elizabeth told me I really missed out. Boo! (But seriously, can you blame me? Look at all that cheese!)
After much eating and drinking and winery exploring the Wine Sisters were done and ready to retire. We had get to bed at a decent hour to gear up for the next day that involved 7AM Zumba, a 10:30 AM champagne tasting and more food and wine than even someone who uses a cheese table as a feedbag would have thought possible.
Stay tuned to find out all about it…
Charlene Ross 
That trip looks awesome – and the life clearly suits you!
It DOES suit me Kim. I’m becoming rich and moving to Napa immediately! (Of course not quite sure how I plan on becoming rich and if I moved to Napa I’d weigh something close to 500 pounds!)
I’m going to bed now & not getting out of it tomorrow. Experiencing that surreal faction of life that finds me straddling undeniable elation and ugly (ugly) jealousy. You had me at won. Gawwwwwwwd……… ❤ ❤ ❤
I straddle that fence daily Tina. (Would it help if I told you I gained 5 pounds!) Love you! xoxo
You are soooo deserving of this, my friend.
Sometimes the universe rewards good people in a big way.
And sometimes I get to be the one who took the picture.
🙂
Love you, lady!
And I thank you so much for taking it Julie! (If I were a better friend I would have brought you! But I definitely owe you some wine!)
I loved meeting you and Jennifer and I’m coming to LA for more Charlene Ross!
Come on down Dawn! Can’t wait to hang out with you again! 🙂
Hahaha! I love that pic of all of us…we look like so much trouble! It was fun meeting you, sorry i didn’t get to say a proper goodbye. Love this story and how it all came to be!
I’m sorry too Carol, but so glad you made it home safely! And yes, we are definitely trouble!
What a wonderful experience! Big congrats on winning. Looks like you all had a fab time! Napa used to be my old stomping grounds and I kick myself for not being a wine drinker while living in wine country.
Thanks Linda, it really was fantastic! Are you a wine drinker now? If so, you will definitely have to make the trip back!
I like a good Pinot Grigio now, so a return trip may be in my future.
Can we go back again right now? It was an AWESOME adventure and so great to meet and share it with you! 🙂
Thanks for the shout out about the marathon. Oh, and how did I miss that fabulous cheese room? GASP!
Looking forward to keeping in touch.
Winks & Smiles!
Yes, Lorraine, let’s go. If for nothing else than the cheese room. How DID you miss out on that? I look forward to keeping in touch too. 🙂
I’m sooooooooooooooo jealous. That sounds like an aweome girl getaway. The food looks fabulous. Mr. Purple Velvet Suit guy looks wildly entertaining. The “new friends” sisterhood shot looks crazy fun. Zumba in the morning champagne tasting—-Ah-Maz-ing! And to top it all off by diving into those GORGEOUS, huge, king-sized beds each night seems like pure heaven. Like I said, sooooooooooo jealous!!!
So glad I stopped over here to catch up on your blog and get my Charlene-blog fix. I really love it over here. Truly. You are a wonderful blogger.
Thank you so much Demetria. I am always so humbled by your comments.
And it really was Ah-Maz-ing. Truly. Oh, and that bed, all to myself with four pillows – heaven!
you are almost as funny as me Charlene! great to meet you and glad you had a blast!
Why thank you Rebel. I’ll take that as a very high compliment! It was great meeting you too! 🙂
You had me at Raymond & David Lynch. Amazing. Such a fun story!!
Wow and just think, you got all this just by sharing a pic of your happy mug…..and one that you didn’t even particularly care for. Beauty does open doors 🙂
Totally Chic! WOW. LOvE love love the room.
Congrats, Charlene.
So happy for you. Xxxxx
[…] So, I Won This Contest on Pinterest… (CharleneRoss.com, Charlene Ross) “I had no idea what the Wine Sisterhood Gathering was, but I knew I wanted to win. I mean a free trip to Napa with a girlfriend – what could be better? (It turns nothing! Could be better, I mean. Because this trip was the bomb!)” […]
Totally jealous!
How awesome! What wonderful memories — you totally get bragging rights!