Second Day of October Winecation-#4 Stop! Bella Vineyards and Wine Caves #bellawinecaves

Bella Vineyards and Wine Caves was our delightful cave experience of the day! Several couples in the group had never been to the California wine country and so my daughter thought this would be the quintessential place to take them to see a wine cave! Perfect, I say!

You can see the entrance to the cave from the grounds outside. These are also areas to picnic or take a breather if you need to!

Our group entering the caves!

A view of the barrels in the caves.

Here's what they were pouring the day we were there.

2012 Special Release Rose' ($22) made of Bella Grenache and Syrah fruit. It was a crisp refreshing wine.

We had a 2012 Ten Acre Rose' of Pinot Noir ($24), a "lighter and delightfully crisp take on Pinot Noir-a perfect warm-weather wine."

We also tasted a 2011 Ten Acre Jenkins Vineyard Pinot Noir ($65), a "lush textured wine that exemplifies Russian River Valley Pinto Noir." "Black cherry fruit and spicy complexity prevail!"

Our next tasting was a 2011 Hills and Benches Zinfandel ($35). This wine "showcases the juicy, fruit-driven style that makes Dry Creek Valley famous for Zinfandel."

A 2010 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel ($25) was poured for us. "Bright and juicy on the palate, ripe flavors of raspberry and plum, with savory undertones of pepper and baking spice." Yum!!!!

The next wine poured was a 2009 Two Patch Zindandel ($40) from two vineyards in the Alexander Valley. "Juicy flavors of blueberry and cassis are balanced by soft tannins." I love blueberries! Love this wine!

A 2010 Lily Hill Estate Dry Creek Valley Syrah ($40) which was a strictly limited production. "Ripe plum and spice flavors with soft notes of mocha and vanilla." So good!

Next was a 2011 Lily Hill Estate Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel ($40). With "bouquet notes of blackberry cobbler and earthy spice, silky texture and juicy, finishing with a subtle vanilla and light oak notes," what's not to love!

We also had a 2012 Late Harvest Zinfandel ($25) with flavors of plum and sweet berry.

Don taking a breather from wine? Can't be!

Time to load the bus with our wines and glasses from the tasting.

Thank you Bella Vineyards and Wine Caves!