TOGETHER AT LAST

It's been months since we've got together with our Sunday afternoon vineyard group -- lovingly referred to as the Winos, though that's certainly not the case! Finally, yesterday, we were blessed not only with perfect weather but, miracle of miracles, everyone was in town! (though one poor fellow had just flown in from Korea, and was still a bit jet-lagged)

Instead of going to our usual hangout, we decided to make a field trip over to the Canyon Lake area to check out a small vineyard, La Cruz de Comal, that one of the couples had discovered. It had the cutest little tasting room ever -- I could live in this tasting room!

The owner is quite the character, having been a Houston defense lawyer with many high-profile clients in his previous life. He is a man of strong opinions, especially when it comes to the making of wine. He believes in hands-on, natural wine-making, with nothing added. His production is very limited, using only Texas Hill Country grapes. I'm no oenophile, but he must be doing something right. Several in our group, who normally don't touch anything but reds, were lugging home bottles of rose' and raving about dessert wines! Me? I just loved the ambiance...

the company...

and the owner's fabulous art collection!

On the way home we stopped to eat at an old favorite, Plooky's! It's a bit seedy, and a bit slow, but they still do a pretty darn good Cajun boiling pot, which you can order mild, medium, or super spicy! I can't believe I forgot to take a picture of our table, covered in long sheets of butcher paper, with it's mountain of shrimp, crawfish, corn, potatoes and sausage piled high in the center! If you ever make it out that way yourself, don't forget to mosey next door to take a peek inside of Frank's Bait & Taco, one of the most unique places you'll ever come across. Unfortunately, it's not open on Sundays.