Walkabout, Tilbrook Estate

Located in the historic Adelaide Hills town of Lobethal, in the old Onkaparinga Woollen Mill is the home of one of the smallest “grape to bottle” wineries in the Adelaide Hills, Tilbrook Estate. Don’t be put off by its small size. James hand crafts some wonderful wines in the style of, and drawing inspiration from, the classic French wine regions of Burgundy, Champagne, the Loire and Alsace. James Tilbrook and his wife Annabelle planted their first eight acres in 1999 after being involved in wine making as far afield as Oregon in the United States.

James tries to allow the vineyard to do the talking and to interfere as little as possible with the winemaking process. “Wine should be a reflection of place if at all possible” says James.

With the advent of warmer weather, it’s time to fire up the wood fired brick oven. With a new page called “Menu” under the “Visit our Cellar Door” page. This lists what is offered, including their popular Adelaide Hills Gourmet platter and of course, those great Wood Oven Pizzas to enjoy while sitting in the lovely courtyard area.

With the famous Lobethal Markets starting back up now is the perfect time to visit Tilbrook Estate for some good wine and food and check out the market and make a day of it in the Adelaide Hill’s.

The Cellar door is open during the week 10 – 3, weekends 11 – 5, closed Wednesday. If you would like to go and see them outside these hours please give them a call at 08 8389 5318! 1 Adelaide Lobethal Road, Lobethal SA 5241.

Koala ‘Recomends” you stop by and say hi to James.

Happy tasting,

Cheers,

WineWalkabout

Kiwi & Koala

Walkabout 2012 Nepenthe Adelaide Hills

One of the bonues for those who like beautiful scenery and the simple pleasure of a picnic, as well as wine, are the opportunities for enjoying said picnics at wineries. One of those that have a great spot is Nepenthe in the Adelaide Hills. While visiting the area with his parents Koala stopped by the Cellar Door for a taste. The drive up to the Cellar door and the adjacent picnic area though the vineyards is beautiful. The picnic area makes for a fantastic spot to enjoy the beauty of the Adelaide Hills.

Aside from a great location, the tasting room / cellar door is bright and inviting. Tasting through the wines of Nepenthe was a delight starting with the 2011 Nepenthe Sauvignon Blanc, a lovely crisp clean and easy to drink wine. Koala diligently worked his way through all the offerings. Look, it’s a tough job but we are committed to it for the benefit of all.

While discussing wines and Koala’s travels, the Cellar Door manager popped her head around the corner with a “I know that voice”. It was a definite case of ‘it’s a small world’. She had met Koala in San Luis Obispo, California a few months earlier while Koala tasted some Sextant Wines where she was pouring.

Koala would ‘Recommend’ you go for a drive into the beautiful Adelaide Hills and swing into Nepenthe and enjoy some of their wonderful wines, buy a bottle or two and partake of picnic with your favorite person. You will be glad you did.

Happy Tasting Adventures,

Cheers,

WineWalkabout

Kiwi & Koala

WineWalkabout Cardinham Estate Clare Valley (updated)

With my brother doing the driving, it was off to the Clare valley for an overnight whirlwind trip.

Sometimes the Adventure is who you meet, and not what you find. Sometimes the stars align and its both. Its times like these that the Adventure can become more than the sum of its parts.

This story really begins a couple of months earlier at a cellar door in the southern Clare area. A lovely young lady, we will call her “Kim”, recommended a cellar door just on the north side of the town to my brother. Needless to say a good time was had by all. Now while not on my radar for the area my brother was adamant about going there. Younger siblings do sometimes have valuable information on occasion (who knew).

Truly not off the beaten track and just a very short distance north of Clare on the right hand side of the road is Cardinham Estate.

As you enter the gravel drive and pull up in front of the cellar door the impression is a family winery doing the best they can with what they have. Now while this description sounds like just an average winery as it turns out, the statement is true, but the results are amazing. It turns out they had one of the highest rated Rieslings in the world in 2003 to prove the point (current one is pretty bloody good to).

The original vineyard was purchased by Fred Dinham (Grandfather) in 1981 and the property has been managed and expanded on by Noel and Heather Smith ever since. Their two sons Scott and Shane, with the support of their families, have learnt the trade over the last 20 years and are now taking the reigns of the family business into the future.

Cardinham Estate was originally founded by Fred Dinham as a single vineyard of 60 acres in 1981 now known as the Home Block. By the 1990's the whole family had started to work on the property, which now included the Stradbrooke vineyards.

Cardinham Estate is now made up of four separate vineyard sites totalling 160 acres. Vineyard plantings date back to the 1860's and continued right up to recent years.

The Alexandria, 1860's Muscat, is a wine of unique qualities and magical offerings made from one of the oldest vineyards in Australia. Almost defying description it’s an amazingly smooth and magical Muscat. Noel told the story of some bloke who described it as “angels pissing on your tonsils”. Got a little queasy over that description.
We got to spend a fair amount of time with Noel over a two day period with Jazz the dog never too far away. Noel is a classic Aussie of an era gone by. He tells it as he sees it, and his opinions are out there for all to listen to. He tells of good times and bad and of how much work making wine is, and of the fact that in some ways the Estate should be called Chateau ANZ (bank). But you never get the feeling that he would want to be doing anything else.

His stories are colourful and engaging and paired with his wine makes for a magical experience. Not one to go in for bragging and flash, his philosophy is to let the wine speak for itself (unless you ask). We think someone should shout from the mountain tops about how fantastic some of these wines are.

There are some fantastic upcoming vintages that Noel was kind enough to share. Watching Noel pour wine from a 4” tap into a glass was very entertaining (great valve control). I was sure some were to be bottled immediately they seemed so ready but Noel was adamant that they needed more time to be the best they could be. This no wine before it's time, stubborn approach to producing wine, that is the best they can make it and not just “ok” must surely be why their 'current release' Stradbrooke Selection Shiraz is a 2008. This was my selection to purchase and I give it an 8 and is ***.

I could go on and on about each of their award wining Rieslings, their fantastic Cabernets and the unexpectedly bold yet elegant Stradbrook Shiraz and a host of other fantastic offerings, but the long and the sort of it is you just need to go there and taste them for yourselves. I highly 'Recomends' you go experience their great wines and maybe if you are truly lucky, experience the Noel factor.

Happy Wine Adventures,

Cheers,

WineWalkabout

Kiwi & Koala

Yeah it was that good!

National Wine Centre South Australia

Situated on the edge of Adelaide's stunning Botanic Gardens the National Wine Centre of South Australia combines bold architecture and a series of conference and meeting rooms.It also features a number of outdoor terrace areas with views of the centre's courtyard and adjacent Botanic Gardens.

The National Wine Centre offers a number of wine events for the general public to enjoy and although not generally public Koala thought he should attend an event to experience first hand what was going on. He was told that he could enjoy the best wines Australia has to offer at Friday's Uncorked, a free entry event run fortnightly. There was also a Wine Master Class that occurred in conjunction with the Uncorked event but you had to book and it was not free. Koala went ahead and booked so as to bring you all the inside scoop!

As it turned out the Friday Uncorked event he attended featured the wines of TheLane Vineyards from the Adelaide Hill’s with none other than John Edwards himself doing the Master Class. Koala was up for the challenge having signed up for the Master Class and was immediately confronted with the cost. Having attended numerous wine maker / owner exclusive classes over the years usually ranging in price from $75-$150, this price came as a shock…. $20, yes that’s it twenty dollars! These classes are definitely not intended to generate any income.

Fantastic value!

The wines were fantastic and John was educational, entertaining and kept everyone’s attention. Telling of how they got lucky with their first land purchase of twenty acres and how they have grown to over two hundred. Along with delving deep into the wines he talked about the overall philosophy of The Lane and provided an interesting and relatively comprehensive overview.

The class was very intimate and only accommodated twenty people. The room acoustics made for a lively setting and was attended with enthusiasm by a diverse crowd.

After the class Koala attended the free open to the public Uncorked event where people could purchase glasses of The Lane wines and listen to some acoustical guitar and have some nibbles. There were a couple hundred people enjoying good wine both inside and out in a great location.

There are also meals at the winter wine dinners and the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of chocolate and wine pairing at their wine classes.

A fantastic facility with great events and really everyone should go and enjoy. Oh yeah and learn to!

Koala rates National Wine Centre of South Australia a “must do”!

 

Happy learning,

Cheers,

WineWalkabout

Kiwi & Koala

PS. Go visit The Lane for great wine and food!

Koala goes Walkabout 2012 With United Airlines

All air travel is not created equal.

Leg one United Airlines San Francisco to Sydney 747-400.

Traveling between California and Adelaide Australia has become a tale of two types of journey. Having made this particular journey a few times over the last twenty years, and once or twice a year for the last ten years it was really a shock that this flight felt and looked like the one's from twenty years back. In fact I'm pretty sure it was the same plane from all those years ago as threadbare as it was. It was missing most of the paint on the nose and the left front window of the cockpit was broken when we arrived in Sydney (don't know if it was cracked when we left SF).

In the last fifteen years the carrier has alwas been either Air New Zealand or Qantas, with Air New Zealand winning out as most used, due to them having the cheapest flights. It has been many years since United Airlines  has been the carrier. A few years ago a United Mileage Credit card was acquired to collect airline points / miles to make this trip more financially accessible. Having a bunch of airline points / miles to use one would of thought that this would give you a step up. Not so fast international traveler. The amount of points / miles is (since the Continental merger a year or so back) is double what it used to be unless you take the most zig zag flight path possible. Compare 17 hours travel time to 48 hours travel time. It is almost impossible to use them in any way close to just buying a ticket, and the routs you have to take and the amount of time sitting in airports is simply a way to fill less desirable seats. Simply put, using points makes you a second class traveler.

Traveling on the rout from San Francisco to Adelaide Australia, it has been many many years since one of these routs came without a personal viewing screen and about a hundred movies and Telly shows to choose from, so it was qite a shock when transported back in time to the 80's. There were also no power outlets to plug portable devices into or recharge your obligatory I-product either.

As part of this step back in time experience, the food was not of the standard one has come to expect either. There was a glimmer of hope as the wine choice was a Fox Grove Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon that was not a bad drop.

This travel experience barely rated an 'OK, Yeah thats it, OK'. That is all, move on, there is nothing else to read here.

Happy Tasting Adventures,

Cheers,

WineWalkabout

Kiwi and Koala

Tasting treat at Tablas Creek

There are many wineries that make a good wine every now and then and there are some that make great wine once in a while, and then there are a handful of wineries that make good and great wine consistently season after season. One of those that do good and great season in and season out is Tablas Creek Vineyard.  On a recent WineWalkabout Paso Robles tasting tour (with special guest Frog) Tablas Creek was pulled from the hat as one of the stops. On what was a lovely warm to almost hot Saturday afternoon we all rolled up to the tasting room to give their wines the once over and critique. As it turned out Frog has been a long term club member as he believes that Tablas Creek is his French Rhone Connection. We were very impressed with Frogs French Rhone collection but in our typical irreverent attitude we figured we would be the judge of that, and so in we went.

A fairly large with clean modern style tasting room greets you as you enter. Our little group were directed into a side room bar for tasting which although open to the main room felt a bit like a private tasting. Kiwi figured they heard our snarky commentary before we went in and wanted to get us half way out. The tasting room lady who drew the short straw and got to deal with us did a fantastic job of educating us about the history of the winery and the philosophy behind the wines, as well as some of the technical stuff. The wines were, well they were what we were told they would be. Great!

Tablas Creek has an interesting history that we will just quote from their website so as not to misstate the information. “Tablas Creek Vineyard is the result of a decades-long friendship between the Perrin family of Château de Beaucastel and Robert Haas, longtime importer and founder of Vineyard Brands. The families created a partnership in 1985 and in 1989 purchased a 120-acre property in the hilly Las Tablas district of west Paso Robles for its similarities to Châteauneuf du Pape: limestone soils, a favorable climate, and rugged terrain.

The partners imported the traditional varietals grown on the Perrins’ celebrated estate, including Mourvèdre, Grenache Noir, Syrah, and Counoise for reds, and Roussanne, Viognier, Marsanne, and Grenache Blanc for whites. These imported vines passed a rigorous 3-year USDA testing program, were propagated and grafted in our on-site nursery, and used to plant our organic estate vineyard.”

Frog was very up on this history and over a cool canteen of water imparted some additional history and some interesting stories. Cool canteen you ask, yes cool canteen. Tablas Creek takes the organic, green and carbon footprint stuff pretty seriously and one of the neat things they have done is provide their visitors access to a cool drink of filtered water in stainless steel canteens that they then clean each night and reuse saving the landfills from copious amounts of discarded plastic bottles. Tablas Creek Vineyards received their organic certification in January, 2003 and continue to explore how to better respect their place as evidenced when they began farming much of the vineyard Biodynamically in 2010. Look go to Tablas Creek Vineyards and taste their wine and experience their hospitality and talk to them about their vineyard practices and the why’s of how they make their wine and experience a premium winery with a unique story. Look, don’t take our word for it just go and enjoy good and great wine from a premium winery or to quote one of those Wine something magazines "a world class winery that excels at so many things". Go on, get out there and tell em WineWalkabout sent you! We recommend you do(Frog to)!

Located at 9339 Adelaida Road, Paso Robles, CA 93446 and open daily from 10:00AM to 5:00PM.

Happy Travel Adventures,

Cheers,

WineWalkabout

Kiwi & Koala

Tasting Macchia, Lodi Ca.

While in the Lodi area for business Koala was arm wrestled by his friend / business associate into going wine tasting. You must realize what force must have been used to make this happen. Yeah yeah he mentioned it in passing so off we went! The winery selected by Koala’s friend was Macchia. They are a family owned Winery located at 7099 E. Peltier Road Acampo, Ca 95220 in a neat older feeling building surrounded by trees and gardens.

As we entered we were very warmly greeted by Tonya. As it turns out she knew Koala’s friend quite well and was not specifically addressing all of the warmth at Koala with this welcome (misinterpreted flattery, put ego away). Tonya was friendly and knowledgeable (family member) about all of the wines, the work behind them all and some insights that come from someone on the inside.

Unlike a lot of the area wineries Macchia makes Sangiovese, Barbera, and Nebbiolo as well as the more normal varieties for this area. Taking nothing away from their Zinfandels Koala’s take home for the day was a very nice Barbera. It was very difficult to stay with the one bottle rule. Macchia has a very nice lineup of wines for your drinking pleasure. This is not just Koala’s opinion either as they have received quite a few awards for their wines. Koala suggests that you stop on by and check out what they have to offer, you won’t be disappointed. The tasting room is open Thursday - Monday, from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

Tell em Kiwi and Koala sent you!

Happy Tasting Adventures,

Cheers,

WineWalkabout

Kiwi & Koala

Salinas Valley Food and Wine Pert Deux.

As the low clouds start to lift at least a bit, Koala finds himself lined up for tickets to the Second annual Salinas Valley Food and Wine Festival. Attending without Kiwi because with so much happening this time of year he was in Paso Robles covering Harvest Festival activities.

Ticket prices at the door were $50 for a general admission and $85 for a ViP ticket (lesson here, pre-purchase).  A bit pricey given last years experience but maybe it will be worth it.Once the VIP situation was squared away Koala went to work. Last year was a bit like a large swap meet with wineries scattered amongst the downtown businesses and the VIP area was in the old Fox Theater. Now while the Fox is a neat facility with a unique atmosphere it was not set up for, nor were there enough quality vendors for a VIP experience (pretty disappointing). This year some of the same was repeated with the craft fair swap meet style atmosphere in downtown. However, the VIP area was now in the Steinbeck Center. This, and the fact that there were more quality vendors, made for a much more positive experience that made a big difference. Last year we all drank out of plastic wine goblets (not good). This year they were glass (much better), but, while on the subject of glassware, disappointed in the thick glass and thick rolled lip wine glass. Understanding the need for something child safe and durable for those out in the streets is one thing but for VIPs in a closed off area something more appropriate is definitely in order. Fine wine and a VIP experience is entitled to fine glassware!

The VIP vendors consisted of good food, good wines and a collection of Tequila, Vodka and Whiskey purveyors. There was some great art work and some very nicely played live background music. The cooking demonstration was interesting and the smell of bacon was alluring. The presentation of the Gold and Silver Medal award winning wines was reasonably well done and the Q and A quite entertaining and even enlightening for some in the crowd.

While Koala was flat out like a lizard drinking, tasting the VIP area wines and he was surprised to find that most of the VIP wineries did not submit their wines because of additional expenses required to do so. Unfortunate. There was a definite step up and most things are headed in the right direction, but VIP should mean just that and in a number of ways other than pricing it did not represent that particularly when compared to other wine events.

Overall a good step forward for this second annual event and the Charities they support.

Overall not a bad second effort and Koala rates it a ‘Would Go Back”

Show up next year and tell em Kiwi and Koala sent you and order your tickets early.

Happy Adventures,

Cheers,

WineWalkabout

Kiwi & Koala

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Paso Robles Dining

On a recent excursion to the Paso Robles area we decided to eat and not just drink. We know, what a concept! Just when we were getting good at something. Next decision, where to go? As fate would have it and after doing a quick survey of some locals we followed their advice and headed to Artisan Restaurant. Easy to get to located close to down town in Paso Robles at 1401 Park Street, Paso Robles, California 93446. We walked there from the Paso Robles Inn in five minutes.

There was a group of six of us so Kiwi and Koala were incognito and able to experience the service and food just like average blokes off the street and not the celeb’s we think our significant others should treat us as. You can thank us later for making the sacrifice so that you may know what to experience. If we did not make this personal sacrifice we would be treated special (don’t emphasize the word). We were warmly greeted and taken to our table for six.

The restaurant is sleek and euro contemporary, which can be a bit stark sometimes, but at Artisan they have managed to make it feel hip slick and welcoming all at once. With mostly hard surfaces it has a lively atmosphere and the background music selection was stellar!

The wait staff was on the spot to take care of us and get us started. We had brought along a couple bottles special for the evening and one was quickly opened (they have a very good wine list also). Food was ordered and came in a short amount of time and was well presented. There was a variety of entrees ordered and all were good and better. A definite foodie restaurant that has enough on the menu for the picky non adventurist as well. Of the six meals consumed the final tally on our Artisan experience was; four “Recommends” and two “Would Go Back”! So given that average Artisan gets a “Recommend” from Kiwi and Koala! Go check em out and tell em Kiwi and Koala sent you!

To happy dining!

Cheers,

WineWalkabout

Kiwi & Koala

Kiwi and Koalas WW_9

This week’s WW is a little more exceptional than usual. Found at San Antonio Winery in Paso Robles one afternoon while working hard. Located right off Hwy 46 in Paso Robles at 2610 Buena Vista Drive. While tasting a selection of wines just looking sfor ome good drinking everyday wine for at home, Koala came across a few that were very worthy but this one stood out. While quite light it is a very easy to drink wine with some red fruit showing. The thing that really got Koala’s attention is that he could buy 4 bottles and still keep it under the **** star rating. While not a wine to take to special dinners it is a good drinking wine at an amazing price and is a 5 and ****.

Go by and have a taste at San Antonio in one of their tasting rooms, they have something for everyone and some wine at great price points. They also have wine from California, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, Switzerland, New Zealand, Germany, Australia, and many more.

Los Angeles Winery

737 Lamar Street
Los Angeles, CA 90031

Ontario

2802 S. Milliken Avenue
Ontario, CA 91761

Paso Robles
2610 Buena Vista Drive
Paso Robles, CA 93446

Happy Tasting Adventures,

Cheers,

WineWalkabout

Kiwi & Koala

Laetitia Vineyards Tasting experience.

What would any normal person do driving down the highway and seeing the Laetitia Vineyard and Winery Tasting Room sign? Pull in of course! That’s exactly what we did. Ok, we were planning on doing it but enjoyed the pretense of spontaneity by threatening the use of the handbrake for a show of entry flair (a signature move). After the 'being responsible' lecture it was into the tasting room.

Walking up to the tasting room from the parking area, you could hear the band playing, the birds were singing and some were even dancing. There was a good crowd enjoying the beautiful Californian afternoon, with snacks and wine with the music. The outdoor area was being put to full use and all who were there were having a great time. Entering the quite full tasting room it was apparent that this was a very popular place and thoughts went to worrying about getting decent service. There was no need to worry as Hassan was ready willing and able to provide a great tasting experience. For a small fee which is credited with a purchase you get the choice of five wines.

Easier said than done as there are a number more than five great choices to choose from. We took the easy route and put the pressure on Hassan to lead us through the tasting. This often leads to being poured the servers favorites. Not this time as Hassan asked a series of questions to ascertain taste preferences and then talked through each tasting to select the next one. A very enjoyable tasting and even though busy we never felt neglected or forgotten. The bottle of choice was a hard decision as there were a number that were worthy but the final choice was The Whole Cluster Pinot Noir. An excellent example of what a great Pinot Noir with deep color, great aromas, nice balance of fruit and acidity and giving a wonderful finish can be. The inclusion of 45% whole clusters give this wine more depth than is typical, and is a noteworthy shift from your average Pinot Noir. This wine rates it a 7 and ***.

Laetitia Vineyard & Winery can be found directly off the 101 freeway between San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria and we 'recommend' you stop by if you are in the area.

Tasting Room Open daily from 11 am to 5 pm at 453 Laetitia Vineyard Drive
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 and closed Christmas Day.  

Tell em we sent you!

Happy tasting,

Cheers,

WineWalkabout

Kiwi & Koala

Cycles Gladiator, Lodi California

 

While on a business trip to the Sacramento area, Koala decided to take a small detour and do a little tasting in the Lodi area. Being short on time he decided to tweet of the adventure and see what happened. A couple of suggestions came in and one of those was Cycles Gladiator. Koala looked up the address and off he went. The location was easy to find and conveniently close to the highway.

 

Driving through the double wide chain link gates Koala saw the cute little tasting room near the back of the lot along side of the production area. With a nice sitting area out front on the deck, it is immediately welcoming. Once inside the tasting room, it’s up to the bar for a series of very drinkable wines.

The facility has been recently remodeled and is a great place to taste good wine and browse their selection of cycling related apparel and gifts. You can also enjoy a picnic in their large picnic area that has two bocce courts for your entertainment. It's a nice spot for a romantic date day or for a larger group to enjoy a gorgeous day in the Lodi Wine Country. There were a couple of wines that Koala wanted but stuck to the one bottle rule and chose the Boneshaker. This is a good example of a full bodied Zin with great aromas and big fruit but does have a nice balance of aroma, fruit and finnish. Koala’s score a solid 6 and****. A very nice tasting experience and if you are in the Lodi area one you should go check out.
Go on do it and tell em Kiwi and Koala sent you.

Tell em Kiwi and Koala sent you!

 

Happy Travel Adventures,

Cheers,

WineWalkabout

Kiwi & Koala

Kiwi and Koalas WW_8

Hahn 2010 SLH Pinot Noir is this week’s WW due to its great taste and easy drinking. A very nice example of a Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir. Bright red fruit dominates the nose and palate, along with the black fruit flavors characteristic of Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir. Deep ruby in color the Hahn SLH Estate 2010 Pinot Noir is quite vibrant. Notes of cherry cola, dried herbs and minerals are balanced by cool-climate acidity and velvety tannins. A little time in the glass provides a very easy drinking wine. A solid 6 plus and ***. A great go to for every occasion.

Wine Details

Vintage: 2010
Wine Style: Red Wine
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands
Acid: .62 g/100ml
PH: 3.81
Alcohol %: 14.5%

Koala paired it with sweet BBQ chicken and was very happy with the choice.

Go get one, knock it back and enjoy and tell em Kiwi and Koala sent you!

Happy Tasting Adventures,

Cheers,

WineWalkabout

Kiwi & Koala

Hyatt Regency Sacramento

Staying in Sacramento? So did Koala. Want to know a great place to stay? Well you probably already know what he’s going to tell you based on the headline. But to answer the question, The Hyatt Regency in downtown Sacramento is worthy of your consideration as it is located in the heart of the city’s vibrant downtown, across from the State Capitol and adjacent to the Sacramento Convention Center. First off it’s a very nice Hotel and under rated by most standards. Great comfortable well appointed rooms are just the start. Warmly greeted and made to feel welcome starts things off right. The fact that the parking garage has in and out privileges is great.  A very good restaurant, Dawson's, with wait staff well informed on their wine list just another plus. If you are like Koala and stayed out late playing with friends and got in without having dinner the bar has a great hamburger and a good wine list to choose something to wash it down with. Ok there is a lot more on the list than just a burger but as the lovely and efficient wait staff lady said ‘you can make a sandwich at home, but not a burger like this’. Who was Koala to argue?

The second night Koala made sure he was in early enough for dinner at the restaurant and was not disappointed. The meal was very good and the recommended French wine was a great pairing. A couple of after dinner glasses of wine at the Amourath 1819 bar which serves as the hotel’s main gathering spot, featuring an expansive adjacent patio with fireplaces. With the same lovely ladies for wait staff as the previous evening made the evening delightful with Koala feeling like he got the VIP treatment. Really everyone seemed to be getting the VIP treatment.
 

Thanks for the great service from the Bar / Patio girls (wait staff) and to the Hyatt Regency Sacramento for a great stay.

So if you’re going to be staying in Sacramento California give them a try. Koala believes you will like it!

Stop by the bar and tell the girls Koala sent you!

 

Happy Adventures,

Cheers,

Kiwi & Koala

P.S.  Hyatt, charging for Internet is so 90’s, just make it part of your service!

 

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