Took a 2 hour drive north today up to St. Helena, California. Right in the heart of the Napa Valley to the Culinary Institute of America. A renowned cooking school. What a treat this was.
The buildings are impressive and are all made of stone. To the front of this area was a large herb garden. So you know that when you are learning or eating there, it is all fresh.
I had just missed a cooking demonstration but did pick up some literature on upcoming cooking classes that will be taking place in March. Um, may have to make the trip back up!
In addition to the herb garden, I spotted several lemon and orange trees. Can't get any fresher or local than that!
This building houses a wine school. I peeked in the windows and there was a very impressive set up for students with wine glasses and little sinks at each station. Wish I was a student there!
The highlight of my trip to the Culinary Institute was eating lunch at the Graystone Restaurant.
There were multiple cooking stations with a combination of resident chef's and students. This station prepared the main entrees.
Well, we have all heard of Beringer wines but you can not begin to imagine 
This was the entrance that you see when you enter the grounds
This is the house of the Beginger estate. Just a small place--ha ha.
The stained glass is a panel in the front door. Would definitely make me nervous having a front door like this. The whole interior was of dark wood and elegant furnishings
In between Berringer Winery and Robert Mondavi Winery on St Helena Highway is a wonderful little place called the St. Helena Olive Oil Company. Here you can taste different kinds of Olive Oils that are made locally. Their packaging is plain and simple and the oils are wonderful. 
In additionn to the oils, they had wonderful dipping spices, soaps, and local crafts. Take a look at their web site at www.sholiveoil.com
Last stop of the day was the Robert Mondavi Winery
The winery has the look and feel of a mission. This statue, and many others at the winery are done by a bay artist- this one is of St Francis of Assisi
The vines are resting but will soon start to grow at a rate of 1 - 2 inches per day.
These are French Oak barrels each housing wines from the property. Brace yourself- each barrel has $30,000.00 worth of wine in each one. The red color was Robert Mondavi's way of using the 3rd stage press wine from the basket press that is too strong for consumption. These barrels are used are used for about 6 years total at this winery for three levels of wines .
Of course it ended with a tasting-- I have never had a $68.00 dollar bottle of wine before- so the taste I had was fantastic. I did buy a couple of bottles (not the 68 one)- so they will be saved for our 2009 holiday meal.