Thursday, May 09, 2013

Skywatch Friday - Cloudy Day in Wine Country


Despite what the weather is outside, if you like the movies and wines, the Francis Ford Coppola Winery, is a good stopping place to enjoy for a few hours during a trip to Northern California's Wine Country in Geyserville about an 1-1/2 hr. drive north of San Francisco.


Except in the winter, you can buy tickets to swim in this 3,600 square feet (334 sq. m) pool during the other seasons.
In the spring, the pool is only open on the weekends; thus, the lack of swimmers on the Monday we visited.


You can lay by the pool and even rent a private cabine to change and shower.


This is what the cabine looks like inside.


Inside is one of several bars where you can sample different Coppola brand wines. We decided on trying the "Family Flight" offerings which gets changed around weekly.
We are not avid wine drinkers, but the 2011 Votre Santé Pinot Noir was my favorite.

A restaurant for fine dining. Enjoy the menu.


This is the winery's 2-story retail store and yes, there is a car from the 1988 Coppola directed movie "Tucker: The Man and His Dream" in the center of it all.


On the 2nd floor are the ships used in the filming of the 2006 daughter, Sofia Coppola, directed movie "Marie Antoinette".


Around the various areas of the winery are different movie props on display such as these from "The Godfather".


And, this desk and chair used by Godfather Don Corleone.


Props from the 1992 movie "Dracula".

And the awards and recognition received by Mr. Coppola over the years.
We asked someone if the Oscars on display are real or replicates. We were told they are the real thing.

Visit other Skywatch Friday participants.

(Note: Many of you wanted an update about the ill hummingbird baby we were trying to hand feed. We tried feeding him/her regularly baby bird food because the mama would no longer come by, but after a day or two, he no longer wanted to eat and we decided it was best to turn him over to the local wildlife center for better care. At this point, I am not very hopeful. Like reader/blogger, Jenny Woolf, mentioned "nature is cruel". Thanks everyone for your interest.)

- Karen

16 comments:

Photo Cache said...

I haven't been here yet. Thanks for this post.

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Looks like an incredible place to visit, and you documented it so well!

Sylvia K said...

It is a great place, isn't it?? My daughter lives near there and it's always fun us to go there when I'm in California. Great captures and a terrific tour! Thanks for sharing!!

Steffi said...

Very beautiful photos for SWF!Thank you for sharing and have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

What a fantastic place, so much to see and do. Thanks for the tour!

LONDONLULU said...

I've always wondered what this place was like, enjoyed the tour very much, thanks also!

Liz said...

Beautiful captures. Happy sky watching.

My sky.

eileeninmd said...

Thanks for the tour, it looks like a wonderful winery to visit. Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

Interesting. "Doracula" was also popular in Japan although some children cried when they watched the movie. :)

Ramakant Pradhan said...

Beautiful pictures! Thanks for the virtual tour of the place, really enjoyed it.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

We went on a tour of the wine country during our honeymoon a long time ago. I think we need to go back. Great post, makes me want to go back and this winery in particular.

betchai said...

beautiful images of the interior of the winery, very interesting, i know of someone who would particularly enjoy a dip in the pool while having some sip of wine.

Joanne Olivieri said...

Karen, fantastic shots. I was there once for a concert and loved it. You captured the grounds beautifully.

Anonymous said...

This looks like an awesome place to visit, thank you for sharing these great shots.

Mandy said...

What a fabulous place to visit. I love that they combine the winery aspect with the props and costumes from the family's films. They are very talented!

I haven't read about the bird yet but I so know that these wildlife centres achieve miracles and that is why they are so keen to take in birds of any condition! Fingers crossed.

Susan Demeter said...

Looks like a fun place to visit :)