Last week I rode the Wine Train as part of a fundraiser for local charities. It was sponsored by the Livermore Rotary Club and the Niles Canyon Railway.

The evening began with a wild west performance by gunslingers and we then boarded the train after the mock shoot out. At first, the train moved slowly and folks carefully began the wine tasting. As we moved deeper into the canyon, people began to move from the front of the train toward the back. After reaching the caboose, they would turn and sample any wines they had missed. I traveled the full length of the train and while I appreciate all the wineries donating their time and efforts to the fundraiser, I must say, there was one car that was louder, livelier and just plain more fun than any other. The car in the center of the train was full of patrons the whole time. Retzlaff Wine was being poured and while it is known and loved by locals as the only wine made from certified organically grown grapes in the Livermore valley, the wine pourer is what made the ride fun.

Michael Reichard is part wine server and part comedian with a lightning fast wit and jokes for all. His voiced carried the length of the car as he called out,” Don’t be shy, step right up.” Many who might have walked by were drawn in by the atmosphere and ended up staying. Indeed, the train became a bit of a log jam as the secret was out halfway through the trip and on the return leg from Niles back to Sunol, the car was packed. I made mental notes to visit him at Blacksmith Square where he packs in folks who wander through the square trying to decide which tasting room to visit first. Retzlaff @ Blacksmith Square is open Thursday-Sunday 12-6PM, and later if they are busy.

The hottest nights to visit the tasting room is the 1st and 3rd Thursdays when jazz is playing from six to eight pm, there is only a $5.00 tasting fee. Saturday and Sunday of every week tend to be the busiest nights of the week. While I was visiting the tasting room, I got a chance to see Michael in action. A young couple said it was the most enjoyable and funniest tasting room they had ever been to with no pretense, lots of wine gifts and just a fun place to enjoy a wine tasting. Of course, they said Michael’s gift of conversing and joking made them feel welcome and not just like a sitting duck for a wine sale. They then said that the low pressure environment actually made them want to stay and purchase, and it helps the wines are excellent and they felt like the atmosphere was welcoming and enjoyable. They come to the tasting room at least once a week now and have a large stockpile of wine at home. They also felt good supporting Livermore Valley ’s only certified organically grown grape crop

Retzlaff has two white wines, a 2005 Sauvignon Blanc which is a steal at $15.00 a bottle. I enjoyed the 2005 Chardonnay also which is priced at $15.00.  As for the reds, the 2002 Estate Merlot is a good buy at $27.00. It has a fruity taste and a bit of the pepper tree aroma which they grow near. The full bodied 2002 Estate Cabernet has a blackberry and cherry taste and at $35.00 would be great for a candlelight dinner.

This painting is by the winery owner, Gloria Taylor.

The 2002 Cabernet/Merlot Blend was enjoyed by my wife more than me because she drank it all. I must remember to watch her when I’m busy taking notes. I did get a small sip and it was full bodied and at $39.00 was indeed well worth it. Unfortunately, the 2000 family reserve was all gone. I heard stories and it made me wish I had gotten in earlier. I ended up trying the port last and with dark chocolate, it was breathtaking. A bottle will run you $30.00.

These corks pullers are great for wine which has aged and might have a brittle cork which often breaks with a corkscrew.

As, I sat looking at my empty glass, I turned to see Michael welcoming another group of regulars in the tasting room so I stood up and made sure I took home a bottle of Cabernet and before I had my wallet out, I broke down and bought a port also. Michael, you are quite a host and a salesman.

Retzlaff Wine Boutique at Blacksmith Square . 25 So Livermore Ave Suite 111 Livermore , Ca. 94550 (925) 449-1486 www.retzlaffwinery.com

After driving up a beautiful road past the Stevens Creek Reservoir, we arrive at Picchetti Winery in Cupertino. http://www.picchetti.com/

I am out of the car for only a minute and I’m greeted by a peacock.

He was bold and there are signs warning they are bold and will steal food.

After a few glasses of wine, they really seem like something out of a dream.

The winery is well over a hundred years old. It was opened in 1896. Years later, as the story goes, Leslie Pantling was looking for a place to store her wine and she ended up buying a winery!

These are only the recent awards.

The atmosphere is right out of the old west. There are many, many handcrafted wines to choose from. http://picchettiwinery.stores.yahoo.net/wine.html  We chose a “Pavone” which is a red wine named after the peacocks. Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, but also contains Cabernet Franc, Lagrein, and Petit Verdot. I gave some to my father in law who liked it very much.

This was state of the art in the early part of the last century.

Every sample we tried had that hand crafted feel where nothing was left to chance. We had to struggle to pick one to take home.

Here you can see it feels like a frontier building but service is quite modern.

Five minutes after opening, the place is filling up quick.

It’s hard to believe this place didn’t get developed with stucco subdivisions. Thankfully, it is preserved for all to enjoy.

Historic buildings dot the landscape.

Here is an original house.

Picchetti also had a tasting room in Tahoe. www.picchetti.com/tahoe.html

Weddings here are popular in the summer months.

Nestled in the trees, it’s a beautiful way to spend the day. Club memberships from Cupertino are honered here too!

It was a long wait and I nearly missed getting a ticket but here I was, the auction.

The silent auction for the individual wineries’ bottles.

The painted bottles were beautiful.

They were works of art.

Darcie Kent of the Wine Group and Jim Concannon share a moment.

“In Wine Country” NBC’s wine show host Mary Babbitt and Bonnie from Charles R winery, home of the Pinot Noir that drives people wild.

The auction room awaits, guarded by the giant old Concannon tanks.

It was an impressive setting.

Carl Lyle from Deer Ridge chatting with friends.

Darcie Kent introduces Mary Babbitt.

Mary said plenty of nice things about the valley. It seems the valley’s time has come.

Mary Babbitt and Dane Stark from Page Mill Winery having a laugh.

Mary and Jim Frost from Hidden Creek and The Crush.

The silent auction picks up speed.

Peggy Fleming and David Kent converse.

Darcie Kent kicks off the evening.

Steven Kent Mirasou toasts Robert Mondavi.

Peggy Fleming auctions off a skate session at Squaw Creek that she will attend.

Finally, the lot I proudly carried to auction, the 1999 Grace Family Cabernet. The auctioneer, David Reynolds, donated a 2004 Grace Cabernet. Together they fetched $2,000! Thanks Dick Grace! http://backroadswine.com/blog/?p=1164

Christine Wente looked great as she had the glow of a soon to be mom.

Jim Concannon and Jim Ryan, the hardest working man in the valley, explaining the Shakespeare at Concannon coming this summer.

Parents of a child with special needs got the crowd to bid from their hearts.

Dane from Page Mill explains how two plus two can equal five.

With Robert Mondavi’s passing, his lot had a special energy attached to it.

The folks from Les Chenes, one of  my wife’s and my favorites.

Amy Hoops from Wente. She is amazing; thank you Amy.

Splen Splendorio was not his usual calm self. He donned a Chinese hat and really got the crowed rolling.

Here’s a mix of wines. One bottle was a Grgich Hills Chardonnay I donated. For more on Mike Grgich go here http://backroadswine.com/blog/?p=1137 or Mary Babbitt’s story here http://www.inwinecountry.com/?cat=5970254&subcat=5038749#videoplayer

Jim Frost from Hidden Creek and The Crush jokes with David Reynolds.

Unbelieveable,a Matisse print was on the block.

People were astonished.

It has a real presence.

Peggy Fleming seemed to have a crowd wherever she went.

Mark Clarin and Baccus Brothers really whipped the crowd into a frenzy.

Darcy Kent seemed to enjoy the moment.

What a show it was. See you next year.