CA-29 runs through the Napa Valley from Vallejo to up by Cloverdale and we drove the section south of Calistoga today. This section of road is peppered with houses that benefited from wonderful architectural design and some wineries that also were designed and built in gorgeous styles. However, some of the wineries, particularly Dick Del Dotto’s estates, were designed by those who favor cheesy Italian-like statues of Neptune, other mythological characters and big pointy urns. The statues appear to be made from concrete instead of marble and give an all-around feeling of cheap imitation. It is actually kind of fun to gaze upon them and snicker.
We did spot an enormous stainless rabbit structure which was pretty neat and Berringer, Beaulieu and Christian Brothers have magnificent winery buildings. Roads leading off to the sides of CA-29 also have an abundance of beautiful houses and some extremely wealthy folks are busy renovating some of them. The wine business must generate tons of cash and a good portion of it is being spent here in the Napa Valley. The architecture here offers many architectural confections for viewing by riff-raff, like us.
A quick perusal of the internet indicates the wine coming from Dick Del Dotto’s (remember the “Cash Flow System” on lengthy, idiotic infomercials?) start at $38 a fifth and quickly escalate to $600. One average cost drunk with his wine will be not less than $200. The Cash Flow System must have generated a bunch of loot for Dick because he has amassed an enormous amount of property with the proceeds although I am unaware of any people other than him who may have benefited from his foolproof wealth generating scam. We chatted with his caretaker at one of his fiefs and found Dick was currently cooling his heels in Florence, Italy, while micro-managing his empire building from afar. Dick may be a dick.
I don’t think Dick had anything to do with it but I seem to be getting sick today. I hope it is over fast.
A few photos of today’s fun can be seen by clicking here