Gang of Pour - Left Coast Correspondent - Serendipity

Serendipity has always been one of my favorite words. Those of you old enough to remember the folk music of the sixties might recall the Serendipity Singers – they introduced me to the word, although it was years before I appreciated its meaning. I also have used it in my work to describe a diagnosis or physical finding that was discovered while in search of another. Perhaps my most surprising and delightful experiences – particularly wine related – have been serendipitous.

And so, it was a simple cup of coffee that I was looking for when I walked into the newly remodeled Soda Canyon Store. Bob Biale, Dave Pramuk and I had just finished a walking tour of their new Zinfandel and Syrah sources up in the hills, and we stopped at the foot of Soda Canyon Road for a warm drink to chase the chill. The store had been closed for months following a fire, and this was my first visit since they reopened. These folks have done a very nice job – the gleaming hardwood counter tops and paneled walls give a nice counterpoint to the shiny glass and stainless steel. This is a great first stop on your way up the Silverado Trail for a day of tasting. They offer a full espresso bar; a deli counter offering homemade sandwiches, salads and prepared foods as well as the "General Store" necessities local residents might need to save them from a drive into town. They also have a small, but well-chosen selection of locally produced wines.

Bob and Dave were born and raised in the Napa valley, so it is hard to go anywhere around town without running into somebody they know. We were quickly greeted by several folks in the store, including one of the owners, and we sipped on our coffee and chatted with them about the renovations, Bob and Dave’s winery, and a variety of local issues.

Just as we were leaving, we were invited to a wine tasting that the store would be hosting to feature a few small local wineries that did not have tasting rooms of their own.

Enter serendipity.

And so it was that I returned to the Soda Canyon Store
the next night to meet a few people and taste a few wines.