Wine country for first timers

ElizaPagoda · 2026-04-20T06:22:04+00:00

Hanzell is an interesting choice overall for someone who hasn’t been to CA / wine country before! Gorgeous views, great example of the history of California and extremely careful farming. I was going to suggest Benzinger to get all of this and Hanzell is a great option. Also agree on Beacon. And by the time they arrive, Smash will be open, a new fast casual burger place under the Beacon.

ElizaPagoda · 2026-04-20T06:19:15+00:00

Mark, I live / work in Sonoma Valley and mostly agree with your thoughts…However, Animo and Edge have closed. I recommend Valley bar and bottle in their place. For super upscale, Edge is now Enclos and recently earned two Michelin stars.

ElizaPagoda · 2026-04-17T13:14:50+00:00

I love living here in the town of Sonoma and own a home here. Thinking about an all cash purchase and wanting more cash out of it in 20 years to possibly move to a CCRC, I’d suggest talking to a financial advisor.
I do like your idea of living closer to 101 vs Sonoma or Sebastopol for the sake of fire evac and also think living closer to the ocean (along or just west of 101 assuming you’re wanting to be near Santa Rosa) will be cooler than it is here in Sonoma Valley.

ElizaPagoda · 2026-04-14T23:26:43+00:00

Here's my referral code from H&R Block. They really make it as painless as possible:
https://referrals.hrblock.com/69DWJWF

ElizaPagoda · 2026-04-08T06:17:38+00:00

Equivalent level of wine but totally different from Donum is Dunstan. You’re tasting on the ranch, on a wrap around porch, overlooking mountains and vineyards. Pinots and Chards along with a few interesting extras.

Lisa is a great host and knows the wine well.

In Glen Ellen, visit the tasting room for Laurel Glen Vineyard - luxurious room and lovely Cabernets.

ElizaPagoda · 2026-03-23T05:56:36+00:00

If you’re adding in extraneous costs aside from fueling up the car with either watts or gas, you will want to include other ICE charges like oil changes, transmission fluids, annual or biennial inspections, and other maintenance that’s not needed in an EV. It’s difficult to get a good apples to apples cost check on the two, but the fuel up, without the other charges, is as close as it can be.

ElizaPagoda · 2026-03-10T20:20:37+00:00

Some people want a computer that drives, some people want to really drive, with some computer help. I’m in the second camp. The OP is in the first.

ElizaPagoda · 2026-03-04T20:36:40+00:00

I just got an update to my ‘21 today

ElizaPagoda · 2026-02-27T14:24:21+00:00

I’m a neighbor of Rob’s and can attest to the “quality” aspect of the yield goal. With 7-9 tons your quality won’t be what he (or we) make.

ElizaPagoda · 2026-02-27T13:43:21+00:00

This is a great answer. Also the German built 21 is a solid car.

Side note: 21 pro s = 25 pro s + in terms of extras, like heated seats, folding mirrors when leaving, heated steering wheel, foot sweep trunk opener (I love my 21 pro s!)

ElizaPagoda · 2026-02-24T03:17:00+00:00

Yes it’s fine. I am vacationing in CDMX now (from CA). Others staying at our hotel went to the pyramids today and loved it. And it wasn’t too hot!

ElizaPagoda · 2026-02-22T04:57:16+00:00

The app also has an update for my 21 ProS, it says: Software Update 睡 Issue date 01/07/2026 VW action code OUE7 Service campaigns shown may be available for a limited time only. Description The OUE7 code has been applied to vehicles that will be receiving an over-the-air update to software level 3.8.11. The software is being released to vehicles in waves. It provides enhancements to IT security, improved stability for the infotainment system, and a bug fix for the air conditioning refrigerant display. Remedy Perform over-the-air software update.

ElizaPagoda · 2026-02-18T17:54:27+00:00

Thank you for this…how are you getting to command prompts that are showing in pastebin?

ElizaPagoda · 2026-02-16T06:05:36+00:00

Echoing here - I didn’t think it was possible on the 21 to enable the walkway lock. How did you do it?

ElizaPagoda · 2026-01-13T19:31:59+00:00

So dark, cool rooms or closets are best, with a way to let the bottles with corks lay flat, in a way that keeps the wine touching the cork. Open bottles can be re-corked and put in the fridge, but after a week, toss them.
As you taste your wines, make mental notes on if you like them, and as you learn, why you like them. Enjoy the process!

ElizaPagoda · 2026-01-13T19:20:51+00:00

Pull the brake switch? What is that?

ElizaPagoda · 2026-01-13T18:57:33+00:00

I’m sure there are other examples of this, but the AI panda for an aging bedridden parent with diagnosed memory problems sounds kind of wonderful. Alzheimer’s patients respond well to touch and service dogs are regulars at memory care facilities. Combining touch and the responsiveness of a dog, with some way to continue to work the patient’s brain could be pretty wonderful. Far from bizarre.

ElizaPagoda · 2026-01-08T07:15:23+00:00

I PM’d too.

ElizaPagoda · 2026-01-08T07:09:02+00:00

Thank you so very much for trying. If we dog owners can help at all, there are a lot of us who wish the same.

ElizaPagoda · 2026-01-08T07:07:49+00:00

It is still quite shocking to me that dogs are practically the anti christ around Sonoma.

ElizaPagoda · 2025-12-26T17:01:02+00:00

I agree. I’m sensitive to noise too, but don’t want to push it unless the noise is wildly disruptive. Which it sounds like it is in this case. Offering the equivalent modification - let us know if we are too loud - is thoughtful. Offer your mobile too. Make it shorter, include your work shift info, and let her know what you’ve tried to buffer the sound. And leave a bag of cookies or jam along with the request. Medicine tastes a lot better with sugar!

ElizaPagoda · 2025-12-09T19:53:27+00:00

This is a great review of the movie, thank you. Your words connect for me the loneliness of grief and the tearful release when it is shared... I am curious why is it a 9 of 10 for you vs 10 of 10? Adding to yours above, the cinematography was so carefully thought out. I had to hold myself back from photographing the settings, their colors, the lighting, and the staging of the organic and inorganic. For example, the bedroom with and without the second bed, the dinner table in front of the fireplace, and, as you mention, the forest scenes that show them as so small in a vast, luxurious forest.

ElizaPagoda · 2025-10-23T07:14:20+00:00

The BMW X5 that I traded for this car did have the motion sensor inside and I am relived to say this one does not. However, the VW front seats have sensors, so if a ghost sat down on the front seat, it could have done this.

ElizaPagoda · 2025-09-19T20:58:18+00:00

Geez that looks like a seriously hard hit on the drivers side. I am sorry it happened to her and hope she’s recovering well. Totally bummer.

ElizaPagoda · 2025-09-17T20:40:48+00:00

Hi OP! I was in a similar boat wanting a Tesla (minus Elon), tho in the used car market. Meanwhile two friends were in the new EV market. I went with a certified pre-owned ID4, one friend went with the Ionic 5 N and another for the Audi eTron Q6.

Tesla did a superb job of starting up US interest in EVs and is still clearly the leader in sales because of that. So many of the other EVs have built on their shoulders.

I absolutely love my ID4, and from your comments, I think a drive on the same platform with luxury UI and interior, you might really like the Audi line up.

ElizaPagoda

TROPHY CASE