Kris Vera-Phillips and I meet while applying for the Murphy Goode job. Her video shows her spunk, sassy personality and her rich passion for  wine and social media. She has been an asset to the WinePros Community and a great online friend. She is very personable, forward thinking and a news junky from Sacramento.

Recently Anita & I did a trip to Sonoma and asked around for local restaurants and wineries we should visit (via Twitter). Kris immediately wrote back with an amazing list of recommendations.  And In that karmic way, when she needed a suggestion for the same in my home town, I was so glad to return the favor.

My friend Kirs did a tasting at one of my favorite wineries in Napa Valley and today she is here to share her story.  Enjoy.

I filled up on burgers, beer and fireworks for the July 4th weekend. Before a fireworks display in San Francisco, I checked out some wineries in St. Helena with my hubby and So Cal buddy.

It was a hot holiday weekend. After surviving day-tripper traffic, we discovered a refreshing oasis off Highway 29, just after the Flyer Gas Station. (You have to get off the highway at that gas station – it took us a couple of U-turns to get that right.)

Arger-Martucci Vineyards is a lovely wine tasting experience. Frank recommended it via Twitter. We lost track of time, ended up being late for our SF BBQ and we didn’t care. The wine was that good.

I adored our poolside seats for the wine tasting. Leafy trees and trellis offered us just enough shade on that hot day. I savored the view of the vines, flowers and hills.

Here are some of the wines that hit all the right spots with us.

2007  Viognier: This white wine tasted awesome on a hot day. Just as refreshing as a glass of water. The grapes are from the Russian River Valley. I liked the fruity scents. It reminded me of a tropical good time.

2004 Pinot Noir: This red wine was a home run for all of us. Per the tasting notes, the grapes are from the Carneros region. The tasting notes also highlight cherry and nutmeg flavors in this wine. I tasted a bold red wine with a clean finish on my palate. I also enjoyed the subtle fruity flavors. We picked up two bottles for the SF BBQ. Our friends finished both and asked for more.

2005 Syrah: While she was pouring, our server pointed to Atlas Peak. She said the Syrah grapes came from that region. Our So Cal buddy said this wine was a bit too peppery for him. However, I enjoyed the spicy notes and the rich texture. My hubby and I thought this may not be the best choice for folks who are new to the wine tasting experience. However, it will probably be just right for those who enjoy big flavors in their reds.