Tasting Event at the Wine House and Wine at Napa Rose

Couple enjoys spontaneous day of wine tasting and dining in Southern California

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The author and their spouse decided to take an unplanned day trip, starting with breakfast in Beverly Hills, then attending a wine tasting event at The Wine House in Los Angeles featuring Italian wines, followed by a visit to Napa Rose restaurant at the Grand Californian Hotel in Anaheim where they sampled appetizers and a dry Riesling wine.

Why it matters

The story highlights the vibrant food and wine culture in Southern California, with the couple exploring different dining and tasting experiences across the region in a spontaneous manner, showcasing the variety of options available to residents and visitors alike.

The details

At the wine tasting event, the author sampled several Italian wines, including a Prosecco from Venice, a Sauvignon Blanc from Alto Adige, a Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, and two Nebbiolo-based wines. After the tasting, they visited Surfas in Culver City and then had appetizers at Napa Rose in Anaheim, where the author tried a dry Riesling wine.

  • The wine tasting event took place on the day of the story.
  • The couple had breakfast at Il Fornaio in Beverly Hills earlier that day.

The players

Oliver McCrum

An importer of Italian wines who poured the wines and provided information about them at the tasting event.

Siouxie

The couple's friend who refers to their spontaneous excursions as "adventures".

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What they’re saying

“Nearly every move we make has some sort of plan behind it, so it's nice sometimes to just go where the car wants to go.”

— The author (nowandzin.com)

“If you have never been to the Grand Californian, and if you have even a passing interest in architecture inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement, you should not let the Disneyland location deter you. Entry into Disneyland is not required.”

— The author (nowandzin.com)

The takeaway

The story showcases the diverse and spontaneous nature of the couple's day, exploring different wine and dining experiences across Southern California, and highlights the vibrant food and wine culture that the region has to offer.