A stressful job in the high tech Bay are, being a mother, and moving from the old house to the new house had me running around like crazy. Now I had a work meeting at a place called Zanotto's. One more thing to do, I thought. Why can't I just have a quiet evening to relax?

       When I arrived at Zanotto's, which is actually a gourmet food market, I was greeted by a woman at the entrance to their back room. For an entry fee (which I thought reasonable) she handed me some tickets (for wine tasting), a plate, and a wine glass, instructing me to eat as much as I liked from the "salad bar" and appetizers.  

       I was in for a surprise. Taking in my surroundings, I realized I was in for an unexpected treat. What they called a salad bar should have been named a gourmet buffet. Cubes of feta contrast with green and black olives melting in olive oil. Dolmas, avocado on the half shell, capers, and various salads beckoned me over.

       In each corner of the room a dark red draped table holds bottles of wine for tasting, with a representative from the winery there to pour and describe the fruity notes of each offering. Why drive between wineries when you can experience four of them at once in this beautiful setting? Things are definitely looking up.

       It turns out the number of tickets they've given me for wine tasting are generous. In no time at all, I'm sitting at a table sipping wine with my co-workers, arguing over which wines are best and devising the best strategy for trying all of them. The owner of Zanotto's comes over to chat with us before moving on to another table. Everywhere, people are engaged in conversation or stuffing themselves, and they all seem so happy.

       What a discovery this is! The next time we have out-of-town guests who want to experience California wine, I'll bring them here first. The food, the company, the atmosphere - and, of course, the wines - make it an evening to remember. By the time I leave I realize I've had my coveted evening to relax after all.