NikonGear'23

Travelogues => Travel Diaries => Topic started by: Anirban Halder on June 10, 2017, 16:57:52

Title: Napa and Sonoma
Post by: Anirban Halder on June 10, 2017, 16:57:52
Napa and Sonoma valley - epitome of wine industry in America. Napa - totally Disneyland of wineries. High heels, black tie, pricey, lot about show.
Then there is this small town called Healdsburg - much more peaceful, relaxing. Loved Healdsburg.
These are random travel photos (in between wines) and not a documentary.

1. Stereotype vineyard shots. :)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4210/35064380626_f7683ec935_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Vqw7JE)

2.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4278/34973670811_728e56806e_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VhvcSk)

3.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4241/34939522022_1e130df8fd_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VeubC7)

4. Of-course Napa. Fancy building, wine - not so fancy.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4206/34295081513_e0c17b80cc_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/UfxfUR)

5.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4270/34973574591_82d9dc68df_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VhuHgn)

6.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4202/34294461113_ae96af667d_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Ufu5ui)

7. This window reminded me of Greece.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4267/34294556763_51b38d8042_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/UfuyVr)
Title: Re: Napa and Sonoma
Post by: Anirban Halder on June 10, 2017, 16:59:54
Healdsburg:
8. Russian River Vineyards - lot of flora and rustic landscape design. It was very little crowded. **Great wine**.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4195/35105246675_036093b0b0_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Vu8yMH)

9.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4252/35065531936_2c0c02c5a5_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VqC1YQ)

10. Lots of lots of flowers in Russian River Vineyards
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4196/34974598651_d0c8012408_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VhzXFz)

11.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4289/35065309136_8e59886acc_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VqASKs)

12.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4199/35105330715_34f8911cc6_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Vu8ZLF)
Title: Re: Napa and Sonoma
Post by: golunvolo on June 10, 2017, 18:17:06
You capture the calm. I was there around 2006 and your images have brought me right back.

  I like your stereotype images too but the one I like the most is the old bicycle with spider webs, great catch!
Title: Re: Napa and Sonoma
Post by: elsa hoffmann on June 10, 2017, 19:28:18
Really a nice series :)
I enjoyed looking at them
Title: Re: Napa and Sonoma
Post by: CS on June 10, 2017, 20:00:32
Nice images, Anirban, they stirred my memories of bygone years. Indeed, some of these places are over the top with their attempts at luring and impressing consumers. One such place is found in your image of Domaine Carneros. Admittedly, a beautiful piece of architecture, but, you can't put that in a wine or champagne glass. OTOH, Domaine Carneros is owned by Taittinger, a French company looking to get their share of the cash that flows through the California wine country's top location, which is, as close as they can get to Napa.

There's beauty in the area, as your images clearly show. They created a bit of homesickness in me, but thanks for posting them, because I enjoyed them in spite of it.  ;)

Title: Re: Napa and Sonoma
Post by: Airy on June 10, 2017, 23:02:58
Last series, with emphasis on the foreground, is much my taste.
Title: Re: Napa and Sonoma
Post by: Bill De Jager on June 11, 2017, 03:39:01
I can remember when Napa was low-key and unpretentious, and Sonoma was only starting to get a reputation for wines.  Those days are long gone.

Nice series. 
Title: Re: Napa and Sonoma
Post by: Anirban Halder on June 11, 2017, 04:50:18
You capture the calm. I was there around 2006 and your images have brought me right back.

  I like your stereotype images too but the one I like the most is the old bicycle with spider webs, great catch!
Thank you Paco.  :) Do you have images from 2006?  If I remember right, you had a point-n-shoot back then.

Thanks you Elsa, Airy, Bill.

Carl - thank you. Glad my images made you nostalgic. :)

#13. I was tempted to do a BW.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4195/34260348774_84e43f0a0c_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Uctf5w)
Title: Re: Napa and Sonoma
Post by: golunvolo on June 11, 2017, 10:31:01
Thank you Paco.  :) Do you have images from 2006?  If I remember right, you had a point-n-shoot back then.

You do remember right. I'm away from home and the files. They should be in a big scramble mess of folders but will take a look to see if I can find something.
Title: Re: Napa and Sonoma
Post by: Jakov Minić on June 11, 2017, 11:43:35
Oh how I wish I could visit Napa and Sonoma thanks to Anirban's images!
Title: Re: Napa and Sonoma
Post by: David H. Hartman on June 11, 2017, 12:13:09
Much Ado About Nothing (https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BY2Q3YTU4OTgtZTc0My00YmY1LWJmOTQtMmMwNGE2ZjBmNmIxXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTAwMzUyOTc@._V1_.jpg)

Dave Hartman

These photographs reminded me of the location for the movie. The set was an Italian Villa. The dialog was straight up Shakespeare.
Title: Re: Napa and Sonoma
Post by: Akira on June 11, 2017, 13:27:13
Love #11!  Thanks for sharing, Anirban!
Title: Re: Napa and Sonoma
Post by: Anirban Halder on June 11, 2017, 16:42:23
Thank you Jakov, Dave, Akira for stopping by. :)

#14.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4280/34259959274_2e82b53be1_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Ucrfi1)
Title: Re: Napa and Sonoma
Post by: Andrea B. on June 11, 2017, 17:03:41
Brings back delightful memories. Lovely series.
Title: Re: Napa and Sonoma
Post by: CS on June 11, 2017, 17:26:48
I can remember when Napa was low-key and unpretentious, and Sonoma was only starting to get a reputation for wines.  Those days are long gone.

Nice series.

You said it!

But what are you gonna do when all of these people keep coming and shoving money at you? And nowadays real estate values keep the cost of doing business sky high.

Many years ago we we're having dinner at an old Italian place close to downtown Napa, and during a conversation with one of the locals, he told me that "the quickest way to become a millionaire is to invest 2 million in a winery in Napa"! Money has corrupted the laid back countryside atmosphere, and pretty much shut out the small unpretentious wineries.

Of course we can't see any of that in Anirban's lovely images, but luckily some of us remember how it used to be.  ;)
Title: Re: Napa and Sonoma
Post by: David Paterson on June 11, 2017, 17:38:40
Nice series - I especially like #4,5,6 and 7 for their formal appearance and nicely judged compositions. #7 is my overall favourite - very nice composition and beautiful colours and perfect geometry. Very well spotted - it would be easy to pass by these windows without noticing that a superb image was there for the taking.
Title: Re: Napa and Sonoma
Post by: Anirban Halder on June 12, 2017, 05:05:43
Thank you Andrea, Carl, David for your kind comments. Glad you enjoyed them.
Title: Re: Napa and Sonoma
Post by: John Geerts on June 13, 2017, 10:06:12
Very nice series, giving a good overview, Anirban ! All impressive but  I think #11 is my favo.
Title: Re: Napa and Sonoma
Post by: Anirban Halder on June 14, 2017, 02:39:25
Very nice series, giving a good overview, Anirban ! All impressive but  I think #11 is my favo.
Thanks John. I'm surprised that many liked #11. Cheers!  ;)

#15.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4263/34940199302_898954ed99_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VexDXm)
Title: Re: Napa and Sonoma
Post by: Erik Lund on June 14, 2017, 10:49:43
Very nice ;) favourite is  #13 it stands out with lots of emotion!
Title: Re: Napa and Sonoma
Post by: Anirban Halder on June 18, 2017, 15:35:22
Thank you Eric. That's my fav as well. :)

#16.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4290/34538868014_bb7600ee58_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/UC5J9o)
Title: Re: Napa and Sonoma
Post by: PeterN on June 18, 2017, 19:11:39
Why am I still here? Thanks for sharing such a wonderful overview of Napa Valley.