Hello everyone! Thank you for visiting my page and reading along for my newest blog post. Instead of my usual “Winery Wednesday” post I thought I would give a little life update as to what I have been up to!
Four months ago I sat down and wrote a “Thank you” inspired blog post to Napa Valley and the unforgettable experience I had living there. While I never got the chance to officially post that article, I wanted to go back and give you all a long overdue update.
Back in October I packed up my belongings into my car, a UHAUL trailer and left for a new adventure as I am moved to Southern California. It might have come across as a total surprise for those who had been there every step of the way on my wine journey in Napa, but moving to Southern California has been a dream of mine for a very long time. However, it has definitely been very bittersweet to leave beautiful Napa Valley, the place I called home for almost the past two years.
Growing up in Northern California, only about an hour drive away from Napa, it never even crossed my mind as a place I would move to. However as fate would have it, my career path took me to the adventures in wine country and I am so happy it did! I took a leap of faith and moved to Napa only knowing three people.
As I began wine tasting and exploring the area, my love of wine only grew more and I wanted to share the exciting wineries I was visiting. One day while out tasting (at Mumm winery!), I was with one of my best friends, I told her my idea to start writing about my experiences in Napa and how I wanted to share them through starting a blog. She was so supportive and really helped me start Bordeaux Blonde, thank you Shawna! Love you girl!
The Napa Valley wine community was so welcoming and through the Instagram wine blogging world I met many incredible people and lifelong friends! I feel truly blessed to have met so many amazing and inspiring people in the valley during the time I lived there.
I have been adjusting and beginning the start of this new chapter in my life and I plan to continue my love of wine in Southern California. In the last four months I have found some incredible restaurants with great wine lists, and every time I am driving around I seem to spot a new wine tasting bar! I am also planning trips to various wine tasting regions in the area here in Southern California.
On another note I have officially renewed my Disneyland pass and I have been soaking up the fact that I no longer have to take an airplane or drive 7 hours to the “Happiest Place on Earth.” Some of my best friends in town also have passes so it has been a blast to be able to go together. Fun fact: did you know that Disney’s California Adventure has a prime wine tasting lounge in the park?! Check out my previous post “Here Are A Few Of My Favorite Things” to see all about it.
I have some amazing best friends that live here in the area who have grown to be like sisters to me. It has been a dream all finally living in the same city again, something we talked about doing for years! I have known some of the girls since elementary school and some of them were previous college teammates. And now we are all finally back together again, talk about a happy heart!
In the past couple of months I have sparked my passion of playing and training for volleyball. As a former collegiate volleyball player, it has always been an important part of my life. Now being in Southern California, the capital of beach volleyball, it is hard not to fall in love with the game all over again.
With a great deal having recently changed, one thing will remain; a part of my heart will always belong to Napa and the amazing memories I made there. Cheers to a new chapter, I am so excited to continue to share with you guys!
Sincerely,
Sara Renee