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For a few of
us, BoxsterFest III started at a meeting point in Cupertino, where the
South Bay contingent convened. Some more of us joined the caravan
in Berkeley (l), and from there, six Boxsters moved north at extralegal
speeds, up Interstate 80 and across the Carquinez Bridge (r). |
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| The Boxsters
roared out of the bridge toll booths. Unfortunately we were all in the
same lane and got spread out a bit. Participants staunchly refuse
to reveal which car, in the lead, mistakenly took the first exit.
The last three Boxsters, and Boxsterwaiters Brian and Marilyn Langley in
their 1980 Triumph Spitfire, were left in the dust, and continued (correctly)
on the Interstate and spent the next 25 miles rushing to catch up to Randy
and the main group who were actually miles behind. |
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So two confused
groups of Boxsters continued north through the beautiful Napa Valley, past
vineyards, wineries and gourmet restaurants. But we weren't the only
convoy on the road - somehow we fell in with a group of four ice cream
wagons (l). |
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Arriving at Sterling Vineyards,
we convened in the parking lot to admire the assortment of Boxsters.
Trygve Isaacson (l, with Jannie) takes advantage of not being named Fred,
and Scott Gaffney (r) shows off fiancee Tamara Gharakhanian's classy Ocean
Blue/Gray combination. |
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BoxsterFest
organizer Randy Russell was
busy giving out the snazzy new BoxsterFest polo shirts (l), modeled by
Walt Bilofsky (r). Randy also found time to demonstrate his radio-controlled
gas-powered Boxster (below). He flung it around the parking lot pretty
good, in and out of groups of increasingly nervous Boxstervolk. But
he never hit anyone. |
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Then it was time to cllimb
into the cable cars (l) for the tram ride up the hill to the winery.
We shared a car up with Randy and Aimee(r). |
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The winery tour is normally
self-guiding, but Randy arranged for our group to have our own guide.
Jean-Pierre seemed French, sounded German, and knew a lot about growing
grapes and making wine. We learned all about technological advances
in fermentation tanks (l). |
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| The aging room (r) was full
of different sized oak casks. The smallest barrels hold 65 gallons,
which is about 25 cases of wine. The room was cool, and filled with
a musty smell of oak and wine. The atmosphere would have pinned a
breathalyzer. |
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Outside on the terrace (above),
we learned about the many microclimates in the Napa Valley - and enjoyed
the perfect weather and beautiful view. |
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Then it was into the private
dining room that Randy had arranged for us (l). He handed out the
box lunches (r) - though that term really doesn't do justice to the gourmet
sandwiches. Or to the three kinds of wine expertly poured by Jean
Pierre. |
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Our dealer host for the day
was Jonathan Beitz (l), of Niello
Porsche in Sacramento. Jonathan and Traci live just a couple
of miles from Sterling Vineyards. Jonathan spoke about how so many
people had been grought to meet together by the Internet. He had
some nice words about the continuing education within the Porsche organization
about the possibilities of the net, and the contribution of the Porsche
Pete's Boxster Board community. |
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Jonathan did not come empty-handed.
Everyone got a nice metal Boxster keychain (above right) - I think it was
pewter. He also raffled off three prizes - a large 50th anniversary
calendar, a complete car-care kit with metal case (l), and a bottle of
Merlot with a six-speed cork-puller (r). |
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Nancy
and I had to leave after lunch, so missed the promised remote-controlled
Boxster races and the drive back. But we're looking forward to the
next BoxsterFest. |
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