What I posted at the beginning of this absurd thread:
"As a childless person, I wouldn't think twice about seeing a 4 year old at a winery unless s/he was running amok, crying or the like. So as long as one parent is prepared to whisk the little one away when her patience runs out, I say go taste some wine, rubyselbow. I certainly don't see anything intrinsically inappropriate about it. Enjoy the trip!"
You're welcome, rubyselbow. Jeesh.

I then threw down with starrsville, consistently arguing that wineries are an OK place to bring kids. I'm so mad right now! I need to get a life.

Wednesday, a winery is more about the art of making wine than the fact that it is an alcoholic beverage.

At Budweiser, you are in a plant.

At a casino, you are surrounded by people drinking or gambling for a buzz.

Newbie, don't let it get to you! That phrase seems to be a catchall for people who don't like the answers they get.

NewbE, wait until someone cuts and pastes some of your words out of this thread and plops it in a thread that has nothing to do with the discussion and then said person posts dire warnings about heeding your words.

Now, THAT'S frustrating!

Oh, 'tis a complex world online! :-)

Thanks, starrs, that's mighty gracious of you given that we've had our disagreements.

See, if I were anti-kids-in-wineries in this discussion, rubyselbow's remark wouldn't bother me--I dish it out, and I can take it. But she's got me wrong, and after spending (wasted) time on my posts, that's frustrating.

I really didn't want to get into this conversation because it definitely has gotten way off track from the OP's question but I wanted to make a comment about some of the tasting rooms. Kybourbon had some great suggestions of places to go in Los Olivos, Solvang, Buellton, etc. However, some of the tasting rooms are just stores that have bottles of wine but not much more. Yes, one parent could visit the tasting room while the other walked around the shops with the daughter. But when my kids were little, I personally always felt nervous about them breaking things, etc. Many of the wineries in the Central Coast have outdoor areas with picnic tables, etc. I think a small child would be more comfortable in that setting. I think it's Zaca Mesa Winery that has a little hiking trail.

Anyway, just something to think about. In the Central Coast area, I just don't see the problem with stopping for a few minutes at some of the wineries so that you can take some bottles home. I definitely wouldn't do this on the weekend, though, when the wineries are crowded.

Oh, heck, NewbE, I've decided that everyone is going to get irritated with everyone on the board at least once. Well, maybe not LoveItaly, but probably everyone else.

I enjoy these board so much BECAUSE of the differences of opinions. I'm reminded every once in a while that not everyone appreciates a different point of view. And, that everyone will get their "panties in a wad" every once in a while - even if there was no ill intent.

The only times I really get going is when I feel the blood dripping from the knife stuck in my back - or someone who gave very ill advised (and fatal in one instance) advice on this board.

Other than that, everything else is "mice nuts".

Well, I am very pleased to agree with you starrs, and offer you an electronic handshake ;-)
Next thread, who knows whose side we'll find ourselves on??

Shake! (And no funny buzzer hidden in the palm of the hand, either!) ;-)

No telling. I'm always wondering with LucieV and kswl. It's about 50-50. Depending on the topic, 1/2 the time we agree & 1/2 the time we don't. But, I still like them all the time :-)

And, LoveItaly disagrees with me a LOT of the time - but I hear about it off the boards or otherwise I would never know. I LOVE LoveItaly.

PS - Love kids too! :-)

I am truly sorry, Newbe, I really have enjoyed the dialogue and difference of opinions of these posts. I should've never made that comment, mistakenly directed to the wrong person. I guess I did get my "panties in a wad" when I read someone comment on how ridiculous my original question was and it seemed that my question was taken out text, just as I did to you I guess. Anyway, my question was answered and I will stick to the shops in town.
Believe me I wholeheartedly agree with some venues being adult-only and I have no problem with signs that say "no kids allowed". I would never be offended by that. That is a business owners freedom of choice.
Again, sorry.

Thanks GoT, that makes sense...the "atmosphere" of a winery seems like it would be much more relaxed, beautiful, and educational...

You know, I think it simply depends upon the child. I have a friend whose kids have been around adults and adult situations from the very beginning. They would behave, be patient, amuse themselves with a book, and be no problem at all. Then, I have a friend whose kid is an obnoxious animal at age 9 and is clearly getting more indulged and more badly behaved with the years. I refuse to go anywhere with them if they bring Damien666 along. I don't care if it is a kid's oriented place or not. He is completely horrendous, just like his father.

starrs - what was the fatal advice?

Hey Newbe, I appreciate your comments, so hopefully that makes you feel a little bit better.

sg, it was regarding not taking prescribed medication

starrs....are you sure it wasn't the tainted foie gras? ;-)

Dang, Linda! Maybe it was! :-D

Starrs - Solvang = Helen, GA except with good wine. It's the anti-Napa.
http://www.solvangca.com/1/photo/index.html

Newbe - Vineyards grow grapes,make wine, have tasting rooms, tours, gift shops and sometimes food.

The wineries/wine tastings in the towns are usually just stores to taste and sell wine. They don't grow their own grapes and they don't have any wine making equipment on site. They use facilities of other vineyards to make their wines. There are many of these in the Central Coast. Many buy their grapes and use the facilites of Bien Nacido. http://www.biennacidovineyards.com/
You will see this as part of the wine name quite a bit in the Central Coast wineries. Many of the Bien Nacido wines are excellent, although I did run across one that wasn't. Consilience (Los Olivos)Bien Nacido Pinot was fantastic. Also, in the movie Sideways, they were drinking Hitching Post Bien Nacido and raving about it.

Many of the "in town" wine tastings are actually in restaurants that cater to families, especially in Solvang, but they also make wine. Some vineyards have both - at the vineyard and a tasting room in town. I hope that explains the difference a bit.

Here's a link for some of the Central Coast vineyards/wineries. These are just the ones in Santa Barbara County. I think Paso Robles is considered Central Coast, but isn't in SB so you can google for that area.
http://www.sbcountywines.com/

I've been to Solvang before. My host was actually the husband of the very first Snow White at Disneyland. He was very proud of Solvang - and his wife.

I tried to be clear that my comments were not Central Coast winery specific, but in regards to "adult venues" in general. I think the OP is very clear that she gathered enough information to make her decision regarding buying wine on her vacation. As I read it, she's going to buy wine in the stores in town.

I bought a bottle of PAMA tonight and thought of you. I streeetttcccchhhheeeeedddd the other bottle out for a long, long time. No need to anymore! Thanks for sharing the PAMA experience :-)

It appears that some posters have done a 180 and have all of a sudden spun new posts to appear differently than they truly are.

No matter how you spin it, the Central Coast is NOT the Napa/Sonoma Valley. The wineries and tasting houses are different. Nobody cares whether or not you like kids or think they should not be visible on the grounds of Central Coast wineries. We have our own lifestyle and you have yours. Don't project your attitudes on us.

The scenario that the OP painted, asking if it was appropriate to taste wine in our region in order to pick up some bottles to bring home was blown out of proportion.

The naysayers can spin B.S. all they want...you want to fall for it, more power to you. I'm not wearing a blindfold. Give me a break, I can see right through you.

Rubyselbow, as I said before, have a great trip and welcome!

TTess, if by chance your comment is directed to me, I just said the same thing to kybourbon that I said yesterday -

Author: starrsville
Date: 04/24/2007, 03:12 pm
kybourbon, I think some of the conversation is not Central Coast winery specific. It's been an interesting conversation, that's for sure!

BTW, you still sound as angry as have for the past two days. We GET it. Central Coast wineries are more relaxed that Napa/ Sonoma wineries. Is there something else you need to hear to stop slamming posters?

The OP is at a good place. She has gathered information and made her decision about what she's going to do in the area.

Starrs - Where did you find the Pama?

My local liquor store. Out in the boonies! Who knew?!?!?!

Oh, yeah. kybourbon did!

(I still laugh everytime I'm in a Subway about the server who just couldn't understand me when I was ordering the "kentucky bourbon" sandwich! :-) )

Derby is a mere week and a half away so here is the recipe for Pama Mint Juleps.
2 oz Pama
2 oz Bourbon
2 sprigs mint
2 sugar cubes
Muddle together, shake with ice and strain into sterling julep cup.

Other recipes -http://www.pamaliqueur.com/index.html?Section=

Yum! What do you use to muddle? A spoon? Martha has been using that word on her show a lot lately :-)

I'll give the new recipe a try. My current favorite is ginger ale topped with PAMA for a non-alcholic version and champagne with PAMA for the wonderful version :-)

I don't think we have any argument over a 'screaming kid'. I love it how people take part of what you say, turn it around & then change it again. The question was whether the child should even be there in the first place. As I have stated (but evidently not too clearly) it depends on many factors - the parents, the kids, the venue, etc. As parents our lives should not end as adults when we have children. By the same token, it has not been that long since I was childless. Fortunately, I am not an Attorney either. Now on to inportant things - the DERBY is coming up, where IS the Bourbon please ?

kybourbon is pouring!

BTW, the Jack Daniels Distellery would be a perfect family trip (they don't pour) :-)

But Stars, that is not Bourbon, that is whisky. Besides I am a tad partial to Knobs Creek. For a good bourbon tour go to Makers Mark (where everything is still done by hand), then visit Jim Beam, what a contrast & they both make great products. Don't tell me you never had the cough suppressant as a kid that was whisky, lemon & honey ?

That is not cough medicine....your parents were trying to knock you out to have adult time! My parents used to give me paragoric on the road. (They could take me to a winery and I'd pass out in the corner!)

Since you mentioned derby, Maker's has a fine mint bourbon they use for those juleps. Makes it a bit easier to get im done. I enjoyed several last year while playing piano at the Marriott and had to be driven home. Will try to behave this year.

Most of the kids I see on wine trails are of the adult variety. :-d

Topping for maxers, guess it's been longer than I thought.

Oh, I remember this thread fondly--not! lol

Me too, seems like just yesterday & it is also Derby time again...lol

Like fine wine, perhaps some opinions have mellowed w/age ??