Puzzles from California Wine County

I have included this picture the first puzzle below was made from, since I want you to see a version large enough to see the detail that will appear on the actual puzzle. The Zazzle puzzles come in two sizes. I am showing most in the larger 252 piece 14 x 10 inch size simply because it shows up better on the page. If you follow the link to the product page for the puzzle you like, you can also choose the 10 x 8 inch size with 110 pieces. It comes in a storage tin with its image printed on the lid. Both sizes are made of sturdy cardboard stock, mounted on chipboard and have an easy wipe-clean surface.

These puzzles all feature oaks in vineyards, those that aren't as well-known as the oaks on Heart Hill.


Puzzle: Paso Robles Vineyard in November Color by cawinecountry
This puzzle features not only a prominent oak tree, but also the colorful foliage on the vines in autumn. The oak framing this picture taken on Oakview Road in Templeton is a deciduous oak which has already begun to lose its leaves. In the background are many live oak trees which will keep their dark green leaves all year. This vineyard is across the street from Donati Family Tasting Room.


Puzzle: Veris Tasting Room in Late November by cawinecountry
This oak is taller and wider than the Veris Cellars tasting room in Templeton in front of which it stands. The picture was taken in November. The vineyards are behind and on either side of the tasting room. There is also a lovely garden out of sight on the right. You will see part of it in another puzzle on this page.


Puzzle: Oak in the Vineyard by cawinecountry
This oak stands between two sections of the Zenaida vineyards in Paso Robles, California. This picture, too, was taken in autumn, and you can see the color in the leaves. I noticed that this tree also seemed to be a bee tree.


Puzzle: 46 West Wine Country, Paso Robles by cawinecountry
I took this shot of my neighbors' vineyards over my back fence, so it's a view you won't find elsewhere. It looks all the way down to Highway 46 West. I believe the vineyards above 46 West belong to Zin Alley and Croad. You can see there are plenty of oak trees spread around the vines.

This is a dinner party mystery game with a wine-tasting theme. It is set at an annual wine festival, which is full of action when the body of a local vineyard owner is found beneath his wine cellar. Everything you need to plan the party is in the box -- complete party planner, menu suggestions, and a character book.

Murder Mystery - A Taste for Wine and Murder - $24.95
Retail Price: $34.95
You Save: $10.00
from: Puzzle Master

One thing I love about wine country is the variety of architectural styles you will see for the tasting rooms. Many are styled after Italian villas. Some grew out of the owners' homes or from school houses. And one is a castle, a dream come true for the owners, down the street from me . The picture below was taken at Pomar Junction, which has a railroad theme because of the family history of one of the owners.


Puzzle: Pomar Junction Tasting Room, Templeton, CA by cawinecountry
This is one view of the Pomar Junction Tasting room. You can see a gallery of pictures and learn why they have a railroad theme, on the Pomar Junction web site.


Puzzle: Eagle Castle with View of Moat by cawinecountry
This is Eagle Castle, our neighborhood castle. You can see what it looks like inside and learn more about it here. From Eagle Castle's terraces, you can get a wonderful view of all the surrounding countryside.


Puzzle: Veris Cellars Tasting Room, Templeton by cawinecountry
This is the Veris Cellars Tasting Room, and personally I think it's one of the most attractive ones. Housed in a Victorian home dating from 1892, it is surrounded by lovely vineyards and has a colorful rose garden beside it. I took this picture from a garden area on September 19, when everything was in bloom. Learn more about Veris Cellars and their vineyards and wines on their web site.

The picture above is a slice of the first puzzle below. It's a picture I love and I discovered this little bird, which I believe is a hummingbird because it was hovering in one place, on my walk around the Croad vineyard on harvest day. If you you'd like to see everything, including what happens to the grapes after they are picked, take this video and pictorial tour of Croad Vineyard with me. The Croad Vineyard is right on the other side of my back fence, but I have to drive a couple of miles to get to the real entrance.


Puzzle: Hummingbird in Vineyard in Paso Robles, CA by cawinecountry



Puzzle: California Vineyard before Harvest in Nov by cawinecountry
Here is another vineyard ready for harvest. This was taken in November, but I don't recall which vineyard it is.


Puzzle: Green Grapes on the Vine by cawinecountry
See more Pomar junction Puzzles Of course, grapes appear on the vines long before harvest. It takes a few months for them to get enough sugar content to make wine. This picture was taken in a Pomar Junction vineyard in Templeton on August 21, a good two months before the Croad harvest in Paso Robles took place on October 31.


Puzzle: Unharvested Grapes after Frost by cawinecountry
This picture makes me sad, since these are the grapes that weren't harvested before the first frosts struck, and I doubt if they ever will become wine. They appear to be starting to rot. I'm told by people who ought to know that the grapes were not harvested because their sugar content wasn't high enough before the frost, but I can tell you they were sweet enough for human consumption because I consumed one just to see how sweet they were. I want to cry when I see that the grapes in this entire vineyard were wasted when someone could have eaten them. I won't mention the name of the vineyard, even though I know which one it is.

A Loaf of Bread a jug of Wine & a Bike by ElainePlesser

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