The View From Greenwich

If I have an addiction, it definitely is daily deal sites. I have a bad habit of indiscriminately signing up for every new site that crops up, to the point where I now usually wake up to about thirty emails from the Groupons and Bloomspots of the world. I don’t remember when I signed up to receive deals from Living Social Adventures, but I’m sure glad I did, as there are currently two San Francisco adventures on offer that sound like a lot of fun.

First, we have BYOB Pottery Painting at Terra Mia Studio in Noe Valley, for $29 instead of the usual $59. I took a ceramics class earlier this year called “Clay and Wine,” and let me tell you, the combination of making your own sushi trays while sipping merlot is quite therapeutic. On this adventure, pick out a piece from Terra Mia’s large selection of unfinished pottery, get a quick lesson from the studio staff, and then glaze your piece while nibbling on appetizers and washing it all with your beverage of choice (don’t forget to BYOB!). Pick up your piece a week later and voila, you’ve created a masterpiece. This deal is available at 7:00pm on either Friday, November 4th or Friday, November 11th.

Next, we have Yoga and Brunch at Fort Mason, also for $29 instead of the usual $59. If you read this blog regularly, you know that I’ve recently become a big fan of yoga, and as for brunch…well, who doesn’t love brunch? On this adventure, partake in a one-hour yoga practice led by instructors from Yoga Garden, a San Francisco studio with a focus on personal health and well-being. After sweating through some vinyasas, enjoy a brunch of yogurt with toppings ranging from sweet berries to savory nuts, and then head out into the rest of your day looking and feeling like the picture of health. This deal is available at multiple times on November 5th, 6th and 12th.

So what will it be? Clay and cabernet, or pigeon pose and parfaits? So many choices…

Photos via Living Social Adventures.

Living as close as I do to the fabulous selection of Marina boutiques, I have to make a concerted effort to keep my shopping impulse in check. However, when I simply can’t resist the urge for a shopping spree, I always make my first stop at Heritage Row. Nestled amidst the bustling shops and restaurants of Chestnut Street, this bright, cheerful boutique features a carefully curated selection of versatile and affordable apparel, from breezy dresses to perfect-fit jeans to stylish tops. Whether you need a new look for Friday night or Sunday brunch, its the ideal place to satisfy your latest fashion craving.

With its crystal chandeliers, champagne curtains and vintage furniture, stepping into Heritage Row is like stepping into the dressing room of your dreams. Owner Jenny France maintains a constantly rotating selection of designer fashions, including favorites such as BB Dakota, Dolce Vita and Dylan George, in addition to numerous independent brands. Pieces are unique, high-quality and on-trend, but you can still walk out of Heritage Row with an armload of new duds without breaking the bank.

Heritage Row has a laidback, casual atmosphere, so you can always feel free to peruse the meticulously organized racks on your own. If you’re more in the mood for some advice, you can take advantage of Jenny’s styling expertise, and she or any of the well-dressed associates will happily jump to the task of helping you put together your new favorite outfit. Complete your look with the equally wearable selection of shoes, jewelry and other accessories, and you’ll be ready for any occasion.

Photo via DailyCandy.

As I mentioned previously, I have an eternal soft spot for V. Sattui Winery, and after attending their annual Crush Party on Saturday night, I’d go so far as to say that I’m completely head over heels in love with this family-owned St. Helena winery. Keep your eye on V. Sattui’s calendar of events, and consider buying a ticket to next year’s Crush Party.

V. Sattui’s Crush Party is an annual celebratory open house with music, food, and of course, copious amounts of V. Sattui’s wide variety of exceptional wines. The party gives wine aficionados a chance to learn about the winemaking process, with demos on everything from grape sorting to cork making. You can taste wines at multiple stages of the fermentation process, and even kick off your shoes and jump into a huge tub of grapes for a good old-fashioned grape stomp. Chat with the winemakers while you sample dozens of wines, snack on delicious hors d’oeuvres, and dance along to the live music. To top it all off, the winery looks absolutely gorgeous, with bright red tents and sparkling white lights everywhere. It’s easy to understand why this event sells out every year. It’s simply an incredibly fun and joyous celebration. I’ve been looking forward to it for months, yet it managed to exceed all my expectations. Luckily, it’s a great night to take some memories home with you, as there are great discounts on a number of wines, including discounts of up to 30% on certain cases for truly dedicated connoisseurs.

Tasting the Madeira in three stages of production.

Learning how corks are made.

Watching foils put on bottles as the finishing touch.

Tasting wine straight out of the barrel when it is still in the “juice” phase.

The Crush Party is only one of the many annual events hosted at V. Sattui. I know that I’ll be keeping my weekends open for next year’s Barrel Tasting Party and Lobster Fest. If last Saturday’s Crush Party is any indication, they’re guaranteed to be memorable events.