Wine Excursion to Loosen Vineyards with Leigh-Ann, Amber & Adam

In late October, we drove 3 hours north from Stuttgart to meet up with Leigh-Ann in the Mosel River Valley.  She recently became a full-time entrepreneur as a photographer/videographer and was hired by Ernst Loosen, a famous German winemaker, to get footage of his wine estate during the harvest season.  We are so inspired by Lou for following her passion and starting a career doing what she truly loves and travelling the world!

My loves - Scoots and Leigh-Ann (photo cred to Ambular-another skilled photog - check out her blog) 

We are so fortunate that Ernie told Leigh-Ann to invite us and the Steels to stay in the guest apartment on the wine estate.

View of the grapes with Mosel River in the distance - photo taken by Leigh-Ann (insta@bonafideproductions) 

Ernie is wildly successful and his wine is distributed to 63 different countries worldwide.  Leigh-Ann met him when she sold wine in Charleston and they have become close pals over the years.  

Talented Louis in her element (photo cred to Amber)

Ernie is a fascinating, well dressed Renaissance man and a warm host.

Ernie pointing out the locations on the cliff where he owns land and grows grapes

When we arrived, he took us on a walk around the vineyard and explained the local wine business and micro climates for optimal growing.

Ernie, Adam, Ambular, Lou, and Pearl 

 Ernie discussed the importance of the blue and red slate which adds potassium to the soil and eventually creates delicious wine.

Ernie said his employees used to have to "schlep" up the steep hills with the baskets of grapes but now he has machines that make the process more efficient.

Amber and Adam are living in Holland near a marina this winter so it was great to finally see them while living abroad.

WJ Wildcats!

Glorious Grapes - Photo cred to Master Beverley - what a pro!

Me, Lou, and Scoots from the backside (photo cred to Amber)

After our educational stroll along the vineyard, we went back to Ernie's gorgeous home for a private wine tasting.

 Frau probably saying something profound in response to Ernie's delightful wine descriptions.  Scoots wearing a big white hat.

Frau smiling with joy since she loves "samples" and a fine dry Riesling

After tasting a variety of wines, we sat down for a delicious 6 course dinner with Ernie, his wife, and their outgoing friends.


 Amber was delighted by the monogrammed china but I was more thrilled about the fresh seafood

The first course, was a flavorful mussel in buerre blanc sauce (above), followed by porcini mushrooms, cold smoked salmon with plum sauce, roasted eggplant and mozzarella with tomato sugo from Italy, and a fresh fig in warm brandy syrup.  

The best part of dinner was when Ernie presented a special bottle of wine from Leigh-Ann's birth year!  1981 is a crucial year for the rest of us so we were all excited to try this "old" vintage (except maybe Adam, the stoic Brit).

Scoot's pic of the '81 wine bottle and Frau conversing with Europeans in the background

The next day, we bundled up and rode bikes along the Mosel river to other cute wine towns.

Bike ride break time to sip refreshments

Adam, a British ship captain, commented that the river was "as flat as a 9 year old."  It was very peaceful and surreal in the town.

In Traben Trabach, we met a nice old man named Housmann who distilled schnapps in his old cellar that was built in 856 and was a former monastery.

Housemann, Lou (taking photo) and Scoots (taking shot of home made schnapps) 

Chillin on the Mosel before taking the ferry

When we got back, we got ready together in our shared bathroom just like old times before Prom but this time with matching bathrobes and quality alcohol.

Time to learn to curl my hair with a straightener

We enjoyed dinner at an Italian bistro and shared more delicious local wine.

Happy times and stripes

Ernie surprised us again and sent out a different bottle of wine from 1981!  

This wine is as old as Megano - 33 years!  Hopefully we are both getting better with age

Muchas gracias to Ernie for hosting us!  We will always cherish the memories from the epic weekend at Loosen Vineyards.

Blog catch up...USA visit in October

Scott resigned from his job with DRS last week so we are leaving Germany in early January (this is very exciting but I need to catch up on blog pics before I elaborate).  

The last few months have been action packed with travel and eating.  In October, we went back to the U.S. and spent a week in NY.  On the first night, we stayed with my pal Kate and her boyfriend Chris in their cute Upper West Side apartment.

Kate and Chris in N'awlins (they would have cute babies...just a prediction)

They brought us to The Mermaid Inn for fresh seafood and succulent hush puppies and Old Bay french fries.

The next day, we explored NYC with Cindy and Ira and celebrated Cindy's birthday at ABC Cocina with refreshing Margaritas and spicy Mexican tapas.  

Ira drove us to the town of Port Jefferson on Long Island for Brielle and Rob's wedding.

Granny Flo was stunning as usual with her high heels and red lips.

Granny & "Meggie"

3 generations of Pearl (notice Ira's pink cheeks... must be a genetic polymorphism)

Mom of Bride (Donna), Megano, Ira, Cindy, and Linda on the dance floor

I feel so lucky to have such fun cousins, aunts, and uncles.

 Aunt Alice cracking jokes with her handsome grandsons, Jason and Brandon

Cousin Amy, Matthew and Me (notice Cindy and Ira all alone at table in the background...what did Ira say?)

Granny, Meggie and Scoot

Michael & Donna, the bride's parents, always throw amazing parties and this was no exception!

Donna and Mike lookin sharp while giving a sweet speech

The food was dynamite especially the dessert featuring a massive cookie tower,

Father Ira and our generous Hills family friend, Anthony, dominating some cookies and vodkas

and fresh fried donuts topped with powdered sugar!

Kayla, the gorgeous maid of honor, thought of this genius donut station

The next day, we went to Manhattan to visit Jackie, Jodie and their adorable baby named Carter. 

Carter has perfect high cheekbones

Megano awkwardly holding this fragile bundle of joy with Jack, a truly natural momma

Megano perplexed because Carter is so peaceful (he does not cry and might not even toot)... what karma!

The Duffalloos came over and we went to the Peking Duck House in Chinatown.  Scott and I have not had good Chinese food in years so this was a special treat.

First course- dumpling, egg roll, steak on stick 

The place was BYOWine and served classics like duck with scallion pancakes.

Scott and Jodi admiring our duck before his beak was sliced off

The next day, we serendipitously got to see Sam, Scott's best pal from college, and meet his fiance Liz!

So excited because these 2 are now coming to spend Xmas with us in the Alps!

Sis and Skip took a bus from Pittsburgh to spend a few days with us in the Big Apple.

Son & Mom having Micheladas at a Mexican spot in Chelsea

We went to see 2 shows at The Comedy Cellar in the Village with a surprise performance by Louis CK!

obligatory fountain pic

We rode bikes all over the city and stopped at the September 11th Memorial.

Scott observing the massive memorial and names of the 9/11 victims

We rode over the Brooklyn Bridge and had lunch at Grimaldis, a famous pizza establishment.

1 of the 2 massive pizzas we devoured

Mom-in-law got us a table without having to wait for awhile in line

We got to see cousin Casey from PA, who recently moved to Chelsea.

Scott, Casey and Skip at Heralds Square street vendor food cart market

We took Skip to Times Square and were surrounded by street "artists."

Skip seemed to like NYC more than he expected

On my last night, I got to dine at Pure Food and Wine, an incredible 100% vegan restaurant with Ellen, Liz, Jackie, and Laura (Shrimpmidget).  If you think vegan food sounds terrible, I dare you to eat at this place!  It proves that fresh vegetables and nuts can be morphed into the most flavorful and satisfying entrees.  In fact, Giselle and ScarJo are "regulars" at Pure (thus, the price point is not optimal for the average Megano).

Ellen and Liz (who came by stinky train all the way from Jersey.. what a pal)

Ellen, who is allergic to milk, was really excited to share a "cheese" plate appetizer and order lasagna (made with macadamia pumpkin seed ricotta).

My favorites were the kale Caesar roll with avocado and the tacos.

Hen of the Woods Tacos al Pastor- smoked guacamole, hearts of palm, fresh corn, guajillo crema fresca, pickled onions

We ended the meal by sharing a mint chocolate cookie sundae and a chocolate peanut butter cheesecake with salted peanut butter ice cream.

Ellen thrilled to try her first cheesecake 

Sadly, I forgot my camera at Pure so there are no pictures of the rest of this trip.  After NYC, I got to visit my Granny Pat and the wacko Mackos in Florida, spend time with Emily and her baby Henry, Alexis and Terryl in DC, and Cathy, Larry, Michael, and Aunt Amy.  It would be great to have pictures from these visits (so...please email me if you have any).  

That was quick- Thanks Alexi!!

Emily (back in Bethesda yay) with her adorable blue eyed son named Henry

The Grande Finale Beer Fest, Austrian roadtrip and Munich with fantastic friends!

In early October, we were fortunate to have a superb crew of friends visit from Chicago and Charleston.  We had a table reserved for Volksfest, the Stuttgart Fall Beer Festival, so the timing was fantastic!

Julie, Jamie, and Dayna arrived a few days early so I got to show them around Stuttgart's cobblestone streets and parks.

Jamie, Megano, and Julie in front of old timber buildings in Bad Canstatt

We enjoyed the sunshine as we walked to along the park.

 Jamie, amused by the German park rules, decided to sprawl in the pristine grass, later she realized she was lounging in duck feces
We checked out the famous Wilhelmina Zoo and observed a few creatures.

The handsome white one is called Lorenzo Lamas

We brought the gals to our favorite neighborhood bistro,  Il Pomodoro, the BEST pizza in Germany and I would wager the best pizza anywhere outside of Italy.

Vegetarian pie with onions, olives, tomatoes and mushrooms & Arugula pie with fresh buffalo mozzarella


Dayna (a real Italian broad), Megano (falling into a food comma) and Scoots post dinner

The next night, Joe arrived from his work meeting in Munich and Leigh-Ann arrived from Charleston.  Our crew celebrated Joe's birthday at Cavos Taverna, a lively Greek restaurant turned nightclub.

Ouzo and sparklers to celebrate Joe's special day

We shared a smorgasbord of flavorful Greek specialties.

Pita, Zucchini, Hummus, Beans, Tzaiki, Lamb kebab

Unsurprisingly, after a night of hookah bars and general debauchery on Stuttgart's "club" street, we were not in optimal shape.  The next morning, we had a table reserved in the Gockelesmaier tent at Volksfest for 11 am and were told that they would give it away if we were late.  The Germans are very punctual so we did not want to break their sacred rules and risk losing our table.

8 of our 10 ppl, including Jose (Spanish teacher friend), Scott, Lou, MPS, Jamir, Jo, Julie, D

Thus, our "team" rallied and woke up early to get to the fest by 11:25 and continue celebrating German style.  Fortunately, a massive beer before noon is the perfect cure for a potential hangover.

Julie claimed it was the "greatest day ever" as she clank her stein and sang songs of joy.

Our expat friends Moose and Ken joined us at the table and taught our friends the traditional German drinking songs and fest dances.

Julie was in her element as she danced and shouted it was the "happiest day" of her life.

Moose and Julie seriously doing the Macerena seriously out of sync

We scarfed down massive hot pretzels, delicious even without senf (mustard), a crucial condiment.  

Jamir (Jamie's alter ego) coming out to play, Leon and Phoot in the background

Dayna enjoyed using her pretzel for a variety of charades.

Dayna came to Europe for 3 short days but made the most of her trip

So great to see my pal D letting loose

Dayna calling home to check on her lil babies - JJ and Evelyn

What a glorious day...

It seems like the fest is filled with preteens but the drinking age is 16 years old.  Binge drinking is not only a problem among American youth.

My pals harrasing this suffering german toddler, poor guy had 1 too many

One of our favorite fest rituals is non sober bumper cars.  Jamir enjoyed it as much as we could have hoped.

Notice poor Scoots and D in the background because they were too slow to snag a car this round

Leigh-Ann befriended an adolescent German and joyfully jumped in his car.

A few days later, Julie, Jamie, Leigh-Ann and I took a roadtrip to the Alps. 

We went to Berwang, Austria and took a cable car up to the Zugspitz, Germany's highest mountain peak.  

View from the cable car

The alpine lake looked surreal below us from the top of the peak.

Pic with Leon's handy selfie stick

Julie, a fearless ER nurse, braved a rugged staircase to get to the highest part of the Zugspitz but the rest of us were chickens and scared of falling to our demise.

Julie raising arms victoriously in the distance

It was mighty cold on that peak but we came prepared with backpacks and warm hats.

My sister from another mister (aka Louis) finally in the Alps with yours truly

We had a scrumptious snack of kraut and wursts on top of the mountain.

 Jamie loves meat of all sorts

Photo collage thanks to Leigh-Ann's @bonafideproductions Instagram

Later that day, we went on a hike in search of a waterfall.  Instead of finding the waterfall, we found a teeny hut/bar and stopped for local (aka basement brewed) beers.

Leon and Juicy chanting "Prost" and "the Hills are live with the Sound of Music"

The next day, we drove by hundreds of cows in green meadows to the Kloster Andechs Brewery in Bavaria.  Next stop, Munich's famous English Garden.

The gals slurping hefeweizens and pilsners at the beergarden in the English Garden

My last night with Jamir, Julie, and Leigh-Ann was a night we will remember.

Heading out for the night in a Marriott elevator, pic above is reflection in mirror - LA has sick camera skills

We devoured tapas at a cute restaurant and met some friendly Portuguese expats who were living in Munich.

Me, Tiago, Diego?, and LAB

Tiago told me tales of his childhood, living in Lisbon, as a "bastard" child of a wealthy Dutchman.  Tiago's grandfather, who he never had a chnace to meet, was the inventor of ... (wait for it)... PEANUT BUTTER.  I was blown away by this PB revelation but skeptical until he revealed a picture of his famous Dutch Grandfather's statue located in the town of Delft in Holland.

 If you want to learn about the Dutch peanut butter dynasty more check out: http://dutchcommunity.com/2014/09/24/the-history-of-calve-peanut-butter/

 One of the Shank's most ambitious life goals is to karaoke in every country in the world.  Thus far, France, England, Austria, Italy, Spain, Czech Republic, and the Netherlands (and soon Portugal) have had the pleasure to hear our melodies but and we had yet to sing in Germany.  

Luckily, the Portuguese gents told us that Shamrock Pub had karaoke so we went and sang our hearts out to a rowdy crowd of Brits and Irish las.  It was a glorious last night before heading back to Stuttgart.  

We are truly grateful to share experiences and visits from such wonderful friends!  Thank you Jame and Julie for the gifts, especially my favorite hard to find Hungarian spicy dark chocolate (and American dry shampoo - hooray).

Jules at the fancy chocolate store