BeckySueEpstein.com

Ever found yourself in a frozen room full of high end vodkas?  With sculptor/potter Peter Shire and a few friends?  And one of you – not sure which – is wearing a leopard skin pillbox hat?  Well, it happened to me a few weeks ago, in Beverly Hills.  Oh, yeah, I think I was the one wearing the Russian-style white fur coat with matching tall hat.  The (faux) furs — provided by the restaurant — are necessary when you enter the refrigerated VodBox for a tasting of luxury vodkas from around the world, some so rare even I had never heard of them.

I don’t usually have much of a tolerance for the cold, but my appetite for vodka seemed to go way up when I was in that fun room.  Sipping and tasting.  It was one of those “what’s not to like?” moments.

By the way, anyone can sign up for the VodBox experience, dreamed up by long-time L.A. restaurateur Larry Nicola for Nic’s on Canon Drive.

There’s a piece of France near Healdsburg in Sonoma, California. From the setting among the hills to the gracious luncheon, Jordan Winery feels more like Bordeaux than anything you might expect in America’s West. I’d recommend trying to get Chef Todd Knoll to prepare a fine meal for you, if you ever have the chance — with excellent service, and the accompaniment of John Jordan (son of founder Tom Jordan) who now runs the winery. And if that’s not possible, try to get a few minutes with winemaker Rob Davis: a quietly confident man who has spent the past few decades crafting Jordan’s Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay – that’s all they make.

Tours for the public include past vintages in their tastings. Or you can just sign up for the Library Tasting – if you can find it behind the secret door.

The Sandra Jordan Collection and her Decanting book are also worth noting, if you’re looking for tasteful gifts.