Oct 13.2009 - Milan - Sardegna, Italy

DKP : With a kiss kiss goodbye and one last espresso with our friends Loris and "Marco" we suit up for the Ryan Air Circus if Insanity. You know how they told us we would save money ONLINE by adding that "new" bag they made us purchase in Dublin?? Well, it's just another way they "get you." You see, we thought it would be wise to actually Check-In for all 3 flight legs BEFORE we left Monterey and because we did so, we could no longer alter our tickets in anyway. So instead of paying a penalty of 18 Euro online, we got to fork over 48 Euro at the airport - a penalty for being prepared - BRILLIANT BUSINESS MODEL!!

We were swept away in style from the airport in Cagliari, Sardegna by our friend and client from Pala Wines, Fabio Angus, who we swear is somehow related to Mario Andretti, the famous Italian race car driver (only famous in USA it seems).

As I can barely recall, we toured the vineyards, a medieval church on the grounds, the winery in town and tasted 6-7 wines all in the first hour... ;-)) During this inspired experience, new ideas of jazz and wine pairings came to light which you will see more development of in the coming months on SmoothJazz.com as well as SmoothLounge.com.

Fabio introduced us to new Chillout Music as he whisked us to the top of the city just in time to view one of most amazing sunsets from the old castle walls looking across Caglieri - breath taking! The FB photo album will place you right there with us.

In true Sardegnian style we chilled atop the medieval wall while settling into a cool evening of pastel light and moonlight. Only the insanely prepared Sardegnian-styled sushi dinner complete with apertif and Pala Wine could have upstaged sitting atop the city in our own person chill lounge - a night we will often remember. Grazie to chef Luigi Pomata and to our stylin' host Fabio.

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SS : Off to another RyanAir misadventure… today we head to Cagliari, Sardinia. Loris and Marco take us to the airport, we have time for a few photo ops with the two and another quick espresso before getting into the circus fray. Flight is actually very smooth as we wing our way to this beautiful Italian island just off the coast of Napoli.

Upon arrival we are met by Pala Wine’s Fabio Angius. We are so appreciative that Fabio has a plan for us in Sardinia. Jet Laggers should never make their own plans, trust me… thankfully we are swept off to the lovely Pala vineyards where we get out and stretch our legs on some of the most stunning land you can imagine. Well, if you are reading this in Monterey County, you CAN imagine as it looks very much like our homeland. Soft, rolling hills, grand trees and salty sea air. No wonder the Sardinian wines are some of the most loved wines… Pala is not only one of the top award-winning wineries in all of Italy, but all of the world! Donna and I discover what the buzz is all about as we tasted bottle after bottle of fermented Pala grapes concluding with an organic olive oil that I wish you could taste right now. Bon Appetito!

Vine. Wine. Life. Pala Wines is a SmoothJazz.com sponsor – They have been supporting new music on our Internet radio station since the beginning of this year and we look forward to working with them in the year ahead on fun and creative ways to help get their exceptional, world-class wines more visibility to through our sophisticated audience of jazz lovers who come to listen to our Global Internet Radio stations.

After a beverage atop an old castle-like structure, overlooking the Med and listening to Lounge music waft across the terrace, Fabio simply blew our minds this night as we took a sunset walk through Elephant Tower up around the University and ended up at his friend’s and world-renown chef Luigi Pomata’s restaurant for a specially prepared meal by Luigi himself and his famous plates of amazing fish treatments including something incredible featuring tuna tartar in a mozzarella soup.

We crawled into bed exhausted and satisfied – Thank you Fabio and Luigi for not only having the BEST Italian names, but for the wonderful Sardinian experience.