It was best of times on the date of wine tour October 13-14, 2019. We had a great group including Carol and Mario who traveled from Florida to attend. It was great to see them and their enthusiasm for the event even though they drove a Chevy Impala. The route we followed was same as last year. Through Carson to Jack’s Valley Road to HI way 88 for a rest stop at Carson Pass (beautiful drive- fall colors were great).  Above a group picture at Carson Pass with mountains in background.

This year before we left Carson Pass everyone was alerted to watch for and take the Mormon Immigrant trail exit. Last year five cars blew past the exit. This year President Ron Nicasio and his navigator Art Ono charged ahead of the lead car without knowing how to get to first stop at Amador Cellars. The rest of us proceeded in an orderly manner to Amador Cellars where we were greeted by Linda Long one of the owners. Ron and Art did fine us.  Amador Cellars is a family winery.  Linda supervises the tasting room with help from her daughter and son. Mr. Long retired as winemaker but is around to help wine testing. They are welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable.  In October they were still harvesting and crushing. We inspected grapes in fermenting vats in the outdoor tasting area set up just for us.

We next went to MaBeRa Winery for lunch catered by Beth Sogaard Catering from the Amador Vintage Market. Many of us sat outside and MaBeRa staff brought out wine to taste while we enjoyed lunch.  We the only guests at MaBeRa that Saturday—it was closed to the public.  The BMW Flag was displayed in the tasting room area of the warehouse where others had lunch (See group picture on Web Page). Unfortunately that is the last time we will enjoy MaBeRa hospitality. We learned later that It has closed. Wine sold off at discounts (We enjoyed MaBeRa wine at the Holiday Party dinner).  MaBeRa gifted it the BMW flag to the Club and it was displayed at Holiday Party. So next year we will need to find a new lunch venue. Those who attended will tell you that it will be hard to beat MaBeRa.

The last stop was Paul J. Wines.  It is new open in April 2018. Paul J. Sobon is the owner and wine maker. He lives next door to the tasting room. His daughter Camille run the tasting room and there is a red wine named after her that many of us purchased. The Sobon family owns Sobon Winery and Shenandoah Vineyards both in Amador County. The tasting room is new. The grounds include a bocce court and putting green. Mario, Fred, Ron Rachow and I played bocce. Others enjoyed wine and lounging in comfortable chairs outside the tasting room.

After Paul J it was on to Shenandoah Inn for a nap and preparing for the pool party. Everyone brought their favorite wine of the day and we consumed the left over lunch snacks and finished off with Pokerville market pizza. Can’t beat that.

Sunday breakfast was at Marlene and Glenn’s Dead Fly Dinner—as good as ever. After breakfast members headed off to Amador Flower Farm or to visit a winery or head home. We look forward to next year. Who knows what new great winery we will find to visit? For sure it will include some old favorites.

~ De Sharp

To watch the video and trip details click here and here to view the photo gallery.

The post 2018 Wine Tour appeared first on BMW CCA Sierrra Chapter.

After cocktails, we went to the Club which was only minutes away.  The McGoff’s are members of the Club so there was no rental charge for the room.  The Sierra Chapter also provided the wine for dinner.  This year we had a sit down dinner with Chicken Supreme, Maple Chipotle Salmon and Dijon Honey & Rosemary Pork Tenderloin for the main entrees. The room was beautifully decorated and had a cozy fireplace that enhanced a lovely venue for the party.

The highlight of the evening was the annual raffle. Again, Bill Pearce BMW contributed several raffle items and De Sharp donated a gift as well as wine from the McGoff’s. Almost everyone won a prize.  The party is booked for 2019 at Brick’s Restaurant again. We look forward to some new members to show up this year to take in all the fun.

Happy New Year!

Pat McGoff
Vice President

Click here to watch the video or or visit our photo gallery

The post 2018 Holiday Party appeared first on BMW CCA Sierrra Chapter.

*Details forthcoming

The post 2019 Planned Events appeared first on BMW CCA Sierrra Chapter.

850CSi

BMW made only 1,311 E31 850CSi cars.  Made by the BMW Motorsports Division there were two different models.  There was a worldwide model and a different one for USA.  Both were hand assembled by the M Division.
The worldwide European CSi was specifically built for extended high speed touring.  The USA model had a more limited design.  This specific “Cars With History” Euro model was originally sold to a Doctor in Munchen.  Prior to initial delivery the BMW Custom Shop shipped the finished car to the Alpina factory for additional chassis customization for fun driving at the Nuburgring.  Despite maintaining mods to meet USA regulations this car is still meeting all USA and BMW European regulations.

Technical Highlights

• ENGINE: S73 V12 rated at 396 hp DIN.  This engine is a non-racing version of the BMW V12 engine used in the  McLaren F1 Supercar.  BMW made only 1,311 CSi engines.
• TRANSMISSION: 6 speed manual only.  No options.
• ACTIVE REAR WHEEL STEERING: Standard only on Worldwide cars.  First use of modern rear wheel steering.  Not available on USA models.
• CHASSIS: Modified by Alpina for improved track perfomance at Nuburgring.
• MAINTENANCE: All maintenance meets European standards and is added to USA BMW requirements.
• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: First production vehicle to use modern electronic design.

~James Goodfellow

The post Cars With History – 850CSi appeared first on BMW CCA Sierrra Chapter.

• January 11, Meeting/Social, Bill Pearce BMW/TBD 6pm
• February 8, Meeting/Social, Bill Pearce BMW/TBD 6pm
• February 10, National Automobile Museum Tour
• March 8, Meeting/Social, Bill Pearce BMW/TBD 6pm
• March ??, Tech Session, Bill Pearce BMW
• April 12, Meeting/Social, Bill Pearce BMW/TBD 6pm
• May 10, Meeting/Social, Bill Pearce BMW/TBD 6pm
• May 19, Virginia City Tour
• June 14, Meeting/Social, Bill Pearce BMW/TBD 6pm
• June 16, Tour to the Berlin Ghost Town*
• Jul 12, Meeting/Social, Bill Pearce BMW/TBD 6pm
• July 21, Sierra Buttes Tour & Poker Run
• August 9, Meeting/Social, Bill Pearce BMW/TBD 6pm
• August 11, Fifth Annual BMWCCA Sierra Chapter Picnic
• September 13, Meeting/Social, Bill Pearce BMW/TBD 6pm
• September ??, Mammouth Tour*
• October 11, Meeting/Social, Bill Pearce BMW/TBD 6pm
• October 13-14, El Dorado & Amador County Wine Tour
• November 3, Fun Rally
• November 8, Meeting/Social, Bill Pearce BMW/TBD 6pm
• December 13 – Christmas/Holiday Party

*Details forthcoming

The post 2018 Planned Events appeared first on BMW CCA Sierrra Chapter.