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Monet’s, a Real Small Town Treat!

Just to the South East of Fresno (on the way to Sequoia National Park), in the fertile California valley lies a small town with lots of charm known as Exeter. Until recently I had never heard of Exeter and until last night had never been. The quaint downtown is known for its many murals (29 of them), antique shops and of course Monet’s Restaurant and Café. You don’t often venture to small rural towns for fine dining but after reading this you may!

A couple months back I had the pleasure of meeting Jennifer, one of the owners of Monet’s, while working a sales trip for Castoro. After exchanging stories I was very intrigued and we set up a date for me to come pour Castoro at Monet’s and introduce the wines to her patrons. As I drove out to Exeter I had no idea what to expect but I had been told the food at Monet’s is to die for and the atmosphere quite charming. To my delight I found both to be true!

As customers arrived, I made my way from table to table telling the story of Castoro Cellars while tasting them through the lineup of wines we had chosen. Having grown up in the small town of Templeton I have an appreciation for “small town charm” and I felt very comfortable in Monet’s, where everyone seemed to know one another and no one was in a hurry. As I poured and chatted, the food began to come out and I immediately knew I was in for a treat. The meal started off with a creamy soup, cooked to perfection, and went straight into the main course of chicken cordon bleu over wild rice with veggies and a delectable sauce. Of all the wines, I felt the Castoro Cabernet was a great compliment to the main course. For dessert they served a delicious cake that went very well with the final wine, Zinfandel Zinfusion.

I know Exeter may not be on your radar, but if you find yourself in the greater Fresno area or you’re on your way to Sequoia National Park, it is well worth the detour for a great meal in a beautiful historic town.

For more info and reviews check them out on Yelp: http://www.yelp.com/biz/monets-exeter

Till Next Time,

Cheers,

Luke

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