It was a perfect October day. On Sunday, the day after the Rogue River game, Caydance and Griff were driving North to the wine country. Before she and Griff were a couple, journeys to the wine country were essential in Caydance’s October life. Then, beginning when Caydance met Griff, while he was Graduate Assistant Coach at Stanford, in September and October, there was Football.

The plan was to take 101 North; East to Gloria Ferrer Winery in Sonoma; then to Napa beginning with the Domaine Carneros chateau on vineyard-laden route 12; then across to the Silverado Trail, where they would begin with Cabernet Sauvignon at Stag’s Leap; and then drive north to Mumm Napa.

Driving his silver Porsche with Caydance beside him, Griff remembered sitting in the courtyard of the isolated Gloria Ferrer winery drinking champagne in the early stages of a relationship with a girlfriend. Otherwise, early memories of postgame drinking tours centered around Clancys and Oakland waterfront bars. That today centered on champagne was a compromise. In Griff's opinion, unless the seduction of women was involved, Raiders men did not drink wine if there was beer or whiskey available. arrow "It was been a while since the heavenly taste of Cabernet Saugivgnon at Stag's Leap," Caydance remarked putting her hand on Griff's thigh.