We suspected that we were rushing the season, but when Kath and I drove by Papini Farms in Brentwood last weekend, and saw the apricots hanging from the trees, we knew that we had to check it out. After a quick tally of our mutual dough (all the U-Pick joints seem to be cash-only), we grabbed a bucket and came away with a couple of pounds of golden aps, as well as some Bing cherries. The first-of-the-season apricots are ripening nicely on our kitchen island, and the cherries barely lasted until the first commercial break during “Property Virgins.” (BTW: Don’t you hate when some first-time homebuyer thinks he’s being smart by proposing an insultingly lowball offer? Hey, mofo, hope you like that stainless steel fridge you’re eying, ‘cause the box it came in is where you and “babe” are going to be living.)

The great apricot adventure intrigued Kathy to try a funky tasting. We’ve posted before about Cline’s Oakley fiveREDS blend from local old vines. But, surprisingly, Cline bottles an Oakley fourWHITES, the 2008 comprising Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Malvasia Bianca and old-vine (70 years) Palomino. I never thought of our ‘hood as white wine acreage, but, apparently, we got some. In the glass, it’s all pale hay and straw colored, with the nose reminiscent of tropical fruit: pineapple and, yes, apricot! It has a decent balance of plumpness in the mouth and acidity on a medium finish, with a very slight metallic edge.