This year I had no idea my children were planning something different for Mother's day. I even if I had suspected they were going to do something unusual I would have never guessed they would pitch in and send me and their father on a Sebastiani wine tasting tour. Of course, they did not breathe a word to me. My daughter only said they were going take me to lunch, nothing fancy so we could dress casual.

My son and daughter arrived just as the black limo pulled up to the curb. I was very surprised when they told me the limo was for us and was taking me and my husband on a Sebastiani wine tasting tour. The driver was carrying a dozen red roses and a bottle of Champaign. The roses, he handed the to me; the Champaign to my husband. I was so pleased by the gift I was nearly in tears.

The driver opened the door for us and we got in. My son and daughter waved to us as the limo pulled away. My husband the bottle and poured us each a glass. We sat back, relaxed, sipped Champaign, and chatting about the clever way our children had surprised us. Once we left the city it was only an hour until we were in Sebastiani wine country.

Our first stop was at a quaint restaurant specializing in the cuisine of the Tuscan countryside. The food was delicious, but the dessert was even better. After lunch we piled back into the limo and the driver took us to several Sebastiani wineries. They all were very good. By the time we had visited them all my husband and I had purchased several bottles of Sebastiani wine.

Our last stop was at a dusty little field. At first we thought the driver was lost, but he hopped out and said our tour included a balloon ride. We walked up the dirt road a little way before we saw the brightly colored hot air balloons. I had never ridden in a hot air balloon before and thought it might be scary, but it was really fun. The black limo looked more like a toy as we rose, but I felt very secure and the view was gorgeous.

After the balloon ride we climbed back into the limo took us back home. We agreed the Sebastiani wine tasting tour was a great Mother's Day gift and we were lucky to have such great kids.