One of my favorite things to do is make mix cds. It started when I was young, before technology got to where it is now, and instead of listening to the radio, I made hundreds of mix-tapes with the idea that I could randomly pick a tape and have my own radio station. Over the years, I've honed this craft and have made several mix-cds that I'm quite proud of. My most recent mix is a compilation I made for a recent wine-tasting trip in California's Santa Ynez Valley. For the most part, it's a mellow-happy mix that's perfect for a relaxed drive through sunny, beautiful wine country. Then by the end, it drifts into a little darker territory, as you're "drunk and wearing flip-flops on fifth avenue." It's complete with driving songs ("Lonesome Road," "Daytripper"), getting out songs ("One Horse Town"), sunny songs ("Here Comes the Sun," "The Sun Shines Down On Me"), mellow folky out-in-nature songs ("Wildflowers," "Love and Some Verses," "Northern Sky," "The Wind"), happy fun songs ("I'm Glad I Hitched My Apple Wagon...," "For the Price of a Cup of Tea"), mellow transitionals ("It's Real," "Alanson, Crooked River"), and of course, drinking songs ("Between the Bars," "Lilic Wine," "The Piano Has Been Drinking (Not Me)"). And that's not even mentioning the numerous wine references throughout, as in Norah Jones' "heart is drenched in wine" in "Don't Know Why," or The Decemberists "California One" that just about sums up everything. Here's the mix. And next time you find yourself buzzing through beautiful wine-country, getting gradually drunk, try it on for a listen.California Wine:1. Lonesome Road (Madeleine Peyroux)2. Wildflowers (Tom Petty)3. Love and Some Verses (Iron & Wine)4. It's Real (John Lennon)5. The Wind (Cat Stevens)6. One Horse Town (The Thrills)7. I'm Glad I Hitched My Apple Wagon To Your Star (The Boy Least Likely To)8. Here Comes The Sun (The Beatles)9. Northern Sky (Nick Drake)10. Between the Bars (Elliott Smith) 11. Living Life (Eels)12. Daytripper (The Beatles)13. For the Price of a Cup of Tea (Belle & Sebastian)14. Fly (Nick Drake)15. Communion Cups and Someone's Coat (Iron & Wine)16. Don't Know Why (Norah Jones)17. The Sun Shines Down On Me (Guster)18. Alanson, Crooked River (Sufjan Stevens)19. California One/Youth and Beauty Brigade (The Decemberists)20. Lilac Wine (Jeff Buckley)21. The Piano Has Been Drinking (Not Me) (Tom Waits)22. Poses (Rufus Wainwright)23. Happy (Reprise) (Jenny Lewis & The Watson Twins)