ST. HELENA, CALIF. -- The chocolate isn't cheap but for those seeking gourmet confections to match the superb quality of fine wines produced in one of the world's premier growing regions, Woodhouse Chocolate may become a mainstay for your chocolate desires. The family business of Tracy Wood Anderson and husband John Anderson resonates with an identical experience I had. As American teenagers in Europe they tasted their first fine chocolates and suddenly life would never be the same. The Andersons were forced to return periodically to Belgium, France, Italy, and in my case, Switzerland, to satisfy chocolate urges.

In the U.S. the chocolate business is growing and quality improving, but in my case I often have to travel the distance to obtain authentic white chocolate. I confess that I haven't tried the Woodhouse handmade white chocolate bar. It comes plain, or infused with coffee & cocoa nibs, nuts & fruits, confetti candy & puffed rice or Cinnamon Toast Crunch. As a purist, I'll be sticking to plain white. Another temptation worth a try is the healthy 90% cocoa dark chocolate.

And here's the clincher that sets Woodhouse Chocolate apart from others: To assure freshness, they do not ship packages to be in transit over a weekend except at certain holidays; no orders are shipped on Friday without special arrangement; and orders are shipped in such a way as to help regulate temperature and preserve freshness. When necessary, orders will ship with gel ice in warmer climates. If any of my family members read this, they are welcome to buy me some white chocolate. The website is woodhousechocolate.com