Despite the weather predictions, I committed myself to driving to Paso Robles the following day. With my winery list in hand and cooler in the back seat, I set out for another wine adventure in the Central Coast. By 10:00 am, the temperature gauge in my console indicated that the weather outside was over 80 degrees and the ice was completely melted. Due to the hot weather, few if any people visited the tasting rooms on the westside or Downtown. C'est la vie! So who was on the wine tasting list? Donati Family Vineyard, Lone Madrone, Vines on the Marycrest, Edward Sellers, Barrel 27 and Alta Colina. Whew! After this read, check out this previous post about my trip to Paso Robles in July.
Near the intersection of Vineyard Drive and Highway 46 West lies the Donati Family Vineyard tasting room. On the back of the tasting menu is a brief history of the winery and vineyard, which is located in Paicines - 27 miles inland of Monterey. In 2003, the Donati family produced their first vintage of wine, using grapes harvested from the Paicines Estate. So how did I find out about Donati Family Vineyard? Come on, do you really need to ask? Twitter! The tasting menu includes a wide selection of wine varietals and blends, including palate pleasing Bordeaux blends.Overall, Donati's selection of wines offers something appealing and cost effective to the palate of a diverse range of wine tasters. The 2005 Ezio and 2006 Sorelle Per Sempre appealed to my palate and unleashed a bouquet of fruity expressions and elegant texture.
Donati White Wines: 2008 Pinot Blanc ($20), 2007 Pinot Grigio ($20), 2006 Chardonnay ($20)
Donati Red Wines: 2005 Merlot ($25), 2006 Syrah ($25), 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($30), 2006 Claret ($22), 2005 Ezio ($50), 2007 Late Harvest Cabernet Franc ($20).
Paesano Only Wines: 2008 Pinot Grigio ($20), 2006 Sorelle Per Sempre ($22), 2006 Tal Padre ($37)
Donati Family Vineyard2720 Oak View Road, Templeton
(805) 238-0676
Open Daily, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tasting Fee: $5 for 4 wines or $10 for 8 wines. Tasting Fee is waived with wine purchase
Twitter: @DonatiFamily @Lily_DFV @MitchBakich
http://winespace.donatifamilyvineyard.com
What I purchased: 2006 Chardonnay ($20)
Recommendation: 2006 Sorelle Per Sempre ($22)
What sets this region apart is no matter where you go, you have to drive a distance from one winery to another, especially on the westside of Paso Robles. Fortunately for me, the next stop was only 3 minutes away, but the sun was beginning to bake the interior of my car. Note to self: save the money and buy a car with a fabric interior; not leather. Now for my next stop. You can easily spot the windmill and tower of Lone Madrone, but don't drive too fast, otherwise you may pass the entrance. You could be asking yourself, does someone live in the house at the entrance? Yes, and the property is on the market, including the tasting rooms, vineyard, garden, windmill and more.Lone Madrone has been making wines since 1996. The winery was a product of three individuals: Neil Collins, Jackie Meisinger and Tom Vaughan. Unfortunately, Tom passed away unexpectedly 2 years ago, but his legacy lives on through the winery and a special blend of Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah known as "Von Dog." Neil Collins has honed his winemaking skills at several prestigious wineries in Paso Robles, including Tablas Creek, where he has worked since 1998, Wild Horse Winery, and Adelaida Cellars, as well as Chateau de Beaucastel in the southern Rhône region of France.
In the tasting room, Denise and Joel were gracious hosts providing me with great information about each wine and the winery. Although the tasting list only includes a selection of five wines, the full production list offers 17 wines. That's quite a selection for a small production winery.Here are a few wines in the lineup to taste/buy:
2007 La Mezcla ($25) - Grenache Blanc/Albariño - abundance of green fruit aromas and flavors, including green apples, hint of lime on the palate, crisp acidity and light texture.
2003 Il Toyon Nebbiolo ($25) - the most memorable yet indescribable wine of the day. Pairs well with any Mediterranean dish, especially southern Italian dishes. Breathing and tasting the wine reminded me of some of the homemade Italian dish that I enjoyed in Italy two years ago. There is a slight bitter flavor (red grapefruit, perhaps?), but its balanced by other enticing notes.
2006 Bailey Ranch Zinfandel ($40) - juicy, candied flavors, youthful and vibrant expressions, silky texture, and well-balanced structure
2006 Old Hat ($45) - Zinfandel/Petite Sirah - full of complex, bold aromas and flavors, burst of red fruit and spice on the nose, pepper and fruity finish. I can only describe the "Old Hat" as a mature wine going through a midlife crisis.
Lone Madrone
2485 Highway 46 West, Paso Robles
(805) 238-0845
Open Daily, 10:30 am - 5:00 pm
Tasting Fee: $10 for 5 wines and glass.
Twitter: @lonemadrone
What I purchased: 2007 La Mezcla ($25)
Recommendations: 2006 Bailey Vineyard Zinfandel ($40), 2006 Old Hat ($45) and 2006 Stephen's Cellars Pinot Noir ($47)
Now it's getting really hot in Paso Robles. I am trekking from the southern end of westside Paso Robles to the northern end to visit a winery off of Nacimiento Lake Drive that came highly recommended by @DailyWine (Daily Wine Dispatch) and @HipsterEnology (Hipster Enology). As I turned off the road, the signs guided me to a dirt driveway leading to a small-sized warehouse behind a single story house and adjacent to a vineyard planted on a rolling hill. Vines on the Marycrest represents everything good about Paso Robles, Rhône/Bordeaux blends and a family dedicated to crafting truly amazing and ridiculously affordable wine. In 2004, Victor and Jenni Abascal rolled the dice, purchased a 26 acre property and set out to craft wines for regular folks like me to enjoy with friends and family over a great meal. As winemaker, Victor must tend to the vines and winery, but he still maintains a day job as a technical engineer in the entertainment business. Jenni has the tough job of managing the winery, family and property during the weekdays. From my perspective, it is evident that Victor and Jenni are dedicated to this dream and their family in Paso Robles.I was truly impressed by the richness, complexity, texture and balance of each of their selection of wines. I am hopeful that the next vintage will equal if not rival the current vintage. It is my sincere belief that great wines are crafted by winemakers dedicated to improving their craft and selling their wines directly to consumers, albeit in the tasting room or at a special tasting event in the markets they serve. I think Victor and Jenni have set out to make a mark in this growing region, while maintaining the family approach to producing and marketing their amazing selection of wines. I could talk more about their wines, but as I often say, visit the winery for yourself and decide what you like and why you like it. These wines are ready to drink and enjoy or keep them on hand for a special event with friends or family.
And now for Buck's (the well rested dog to the left) wine recommendations:2007 Summertime ($18) - Sold Out
70% Grenache/17% Syrah/13% Mourvedre
2006 Heart of Glass ($22)
72% Grenache/15% Mourvedre/13% Syrah
2006 'Round Midnight ($25)
44% Syrah/28% Mourvedre/28% Grenache
2006 Satin Doll ($30)
54% Cabernet Sauvignon/26% Syrah/20% Cabernet Franc
2006 My Generation ($25)
60% Zinfandel/20% Petite Sirah/11% Syrah/9% Mourvedre
Vines on the Marycrest
5050 Mustard Creek Road, Paso Robles
(805) 237-0378
Open Fri-Sun, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Twitter: @Vines_Marycrest
What I purchased: 2006 'Round Midnight ($25) and 2006 My Generation ($25)
Recommendations: The whole lot of wines listed above! I'm serious!
Three down, three more wineries to go. After a light lunch in Downtown Paso Robles, I met up with my favorite wine enthusiast and Twitter friend, @DailyWine, for a tasting and conversation. And it was great to finally meet her husband. We met at the Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines tasting room. Unfortunately, I was so engaged in conversation and enjoying Ed Sellers' wines that I neglected to take down any notes. For some great tasting notes and dispatches from the road, check out the website, Daily Wine Dispatch.If you ask most wineries for tasting room recommendations, you will likely be told to stop by Edward Sellers. That's a nice recommendation! Edward Sellers specializes in small lots of handmade American Rhône-style wines from Paso Robles. Sold! So what does Edward Sellers have to offer?
The Whites: 2007 Rousanne ($28), 2007 Viognier ($28), 2006 Blanc du Rhône ($29), 2007 Grenache Rosé ($14), 2008 Grenache Rosé ($16)
The Reds: 2006 Grenache ($25), 2006 Cognito ($26), 2006 Vertigo ($30), 2005 Le Thief ($30), 2005 Syrah Sélectionée ($32), 2005 Cuvée des Cinq ($38)
Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines
1220 Park Street, Paso Robles
(805) 239-8915
Open Daily, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tasting Fee: $5 for 6 wines
Twitter: @EdwardSellers
http://edwardsellerswines.blogspot.com
Now you have to be asking yourself, what time is it and can you handle another winery? Well, it's around 3pm, and yes because I taste, not drink. That's why there's a bucket on the tasting room bar. You don't have to drink wine to enjoy it. Again, I digress...No trip to Paso Robles is fulfilling without stopping by Barrel 27 Wine Company. So what did I come away with this time? The 2006 Head Honcho Syrah ($28). With names like "High on the Hog," "Rock and a Hard Place," "Bull by the Horns," and Head Over Heels," you might wonder how the hell did they come up with these names? After tasting these wines, you may yell out these, "damn! that blend is like grabbing a bull by the horns!" Yes? No? You know what, just go to Barrel 27, taste for yourself, yell it out, and ask for some special pourings from McPrice Myers and Herman Story. Damn that's good stuff! Also, check out my previous post on the Barrel 27 2006 Right Hand Man Syrah...yummy!
Barrel 27 Wine Company
2323 Tuley Road, Suite 110, Paso Robles
(805) 237-1245
Open Thur-Mon, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tasting Fee: $5 for 8 wines
Twitter: @Barrel27Wines
Facebook: Barrel 27 Wine Company
What I purchased: 2006 Head Honcho Syrah ($28)
Alas, we are almost done with my trip to Paso Robles. There is one final stop. So what kind of a response do you get when you post this on Twitter: "anyone open after 5pm?" To my surprise, Bob Tillman, aka @ACBob, responded and encouraged me to stop by his Alta Colina tasting room on Adelaida Road. It was great hanging out with Bob, Lynn and Maggie. It's worth the visit to the tasting room before or after you drive through the westside to other wineries. What would be even better is giving Bob or Maggie a call before your next visit to arrange a tour of the vineyard. I hear that's some experience! Thanks for being gracious hosts and keep that great wine coming! Here's their selection of wines. Harvest is underway at the vineyard too so start following them on Twitter for great updates straight from the vineyard.
2008 Claudia Cuvée ($28) - 58% Marsanne, 21% Roussanne, 21% Grenache Blanc; 2007 GSM ($40) - 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre; 2007 Syrah ($40); 2007 Old 900 Syrah ($48); and 2007 Petite Sirah ($48)
Alta Colina
2725 Adelaida Road, Paso Robles (at Villicana Winery)
Open Thur-Sun, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Twitter: @AltaColina
What I purchased: 2007 Syrah ($40)
Finally when you drive west on Nacimiento Lake Drive, the following signs screams out for attention. It's not all about wine in Paso Robles. So does that mean these betrayed conservative locals could vote for a Democrat? Nah, probably not...
2 comments:
Great blog and you've been a huge help in planning our upcoming trip to Paso!
Thanks! Appreciate those kind comments. Have a great trip!
Post a Comment