Central Coast Uncorked

Exploring Santa Barbara's Urban Wine Trail

2012-01-16T14:34:00.000-08:00

While the allure of Santa Barbara County Wine Country brings in thousands of visitors annually to the famous towns and appellations of this iconic wine destination, people are quickly discovering the fifteen wineries that line the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail from the scenic coastline to Downtown's Historic Arts District.

Located 90 miles north of Los Angeles, Downtown Santa Barbara is easily becoming a premier wine destination for novice and experienced wine drinkers looking for quality and award winning wines from Santa Barbara County. The Urban Wine Trail's convenient location allows wine tasters to park their cars and walk to many of the tasting rooms that line Anacapa Street just a block or two from Cabrillo Boulevard and Stearns Wharf.

The Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail also features one of the most acclaimed Rhône varietal wine producers in California - Jaffurs Wine Cellars. Jaffurs sources Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Viognier, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne from renowned Santa Barbara County vineyards such as Bien Nacido, Thompson, Ampelos and Verna's. The winemaking team of Craig Jaffurs, Dave Yates and Matt Brady produce stunning wines that represent the finest qualities of Rhône varietals and the terroir of each vineyard.

If you want to stick to the itinerary and enjoy as many tasting rooms as possible, grab a sandwich to go from Panino in Montecito (1014 Coast Village Road, 805-565-0137) or Downtown Santa Barbara (834 Santa Barbara Street, 805-963-3700). After a day of tasting, there are plenty of fine dining options throughout town with exemplary wine lists. Likewise, Santa Barbara has a hotel for every budget and accommodation.

WINERIES

Au Bon Climat, 813 Anacapa St., (805) 966-9463. Open daily 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Carr Vineyards & Winery, 414 N. Salsipuedes St., (805) 965-7985. Open daily 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. & Thursday-Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Cottonwood Canyon, 224 Anacapa St., Suite 1A, (805) 963-1221. Open Fall/Winter: Thursday-Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. & Spring/Summer: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Conway Family Wines, 217 Stearns Wharf, (805) 618-1185. Open daily 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Jaffurs Wine Cellars, 819 E. Montecito St., (805) 962-7003. Open Friday-Monday, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Kalyra Winery, 212 State St., (805) 965-8606. Open daily 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Kunin Wines, 28 Anacapa St., (805) 963-9633. Open daily 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Margerum Wine Company, 813 Anacapa St., (805) 966-9463. Open daily 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Municipal Winemakers, 22 Anacapa St., (805) 931-6864. Open daily 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (till 11:00 p.m., Thursday-Saturday)

Oreana Winery, 205 Anacapa St., (805) 962-5857. Open Monday-Thursday 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Friday-Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Sanguis, 8 Ashley Ave., (805) 845-0920. Open by appointment only

Santa Barbara Winery, 202 Anacapa St., (805) 963-3633. Open daily 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Silver Wines, 724 Reddick St., (805) 963-3052. Open by appointment only

Summerland Winery, 2330 Lillie Ave., (805) 565-9463. Open daily 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Whitcraft Winery, 36 A South Calle Cesar Chavez, (805) 730-1680. Open Friday-Monday 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Recapping 2011 in the Central Coast (and beyond)

2011-11-22T07:50:00.001-08:00

In the year 2011, Central Coast Uncorked was busy nursing a barrel of 2010 Syrah, bottling the 2010 Tempranillo Rosé, and working as a harvest assistant for the third vintage at Vines on the Marycrest in Paso Robles. On many weekends, I was venturing north to visit wineries in Los Olivos, the Lompoc Wine Ghetto, Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, Edna Valley and Westside Paso Robles or attending great wine tastings hosted by Hospice du Rhône, Rhône Rangers, and Family Winemakers of California, as well as participating as a guest judge in the Central Coast Wine Competition. More importantly, I was enjoying plenty of wines from Paso Robles, Santa Barbara County and the Edna Valley throughout the year.

This year, I opted to source Viognier from the Alta Colina Vineyard in Paso Robles for my first white Rhône wine bottling. Although this is becoming a challenging lesson in producing a white wine, I'm sure the end product will meet or exceed my expectations given the source of my fruit and the expertise I am receiving from my winemaker friends along the way. I am hoping to bottle my stainless steel-aged Viognier in early spring 2012.

Central Coast Uncorked also took a week long vacation up north to visit wineries in the Napa Valley, Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley and Dry Creek Valley. One week wasn't long enough to enjoy everything Napa and Sonoma Counties have to offer, but what I experienced was enough to motivate me to plan another trip in early 2012. Three words: Dry Creek Valley. You must visit this wine region between Healdsburg and Geyserville in northern Sonoma County. They are producing some amazing Rhône varietal wines.

Napa/Sonoma Recommendations: Chappellet Winery (Napa Valley/Pritchard Hill), Melka Wines (Napa Valley), Benovia Winery (Russian River Valley), Inman Family Wines (Russian River Valley), Davis Family Vineyards (Sonoma County), Unti Vineyards (Dry Creek Valley), and Preston Vineyards (Dry Creek Valley).

Here's a selection of wines that I opened in 2011. I am looking forward to enjoying some phenomenal wines from my cellar in 2012. Cheers!

✔ = Top Pick
$ = Good Value
________________________________________________________________________________

Vines on the Marycrest 2006 Heart of Glass, Paso Robles (72% Grenache/15% Mourvèdre/13% Syrah) ✔

Piedrasassi 2005 California Syrah

Daou Vineyards 2008 Petite Sirah, Paso Robles ✔

Alta Colina 2009 12 O'clock High, Paso Robles (69% Viognier/18% Roussanne, 6% Grenache Blanc) ✔

Chamisal Vineyards 2009 Stainless Chardonnay, Central Coast $

Palmina 2008 Barbera, Santa Barbara County

Kenneth-Crawford 2006 "Four Play" Syrah, Santa Barbara County

Herman Story Wines 2008 On the Road Grenache, California ✔

Wolff Vineyards 2008 Chardonnay "Old Vines," Edna Valley

Chamisal Vineyards 2008 Estate Pinot Noir, Edna Valley

Vines on the Marycrest 2006 Round Midnight, Paso Robles (44% Syrah, 28% Mourvèdre/28% Grenache)

Claiborne & Churchill 2009 Chardonnay, Edna Valley

Ecluse Wines 2008 Zinfandel, Lock Vineyard, Paso Robles

Adelaida Cellars 2008 Version (White), Paso Robles

Costa de Oro 2009 Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County

Anglim Winery 2007 Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Barbara County

Thacher Winery 2008 Controlled Chaos, Paso Robles (42% Mourvèdre/35% Zinfandel/23% Grenache)

Tablas Creek 2010 Patelin de Tablas Blanc, Paso Robles (50% Grenache Blanc/33% Viognier/10% Roussanne/7% Marsanne) ✔$

Jalama Wines 2007 Syrah, Paradise Road Vineyard, Santa Barbara County

Chamisal Vineyards 2008 Estate Chardonnay, Edna Valley $

Jaffurs Wine Cellars 2008 Grenache Blanc, Thompson Vineyard, Santa Barbara County

Fog Crest Vineyard 2007 Estate Chardonnay, Russian River Valley ✔

Claiborne & Churchill 2008 Twin Creeks Pinot Noir, Edna Valley

Kenneth-Crawford 2005 Syrah, Purisima Mountain Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley ✔

Villa Creek 2009 White, Paso Robles (55% Grenache Blanc/35% Roussanne/10% Picpoul Blanc) $

Alta Colina 2008 Keystone Estate Syrah, Paso Robles ✔

Vines on the Marycrest 2010 Roussanne, Paso Robles

Margerum 2007 M5, Santa Barbara County (48% Syrah/31% Grenache/10% Mourvèdre/2% Counoise/2% Cinsault)

Jaffurs Wine Cellars 2008 Grenache, Santa Barbara County

Cold Heaven Cellars 2009 Nevertell Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills

Dragonette Cellars 2009 Grenache, Santa Barbara County ✔

Ojai Vineyard, 2006 Syrah, Santa Barbara County

Liquid Farm 2009 Golden Slope Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills ✔

Booker 2008 White, Paso Robles (60% Roussanne/40% Viognier)

Dragonette Cellars 2009 Seven, Central Coast (94% Syrah/4% Grenache/2% Mourvèdre) ✔

Andrew Murray Vineyards 2008 Espérance, Central Coast (60% Grenache/25% Syrah/15% Mourvèdre ✔

Andrew Murray Vineyards 2007 Tous les Jours Syrah, Central Coast ✔$

Tablas Creek 2010 Patelin de Tablas, Paso Robles (39% Syrah/36% Grenache/22% Mourvèdre/3% Counoise) ✔$

Jalama Wines 2010 Clementina, La Presa, Santa Ynez Valley

Tatomer 2008 Kick-on Ranch Riesling, Santa Barbara County ✔

New Vineland 2008 Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County

Jaffurs Wine Cellars 2010 Syrah, Santa Barbara County

Tercero Wines 2008 Mourvèdre, Camp 4 Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley ✔

Alta Colina 2010 Rosé, Paso Robles (50% Grenache/50% Syrah)

Samsara 2008 Pinot Noir, Ampelos Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills ✔

Tercero Wines 2007 Cuvee Christie, Santa Ynez Valley (64% Syrah, 18% Grenache, 18% Mourvèdre)

Ken Brown Wines 2004 Syrah, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley

Blair Fox Cellars 2010 Foxy Bubbles (100% Grenache, Sparkling Rosé), Fox Family Vineyard, Santa Barbara County ✔

Dragonette Cellars 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley ✔

Anglim Winery 2006 Cabernet Franc, Paso Del Sol Vineyard, Paso Robles

Chappellet 2009 Mountain Cuvee, Napa Valley (56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petite Verdot, 2% Malbec)

Cold Heaven Cellars 2009 Viognier, Le Bon Climat Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley

Lea 2010 Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills

Oso Libre 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles

"Balls-to-the-Wall Wine" Flows at Herman Story Wines

2011-11-16T21:57:00.001-08:00

Hedonistic. Voluptuous. Masculine. Age worthy. These are words most often used to describe winemaker Russell P. From, but they also best describe the opulent and robust Rhône varietal wines bottled under his Herman Story wine label. Have you ever met Russell? Doesn't he look like Grizzly Adams? Come on, maybe just a little?

Earlier this year, From opened a new tasting room in a commercial area on the eastside of the 101 Freeway only a few blocks from Downtown Paso Robles. Prior to opening the tasting room, his wines were available at various wine shops, restaurants and the Barrel 27 Wine Co. tasting room in Paso Robles. One of the great things about the Herman Story tasting room is its location. You can get your car repaired, pick up building materials for a new shed and taste Rhône varietal wines from one of the region's notable winemakers - all on one block! Russell may even through in an oil change or tire rotation with a case purchase.

Right now you are probably wondering who in the world is Herman Story? If you look at the blown up photos in the tasting room and winery, you get the sense that Russell's grandfather was a renaissance man from an era were tales and figures loomed large as did the man himself. As Russell describes him, "Herman Story was a rancher, logger, swapper, banker, philanthropist, a teller of tales, and my grandfather."

Herman Story

Herman Story Wines sources grapes from vineyards in Santa Barbara County, Arroyo Grande and Paso Robles, such as the Larner Vineyard, White Hawk Vineyard, Luna Matta Vineyard, Santa Barbara Highlands and Laetitia Vineyard. Over the years, Herman Story Wines has received wide acclaim for its wines, which often sell out before the scores are released. For several years, I have been collecting the Nuts & Bolts Syrah. It'll knock your socks off and I can't wait to pour a vertical of the '06-'08 vintage in the near future. So make it a point to drop into the tasting room on your next trip to Paso Robles Wine Country.

Wine Selections
-- Larner Vineyard Grenache
-- On the Road Grenache
-- Larner Vineyard Syrah
-- White Hawk Vineyard Syrah
-- Nuts & Bolts Syrah
-- 239 Days Syrah
-- Casual Encounters Red Rhône-style blend
-- Tomboy White Wine

Herman Story Wines
1227 Paso Robles Street, Paso Robles
(805) 237-2400
Open Thursday-Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Email: thirsty@hermanstorywines.com
Facebook: Herman Story Wines

Herman Story Wines Tasting Room & Winery

Old Glory looms large over the Herman Story Tasting Room

"Winemakers to Watch" Open Tasting Room in Los Olivos

2011-10-24T20:20:00.000-07:00

This summer, Downtown Los Olivos welcomed one of its newest tasting room featuring three emerging wine labels from two notable winemakers in Santa Barbara County. Alta Maria Vineyards, Native9 and Autonom Wines produce a selection of superbly crafted wines under each label from the flagship Pinot Noir to Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Rhône varietal blends.

James Ontiveros and Paul Wilkins honed their skills at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo as classmates, as well as in the vineyard and winery over many years working to produce some awarding winning wines from the Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley. As if that day job wasn't enough, Ontiveros maintains Rancho Ontiveros Vineyard and serves as Director of Sales and Marketing for Bien Nacido Vineyards. Paul Wilkins served as assistant winemaker for Alban Vineyards for eight years before forming a partnership with Ontiveros on Native9, Alta Maria and Autonom. It should be no surprise that the San Francisco Chronicle hailed the duo as "Winemakers to Watch in 2011."

The Alta Maria Vineyards tasting room is located along Grand Avenue in the heart of Downtown Los Olivos. The location may be familiar to those that frequent Los Olivos because it once housed Consilience Wines, which has since moved in with its sister label, Tre Anelli.

Alta Maria Vineyards

2933 Grand Avenue, Suite A, Los Olivos

Phone: (805) 686-1144

Open Daily 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Tasting Fee: $10-$15

Twitter: @AltaMariaWine

Facebook: Alta Maria Vineyards, Autonom Wines, Native9 Wines

Alta Maria Vineyards

Native9Wines

Autonom Wines

Garagiste Festival Shines Spotlight on Artisan Winemakers

2011-10-12T10:51:00.000-07:00

What is a "Garagiste?" It is a term originally used in the Bordeaux region of France to denigrate the renegade small-lot winemakers, who often work from their garages and refused to follow the rules. While the French may frown upon the "garagistes," a group of dedicated wine enthusiasts and artisan winemakers are resurrecting the term to describe the growing number of small-lot producers from California's famed wine producing regions. Make no mistake: these wineries are producing some of the finest wines you may never have heard of. But now is your chance to savor the Garagiste wines of California's Central Coast.

The Garagiste Festival will bring together 40 wineries from Paso Robles and Santa Barbara County for this inaugural event at Windfall Farms, located in the rolling hillsides of Eastside Paso Robles.

The Garagiste Festival will also feature two informative seminars with several of the most renowned winemakers in California's Central Coast - Justin Smith (Saxum), Neil Collins (Tablas Creek and Lone Madrone), and Terry Culton (Adelaida Cellars).

DETAILS

The Garagiste Festival
November 12, 2011
Windfall Farms, Paso Robles

"Paso Rocks the World" Seminar: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
"The Ultimate Barrel Tasting-Oak Flavors Tasted & Explained Seminar: 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Consumer Tasting: 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Winemaker After Party: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Tickets are now available for the Festival by clicking here. Tickets for the Consumer Tasting cost $55. The All-Access Pass costs $100 and includes admission to the 2 seminars, consumer tasting and winemaker after party.

Want to find out more about what is a "Garagiste" and the venue for this year's inaugural Garagiste Festival? Check out the videos below!

Rhône Fever Hits Los Angeles

2011-07-23T15:36:00.000-07:00

Rhône fever is hitting Los Angeles on Saturday, August 7th when the Rhône Rangers roll into town. There's no better way to quench your summer thirst than with the finest Rhône wines at the Rhône Rangers Los Angeles Tasting at Pier 59 Studios West in Santa Monica.

This widely attended event will feature over 40 wineries pouring single-varietal and Rhône blend wines from renowned wine producing regions in California, including Paso Robles and Santa Barbara County.

Last year's tasting featured a tantalizing collection of wines from a great group of Central Coast wineries including Tercero Wines, Vines on the Marycrest, Écluse Wines, Anglim Winery, Tablas Creek, Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines, Cass Winery and many others. This year's event will feature new members of the Rhône Rangers, who are sure to score big with Rhône enthusiasts in Los Angeles.

Participating wineries include: Adelaida, Alta Colina, Andrew Murray, Anglim, Bonny Doon, Calcareous, Caliza, Clavo, Conway Family Wines, Cornerstone Cellars, Curtis Winery, Cypher, Derby Wine Estates, Donelan, Eberle, Ecluse, Edward Sellers, Epiphany, Fess Parker, Frick, Halter Ranch, Holly's Hills, J. Lohr, Jada, JK Wine Co-Katin & Arada, Kaleidos, Maison Bleue, Michael-David, Nine Wine Estates, Ortman Family Vineyards, Pomar Junction, Qupe, Stolpman, Tablas Creek, Tercero, Treana, Venteux Vineyards, Vina Robles, Waterbrook, Wind Gap, Zaca Mesa.

So, enjoy a little of Hollywood and savor California's Central Coast at the Rhône Rangers Los Angeles Tasting on August 7, 2011 at Pier 59 Studios West.

Rhône Rangers Los Angeles Tasting
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Pier 59 Studios West, 2415 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. General Admission, $45
12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. VIP Admission, $75

Going for Gold at the Central Coast Wine Competition

2011-06-21T23:16:00.000-07:00

Let the judging begin! Over a dozen judges from the wine industry assembled inside the Paso Robles Event Center on June 16th to swirl, smell, sip and spit nearly 600 wines in 37 divisions and classes from boutique wineries and major wine producers within the Central Coast AVA, including Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. The Central Coast Wine Competition is the largest wine evaluation event that recognizes wines produced exclusively from the wine producing regions of California's Central Coast. Few get the opportunity to judge the dozens of regional, statewide, national and international wine competitions that take place annually. So it was with great surprise that I received an email a couple months ago from Chief Judge Bob Foster inviting me to participate in the Central Coast Wine Competition as a guest judge.

Wine competitions enable wineries to submit their wines to a reputable competition where a panel judges score the wines blindly and award various medals (i.e. Sweepstakes Winner, Best of Class, Gold, Silver and Bronze). Wineries pin their hopes of winning gold on the palates of a small panel of judges. On the upside, wineries can benefit from the marketing potential of winning a Gold Medal or Best of Class for their wines from a notable wine competition. These wines are marketed to consumers as "award winning wines" through various marketing materials, tasting notes and social media. On the downside, a winery may submit all of their wines and receive no medals. Yet, small wineries have an incentive to submit their wines in the competition in order to create buzz among consumers and critics if their wines are selected as premier wines in their class.

At the Central Coast Wine Competition, judges were divided into five panels of 3-4 panelists plus a guest judge. Our panel featured three judges with years of experience judging many prestigious wine competitions. The panel was responsible for judging 120 wines in the following wine classes: Zinfandel, Syrah Based Blends, Grenache Based Blends, Sangiovese Based Blends, Pink, Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio, No Oak Chardonnay, Vioginer and Gewurztraminer. Each wine was identified by an entry number to reference on the final judging sheet. Before the judges started with their flight, one judge on our panel swirled and smelled each pour to determine if any wines were corked and required a re-pour. Our panel encountered one or more corked/flawed wines in almost each flight.

When the judging commenced, each judge completed their flight at a moderate pace with few revisits unless there was a disagreement within the panel about whether a particular wine exhibited certain qualities so as to shift one judge's individual award to the consensus position among the other members of the panel. When the judges are finished judging each wine, they will call out the wine number to tally the votes. Judges offered votes ranging from gold to no medal. So let's say one judge awarded a wine with a bronze medal, while the other two awarded the wine with silver medals. The group would award the wine a silver medal.

When all three judges awarded different medals (i.e. gold, silver and bronze), the group would revisit the wine to determine if a judge would score the wine higher for the purposes of coming to consensus on a single medal. The judges would tradeoff on medals based on another judge's inclination to move from Bronze+ to Silver or Silver+ to Gold. Ultimately, the panel of judges focused not only on a criteria based on the positive varietal characteristics, but also on the interests of the consumer. While the judges were tallying their scores, I was keeping my own tally and comments on each wine to compare notes with each judge. Even though my recommendations did not factor into the group award, I found myself disagreeing with the individual and group awards in every class. In some cases, however, one judge would award one wine a gold medal while another would award the same wine no medal. This is the best example of how our individual palates and personal preferences play into the competition. When all is said and done, three to four judges decide which wines make the cut for the prestigious medals from the Central Coast Wine Competition - but they judge these wines blindly as opposed to other critical reviews. Still, judges can be influenced by one another based on their feedback during the flight tally.

On the day after the competition, wineries were invited to attend the Industry Tasting at the Paso Robles Event Center to find out who won gold and to taste the broad selection of wines that were entered into the competition. The wines were divided into their classes on rows of tables, while all the gold medal winners were assembled on a separate table. With my list in hand, I tasted a few of the wines in the classes that our group was responsible for judging. In some instances, it was surprising to see what was or wasn't awarded a medal simply by label. It is quite remarkable how much of a difference it makes when you taste blind and have few if any details about the wine other than an entry number, vintage, varietal and blend. It would be far more interesting if some of the most notable wineries in the region entered their wines into these competitions or if someone threw in a few ringers. Would the judges award these 90+ point wines gold medals?

One final note: After perusing through recent scores for two wine competitions from this past week, it was intriguing to see that one particular wine received a gold medal in the San Francisco International Wine Competition and no medal in the Central Coast Wine Competition. What was so different about this wine for the panel of judges in each competition? It just goes to show that even the most refined palates can be the most discriminate. To find out the how your favorite wineries performed, go to the Central Coast Wine Competition for the full results.

So what do you think?

Do wine competitions provide any meaningful benefit to wineries in marketing their wines to consumers?
Although these competitions are judged blindly by a diverse panel of judges, how are the judges influenced by factors other than the label when awarding medals?
Is there more prestige or merit to judging a competition blindly versus a critical review from Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, The Wine Advocate or International Wine Cellars?
What factors contribute to two panels of judges in two separate competitions awarding no medal and a gold medal for the same wine?

I would like to thank Chief Judge, Bob Foster, Robin Nagele and all the other organizers and volunteers for giving me a unique opportunity to experience and participate in the Central Coast Wine Competition 2011. I would also like to thank my panel of judges - Robert Whitley, William Bloxsom-Carter and Ann Littlefield - for their insight and commentary on judging a wine competition. Check out some clips of the judging from this year's competition in the video below.

Rolling Out the Barrels in the Happiest Place in the USA

2011-06-04T09:16:00.000-07:00

I would like to think that any Wine Country destination is the "Happiest Place in the USA," but the good folks at USA Today and The Oprah Winfrey Show proclaimed the quaint Central Coast town of San Luis Obispo to be the number one place to visit and live in the nation. Who am I to disagree?!

From June 23-26, 2011, the San Luis Obispo Vintners Association will host the 21st Annual Roll Out the Barrels Weekend in SLO Wine Country, which is comprised of three viticultural areas: the Edna Valley, Arroyo Grande Valley and the Avila Valley. There are approximately two dozen wineries in the region that hand-craft bottlings of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, Zinfandel and other varietals. These wineries will swing their doors open and roll out the barrels for a weekend of wine, food and friends.

There is a unbridled charm associated with this historic and growing wine enclave in the Central Coast. From the shoreline of the Pacific Ocean to the Edna Valley, there are countless award-winning wineries, restaurants and activities that feed the indulgence to "Savor the SLO Life."

However you plan your itinerary for the 21st Annual Roll Out the Barrels Weekend, be sure to visit these wineries from the recent article at Central Coast Uncorked, Savoring the SLO Life in the Edna Valley. Enjoy the weekend in San Luis Obispo! Cheers!

21st Annual Roll Out the Barrels Weekend
June 23-26, 2011
SLO Wine Country (Map)

June 23 - Barrels in the Plaza ($30)
June 24 - Friday Night Dinners and Social Events
June 25-26 - Saturday and Sunday Passport to SLO Wine Country

The San Luis Obispo Vintners Association produced this video to highlight the festivities at the upcoming Roll Out the Barrels Weekend in SLO Wine Country.

Exploring the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail

2011-05-30T21:47:00.000-07:00

The Foxen Canyon Wine Trail features over a dozen wineries along a scenic and winding roadway stretching from Los Olivos to Santa Maria. Along the Trail, Santa Barbara County wine enthusiasts can enjoy a diverse selection of award-winning Rhône, Bordeaux and Burgundy varietal wines from cool and warm climate vineyards.

From the south, the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail winds through oak-studded hillsides and canyons before emerging in the Santa Maria Valley and the sweeping vistas of the Santa Maria Bench, which includes some of the largest vineyards in Santa Barbara County, as well as the sprawling agricultural fields that produce a range of fruits and vegetables. In the south, daily temperatures can range from the upper 90s during peak summer months to the low 50s in the evening. In the north, daily temperatures can average 64 degrees due to the onshore flow that sweeps in from the Pacific Ocean eastward into the Santa Maria Valley.

The Foxen Canyon Wine Trail is divided between the Santa Maria Valley AVA and the Santa Ynez Valley AVA and features many prominent vineyards, including Rodney's Vineyard, Demetria Estate Vineyard, Tinaquaic Vineyard, Riverbench Vineyards, Dierberg Vineyard, Bien Nacido Vineyards, Julia's Vineyard and Colson Canyon Vineyard, among others.

From an area once dotted by historic land grants, the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail has evolved into a renowned wine producing region between the bucolic town of Los Olivos and the tract home developments and shopping centers in Santa Maria. Visitors will be treated to some exceptional Rhône and Burgundy varietal wines at several wineries along the wine trail, including Andrew Murray, Demetria, Foxen, Riverbench Kenneth Volk and Costa de Oro, as well as contrasting climates and vistas at the northern and southern end of the wine trail.

Since there are no restaurants or markets along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, you should consider putting together a delectable spread for a picnic in the vineyard, especially if you want to maximize your tour of Los Olivos and the Santa Maria Valley. There are a few places in Los Olivos where you can pick up a sandwich and other sides before hitting the wine trail, including Panino and Los Olivos Grocery.

Visitors to Santa Barbara County should dedicate a day of wine tasting along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail. The wine region is accessible from the north in Santa Maria on E. Betteravia Road and the 101 Freeway and the south from either Highway 154 and Zaca Station Road or Highway 154 and Foxen Canyon Road, closer to the town of Los Olivos.

The Last Word: Remember to "Share the Road" with bicyclists, tractors and wildlife on the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail and taste responsibly!

FOXEN CANYON WINE TRAIL

Firestone Vineyard
5000 Zaca Station Road, Los Olivos (805) 688-3940
Open daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tasting Fee: $10
Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Riesling

Curtis Winery
5249 Foxen Canyon Road, Los Olivos (805) 686-8999
Open daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tasting Fee: $10
Wines: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Viognier, Roussanne, Rhône blends

Andrew Murray Vineyards
5095 Zaca Station Road, Los Olivos (entrance to Firestone Vineyard) (805) 686-9604
Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wines: Syrah, Grenache, Rhône blends

Koehler Winery
5360 Foxen Canyon Road, Los Olivos (805) 693-8384
Open daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tasting Fee: $10
Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Rhône blends

Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard
6200 Foxen Canyon Road, Los Olivos (805) 688-1545
Open daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tasting Fee: $10
Wines: Syrah, Pinot Noir, Viognier, Chardonnay, Riesling

Demetria Estate
6701 Foxen Canyon Road, Los Olivos (805) 686-2345
Tasting by appointment only
Wines: Syrah, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Rhône blends

Zaca Mesa Winery & Vineyards
6905 Foxen Canyon Road, Los Olivos (805) 688-9339
Open daily 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tasting Fee: $10
Wines: Syrah, Chardonnay, Viognier, Roussanne, Rhône blends

Tres Hermanas Winery & Vineyard
9660 Foxen Canyon Road, Santa Maria (805) 937-8451
Open daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tasting Fee: $10
Wines: Bordeaux and Rhône varietal wines and blends

Foxen Winery
7600 Foxen Canyon Road (new winery), Santa Maria (805) 937-4251
7200 Foxen Canyon Road (the shack), Santa Maria (805) 937-4251
Open daily 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tasting Fee: $10-$12
Wines: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Bordeaux and Italian varietal wines

Rancho Sisquoc Winery
6600 Foxen Canyon Road, Santa Maria (805) 934-4332
Mon-Thurs, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Fri-Sun, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tasting Fee: $8
Wines: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Bordeaux varietal wines

Riverbench Vineyard & Winery
6020 Foxen Canyon Road, Santa Maria (805) 937-8340
Open daily 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tasting Fee: $10
Wines: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Kenneth Volk Vineyards
5230 Tepusquet Road, Santa Maria (805) 938-7896
Open daily 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Wines: Burgundy, Bordeaux and Rhône varietal wines and "Heirloom" wines

Cambria Winery
5475 Chardonnay Lane, Santa Maria (805) 938-7318
Open daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Wines: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Viognier, Syrah

Cottonwood Canyon Vineyard & Winery
3940 Dominion Road, Santa Maria (805) 937-8418
Open daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Wines: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Bordeaux blends

Costa de Oro Winery
1331 S. Nicholson Avenue, Santa Maria (805) 922-1468
Open daily 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tasting Fee: $7-$10
Wines: Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Foxen Canyon Wine Trail Association
Santa Maria Valley Wine Country Association
Santa Barbara County Vintners' Association

Foxen Canyon Wine Trail

Santa Maria Valley

Overlooking Zaca Station Road

In the Rhône at Hospice du Rhône 2011

2011-05-08T09:03:00.000-07:00

Could you ask for any more perfect wine weather?! From April 28-30, Rhône fans from distances close and far converged on the Paso Robles Event Center to participate in the "world's largest international celebration of Rhone variety wines" - Hospice du Rhône. For three days, hundreds of Rhône wine enthusiasts experienced a variety of seminars, tastings and offline events inspired by Rhône varietal wines produced by the world's most renowned wineries and winemakers.

Every year, people from across the world embark on a pilgrimage to various sites of religious importance. The same can be said about Hospice du Rhône for those people who are inspired by the twenty-two Rhône varieties. It should be no surprise then that Hospice du Rhône is one of the most iconic wine tasting events in the world.

In 2011, Hospice du Rhône featured an à la carte offering of wine seminars with highly acclaimed winemakers, as well as the Friday Soiree. The Friday Rhône Rendezvous Tasting and Saturday Grand Tasting provided the backdrop for these world-class wine producers to share new and old vintages of their award-winning wines. HdR also released a helpful app to add tasting notes and share tweets during the seminars and tastings.

I was fortunate enough this year to participate in the Saturday Grand Tasting. For three hours, hundreds of Rhônely Hearts tipped their glasses for a pour of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Viognier, Roussanne and other Rhône varietal wines and blends. Even three hours wasn't long enough to savor a fraction of the hundreds of wines being poured by the some of the most talented winemakers in the world.

Because interest in Rhône varietal wines remains a niche market, it is going to take more time and education to highlight the remarkable expressions of the Rhône wines being produced by Central Coast wineries, as well those from Northern California. There were also some superb French Rhône producers whose wines continue to garner acclaim by the world's leading wine critics and regular wine drinkers.

Stay tuned for information about other HdR events later this year such as #Syrah Day and #Grenache Day, as well as next year's theme and the schedule for Hospice du Rhône 2012 (April 26-28). You won't want to miss this Rhônetastic event!

Justin Smith, Saxum

Ecluse Wines

Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery

Full of Life Flatbread, Los Alamos, CA

"In the Ghetto"

2011-05-04T07:29:00.000-07:00

"In the Ghetto" was made famous by Elvis Presley in 1969. Nearly thirty years later, Rick Longoria moved his winery operation to an industrial complex at the eastern edge of Lompoc (pronounced "Lom-Poke"), which years later became affectionately known as the "Lompoc Wine Ghetto."

Neatly tucked behind the Home Depot and Lompoc Valley Medical Center at the corner of Ocean Avenue and Highway 1 lies a nondescript collection of single-story, corrugated metal buildings that has been transformed into a growing wine destination in Santa Barbara County. There's no shortage of wineries and wine tasting rooms in this renowned grape growing and wine producing region in California's Central Coast. On the flip side, you have to travel miles from one winery to another in order to experience the depth of wines being produced throughout Santa Barbara County. So, what if you could park your car and taste award-winning wines from a dozen wineries all within walking distance?

Pinot Noir. Chardonnay. Syrah. Viognier. It's all here at the Lompoc Wine Ghetto. For years, many Sta. Rita Hills wineries quietly crafted their wines with little fanfare in this industrial complex at the western edge of the Sta. Rita Hills in the historic agricultural town of Lompoc. With the surge of interest in Santa Barbara County wines, wineries have raced to open new tasting rooms in their production facilities to pour their highly acclaimed wines for Central Coast wine enthusiasts. Compared to the ornate wineries and tasting rooms lining Highway 246 and other major wine trails, the Lompoc Wine Ghetto is the equivalent of a dive bar "where everyone knows your name" and the places feels like a throwback to the past when the wine region was in its infancy.

Recently, the Lompoc Wine Ghetto launched a new website and Facebook page to promote the dozen wineries that pour award-winning wines from Santa Barbara County. The Lompoc Wine Ghetto has also produced a helpful map to help guide visitors through the maze of tasting rooms. There are future plans to bring eateries to the Ghetto since there are few if any restaurants in the area. With the newfound interest in the Lompoc Wine Ghetto, as well as the recent launching of multiple online and social media tools to promote this newly discovered wine destination, it appears that the rising stars in Santa Barbara Wine Country are making a name for themselves "In the Ghetto."

GHETTO WINERIES

Ampelos Cellars
312 N. 9th Street, Lompoc. (805) 736-9957
Thursday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tasting Fee: $10
Wines: Pinot Noir, Syrah, Rhône blends

Evening Land Vineyard
1712-C Industrial Way, Lompoc. (805) 736-9656
Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tasting Fee: $10
Wines: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Fiddlehead Cellars
1597 E. Chestnut Avenue, Lompoc. (805) 742-0204
Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wines: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir

Flying Goat Cellars
1520 E. Chestnut Court, Unit A, Lompoc. (805) 736-9032
Thursday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tasting Fee: $10
Wines: Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir

Jalama Wines/Joseph Blair
308 N. 9th Street, Unit C, Lompoc. (805) 735-8937
Friday-Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tasting Fee: $10
Wines: Pinot Noir, Syrah, Rhône blends

La Vie Vineyards
308 N. 9th Street, Unit D, Lompoc. (805) 291-2111
Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wines: Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Longoria Wines
1700 Industrial Way, Unit A, Lompoc. (805) 688-0305
Saturday-Sunday, 11:00 a..m. to 4:30 p.m. Tasting Fee: $10-$15
Wines: Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Albarino, Tempranillo

Loring Wine Company
1591 E. Chestnut Avenue, Lompoc. (805) 742-0478
Friday-Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tasting Fee: $10
Wines: Pinot Noir

New Vineland/Piedrasassi
1501 E. Chestnut Avenue, Lompoc. (805) 736-6784
Friday-Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tasting Fee: $10
Wines: Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Syrah

Palmina
1520 E. Chestnut Court, Lompoc. (805) 735-2030
Thursday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tasting Fee: $10
Wines: Italian varietals

Samsara
1500 E. Chestnut Court, Unit A, Lompoc. (805) 331-2292
Friday-Sunday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tasting Fee: $10
Wines: Pinot Noir, Syrah

Taste of Sta. Rita Hills
1505 E. Chestnut Avenue, Lompoc. (805) 735-8774
Thursday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wines: Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir

Zotovich Cellars
1500 East Chestnut Court, Suite D, Lompoc. (805) 736-1600
Thursday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tasting Fee: $10
Wines: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Viognier

Zotovich Cellars

Jalama Wines

Ampelos Cellars

New Vineland/Piedrasassi

Flying Goat Cellars

Bottling Day 2011, Jaffurs Wine Cellars

2011-04-24T12:27:00.000-07:00

Under relatively clear skies and with a cool ocean breeze to their backs, the team at Jaffurs Wine Cellars, along with dedicated wine club members and volunteers, got to work bottling hundreds of cases of Santa Barbara County Syrah, Grenache and Pinot Noir.

The Mission Bottling truck was set up in the driveway of the winery while volunteers were busy loading and packaging thousands of bottles of Jaffurs' reserve wines, including the 2009 vintage of the widely popular and award-winning Upslope, Thompson Vineyard Syrah, Bien Nacido Vineyard Syrah, Ampelos Vineyard Syrah and Santa Barbara County Grenache, as well as a Jaffurs side project from Dave Yates called "Mistress," which is exclusively Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County.

Jaffurs Wine Cellars is one of the most acclaimed wineries and Rhône varietal wine producers in Santa Barbara County. Under the helm of Craig Jaffurs, Dave Yates and Matt Brady, Jaffurs Wine Cellars continues to impress wine critics, wine enthusiasts and wine novices with their handcrafted wines using grapes from the finest vineyards in Santa Barbara County including Ampelos Vineyard, Thompson Vineyard, Bien Nacido Vineyard, and Larner Vineyard. Jaffurs produces a range of single-varietal Rhône wines such as Viognier, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache and Mourvèdre.

Check out the video below for all the action that goes into bottling the 2009 vintage. Thanks to Craig, Dave, and Matt for allowing me to film and photograph all the activities and to Phil C. for giving me a good excuse to visit Downtown Santa Barbara. Cheers!

IF YOU GO

Jaffurs Wine Cellars
819 E. Montecito St., Santa Barbara (west of N. Milpas St.)
(805) 962-7003
Friday-Monday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Open daily during summer months). Tasting Fee: $10
Facebook: Jaffurs Wine Cellars

Dave Yates loading bottles

Bottles lining up to be filled with the '09 Grenache

Jaffurs' volunteers hustling to load and package bottles

Matt Brady (left) and Craig Jaffurs (right) sampling the '09 Grenache

'09 Thompson Vineyard Syrah on the bottling line

Ultimate Paso Robles Boys Weekend

2011-04-19T20:09:00.000-07:00

Move over ladies - Paso Robles is becoming the ultimate destination for the "Wine Country Mancation." Once thought of as an exclusive weekend getaway for girlfriends and wives or just the ladies, Paso Robles offers a relaxing destination for the boys to enjoy superbly handcrafted wines, explore the region's prized vineyards and learn firsthand about the winemaking process from famed winemakers.

Located over 3 hours from Los Angeles and San Francisco, Paso Robles is producing world-class, award-winning wines and serving up some of the finest cuisine in the Central Coast, while maintaining the quaint and charming appeal that is attracting visitors from across California and the country. From the mule deer and wild turkeys on the rural roads of the Westside to the sprawling vineyards of the Eastside, Paso Robles provides the perfect backdrop for a memorable experience of award-winning wines and farm-to-table cuisine.

With recent headlines pronouncing Paso Robles as one the premier grape growing and wine producing regions in the world, wine enthusiasts are trekking to this bucolic town to savor California's Central Coast. Whether its hitting the wine trail, teeing off at Hunter Ranch Golf Course, checking out the Paso Robles Classic Car Weekend show or enjoying a Morrocan braised lamb shank at Villa Creek, Paso Robles is offering everything for the ultimate boys weekend without the Vegas hangover. Roll the windows down, turn the radio up, and cruise the wine country trail.

Helpful Tips:
(1) Create an itinerary in advance but don't hesitate to deviate from the beaten path
(2) Bring water and snacks; there isn't much out there on the wine trail
(3) Call or email the wineries ahead of time if you have a large group
(4) Arrange for a vineyard tour and barrel sampling
(5) It's a wine tasting - not a wine drinking contest. Use the spittoon

Bud Break, Alta Colina Vineyard, Westside Paso Robles

WHERE TO TASTE

Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery
If you want to start or end your wine tasting trip on a high note, then plan on stopping by Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery on Adelaide Road in Westside Paso Robles. The tasting room is located at Villicana Winery on the second floor above the winery. The vineyard entrance lies yards west of the winery and offers stunning views of the surrounding hillsides and valleys. Alta Colina produces superbly crafted single-varietal and Rhône blends including Claudia Cuvee, 12 O'Clock High, GSM, Toasted Slope Syrah, Old 900 Syrah and Ann's Petite Sirah.
2725 Adelaide Road, Paso Robles. (805) 227-4191
Open Thursday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tasting Fee: $5

Anglim Winery
Located at the historic train depot in Downtown Paso Robles, Anglim Winery pours a range of Rhône, Burgundy and Bordeaux single-varietal and blend wines. The diverse selection of wines are sure to please even the most discriminating palate.
740 Pine Street, Paso Robles. (805) 227-6813
Open Thursday-Monday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tasting Fee: $10-$15

Caliza Winery
Caliza Winery is surrounded by some of the most prominent vineyards in Westside Paso Robles - Stephan Vineyards (L'Aventure Winery), Booker Vineyards and Torrin Vineyards. Winemaker Carl Bowker is making a name for himself in the Central Coast with award-winning Rhône varietal wines, including Azimuth and Kissin' Cousins.
2570 Anderson Road, Paso Robles. (805) 237-1480
Open Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tasting Fee: $10

Ecluse Wines
Ecluse Wines is one of two Paso Robles wineries that produced the top winning red wine from the 2011 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Located on Kiler Canyon Road close but far enough from Downtown Paso Robles, Ecluse Wines is producing some of the most well-rounded and highly acclaimed Bordeaux and Rhône varietal wines in the region, including the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Improv, Syrah and Rendition.
1520 Kiler Canyon Road, Paso Robles. (805) 238-4998
Open Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thacher Winery
Located on scenic Vineyard Drive in the heart of Westside Paso Robles, Thacher Winery shared the 2011 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Red Sweepstakes award for their 2008 Triumvirate Reserve Zinfandel. Thacher is a great place for the boys to unwind in between wineries while taking in the magnificent landscape.
8355 Vineyard Drive, Paso Robles. (805) 237-0087
Open Friday-Monday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tasting Fee: $7

Villa Creek Cellars
If you are looking for a detour from Vineyard Drive or a another route to Downtown Paso Robles, then head east on Peachy Canyon Road toward Villa Creek Cellars. Within a clearing lies the winery and tasting room, which offers a savory selection of Rhône varietal wines from the most acclaimed vineyards in Paso Robles. Favorites includes the Willow Creek Cuvée, Avenger and Mas de Maha.
5995 Peachy Canyon Road, Paso Robles. (805) 238-7145
Open Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tasting Fee: $10

Vines on the Marycrest
Vines on the Marycrest is the epitome of a family-owned winery. Victor and Jennifer Abascal produce food-friendly, blended wines at their winery set at the base of their steep estate vineyard. The wines are named for famous Rock and Jazz songs including Summertime, Heart of Glass, Round Midnight, Satin Doll, and My Generation.
5076 Mustard Creek Road, Paso Robles. (805) 237-0378
Open Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tasting Fee: $5

WHERE TO EAT

Amsterdam Coffee House
We all need a little caffeine jolt to begin another long journey on the wine trail, especially after an
evening of exquisite food and wine.
725 13th Street, Downtown Paso Robles. (805) 239-7779
Open Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Farmstand 46
Farmstand 46 offers gourmet sandwiches-on-the-go. Since there are no other eateries on the Westside, it's a good idea to grab a sandwich for the road or drop in between wineries.
3750 Highway 46 W, Templeton (east of Vineyard Dr.)
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Thomas Hill Organics
Owners Joe and Debbie Thomas and Chef Julie Simon are serving up an amazing farm-to-table menu that is constantly evolving and offering the clearest definition of "culinary creationism."
1305 Park Street, Downtown Paso Robles. (805) 226-5888
Hours: Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m to 8 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Villa Creek Restaurant
The Paso Robles in-crowd comes to Villa Creek for great cuisine and fine wines. Locals and out-of-towners assemble at the bar for small bites and libations, while the restaurant serves up tantalizing dishes like the Ahi Tuna Ceviche and Morrocan Braised Lamb Shank. There can be a fair share of eye candy to accompany dessert too. It is a boys weekend...
1144 Pine Street, Downtown Paso Robles. (805) 238-3000
Open 7 days a week for dinner, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Bar/Tapas open daily at 4 p.m.

Artisan
Artisan is bringing new meaning to Central Coast cuisine and fine dining. It's that damn good! They've got it covered: lunch, brunch and dinner, plus winemaker dinners and Monday Night Suppers. Even the boys should clean up a bit for a nice sit down dinner to savor every dish served up by Executive Chef/Owner, Chris Kobayashi.
1401 Park Street, Downtown Paso Robles. (805) 237-8084
Lunch, Brunch and Dinner

WHERE TO STAY

Adelaide Inn
1215 Ysabel Avenue, Paso Robles. (800) 549-PASO (7276)

Paso Robles Inn
1103 Spring Street, Paso Robles. (800) 676-1713

WHAT TO DO

Hunter Ranch Golf Course
"Small town charm...world class golf." The Hunter Ranch Golf Course is surrounded by oak studded hillsides and vineyards with sweeping vistas. It's going to be hard to keep your eye on the ball with this backdrop. Fore!
4041 Highway 46 East, Paso Robles. (805) 237-7444

Villa Creek Cellars, Peachy Canyon Rd., Paso Robles

Winemaker Steve Anglim, Anglim Winery

Barrel Sampling with Winemaker Steve Lock, Ecluse Wines

Winemaker Carl Bowker, Caliza Winery

Lunch at Farmstand 46, Templeton

Vines on the Marycrest, Mustard Creek Road, Paso Robles

Family Winemakers Southern California

2011-03-20T10:09:00.000-07:00

Family Winemakers of California headed south on March 13 and 15 to pour 500 wines from over 200 wineries at two tastings in San Diego and Pasadena. Southern California welcomed the attention from notable and award-winning wineries representing Santa Barbara County, Paso Robles, Santa Lucia Highlands, Santa Cruz Mountains, Sonoma County, and Napa Valley, among other appellations. Over 2,000 people attended the San Diego Tasting at the Del Mar Fairgrounds and hundreds more at the Pasadena Convention Center for the exclusive trade tasting.

Family Winemakers of California was founded in 1991 to give voice and presence to small, family wineries in the public policy arena. FWC advocates the rights and interests of its members to freely produce, market and sell their products, and is dedicated to preserving the diversity of California wine. Family Winemakers also sponsors three tastings each year in San Diego, Pasadena and San Francisco for its members to market their wines to consumers and the wine buying trade. Follow Family Winemakers of California on Facebook and Twitter.

The FWC San Diego Trade & Consumer Tasting was the most comprehensive with the largest number of wineries. It was no easy task picking and choosing which wineries to visit and which wines to taste. There were quite a few wineries from the Central Coast pouring a vast selection of Rhône, Bordeaux and Burgundy varietal wines, including Tercero Wines, Clos Pepe, Melville Winery, Terry Hoage Vineyards, Fiddlehead Cellars, Hearthstone Vineyard & Winery, Villa Creek Cellars and Barr Estate Winery.

There seemed to be a dichotomy between my selection of wines at the two tasting events, in favor of acid driven wines ("food friendly" wines) at the San Diego tasting and more fruit forward wines at the Pasadena tasting. Winemaker Larry Schaffer is producing some fantastic Rhône varietal wines including the soon-to-be-released Tercero Wines 2008 Cuvée Christie - an impressive and uniquely expressive Santa Barbara County interpretation of any of the finest CdP wines.

Of all the wineries, Benovia Winery was my overall top selection for their Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel wines. As a wine consumer, I know what I like even if it's difficult to describe, and Benovia fits the mold perfectly - superbly crafted wines with expressive fruit characteristics and balanced acidity. Don't worry Central Coasters; I am still a fan of the Rhône and Burgundy varietal wines from Santa Barbara County, Edna Valley and Paso Robles. But I am new convert to the wines of the Russian River Valley, including wines from Fog Crest Vineyard. Below are a few of the most notable wineries and wines from my tasting experience in San Diego and Pasadena.

SAN DIEGO TRADE & CONSUMER TASTING

Costa de Oro Winery (Santa Maria)
Appellations: Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County
Wine Picks: 2008 Estate Chardonnay, 2009 Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County, 2008 Dijon Selection Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley

Dragonette Cellars (Los Olivos)
Appellations: Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County
Wine Picks: 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Santa Ynez Valley, 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Volgezang Vineyard, 2009 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills, 2009 Pinot Noir Hilliard Bruce Vineyard

Zotovich Cellars (Lompoc)
Appellations: Sta. Rita Hills
Wine Picks: 2007 Estate Pinot Noir, 2008 Estate Syrah

PASADENA TRADE TASTING

Benovia Winery (Santa Rosa)
Appellations: Russian River, Sonoma Coast, Anderson Valley
Wine Picks: 2009 Russian River Valley Chardonnay La Pommeraie, 2009 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, 2009 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, 2008 La Pommeraie Pinot Noir, 2008 Sonoma Coast Zinfandel

Fog Crest Vineyard (Sebastopol)
Appellations: Russian River Valley
Wine Picks: 2007 Estate Chardonnay, 2008 Laguna West Chardonnay, 2008 Laguna West Pinot Noir, 2008 Estate Pinot Noir

L'Aventure Winery (Paso Robles)
Appellations: Paso Robles
Wine Picks: 2008 Côte à Côte, 2008 Estate Cuvée

Villa Creek Cellars (Paso Robles)
Appellations: Paso Robles
Wine Picks: 2008 La Boda (50% Grenache, 50% Mourvèdre), 2008 Avenger (70% Syrah, 15% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre)

Save the Date: Family Winemakers San Francisco Consumer & Trade Tasting, Sunday, August 21, 2011 at Fort Mason Center.

Uncorking the Central Coast - Winter 2011

2011-03-16T21:58:00.000-07:00

If one thing is for certain about the newest edition of Uncorking the Central Coast, I enjoyed my share of wines from Paso Robles and the Edna Valley. Don't worry Santa Barbara County; I will get to you soon. Another surprise from this edition is the focus on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines. You can still count me as a loyal Rhone Ranger, but I am expanding the palate to include the Burgundy varietal wines.

Once again, there were a few standouts from this tasting with notable mentions for Écluse Wines, Dragonette Cellars, Vines on the Marycrest, Daou Vineyards, Alta Colina, Chamisal Vineyards and Herman Story. Each of these wines exhibited robust structure, texture, distinctive fruit characteristics, balanced acidity and a true reflection of each grape varietal in the wine.

Ratings: ✭✭✭✭✭ = Outstanding | ✭✭✭✭ = Excellent | ✭✭✭ = Good/Average | ✭✭ = Below Average | ✭ = Poor

Écluse Wines 2007 Improv, Paso Robles ($36)

Blueberry, blackberry, toasted oak and a meaty backbone round out this unique blend from this growing and award-winning Westside Paso Robles winery. Syrah gives this wine wonderful structure and tannins, while the Zinfandel offers vibrant fruit expressions on the nose. 69% Zinfandel, 31% Syrah. ✭✭✭✭

Dragonette Cellars 2007 Syrah

Dark berries, earth and chalky aromas. Plump mid-palate with blueberry and vanilla flavors. Gripping tannins and a lingering finish. Grapes harvested from Watch Hill, Demetria and Shadow Canyon Vineyards. ✭✭✭✭

Oso Libre 2009 Vino D'Oro Chardonnay, Paso Robles ($24)

Citrus, peach, white flowers and minerality with a creamy mouthfeel and stone fruit flavors. Stainless steel and French oak. ✭✭✭

Vines on the Marycrest 2006 Heart of Glass, Paso Robles ($22)

Some wines are made for high scores and others are simply made to enjoy with a home cooked meal. The 2006 Heart of Glass is a comfort wine with bright fruit and floral aromas, a strawberry and cherry core mid-palate and a lush finish with wonderfully balanced acidity. 72% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 13% Syrah. ✭✭✭✭

Piedresassi 2005 California Syrah ($36)

This full-bodied wine has received acclaim from noted wine reviewers, Stephen Tanzer and Robert Parker Jr. The 2006 California Syrah exhibits black fruit, black currant, and dark mocha notes rounding out with a grapey finish. Grapes are harvested from Harrison-Clarke, White Hawk, Watch Hill and Booker Vineyards. 33 months in new and used French oak. ✭✭✭

Daou Vineyards 2008 Petite Sirah, Paso Robles ($32)

Ripe dark fruit and plum aromas. Youthful, juicy flavors of plum, black cherry and oak finishing with black pepper, spice and supple tannins. Viognier softens the mid-palate and adds a touch of minerality. Additional cellaring should add more depth and complexity. 95% Petite Sirah, 5% Viognier. ✭✭✭✭

Alta Colina 2009 12 O'Clock High, Paso Robles ($28)

Fragrant, ripe noise of stone fruit. Rich, creamy palate of tropic fruit flavors. Crisp finish and minerality. Unquestionably, this was the favorite wine over the holidays and a wonderfully crafted white Rhône blend wine that showcases the nuances of each grape varietal. 69% Viognier, 18% Roussanne, 7% Marsanne, 6% Grenache Blanc. ✭✭✭✭

Chamisal Vineyards 2009 Stainless Chardonnay, Central Coast ($18)

Zesty citrus and tropical fruit aromas with pure stone fruit flavors and a crisp meyer lemon finish. ✭✭✭

Kenneth-Crawford 2006 "Four Play" Syrah, Santa Barbara County

Rich, dark berry aromas. Tar and expresso flavors. Expressing depth, complexity and balanced acidity. ✭✭✭

Herman Story 2008 On the Road Grenache, California ($38)

When I drink this wine, I think of the character Joan Holloway on AMC's Mad Men: voluptuous, complex, seductive and sultry. She is full of black cherry, plum, strawberry, lavender, nutmeg and mocha expressions with unmatched structure and a focused finish. ✭✭✭✭✭

Wolff Vineyards 2008 Chardonnay "Old Vines," Edna Valley ($21.50)

Pale golden color. Tropical fruit flavors combined with pineapple, vanilla and toasted oak flavors. ✭✭✭

Chamisal Vineyards 2008 Estate Pinot Noir, Edna Valley ($38)

The "Chamisal spice" notes are abundant on the nose and palate with rich cherry and strawberry flavors. This is an uplifting Pinot Noir from the Edna Valley with lively fruit characteristics and juicy flavors. ✭✭✭✭

Vines on the Marycrest 2006 Round Midnight, Paso Robles ($25)

Rustic and earthy aromas give way to blackberry and black pepper notes. Medium weight, lush finish with silky tannins. 44% Syrah, 28% Mourvèdre, 28% Grenache. ✭✭✭

Paso Robles Wine Country Tours Los Angeles Redux

2011-02-22T12:38:00.000-08:00

On March 2, nearly 40 wineries from Paso Robles converged at Vibiana in Downtown Los Angeles for the Paso Robles Grand Tasting Tour - Los Angeles. Winemakers poured more than 150 wines, including 40 single-varietal wines and blends for Los Angeles wine enthusiasts and Paso Robles fans.

The former Cathedral of Saint Vibiana, built in 1876, provided the spectacular backdrop for the Los Angeles Grand Tasting. Winery booths lined the corridors where parishoners waited to enter the confessional booths or sat quietly in the pews during Sunday services. Today, Vibiana is a premier event location in Downtown Los Angeles catering to posh award events and this afternoon/evening's wine tasting.

Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance members are hitting the road throughout 2011 as part of the Grand Tasting Tour pouring award-winning wines from one of the most acclaimed wine regions in the country for wine enthusiasts in Scottsdale, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco.

During the nearly four hour Trade and Media tasting, I enjoyed some 50 wines from nearly a dozen wineries. In particular, these wineries poured some fantastic wines including single-varietal and blends of Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah, Mourvèdre, Zinfandel, Viognier, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne, among other varietals. Here is a selection of noteworthy wines from the tasting that exhibit complexity, depth, distinctive fruit characteristics and balanced acidity (and not overtly ripe for my palate), as well as price and quality for everyday drinking:

Adelaida Cellars
--2008 Grenache ($32)

Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery
--2008 Toasted Slope: 92% Syrah, 3% Viognier, 3% Mourvèdre, 2% Grenache ($40)
--2008 Old 900: 98% Syrah, 2% Viognier ($48)
--2008 Ann's Block, Petite Sirah ($48)

Ancient Peaks Winery
--2009 Merlot ($16)
--2008 Zinfandel ($16)
--2008 Cabernet Sauvignon ($16)

Anglim Winery
--2007 Mourvèdre, Hastings Ranch ($34)
--2008 Zinfandel, St. Peter of Alcantara ($24)

Austin Hope Winery
--2009 Grenache ($40)
--2009 Syrah ($40)

Caliza Winery
--2009 Sidekick: 65% Roussanne, 35% Viognier ($25)
--2007 Azimuth: 53% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 12% Mourvèdre ($45)

Kenneth Volk Vineyards
--2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmody McKnight Vineyard ($36)

kukkula
--2006 i.p.o.: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, 10% Zinfandel ($24)
--2008 sisu: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre ($TBD)

Tablas Creek Vineyard
--2010 Patelin de Tablas Blanc: 50% Grenache Blanc, 33% Viognier, 10% Roussanne, 7% Marsanne ($20)

Terry Hoage Vineyards
--2009 The Gap: 59% Grenache Blanc, 25% Roussanne, 16% Picpoul Blanc ($38)
--2009 The Pick: 53% Grenache, 26% Syrah, 14% Mourvèdre, 7% Counoise ($48)

Thacher Winery
--2007 Triumvirate, Zinfandel ($36)
--2007 Controlled Chaos: 42% Zinfandel, 37% Mourvèdre, 21% Grenache ($33)
--2007 Syrah ($26)

Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery - Superbly crafted wines!

Steffanie Anglim, Anglim Winery - Delicious wines!

Carl Bowker, Caliza Winery - Drink it, Love it!

The sun is always shining on Sherman Thacher (Thacher Winery)

The Rhone Ranger himself, Jason Haas of Tablas Creek Vineyard

Vibiana, Downtown Los Angeles - Great setting for the Grand Tasting

International Syrah Day 2011

2011-02-11T10:48:00.000-08:00

On February 16, 2011, Rhône varietal fans will crack open their favorite bottles of Syrah varietal wines to celebrate International Syrah Day. Hospice du Rhône is helping to organize Syrah lovers across California and throughout the country in celebration of this heralded Rhône grape varietal.

While there has been some intense focus on the grape varietal in recent years, particularly the overplanting of this varietal in California and its modest sales, Syrah has gained a solid following among dedicated wine drinkers, as well as high scores and positive tasting notes from renowned wine reviewers and amateur wine bloggers. The versatility of this grape varietal in cool and warm climates defines its complexity, seductiveness and intense aromas and flavors as a full-bodied wine. As a blending varietal, Syrah provides the backbone for GSM wines. Some winemakers are blending Syrah with non-Rhône varietals, such as Zinfandel.

While there is no shortage of superbly crafted, award-winning Syrah-based GSM blends, I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight but a few single-varietal Syrah wines from Paso Robles and Santa Barbara County. Happy International Syrah Day!

Central Coast Syrah Recommendations:

Herman Story, 2008 "Nuts & Bolts" Syrah
Dragonette Cellars, 2007 Syrah
Blair Fox Cellars, 2007 Syrah, Purisima Mountain Vineyard
Caliza, 2007 Syrah
Barrel 27 Wine Co., 2007 Head Honcho Syrah
Melville, 2008 Syrah
Kenneth-Crawford, 2006 "Four Play" Syrah
Foxen, 2008 Toasted Rope Syrah
Jaffurs, 2007 Syrah, Verna's Vineyard
Alta Colina, 2007 Syrah
Adelaida Cellars, 2008 Syrah

What: International Syrah Day
When: Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Time: All Day
Where: Home, office, local wine store, restaurant, or via Twitter and Facebook
Why: Because you love Syrah!
Twitter Hashtag: #Syrah, #SyrahDay

Wine Is...Paso Robles

2011-02-03T17:29:00.000-08:00

Paso Robles Wine Country shined in 2010 with numerous awards and accolades, including Wine Spectator's Wine of the Year to the 2007 Saxum James Berry Vineyard. In 2011, two wineries in Paso Robles, Thacher Winery and Ecluse Wines, received the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Tasting Competition Sweepstakes award in the red category for the Thacher 2008 Triumvirate Zinfandel and Ecluse 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Lock Vineyard. These scores and awards highlight the growing interest in the wines coming from this renowned and diverse wine making region in California's Central Coast.

There are dozens of other noteworthy wineries and award winning wines worth seeking out in Paso Robles in 2011. Fortunately, there is no shortage of events that feature many of these renowned wines. There is something truly magical about this wine region that you can't experience by simply opening a bottle of wine from one of the local wineries; rather, you have to experience Paso Robles firsthand to understand what wine is. To satisfy your quest for the perfect wine, three phenomenal organizations - Rhône Rangers, Hospice du Rhône and Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance - are planning a handful of memorable wine tasting events for you to experience Paso Robles Wine Country.

2010 Paso Robles Rhône Rangers Experience

Paso Robles Rhône Rangers Experience
Vina Robles Winery and Event Center
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Seminar and Luncheon 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ($75)
Grand Tasting and Silent Auction 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ($25)

Savor award-winning Rhône varietal wines from 35+ members of the Paso Robles Chapter of the Rhône Rangers at the 2011 Paso Robles Rhône Rangers Experience at Vina Robles Winery and Event Center. The day's events include:

"Rhône Esstential" Seminar - Taste a top example of each of the principal categories of Rhône wines, including Viognier, Roussanne, white Rhône blends, dry Rosé, Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Petite Sirah and red Rhône blends. The panel will be moderated by author and wine writer Patrick Comiskey, senior contributor for Wine & Spirits Magazine.
Vintners' Lunch - Seminar participants will be joined by Rhône Rangers principals and winemakers for a gourmet banquet lunch, with members' Rhône wines passing freely around the tables and extended opportunity for interaction with the producers.
Grand Tasting - Taste nearly 150 wines from the complete membership of the Paso Robles Rhône Rangers, including top single Rhône varietals and the best in Rhône blends.
Silent Auction - During the Grand Tasting, bids on lots donated by Rhône Rangers member wineries and help support the Rhône Rangers scholarship fund.

2010 Paso Robles Zin Tasting

Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival Weekend

2011 Zinfandel Festival Weekend: March 18-20, 2011

Zin Tasting: March 19, 2011, 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Paso Robles Event Center, 2198 Riverside Drive

If Zin were a sin, we would all be Zinners. So, why not Zin in Paso Robles with hundreds of other Zinners? During the 19th Annual Paso Robles Zinfandel Weekend, Paso Robles Wine Country celebrates with dozens of weekend festivities at member wineries and the Zin Tasting on March 19th at the Paso Robles Event Center. Last year's event featured a collection of memorable wines and a savory paella dishes from the Tenth Street Basque Cafe in San Miguel.

ZIP (Zinfully Important Person) Ticket ($85), 6:00 p.m. top 9:30 p.m. - Zip into the Zin Tasting and Wine Country Auction one hour early to experience true ZIP treatment in a zintimate atmosphere
Zin Fan Tasting Ticket ($60), 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

2010 Hospice du Rhône

Hospice du Rhône
April 28-30, 2011
Paso Robles Event Center, 2198 Riverside Ave., Paso Robles

How do you Rhône? In April, you should plan to Rhône with the finest Rhône producers from California, France and around the world. If you love Rhône varietals, you must attend the seminars and tastings April 28-30 in Paso Robles. No event anywhere in the country comes close to the caliber of wineries present at the Paso Robles Event Center. If there is one event to attend in 2011, Hospice du Rhône is that event!

Rhone 'n Bowl
Date: Thursday, April 28, 2011
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Cost: $100 (advance purchase is required)
Location: Paso Robles Bowl, 2748 Spring Street, Paso Robles
The highly anticipated and always spirited annual bowling tournament at the Paso Bowl in Paso Robles brings out the athlete in all Rhône revelers! (Availability is limited)

Friday Rosé Lunch
Date: Friday, April 29, 2011
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Cost: $100 (advance purchase is required)

Friday Rhône Rendezvous Tasting
Date: Friday, April 29, 2011
Time: 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Consumer Tasting
Cost: $100 online / $110 at the door if not sold out
Engage. Imbibe. Savor. An afternoon brimming with Rhône wines of vintages past and reserve wines from worldly Rhône wine producers. While strolling the Tasting Pavilion you will encounter opportunities to test your nose with a sensory exploration, tantalize your taste buds with a food pairing or try your hand at Rhône related trivia. The 130 Rhône producers will be eagerly awaiting your arrival to share a one-of-a-kind experience created just for the 2011 Rhône Rendezvous. In addition, artisan food purveyors will be located throughout the tasting and nationally acclaimed chefs will show off their talents in the new demonstration kitchen.

Soirée
Date: Friday, April 29, 2011
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Cost: $125 (advanced purchase is required)
This collection of flavors in food, wine and entertainment will exude the international essence that HdR embodies year-in and year-out. (Availability is limited. Pass is not included in the Weekend Package)

Saturday Lunch and Live Auction
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2011
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Cost: $100 (advance purchase is required)

Saturday Grand Tasting
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2011
Time: 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Consumer Tasting
Cost: $100 online / $110 at the door if not sold out
One of the most comprehensive tastings of Rhône variety wines, this event boasts producers from throughout the world. To complement the wines poured, artisan food purveyors will be located throughout the venue to share their wares. In addition to food and wine tables, nationally acclaimed chefs will show off their talents in the new demonstration kitchen.

Farewell BBQ
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2011
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Cost: $100 (advance purchase is required)

Cass Winery, Eastside Paso Robles

Paso Robles Wine Festival Weekend
May 20-21, 2011
Paso Robles Downtown City Park (location of festival events)
Winery Activities: May 20-21 at all member wineries
Reserve Event ($115): May 20, 3:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. (seminar & grand tasting incl.)
Grand Tasting ($45-$65): May 21, 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Wine Country Auction & Dinner ($250): May 21, 6:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Celebrate Paso Robles Wine Festival Weekend in one of the most picture perfect settings with more than 140 wineries that will be releasing new wines and showcasing their current releases. While you are at it, set some time aside to tour the vineyards on the Eastside and Westside. You will never want to leave.

The Paso Robles Wine Festival Grand Tasting on May 21st brings more than 90 wineries to the Downtown City Park to share their favorite wines, while local food purveyors share their wine country cuisine for a truly memorable and unique Paso Robles experience.

Vines on the Marycrest, Westside Paso Robles

Paso Robles Wine Harvest Weekend
October 15-17, 2011

Join your favorite wineries during the most important time of the year - harvest! Vineyard managers and winemakers will be working early mornings and late evenings to bring in the ripen grapes and process the fruit for the upcoming vintage. There is no telling how late they'll go into the harvest season this year, but you are sure to encounter a lot of activity on the road and in the wineries the week of October 15-17 in Paso Robles, including at Vines on the Marycrest where you can find Central Coast Uncorked working alongside winemaker Victor Abascal handcrafting (we mean that literally) the wines you are about to enjoy. So treat yourself to a wine country getaway during harvest in Paso Robles!

Aside from these events in Paso Robles, the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance and Rhône Rangers bring the show on the road to your neighborhood. Check their websites for events happening in 2011.

Oso Libre: Vines | Wines | Angus

2011-01-21T19:41:00.000-08:00

Located halfway along scenic Vineyard Drive in Westside Paso Robles is a winery and estate vineyard producing a range of award-winning, artisanal single-varietal wines and blends. Oso Libre is a family owned and operated winery and vineyard on 90 acres of highly prized land situated in one of the most acclaimed areas within the Paso Robles AVA.

By the looks of things, Chris and Linda Behr sparred no expense in designing and constructing the estate vineyard and winery that is perfectly nestled within the oak studded hillsides of Paso Robles. Upon entering the estate and stepping inside the tasting room, you feel a unique connection to the property and the natural surroundings even within the modernly designed tasting room, which affords sweeping views of the estate vineyard.

In addition to the design of the estate, Oso Libre relies on sustainable agricultural practices and renewable energy strategies to supply the majority of electricity for operations and to help preserve the environment. A growing number of wineries, including Oso Libre, are committed to sustainable practices and seeking the coveted Sustainability in Practice (SIP)™ Certification - a seal that guarantees the winery is committed to environmental stewardship in the vineyard and winery.

If you are lucky enough to explore the rest of the property, you will soon find out that Oso Libre is also a working cattle ranch with 60 acres set aside for free range, grass fed, hormone-free Black Angus. The Black Angus Beef is available exclusively to wine club members and there are plenty of of their wines that pair nicely with a juicy steak.

Wines available for tasting and/or purchase in the tasting room include the following labels: Vino d'Oro Chardonnay, Volado Viognier, Rosalinda Rose (Mourvèdre | Syrah | Grenache | Viognier), Carnal Rhône Blend (Syrah | Grenache | Mourvèdre | Petite Sirah | Zinfandel), Primoroso (Zinfandel | Cabernet Sauvignon | Syrah | Grenache | Mourvèdre | Petite Sirah), Osezno (Zinfandel), Nativo Primitivo (Primitivo | Petite Sirah), Azucar Late Harvest Estate Blend, Rojo del Patron (Cabernet Sauvignon | Zinfandel) and Cabernet Sauvignon. You will be hard pressed not to find a wine you enjoy and take home. Favorites include Nativo Primitivo and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Oso Libre Winery is a highly recommended stop for wine tasters traveling along Vineyard Drive in Westside Paso Robles. Grab a glass and perch yourself outside on a chair overlooking the estate vineyard. You're in wine country; where else do you have to be?

Oso Libre
7383 Vineyard Drive, Paso Robles
(805) 238-3378
Open Wednesday-Monday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
Tasting fee: $10 for six wines (fee waived with purchase)
Email: info@osolibre.com

Ruby posing for the camera

Oso Libre Tasting Room

Oso Libre tasting room overlooking the vineyard

Cabernet Block 4, Estate Vineyard

Oso Libre Winery and Tasting Room

Savoring the SLO Life in the Edna Valley

2011-01-12T21:29:00.000-08:00

California's Central Coast - located halfway between the sprawling suburbs north of Los Angeles and south of San Francisco - is dotted by historic towns, ocean views, rural roads, oak studded hillsides and rolling vineyards. Within this amazing backdrop lies the Edna Valley appellation - a thriving wine region in south San Luis Obispo County home to two dozen wineries producing handcrafted, award winning wines from many of the region's historic vineyards.

The San Luis Obispo Vintners Association includes 27 members from across South SLO County, which produce a diverse array of Burgundian, Bordeaux, and Rhône varietal wines such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and other varietals and blends. The Edna Valley is known for producing Burgundian varietal wines that are classically distinctive for this cool climate region, which affords an extended ripening period.

A growing number of wineries and vineyards in SLO Wine Country are SIP™ Certified, meaning that these establishments have incorporated sustainable practices in the vineyard and winery to ensure the highest quality wines with the least impact on the environment.

Chamisal Vineyards is located on a picturesque stretch of Orcutt Road in the Edna Valley. The historic property is one of the first planted vineyards in the Edna Valley appellation featuring a range of clones across five grape varieties - Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, Grenache and Pinot Gris.

First impressions can make or break any experience. Fortunately for me, Chamisal Vineyards, which formerly operated under the name Domaine Alfred, exceeded all of my expectations and set the the tone for a perfect wine tasting experience in the Edna Valley. While the winery produces an average of 18,000 cases annually, including 7,500 cases of the non-estate Stainless Chardonnay, each wine is crafted to near perfection with distinctive fruit characteristics and flavorful expressions that reflect the hands-on approach of the winemaker, as well as the cool climate, terroir and signature "Chamisal Spice."

The Chamisal Vineyards tasting room features nine wines from the Estate and Califa (Reserve) collections priced between $18-$60, with most wines averaging under $30.

Chamisal Vineyards
7525 Orcutt Road, San Luis Obispo
(805) 541-9463
Open daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tasting fee: $9 for Estate Flight, $15 for Califa and Small Lot Flight
Email: tastingroom@chamisalvineyards.com
Facebook: Chamisal Vineyards
Twitter: @ChamisalVyd

Chamisal Vineyards, Orcutt Road

Chamisal Vineyards, Tasting Room

Chamisal Vineyards, San Luis Obispo

Chamisal Vineyards, Winter 2010/11

Saucelito Canyon Vineyards specializes in Zinfandels from their historic dry-farmed vineyard in remote Saucelito Canyon. The original 1880 Zinfandel Block featured three acres of head-trained Zinfandel vines located in the upper Arroyo Grande Valley. A century later, the abandoned vineyard was restored and grows fruit that is used to produce the winery's trademark wine - the 1880 Old Vine Zinfandel.

Saucelito Canyon also specializes in Estate Zinfandels, Speciality Zinfandels from Central Coast vineyards and Rhône and Bordeaux varietals, including Sauvignon Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Picpoul Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo, Petite Sirah, and other varietals. The winery produces an average of 3,500 to 4,000 cases, with most of the sales coming from the tasting room and growing wine club.

The tasting room is located on a bucolic stretch of Biddle Ranch Road between Orcutt Road and Highway 227 surrounded by vineyards, agricultural fields and rolling hills. The 1880 Old Vine Zinfandel is a wine worth experiencing - mature, complex and distinctly characteristic. Unfortunately, the limited production wine is nearly sold out so you may not score a tasting (or bottle), but its worth thinking about buying a bottle for that special occasion if there is a case left behind the counter.

Saucelito Canyon
3080 Biddle Ranch Road, San Luis Obispo
(805) 543-2111
Open daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tasting fee: $6 for five wines (complimentary with purchase of 2+ bottles)
Email: info@saucelitocanyon.com
Facebook: Saucelito Canyon Vineyard
Twitter: @SaucelitoCanyon

Saucelito Canyon, Biddle Ranch Road

Saucelito Canyon, Tasting Room

Wolff Vineyards is a family owned winery situated on 125 acres of estate grown vineyards, including 55 acres of Chardonnay and 37 acres of Pinot Noir. Twelve additional acres are planted in Teroldego, Syrah, Petite Sirah and Riesling. Owners Jean-Pierre and Elke Wolff apply sustainable wine growing practices in the vineyard and winery. Wolff Vineyards also sells estate fruit to other wineries in the Central Coast.

The scenic drive along Chardonnay Road up the hill to the tasting room offers sweeping vistas of the estate vineyard and rolling hills in the Edna Valley. Wolff Vineyards produces estate grown varietals including a nicely crafted Old Vine Chardonnay from a historic block within the vineyard.

Wolff Vineyards
6238 Orcutt Road, San Luis Obispo
(805) 781-0448
Open daily, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tasting fee: $5 (waived with bottle purchase)
Email: jp.wolff@wolffvineyards.com, elke.wolff@wolffvineyards.com
Facebook: Wolff Vineyards

Wolff Vineyards, Orcutt Road

Wolff Vineyards, Tasting Room

Wolff Vineyards, Chardonnay Road

Claiborne & Churchill is a small, family owned winery founded in 1983 and located on Highway 227 in the heart of the Edna Valley. Upon your visit, you may be thinking, okay, another winery that produces Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. But you will soon find that this winery specializes in Alsatian varietals (Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Muscat), as well as handcrafted Rhône and Bordeaux varietals and Dessert wines. Is there anything else left for C&C to produce? Put it this way; if you are looking for it or if you like your wines in a certain style, Claiborne & Churchill has it.

Claiborne & Churchill produces an average of 10,000 cases of diverse wines sourced from local vineyards. Varietals include a Dry Riesling and Dry Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Gris, Dessert wines and a Sparkling Brut Rosé. Wine tasters will enjoy the Edna Valley Chardonnay, Twin Creeks Pinot Noir and the collection of Dessert wines.

Claiborne & Churchill
2649 Carpenter Canyon Road, San Luis Obispo (Highway 227)
(805) 544-4066
Open daily, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tasting fee: $5 for six to eight wines (waived with bottle purchase)
Email: info@claibornechurchill.com
Facebook: Claiborne Churchill Winery

Claiborne & Churchill, Highway 227

Claiborne & Churchill, Tasting Room

Left or Right?

SLO WINERIES (Tasting Map)

Kynsi Winery
2212 Corbett Canyon Road, San Luis Obispo
(805) 544-8461
Open Thursday-Monday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tasting fee: $5 Standard Flight, $10 Reserve Flight
Email: info@kynsi.com
Facebook: Kynsi Winery

Stephen Ross Wine Cellars
178 Suburban Road, San Luis Obispo
(805) 594-1318
Open Thursday-Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Facebook: Stephen Ross Wine Cellars

SLO WINE BARS

Gather Wine Bar
122 E Branch Street, Arroyo Grande
(805) 474-4771
Open Tues-Thurs, 1pm to 10pm; Fri-Sat, 1pm to 11pm; Sun, 2pm to 8pm
Facebook: Gather Wine Bar
Twitter: @GatherWineBar

Tastes of the Valleys
911 Price Street, Pismo Beach
(805) 773-8466
Open Sun-Thur, Noon to 9pm & Fri-Sat, Noon to 10pm
Facebook: Tastes of the Valleys Wine Bar
Twitter: @TastesWine

Uncorking the Central Coast - Fall 2010

2010-12-19T14:53:00.000-08:00

In this edition of Uncorking the Central Coast, we'll explore some fantastic wines from a variety of producers in Paso Robles and Santa Barbara County, including Alta Colina, Caliza, and Cargasacchi.

Fall 2010 was marked by cool weather, slow ripening grapes, and consternation as winemakers and vineyard managers waited for Mother Nature to deliver her harvest goods. Harvest 2010 also marked my first vintage as an amateur winemaker. Nearly two years ago, I embarked on a week long wine tasting trip to San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles and Santa Barbara County. Although I have visited these wine regions for years, I wanted to expand my palate and explore the wine making process with an eye toward developing my own wine in the future. But like any other new venture in life, you have to enter the building from the ground floor and move up as you gain more experience. Fortunately for me, there was no shortage, and continues to be no shortage of winemakers who are more than eager to give a young wine novice an opportunity to assist in all aspects of the wine making process from the vineyard to crush.

Sampling my 2010 Syrah,
Alta Colina Vineyard

With much needed guidance and support from a few friends, I am producing my first vintage, which includes a Tempranillo Rosé and 100% Syrah from the Alta Colina Vineyard in Paso Robles. To say I am excited about the fruit and the vintage is a serious understatement. I'm already planning for next year and expanding the varietals and total volume. In the meantime, I am counting down the months until I can bottle my Rosé (two cases only), but I will have to wait up 18-24 months to enjoy the Syrah.

Enough about me. Let's talk wine. As you'll see below, I kept myself busy with quite a few wines, all of which made the grade, but there were a few standouts that should be added to your cellar. We'll let you decide for yourself what you like. Cheers!

Ratings: ✭✭✭✭✭ = Outstanding | ✭✭✭✭ = Excellent | ✭✭✭ = Good/Average | ✭✭ = Below Average | ✭ = Poor

New Vineland 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Barbara County ($18)
Citrus, lime and lemongrass aromatics. Bright tropical fruit flavors (kiwi and pineapple). Robust minerality and crisp acidity round out this refreshing wine. ✭✭✭

Caliza 2009 Pink, Paso Robles ($18)
Beautiful pink-red hue. A refreshing and dry Paso Robles Rosé (Syrah/Grenache/Tempranillo) displaying cherry and watermelon aromas and layered flavors of bright red fruit, herbs and spice. Wine can be sophisticated, but it doesn't have to be stuffy. "C'est si bon!" ✭✭✭✭

Point Concepción Salsipuedes Pinot Noir 2008 ($25)
Robust aromas of tea leaves, saddle leather and clove. Bright and fruit-forward on the palate, there is a hint of sweet and spice flavors on the mid-palate ending with a firm finish. There are so many nuances to this QPR Pinot Noir that can easily be mistaken for a much more expensive Pinot Noir from the Sta. Rita Hills. ✭✭✭✭

Cimarone Wines, 2008 3CV 2008 Bank Estate Blend ($24)
Bottle 1,430 of 5,220. Dusty and earthy aromas with some chalkiness on the nose. Lush mid-palate with dark fruit flavors. Grapey finish with supple tannins. 47% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Syrah, 4% Merlot, 3% Malbec and 3% Petite Verdot. ✭✭✭

Vines on the Marycrest 2006 Round Midnight ($25)
Earthy aromatics with hints of cherry, strawberry and black pepper. This medium-bodied wine exhibits a silky palate, soft tannins and a juicy, lingering finish. Food friendly and delicious - what a wine should be. 44% Syrah, 28% Mourvèdre, and 28% Grenache. ✭✭✭✭

Adelaida 2006 Pinot Noir, HMR Estate Vineyard
Vibrant aromas of underbrush and black cherry combine with sandalwood and spice flavors leaving a robust, tangy and velvety finish. Excellent weight on the palate and superbly crafted. ✭✭✭✭

Caliza 2008 Kissin' Cousins ($25)
Perfectly balanced with lush texture and a savory finish, the '08 Kissin' Cousins is sophisticated and tantalizing with lemon and tropical flavors ending with a creamy, refreshing mouthfeel. 47% Viognier, 30% Grenache Blanc, and 23% Roussanne. ✭✭✭✭✭

Tercero Wines 2006 Syrah, Tierra Alta Vineyard ($28)
Bright and spicy red fruit aromas opening up to loamy and earthy aromas after aeration. Notes of tobacco, black pepper, black cherries and finishing with finely grained tannins. Like any good wine, the '06 Tierra Alta Syrah opened up to inviting aromas and flavors. ✭✭✭✭

New Vineland 2008 Viognier, Santa Barbara County ($22)
Good texture, weight and balanced acidity. Oak is well-integrated into this medium-bodied wine that is succulent and flavorful with tropical and citrus flavors. ✭✭✭

Alta Colina 2008 GSM ($40)
Seductive aromas and flavors of jammy red and black fruit, cocoa, and spice with a silky and lingering finish that lasts forever. With aeration, the '08 GSM transforms into a sophisticated and focused wine with notes of herbs, dark berries, tobacco and a silky mouthfeel with round edges. A brighter and more flavorful rendition of an acclaimed wine in the style of the Côtes du Rhône, Alta Colina has crafted one of the best GSMs in the Central Coast. 34% Syrah, 33% Grenache, and 33% Mourvèdre. 100% estate fruit from the Alta Colina Vineyard, Paso Robles. Highly Recommended! ✭✭✭✭✭

Vines on the Marycrest 2007 Petite Sirah ($32)
Earthy fragrances and oak aromas. Vibrant flavors of boysenberry, blackberry, dark chocolate and tobacco. Powerful mid-palate with a silky, lasting finish. This wine has legs! ✭✭✭✭

Cargasacchi 2008 Pinot Noir, Cargasacchi-Jalama Vineyard
With signature aromas of tea leaves, baking spice, cola and black leather, the '08 Pinot Noir shines with flavors of black cherry, cola and violets. An elegant wine that exhibits a velvety mouthfeel with a quenching thirst for more (375 ml). ✭✭✭✭

Palmina 2009 Tocai Friulano, Santa Ynez Valley ($18)
Italian varietals are in vogue and for good reason. Palmina produces finely crafted Italian varietal wines for almost every occasion and every meal. The 2009 Tocai Friulano (Honea Vineyard) is a light-bodied wine with expressions of tart green apples, pear and grapefruit, crisp acidity, minerality and a mouth puckering finish. ✭✭✭

YNOT 2008 Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County ($20)
Why not! Winemaker Norm Yost (Flying Goat Cellars) has crafted a bargain Pinot Noir with expressions of bright red fruit and sweet spice, a rounded mid-palate, which took time to develop a solid core, and a tart finish. ✭✭✭

Anglim 2005 Syrah, Paso Robles ($24)
"Charcuterie in a glass." Aromatics of meaty juices, blueberry, vanilla and white pepper. Blueberry, blackberry and toasty flavors leave a dense finish on the palate. ✭✭✭✭

Jalama Wines 2008 Mourvèdre, Santa Barbara County ($36)
Dusty, earthy, dark and vibrant berry aromas. Restrained mid-palate opens up to black licorice, black currant and blackberry flavors with touches of dark cocoa and nutmeg on the finish. There should be no doubt after drinking the 2008 Mourvèdre that this blending varietal can stand on its own, especially after generous decanting. ✭✭✭✭

Epiphany Cellars 2005 Gypsy, Santa Barbara County
The winery tasting notes were spot on: aromas of sandalwood, cherry spice, toasted vanilla with flavors of dark berries and black pepper and a generous mouthfeel. 29% Mourvèdre, 29% Syrah, 21% Grenache, 11% Carignane, 10% Petite Sirah. ✭✭✭

Discovering the Elixir of Life at Dragonette Cellars

2010-11-11T10:50:00.000-08:00

Dragonette Logo

Adding to the plethora of wine tasting rooms in Downtown Los Olivos is one of the most well-regarded wineries and winemaking teams in Santa Barbara County. This summer, Dragonette Cellars moved their tasting room from their working winery in Lompoc (co-located with Ampelos Cellars) to Los Olivos in what has become a winning move for this new(ish) venture from a uniquely experienced winemaking team, which includes brothers John and Steve Dragonette and Brandon Sparks-Gillis. The breath of experience among this winemaking trio is evident in every sip of wine. Although it is important to hone your winemaking skills in the winery during harvest, the trio also pays particular attention to the conditions in the vineyards where they source their fruit.

While I enjoy visiting a working winery with a tasting room, especially during harvest, you can't help but applaud this move from Lompoc to Los Olivos. Dragonette Cellars is offering wine enthusiasts in this quaint wine tasting destination some exciting wines with depth and flavor that is elevating the level of winemaking in Santa Barbara County.

2007 MJM

Dragonette Cellars sources fruit from a variety of renowned vineyards in Santa Barbara County including Cargasacchi-Jalama, Fiddlestix, Watch Hill, Demetria Estate, Grassini, Koehler, Stolpman, Thompson and Shadow Canyon in Paso Robles. Wine selections include a Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. You will be hard pressed to leave the tasting room without a bottle or two given the quality and depth of these wines. Wine enthusiasts will enjoy the Santa Ynez Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir from Fiddlestix Vineyard, and MJM - a barrel select blend of mostly Syrah. So step up to the handcrafted wine tasting bar and enjoy the fruits of their labor!

Dragonette Cellars
2445 Alamo Pintado Avenue, Los Olivos (map)
(805) 693-0077
Open Thursday-Monday, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tasting Fee: $10 for 4 wines, $15 for 6 wines
Facebook: Dragonette Cellars
Twitter: @Dragonettewines

Dragonette Cellars Tasting Room, Alamo Pintado Ave., Los Olivos

You Had Me at Syrah...

2010-11-07T10:42:00.000-08:00

Tucked away near the end of Alamo Pintado Avenue in Downtown Los Olivos lies one of the newest tasting rooms in a sea of wine purveyors. Blair Fox Cellars exemplifies the phenomenal success of a handful of winemakers focused on producing handcrafted, Rhône varietal wines from Santa Barbara County, particularly Viognier and Syrah.

Blair and Sarah Fox have brought a unique charm to this quaint town that has seen a proliferation of tasting rooms in the last few years. What makes them stand apart from some of the others is the standout quality and characteristics of their award-winning wines and the intimate charm of their small tasting room. If not tending to his own label, Blair Fox heads the winemaking team at Fess Parker Winery and Epiphany Cellars, which includes Larry Schaffer (Tercero Wines) and Dave Potter (Municipal Winemakers). It's apparent that if you're looking to make a mark in the wine world and producing award-winning wines, you need to join this winemaking team.

Blair Fox Cellars sources fruit from the Paradise Road Vineyard, Tierra Alta Vineyard, Purisima Mountain Vineyard, Thompson Vineyard and the Fox Family Vineyard. Although Blair focuses on producing some of the best Syrah varietal wines in Santa Barbara County, he also produces a superb Vermentino varietal wine from the Fox Family Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley. With the help of some well-deserved praise from Robert Parker and other wine critics, Blair Fox Cellars is sure to sell out of their limited case production of wines much sooner than anticipated. So be sure to add Blair Fox Cellars to your wine tasting itinerary the next time you plan a trip to Santa Barbara County Wine Country!

Blair Fox Cellars
2902 San Marcos Ave., Suite B, Los Olivos (map)
(Front door located on Alamo Pintado Ave.)
(805) 691-1678
Open Friday-Sunday, 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Email: Info@BlairFoxCellars.com
Twitter: @BlairFoxCellars
Facebook: Blair Fox Cellars

Blair Fox Cellars Tasting Room, Alamo Pintado Ave., Los Olivos

Blair Fox Cellars Tasting Room, Los Olivos

Blair Fox Cellars, Tasting Menu

Harvest 2010 - New Advertures in Winemaking

2010-10-19T21:48:00.000-07:00

Better late than never - or so goes the saying. Harvest is well underway in Santa Barbara County and Paso Robles, albeit a few weeks behind schedule. As the days and weeks go by, vintner's are wondering what else Mother Nature will throw at them before all the fruit arrives. It's been a harrowing vintage for most wineries as they wait for the fruit to ripen, but it will be disappointing to some whose crops may not make it in time. The October rains merely delayed pick dates, but as the weeks go by and the season transitions from warm days to cool afternoons and cold nights, we can only hope that Mother Nature will deliver her goods before Thanksgiving with limited rain.

After my first year working at Vines on the Marycrest during harvest, I decided to go a step further this year by harvesting some fruit of my own to produce Rosé (Tempranillo/Syrah) and Syrah wines using fruit from the highly-acclaimed Alta Colina Vineyard in Paso Robles. I am very excited about this new endeavor into winemaking and deeply appreciative of the support I am receiving from my friends at Vines on the Marycrest (Victor and Jenni Abascal), Alta Colina (Bob Tillman) and Tercero Wines (Larry Schaffer).

There are so many decisions that go into winemaking based on important measurements such as Brix, pH and acidity. Within the first few hours and days, we acidulated, inoculated with yeast (D254), added nutrients - all in an effort to bring it into balance. What you add or take away in the first few days depends on what kind of wine you what to end up with. While that sounds fairly straightforward, the winemaking process demands patience, spontaneity, and tolerance - tolerance for whatever direction the wine takes itself during the fermentation process. Unfortunately, I have very little patience or tolerance, so this is a fun learning experience.

We'll punch down the cap at least 3 times a day until primary fermentation is complete. I'll draw the free run from the fermentation bin and press the skins of all the remaining juice before pumping it all into barrel. After that's complete, the wine will go through secondary fermentation or malolactic fermentation in the barrel (Tonnellerie Saint Martin, to be exact) and I will let it age on the lees for the duration of time, with the possibility of racking a year out.

Take a moment to check out my recently crushed Syrah grapes from the Alta Colina Vineyard. Let the magic of fermentation begin!

Santa Barbara County Celebration of Harvest 2010

2010-09-26T16:34:00.000-07:00

Harvest is here! That would be true if the grapes were flowing through the wineries, but due to this year's cooler than average summer, harvest is a few weeks behind schedule. No worries wine enthusiasts. The Santa Barbara County Vintners' Association, Celebration of Harvest Festival is being held on Saturday, October 9, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Rancho Sisquoc Winery in the Santa Maria Valley. Aside from the Festival, local wineries will open their doors for all you to enjoy their wines throughout the Harvest Festival weekend from October 8-11. Check out your favorite wineries online for special events and hours.

All of your favorite Santa Barbara County wineries will be pouring new releases at the Festival to showcase the regions diverse varietals and blends, including Rhone-style wines, Bordeaux blends and Pinot Noir. Besides some of the best wine in California, you'll be treated to some of the finest cuisine in the Central Coast from dozens of local restaurants and caterers, including Full of Life Flatbread, Ballard Inn, Hitching Post, Los Olivos Cafe, Trattoria Grapolo and Petros.

Come celebrate Harvest 2010 in Santa Barbara County and savor award-winning wines and cuisine. If you are not convinced, check out these photos from the 2009 Celebration of Harvest at Rancho Sisquoc.

What: Santa Barbara County Vintners' Association, Celebration of Harvest Festival
Who: Santa Barbara County Vintners, local restaurants and caterers, live music
When: Saturday, October 9, 2010, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Where: Rancho Sisquoc Winery, 6600 Foxen Canyon Road, Santa Maria (Directions)
Cost: $65 ($75 at the door). Free parking. Shuttles available from Santa Maria, Solvang and Santa Barbara

Central Coast Wine Reviews - Summer 2010

2010-09-22T21:30:00.000-07:00

As we enter a new season, let me highlight some tasting notes from summer 2010. I've kept myself busy these past few months with a selection of wines from Santa Barbara County and Paso Robles. As an bonus, I added stars to each review in order to reflect my ratings for each of these wines (✭✭✭✭✭ = Outstanding and ✭ = Below Average). It's all arbitrary folks, but at least you get a sense of what I like and recommend (or not) through these scores and tasting notes. Drumroll, please...

J. Wilkes 2008 Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley
Are you looking for an under $20 Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County? Jeff Wilkes has produced a QPR Pinot Noir exhibiting bright and succulent red cherry spice aromas. Youthful and well-structured, the '08 Pinot Noir culminates with cherry and loamy flavors and earthy expressions. ✭✭✭✭

Vines on the Marycrest 2007 Zinfandel, Remo Belli Vineyard (Paso Robles)
A very distinct medium-bodied wine from some of the oldest Zinfandel vines in Paso Robles, the '07 Zinfandel is a limited release wine with hints of black pepper and black olives on the nose. Blueberries, cocoa and black pepper round out the palate leading to a smooth, round mouthfeel and silky tannins. ✭✭✭✭

The Ojai Vineyard "Ojai Red" (Non-Vintage)
The Ojai Red is a blend of the juice that is left behind after racking the barrels. I couldn't put my finger on the blend or varietal until I thought a little about what I was picking up: raspberry, cranberry and spice linger on the palate, but the wine lacks depth or elegance. So what was it? Pinot Noir from the '07 vintage. Makes sense... ✭✭

Jaffurs Wine Cellars 2007 Viognier, Santa Barbara County
The fruit for the '07 Viognier was sourced from two premier vineyards in Santa Barbara County: Stolpman Vineyards (25%) and Bien Nacido Vineyards (75%). Vibrant tropical fruit flavors, including pineapple and peach with a creamy texture and smooth, round mouthfeel. The '07 Viognier is aromatic, classic and well-balanced - a wonderful food pairing wine, particularly with ceviche, as well as goat or sheep cheese. ✭✭✭✭✭

Harrison-Clarke 2006 Estate Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley
The '06 Estate Syrah is an approachable, well-structured and still relatively youthful wine exhibiting raspberry, blackberry and tobacco aromas, while boasting plum, raspberry and spice flavors. Medium to full-bodied with finely grained tannins. ✭✭✭✭

Stolpman Vineyards 2005 La Coppa Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley
Stolpman Vineyards produces some superb wines, but the '05 La Coppa Syrah seemed to lack all the elements of a good wine or it could be past its prime. ✭

Vines on the Marycrest 2007 Heart of Glass, Paso Robles
The blend: 60% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, 20% Syrah. Dried red fruit and herbs on the nose with licorice and herb flavors leading to a silky finish with lingering tannins. ✭✭✭✭

Margerum 2007 M5
The blend: 48% Syrah, 31% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 2% Counoise, 2% Cinsault. Fragrant bouquet of red cherries, raspberry, all spice and red apple skins. Gripping palate leading to a velvety finish with hints of dark cherry cola and cedar. Rustic aromas and elegant texture that will age with grace. ✭✭✭✭

Municipal Winemakers 2008 Syrah, Santa Barbara County
An approachable QPR Syrah from Santa Barbara County (Tierra Alta Vineyard) that requires some additional time in the bottle to develop more character and complexity. The '08 Syrah exhibits spicy red and dark fruit aromas and flavors and a hint of dry cured meats. ✭✭✭

Demetria 2005 Pinot Noir (Jours de Bonheur), Sta. Rita Hills
I've stared at this bottle in my cellar for a couple of years wondering if it was time to open it. While I think it's slightly past its prime, the '05 Pinot Noir evolved into something new and surprising every 5 minutes. A very rustic wine ("barnyard effect") with bright cherry and cola flavors, but the nose tends to be relatively mute. ✭✭✭

Anglim Winery 2007 Zinfandel, St. Peter of Alcantara (Paso Robles)
The '07 Zinfandel exhibits plum aromas with raspberry and dark cocoa flavors finishing with smooth round edges and firm, but elegant tannins. This wine is ready to consume now or in one more year. ✭✭✭✭

Edward Sellers Opens New Tasting Room in Westside Paso Robles

2010-09-16T20:54:00.000-07:00

After years in the making, Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines opened its new winery and tasting room on Highway 46 West. Dozens of people crowded the tasting room on opening day, September 10th, so I decided to stop in for a tour and to congratulate Ed Sellers. The estate vineyard is located on 30 acres of prime Westside Paso Robles real estate. The winery produces approximately 5,000 cases annually.

Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines is dedicated to producing hand-crafted, award-winning Rhône-style wines - Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Grenache Blanc. Selections include Cognito, Cuvée Des Cinq, Le Thief, Vertigo, and Saboteur.

So what are you waiting for? Head over to Edward Sellers, grab your glass of wine, and enjoy the amazing views of the vineyards or watch the winery at work during harvest behind the large glass windows inside the tasting room. Welcome to Paso Robles!

Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines
1401 Highway 46 West, Paso Robles
Open Daily, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

(805) 239-8915

Info@EdwardSellers.com

Twitter: @EdwardSellers

Facebook: Edward Sellers Wines

Edward Sellers Pouring in the New Tasting Room

Edward Sellers Tasting Room

View of the Vineyards from the Tasting Room

Edwards Sellers Winery and Tasting Room

Edward Sellers Vineyards

Grab a Glass and a Seat in the Vineyard

Parker Scores the Central Coast Rhône Rangers

2010-09-13T22:31:00.000-07:00

On August 31, 2010, Robert M. Parker, Jr. released his much anticipated tasting notes and ratings for Rhône wines from California's Central Coast (plus scores for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay). Parker tasted hundreds of wines over a period of two months, but only scored half of the total wines submitted by vintners for this edition of The Wine Advocate.

Not surprisingly, Parker offered some rather high scores and flattering comments for the usual suspects (i.e. Alban, Saxum, Sin Qua Non). Let's get the obvious out of the way; Parker has been in the wine business for approximately 35 years. He has tasted tens of thousands of wines over this period. Over time, his palate has honed into a particular style of wine - ripe, concentrated and fruit-forward. We drink and rave about what we like and so does Parker. I doubt he is immune from any bias, especially after decades of tasting and scoring wines.

Unfortunately, Parker took it upon himself to offer some less than flattering comments about a few Santa Barbara County vintners and wines, while heaping praise upon others whose wines may or may not be widely accepted by most novice wine consumers, except for the fact that they scored 90+ points. After carefully reviewing most of Parker's tasting notes and scores for the Central Coast Rhône Rangers, it was obvious to me that the current edition of The Wine Advocate lacked copy-editing (i.e. calling Craig Jaffurs, "Greg Jaffurs") and missed the mark on a few wines, which have been widely received by wine consumers and bloggers. There is no reasonable explanation for Parker's critiques. Here's one example:

In describing Tercero Wines, Parker notes that "these are all relatively straightforward, one dimensional efforts." He fails to rate the 2007 Mourvèdre and calls it "without any ripeness" and "largely a failure." Contrast this with comments from bloggers and wine consumers at the Rhône Rangers Los Angeles Tasting, as well as other posts online and you get a far different picture about this wine, but fail to grasp how Parker came to his own conclusion. The point is that Tercero Wines received similar scores to other wines, but Parker took it upon himself to offer a rather scathing criticism of these wines. On top of it, Wine Spectator offered a glowing score (91 points) for the 2007 Cuvée Christie, but Parker seemed disinterested in this wine too (80 points).

Rather than add to the speculation surrounding Parker's tasting notes and ratings, I would like to point out that Parker is one of many "wine critics" in the business. While his opinion matters for some, wine consumers can find many more accurate and reliable alternatives to Parker and the other wine critics, by searching for tasting notes from fellow wine consumers at the highly-regarded CellarTracker. Social media and blogs are offering many other alternatives to the traditional rating system and tasting notes. This is helping consumers make better informed decisions about tasting and purchasing wines, as well as helping wineries market their wines to a broader consumer base.

I am looking to forward to tasting many of the wines that Parker scored in the recent edition of The Wine Advocate to determine for myself if they deserve these scores or come close to the descriptions provided by Parker and his scribes. Parker's scores should inspire wine consumers to seek out many of these wines and help people plan their next wine tasting vacation to Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles. If you interested in knowing about some of the scores, add your question in the comments section.

It's Pronounced "Lom-Poke"

2010-09-06T19:08:00.000-07:00

When someone asks you "hey, let's head north to Santa Barbara for wine tasting," what destinations come to mind? Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail, Sta. Rita Hills, Los Olivos, Solvang, or the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail? Perhaps, you have heard of a quaint coastal town known for its infamous prison and coastal valleys - Lompoc (pronounced "Lom-Poke").

You've probably driven west on Highway 246 through the Sta. Rita Hills. Did you ever think of continuing further west into town? Well, plan your next wine tasting trip to Lompoc and be prepared to enjoy the finest wines Santa Barbara County has to offer. If you are under the impression that every winery produces their wines at a magnificent estate overlooking some dramatic vineyard landscape between oak studded hillsides, then the location of the Lompoc Wine Ghetto and Pinot Prison (or as some affectionately call it, Prison Row) could disappoint you. Look at it this way: you're here to experience a wine revelation, so take pictures along Highway 246 and wave at Foley, Melville and Babcock. Besides, what's better than leaving your car in a nondescript industrial center and walking a few yards to the left or right to taste wines?

Peter Cargasacchi, Cargasacchi/Point Concepción, Open House

On this particular weekend, Cargasacchi/Point Concepción and Loring Wine Company opened their winery doors for the weekend, so it was an opportune time to visit Lompoc's "Wine Ghetto" and "Pinot Prison." First stop: Lompoc's Central Avenue for great Pinot Noir and deadpan humor c/o Peter Cargasacchi.

Cargasacchi produces two Pinot Noirs using estate fruit from the Sta. Rita Hills. He also produces Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Syrah under the Point Concepción label from estate and purchased fruit. These are superb wines! To my pleasant surprise, I ran into some fellow Central Coast wine enthusiasts at my first two stops in the afternoon. Gentlemen, how did we get through the tasting at Loring Wine Company?

Loring Wine Company was pouring the full selection of wines including multiple vintages of Pinot Noir from vineyards in Santa Barbara County, Santa Lucia Highlands, Sonoma County and Mendocino County. Unfortunately, the wines were poured by vintage instead of a vertical pouring. It was challenging enough to keep track of the nuances of each vintage from the same vineyard, but it was quite an experience to enjoy so many wines from a great Pinot Noir producer based in Santa Barbara County. Since that time, Loring Wine Company has opened a tasting room in the Lompoc Wine Ghetto.

Loring Wine Company Open House

By late afternoon, we trekked from the Pinot Prison to the Lompoc Wine Ghetto. Located behind the Home Depot at the intersection of Highway 246/Ocean Avenue and Highway 1, the "Ghetto" includes a collection of the best wineries in Santa Barbara County. These aren't just tasting rooms, but wine production facilities too. While I did not have enough time to sample all the wineries, I did get around to tasting wines from three great producers: Flying Goat Cellars, Samsara and New Vineland/Piedrasassi.

Under the tutelage of Winemaker and Chief Goatherder, Norm Yost, Flying Goat Cellars produces mostly Pinot Noir from the finest vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills and Santa Maria Valley, as well as Pinot Gris and a wonderful sparkling, bubbly Rosé de Noir ("Goat Bubbles"). Tasting Fee: $10

Flying Goat Cellars (Lompoc Wine Ghetto), Pinot Noir

Flying Goat Cellars, Lompoc Wine Ghetto

Samsara Wines (Lompoc Wine Ghetto), Pinot Noir and Syrah

Next stop: Samsara. Winemaker Chad Melville produces Pinot Noir and Syrah from vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County (Verna's) and Mendocino County (Alder Springs). In my opinion, these wines are intended for wine drinkers looking for ripeness, density and texture (tannins), most of which is up my alley. Tasting Fee: $10

When Sashi Moorman is not tending to his day job as winemaker for Stolpman Vineyards, he's working on a number of other wine related projects, including New Vineland/Piedrasassi. At 5 minutes to 5:00 p.m., I ran across the driveway from Samsara to his tasting room before the doors closed. Fortunately for me, he was still open entertaining some friends and allowed me to hang out for the better part of two hours after closing. The New Vineland label includes a Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Rosé and Syrah. The Piedrasassi label includes three award winning Syrah wines from renowned vineyards in Santa Barbara County and Paso Robles. There was no better way to end an afternoon of wine tasting in Lompoc than with Sashi Moorman. Tasting Fee: $7 (New Vineland, 4 wines), $7 (Piedrasassi, 3 wines) or $12 (Winery Flight, all 7 wines)

New Vineland '09 Sauvignon Blanc paired with charcuterie, organic egg and cheese

New Vineland/Piedrasassi, Lompoc Wine Ghetto

New Vineland/Piedrasassi Tasting List

Pinot Prison

Cargasacchi

Pali Wine Company

Lompoc Wine Ghetto

Ampelos Cellars
Evening Land Vineyards
Fiddlehead Cellars

Flying Goat Cellars

Jalama Wines

La Vie Vineyards
Longoria Wines
Loring Wine Company

New Vineland/Piedrasassi

Palmina

Samsara
Taste of Sta. Rita Hills

Zotovich Cellars

Écluse Wines has the "Lock" on Rhône and Bordeaux Blends

2010-08-24T12:13:00.000-07:00

A few miles from Downtown Paso Robles lies the spectacular Lock Vineyard with sweeping views of the Westside. In 1997, Steve and Pam Lock purchased 30 acres of rolling hillside terrain and set out to produce hand crafted, award winning Rhône and Bordeaux wines through their new boutique winery, Écluse Wines.

After a decade since their first harvest, Steve and Pam Lock have grown their winery and began planting small blocks of other Rhône and Bordeaux varietals, in addition to Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Zinfandel.

Lock Vineyard

Écluse Wines produces superb Rhône and Bordeaux blends, as well as single varietal wines including Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Zinfandel. My first exposure to these eclectic blends came during the 2010 Rhône Rangers Los Angeles Tasting. During a recent visit to Paso Robles, I stopped by the winery to sample their selection of wines and meet Steve and Pam Lock. Steve was an engaging host during my visit to the winery, despite the large group of people congregating in the tasting room.

Be sure to stop by the tasting room next time you plan your wine tasting trip to Paso Robles. You'll enjoy the Lock's limited production blends, including Prelude, Rendition, Ensemble, Improv and single varietals, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Zinfandel. Prices range between $28-$38/bottle.

And as for the name of the winery, here's how Steve and Pam explain it: "Écluse is the French word for the locks on the canals that gently carve their way through the remarkable French country. Since our last name is 'Lock,' the name Écluse for our wines was born!"

Écluse Wines
1520 Kiler Canyon Road, Paso Robles
(805) 238-4998
Open Friday-Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Twitter: @EcluseWines
Facebook: Ecluse Wines
Email: lock@eclusewines.com

Barrel and Tasting Room

Some of the '09s in Barrel

The Tasting Room and Wall of Accolades

The Ojai Vineyard Tasting Room

2010-08-21T21:57:00.000-07:00

After years of direct shipping and distribution, Helen and Adam Tolmach have opened a new tasting room for the masses to savor their award-winning wines from Santa Barbara County. In July 2010, the Tolmach's opened their tasting room at the edge of Downtown Ojai on a quaint street filled with art and pottery stores and cafes.

Located in the Historic Firehouse, The Ojai Vineyard tasting room is an inviting space accented by an outdoor garden and seating area, large windows for a blast of natural sunlight, hospitable tasting room staff, and a horseshoe-shaped wine bar to accommodate wine enthusiasts visiting this fabulous R&R destination.

The wine list includes a flight of six wines, including a Chardonnay, Riesling, two Pinot Noirs (suggest a side-by-side comparison), Syrah and Viognier dessert wine. The list changes with the vintage and availability, but the varietals should stay consistent. If you are visiting Ojai, stop on by, and if you're planning a trip to Santa Barbara County, fit it a tasting in your itinerary.

The Ojai Vineyard produces an average of 6,000 cases of wine (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Pinto Noir, Grenache, Mourvedre, and Syrah) from a dozen vineyards throughout Santa Barbara County, including Clos Pepe, Bien Nacido, and Thompson vineyards.

The Ojai Vineyard
109 S. Montgomery St., Ojai (map)
Open daily 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tasting Fee: $15 (6 wines + glass)
(805) 798-3947
ojaivineyard@gmail.com

2010 Rhône Rangers Los Angeles Tasting

2010-08-18T15:14:00.000-07:00

When the Rhône Rangers get together for a tasting, you better prepare your taste buds for a tantalizing experience of the finest wines from California's Central Coast (and those other wine regions in the north). And it certainly helps to bring a collection of wineries and winemakers together at home in Los Angeles, thus saving me a long drive north.

This year's tasting was held once again at Pier 59 Studios West in Santa Monica. Nearly 40 wineries poured Rhône wines for over 200 wine tasters. I'm sure it was a challenge for most of the wineries to maneuver their wines and decorations on 3 foot tables when the crowds descended on the event beginning at 2pm. But like everything else in life, it all works out and people leave with piqued palates and purple tongues.

Sadly, I did not get a chance to taste every wine at the tasting (I left my Town Car and driver at home). You have to balance it out: try something you love or know or take a chance with a new wine/winery. Why not try a little bit of both, especially since I had 3 hours to sample and savor as much wine as can possible be consumed. More than a few wines stole the show at the LA tasting and helped to rekindle my romance with Rhône wines and reconnect with my favorite winemakers and friends. Here are a few of recommendations:

Anglim
-- 2007 Viognier, Bien Nacido Vineyard: Lush mouthfeel, vibrant flavors of melon and green apples, crisp acidity and good minerality.
-- 2006 Grenache, Paso Robles: Check out my previous tasting notes

Cass Winery
-- 2008 Syrah Dessert Wine: "Sinful goodness in a bottle"

Ecluse Wines
-- 2006 "Rendition" (59% Syrah, 22% Grenache, 13% Mourvedre): Dark, rich fruit, spicy mid-palate
-- 2007 "Improv" (69% Zinfandel, 31% Syrah): There's nothing "improvised" about this blend, which brings together rich fruit flavors, spice, smoke and smoothness.

Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines
-- 2008 Viognier: Crisp acidity, hint of lime, and an excellent food pairing wine
-- 2008 Estate Blanc: Bright, crisp, refreshing and good minerality

Epiphany
-- 2006 "Gypsy," Santa Barbara: Quite frankly, one of the best bargain wines from Santa Barbara County - where you waiting for tasting notes?
-- 2007 "Revelation," Santa Barbara: Some people experience a "revelation" when they first taste this wine

L'Aventure
-- 2008 Côte à Côte: Sure, $85 is a lot of money for any wine (P.S. we're still in a recession), but there is a clear consensus out there that this is a great wine - a wine you hope someone else is buying so you can enjoy it thoroughly without thinking about the bill

Tercero Wines
-- 2007 Mourvedre, Camp 4 Vineyard: Larry never ceases to amaze me and this wine is another quintessential Larry Schaffer wine - complex dark fruit flavors, earthiness and well-balanced (not sure if the latter describes Larry)

Unti Vineyards

-- 2009 Rose Blend (77% Grenache, 23% Mourvedre): Drink, enjoy, repeat...

Vines on the Marycrest

-- 2009 Summertime Rose: This is the essential summertime sipping wine that always sells out - melon, pear, vibrant and refreshing

If you love wine, especially Rhône wines, and don't feel like driving to Santa Barbara County or Paso Robles, then add this event to your calendar for 2011. To learn more about the Rhône Rangers and Rhône varietals, as well as upcoming events, visit their website and plan a trip to California's Central Coast to experience the Rhône lifestyle for yourself.

Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation, Santa Barbara

2010-05-25T19:48:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, May 23rd, Santa Barbara area residents enjoyed wine and delicacies from renowned restaurants at the 2010 Taste of the Nation Santa Barbara in support of Share our Strength's campaign to end childhood hunger in America. The event was held once again at the picturesque Montecito Country Club on a clear afternoon. While the skies were void of any clouds, the winds caused quite a stir for anyone with a loose skirt or for anything not held down with a heavy weight. However, the winds were no match for the fine wine and food - and the view of the Pacific Ocean were amazing! There was plenty of beautiful people in the crowd too, which added to the allure of this event.

For a list of this year's participating restaurants and wineries, click here. Some of the participants included The Bacara Resort and Spa, The Ballard Inn and Restaurant, Elements Restaurant and Bar, The Pierpont Inn, Ampelos Cellars, Blair Fox Cellars, Dragonette Cellars, Reeves Ranch Vineyards, Tercero and Stella Artois (free logo glass!). For wineries, this event was a great opportunity to expose local residents, including restaurants, to some great wines from the Santa Barbara County wine region. I enjoyed this event and hope to return next year! Cheers!

Hospice du Rhône 2010

2010-05-25T11:23:00.000-07:00

It's 5:00 a.m., I am wide awake, and trekking 3 hours north from LA to Paso Robles. Why? Only for the greatest wine event on the Central Coast - Hospice du Rhône! Hello Syrah. How do you do Grenache! What's that Chateauneuf-du-Pape? Your a sexy chick, Picpoul Blanc! If it didn't click yet, I love Rhône wines. If you get an invite to attend this event, wouldn't you drop everything to go?

DAY 1

Before the festivities began at Hospice du Rhône, I picked up my good friend and great winemaker (plus weekend host), Larry Schaffer of Tercero Wines for a quick trip west on Nacimiento Lake Dr. to visit another good friend and great winemaker, Victor Abascal of Vines on the Marycrest. These two gentlemen are the some of the most generous individuals I know in or outside of the wine industry. They are the reason I won't hesitate driving hours north to the Central Coast to help pour their wines or work in the vineyard and winery. I was excited to finally bring these two winemakers together and hear them swap their knowledge about wine (and music).

When Larry and I arrived at Vines on the Marycrest, Victor was hard at work on Carter's Crest tending to the newly planted vineyard. It was such a beautiful morning that we all took a ride through the vineyards, chatting about the recent and arduous task of planting Carter's Crest, as well as Paso Robles wines. Hearing two winemakers talk passionately about their trade is far more interesting to me than a trade tasting, but I got the best of both worlds this weekend.

After a great visit to Vines on the Marycrest, Larry and I headed back into town to set up for the Rhône Rendezvous tasting later that afternoon at the Paso Robles Event Center. Hospice du Rhône operates as a non-profit business league with the specific purpose of improving the business conditions of the grape growers and wine producers of Rhône varietal wines and grapes throughout the world. Now in its 18th year, HdR assembles wines and winemakers from France, South Africa, Australia, Spain, Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington to share, engage and explore the 22 Rhône varietals.

On Friday at 3:00 p.m., volunteers opened the doors to eager wine enthusiasts and foodies to experience a range of Rhône wines from across the world. I didn't have to venture far from the Tercero Wines booth to sample some fantastic wines. We stood between Alban and Terry Hoage. You may be asking yourself, "how did Alban get thrown into the "T" section? We're still asking ourselves that same question, but it worked to our advantage. Now to some of the highlights from Friday's Rhône Rendezvous:

Alban Vineyards - 2004 Reva, Alban Estate (Edna Valley)

Alta Colina - 2007 GSM and 2007 Old 900 Syrah (Paso Robles)

Anglim - 2007 Mourvèdre, Hastings Ranch Vineyard (Paso Robles)

Davis Family Vineyard - 2007 Côte Rosé, Viognier/Syrah (Russian River Valley)

Dragonette Cellars - 2007 Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley

Jaffurs Wine Cellars - 1999 Syrah and 2001 Syrah (Thompson Vineyard, Los Alamos) and 2007 Upslope Syrah

Tallulah - 2007 Syrah, Shake Ridge Ranch (Amador County) and 2006 Syrah, Bald Mountain Ranch (Napa Valley)

Terry Hoage Vineyards - 2007/2006/2005 The Pick (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Counoise)

Torrin - 2006 The Banshee, Torrin Vineyard (Paso Robles)

Verge Wine Cellars - 2007 Syrah, Dry Creek Valley

DAY 2

Saturday has arrived, I am a little hung over from the "offline" after the Rhône Rendezvous, but ready for the Grand Tasting. The throngs of wine enthusiasts descended on the Paso Robles Event Center for one of the most enjoyable wine industry events during the year.

Although my palate was wearing thin after 24 hours of wine tasting, I tried to be as selective as possible during the Grand Tasting. Scott Hawley, Winemaker of Torrin in Paso Robles (to the right), provided one of the highlights during this round of Rhône tasting. Hawley poured a vertical of his prized Akasha Syrah. Here are a few of my favorites from the Grand Tasting:

Cabot Vineyards - 2007 Syrah, Kimberly's Vineyard (Humboldt)

Herman Story - 2008 Syrah, White Hawk Vineyard (Santa Barbara County), 2008 Nuts & Bolts Syrah, 2008 On the Road Grenache, 2008 427

Jacob Toft - 2007 Sarah's Cuvee, Syrah/Grenache (Booker Vineyard, James Berry Vineyard and Terry Hoage Vineyards); 2007 Tessa's Cuvee, Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon (Booker Vineyard); 2007 Mary Jane's Cuvee, Mourvèdre/Grenache/Syrah (James Berry Vineyard and Terry Hoage Vineyards)

Keplinger - 2007 Grenache/Syrah, Pelkan Ranch (Knights Valley); 2007 Syrah, Pelkan Ranch (Knights Valley); 2007 Mourvèdre/Grenache/Counoise, Goldbud Vineyard (El Dorado)

L'Aventure - 2007 Côte à Côte, Estate Vineyard (Paso Robles) and 2007 Estate Cuvée (Paso Robles)

Sans Liege - 2008 Pickpocket, Derby and Pipestone Vineyards (Paso Robles), 2008 The Offering, Zotovich Vineyard (Santa Barbara County)

Torrin - 2008 Akasha Syrah, 2007 Akasha Syrah, and 2006 Akasha Syrah (Torrin Vineyard, Paso Robles)

So what was the greatest wine I tasted at Hospice du Rhône??? Terry Hoage Vineyards, 2009 Picpoul Blanc (Paso Robles). This wine was indescribably amazing! Full of life and character, and the most distinguishable wine of the entire tasting.

The food award goes to Full of Life Flatbread. I'm pretty sure I saw the Virgin Mary after eating a slice of their pizza. Check them out in Los Alamos the next time you visit Santa Barbara County (open Friday-Sunday; hours vary).

On Saturday evening, Larry and I headed to Thomas Hill Organics in Downtown Paso Robles for dinner. One of the best culinary experiences! The Grilled Meyer Lemon Pizza paired with the Tercero Wines Grenache Blanc was amazing. Thanks to Victory Abascal for helping us score a table! Make a reservation next time you're in town...you'll thank me later.

I can't wait till next year! In the meantime, I need to clear the cellar to add some new finds from HdR 2010. Cheers to the HdR staff, vendors and attendees for a spectacular event! On to the next wine adventure...

2010 Santa Barbara County Wine Futures Tasting in Los Angeles

2010-05-03T20:15:00.000-07:00

On April 24th, The Wine House and The Winehound hosted some three hundred wine enthusiasts at the the 2010 Santa Barbara County Wine Futures Tasting in Los Angeles. Over 50 wineries from across Santa Barbara County participated in the tasting at the Olympic Collection Banquet and Conference Center a few blocks from The Wine House. Last year's event was held at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Century City and showcased some amazing wines. In fact, I was introduced to one notable winemaker at last year's futures tasting, who has become a great friend - Larry Schaffer of Tercero Wines

With glass in hand and some small bites, I set out to taste my way through the dozens of '08 and '09 vintages. A number of my fellow wine enthusiasts/writers/bloggers also attended the futures tasting, some who I met for the first time. It was also a great opportunity to reconnect with winemakers, such as Larry Schaffer, Dave Potter, Ken Brown, Bob Lindquist, Adam Tolmach, Doug Margerum, Peter Work, Norm Yost, Peter Cargasacchi, and David Yates.

Larry Schaffer, Tercero Wines

Doug Margerum, Margerum Wine Co.

Peter Work, Ampelos Cellars

Ken Brown, Ken Brown Wines

I set out with one goal in mind: try to visit as many wineries as possible, particularly those I consistently buy from, while managing to taste a few new ones. From my own biased perspective, I thought the selection of wines represented the diverse vineyards and winemaking styles of Santa Barbara County. More importantly, many wines (some recently bottled or barrel samples) exhibited remarkable structure and complexity. A few wines were exceedingly tantalizing on the nose and palate. There is no doubt that these standouts will mature into award winning wines from this acclaimed wine region. In all honesty, no one wine stood out as a disappointment, but a handful of wines left me asking myself "where is this going?" There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to your nose or palate, but you can quickly pick up when something is right or wrong about a wine. Don't infer from that that some wines were "inferior" or "tainted." Just take it as it is.

I enjoyed 99% of the wines at the futures tasting, but some deserved a little more attention than others. Also, you will notice that I did not add tasting notes. I was busy enjoying the wines and chatting up the winemakers. More importantly, it's about what you discover in these wines if you so choose to taste them or buy them when they are released. I'm sure you will pick up dark fruit, citrus, smoke, tar, etc. All I want to do is steer you in the direction of a few standouts and discoveries. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

And the Nominees are...

Tercero Wines - '08 Cuvee Loco, Larner Vineyard (Ballard Canyon) and '08 The Climb, Santa Barbara County

Jaffurs -'08 Syrah, Larner Vineyard (Ballard Canyon)

Au Bon Climat - '08 Estate Chadonnay, Santa Maria Valley

Ken Brown Wines - '08 Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills

Dragonette Cellars - '09 Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley

Honorable Mentions

Blair Fox - '09 Vermentino, Fox Family Vineyard, Santa Barbara County

Shai Cellars - '08 Adome Syrah/Cabernet Blend, Santa Barbara County

Kenneth-Crawford - '09 Pinot Noir, Babcock Vineyard and '09 Rhone Blend, Larner Vineyard (Ballard Canyon)

Rey - '07 Syrah Central Coast

Sanguis - '07 Syrah "Backseat Betty"

Harrison-Clarke - '07 Syrah Estate, Santa Ynez Valley and '07 Cuvee Charlotte Estate, Santa Ynez Valley

And the Oscar Goes to...

Clos Pepe - '09 Pinot Noir Estate, Sta. Rita Hills

Cargasacchi - '08 Pinot Noir, Cargasacchi Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills

Margerum - '08 M5 Reserve, Santa Barbara County

Raising a Glass at the Santa Barbara County Vintners' Festival 2010

2010-04-19T22:31:00.000-07:00

For three hours on Saturday, April 17, throngs of wine enthusiasts descended on River Park in Lompoc for the Santa Barbara County Vintners' Festival 2010. Marking its 28th anniversary, the Festival welcomed visitors from across the Central Coast, California and the United States to experience the decadent wines of Santa Barbara County. By all accounts, this year's Festival was attended by fewer people, yet the crowd was no less enthusiastic to taste wines and meet the winemakers or the attractive blonds or brunettes hired by wineries to pour wines (Wine Marketing 101).

All the members of the Santa Barbara County Vintners' Association were represented at the annual Festival, including approximately 112 wineries and 32 food vendors. While throwing your glass between two warm bodies to the get the attention of those pouring wines seems like a worthwhile adventure, I decided to join my good friend and Santa Barbara County/Rhône wine promoter, Larry Schaffer of Tercero Wines in helping fill the glasses of hundreds of wine enthusiasts. Sure, I was tempted to sneak away for a taste at Margerum or Jaffurs, but the booth was packed with eager wine tasters and someone needed to help quench their thirst with the Tercero Wines '07 Cuvee Christie and the '09 Outlier. If you are acquainted with Tercero Wines, you will not be surprised with the aromatics, complexity and texture of the 2007 and 2009 vintages. Much to my surprise, people were gravitating to the '07 Petite Sirah and '07 Thompson Syrah. I am glad there are people out there that share my palate for bold, elegant, jammy, and meaty red wines.

There's nothing like watching Larry Schaffer talk about wine. His enthusiasm for his wines and Santa Barbara County is contagious. What set Tercero's booth apart from other wineries was the addition of the newly released iPad. Everyone came by the booth to check out the iPad, and they were more than eager to add their names to the Tercero Wines email list. It was a clever marketing tool and surely one that will help him and other wineries expand their reach into the crowded wine market. You have to set yourself apart at these events, otherwise you're just another winery with a pretty label.

Not surprisingly, some folks came to the booth saying, "oh, I am not fan of that type of wine." Sure enough, there were hooked after a pour. Tastings like these are meant to expose you to new wines and winemaking styles, so take the chance of trying something that goes against your own palate and prejudices.

Hopefully the Vintners' Association will move the event to the Santa Ynez Valley next year rather than have people trek all the way to Lompoc. I know the folks in the Sta. Rita Hills would disagree, but it's good to shake things up a bit. Up next for the Vintners' Association: Santa Barbara County "Celebration of Harvest" on October 9, 2010 from 1-4 p.m. at Rancho Sisquoc Winery in the Santa Maria Valley.

Ojai Vineyard 2004 White Hawk Syrah (Santa Barbara County)

2010-04-10T20:38:00.000-07:00

Background: Honestly, you can't go wrong with Ojai Vineyard. There's a wine for every palate among the dozen or more wines produced each year (6,000 cases) by owner/winemaker Adam Tolmach. Ojai Vineyard sources fruit from the finest Central Coast vineyards (Fe Ciega, Bien Nacido, Thompson, Melville, Clos Pepe, Solomon Hills). Ojai produces Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Grenache, and Syrah, as well as Red and White blends from barrels that did not make the selection for the single vineyard bottlings.

Stats: Syrah grapes sourced from White Hawk Vineyard in Santa Barbara County. 14.5% alcohol by volume. Retails for $47, purchased for $26.99 at the Woodland Hills Wine Company. 93 points Wine Enthusiast, 92 points Robert Parker, 92 points Wine Spectator, and 91 points Josh Reynolds (IWC).

Tasting Notes: Dark, elegant, muscular and dense. A bouquet of blackberry, minerals and jalapeño aromas tingle the nose, while blackberry, dark chocolate and black pepper coax the mid-palate, finishing with a lingering dark fruit finish. It starts with a bang and ends with an elegant boom.

The Ojai Vineyard 2004 White Hawk Syrah strikes me as a wine that required very little coaxing in the barrel or bottle. It seems to have developed its own split personality - monstrous and well-balanced. Don't get me wrong; this is not a big, bold tannin bomb of a wine. As far as I'm concerned, this wine offers an abundance of elegance, depth and balance, while leaving a statement. Don't worry; I bought a second bottle of the Ojai Vineyard 2004 White Hawk Syrah.

The Ojai Vineyard

P.O. Box 952, Oak View, CA 93022

(805) 649-1674

No tours or tasting room

Welcome to the Neighborhood, Municipal Winemakers

2010-04-03T22:35:00.000-07:00

Ladies and gentlemen, help me welcome the newest tasting room to the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail, Municipal Winemakers. Tucked behind the Kunin/Westerly tasting room on Anacapa Street a block away from the beach, you wouldn't know a new winery set up shop except for the signs out front. You can easily second guess whether you are walking down the right path to the tasting room, but stay on the gravel driveway for a few yards, and step inside the modest tasting room to enjoy some creative wine blends. As soon as you enter, you'll be greeted by the tasting room staff or Owner/Winemaker, Dave Potter. While not tending to his own wine label, Dave makes up the dynamic winemaking team at Fess Parker Winery (Blair Fox and Larry Schaffer). Can I join the team? It seems that everyone at Fess Parker has their own successful label. I want in!

Municipal Winemakers produces approximately 500 cases of wine and sources its fruit from a variety of vineyards in Santa Barbara County, including Tierra Alta, Camp Four, and Dierberg. The collection of wines offer youthful, fruit-forward expressions, but there are not overly complex. You buy these wines to enjoy; not to store in the cellar for many years wondering to yourself, "is it time to open?" MWs winemaking philosophy (authentic, creative and independent) demonstrates these qualities, and future vintages will undoubtedly evolve into wines with these pure aromatic and tasteful characteristics. I was impressed with the 2009 Pale Pink Rose (unique blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Counoise) and the 2008 Syrah (smoky, black fruit, smooth texture, and fine tannins; well-rounded in the mid-palate).

Wine Tasting List

2009 Bright White Riesling ($18)

2009 Pale Pink Rose ($18)

2008 Bright Red ($22)

2008 Syrah ($25)

2007 Dark Red ($25)

You might also be interested in these wines, which are available for purchase in the tasting room: 2007 Fizz Sparkling Shiraz ($34), 2008 Grenache ($25), 2007 Cinsault ($25), 2007 Best Barrel Cab ($40) and Thread ($45) - best barrels from winemakers Dave Potter, Blair Fox, Larry Schaffer and Mikael Sigouin.

Municipal Winemakers

28 Anacapa Street, Suite D, Santa Barbara

(805) 931-MUNI (6864)

Open Sat & Sun, 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. ($10)

Facebook: Municipal Winemakers

Twitter: @muniwine

Email: dave@municipalwinemakers.com

Jack Creek Cellars '06 Estate Pinot Noir, Kruse Vineyards

2010-03-24T22:01:00.000-07:00

Background: Jack Creek Cellars is a small, family-owned and operated winery and vineyard located in the southern end of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range in the Paso Robles wine region. In 1997, Doug and Sabrina Kruse purchased 75 acres of prime agricultural land on Jack Creek Road in Templeton (previously known as JRK ranch). The estate grown wines include 20 acres of Pinot Noir and 5 acres each of Syrah and Chardonnay. The estate vineyard is located in a spectacular location on Highway 46 west of Vineyard Drive. It's a must visit winery and vineyard for Westside wine travelers.

Stats: 100% Estate Pinot Noir from Kruse Vineyards in the Templeton Gap. 14.2% Alc. by Vol.

Tasting Notes: Bountiful expressions of red cherry, blackberry and cola flavors combine for a silky, restrained finish with a gentle touch of plum and spice on the palate.

Jack Creek Cellars
5265 Jack Creek Road, Templeton
(805) 226-8283
Tasting Room Hours: Friday-Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Email: info@jackcreekcellars.com
Facebook: Jack Creek Cellars

Zintastic Paso Robles Weekend

2010-03-23T00:27:00.000-07:00

Thousands of wine lovers descended on Paso Robles for the 18th Annual Zinfandel Festival. Wineries were bustling with locals and visitors from across California and the U.S. Zin lovers were dazzled by the near perfect weather conditions, green hillsides and pruned vineyards on the eastside and westside of Paso Robles. While Zinfandel was the wine of choice this weekend, wineries were pouring a variety of other award-winning wines, including Zin blends, Rhone blends and other single-varietals.

All of the festivities culminated on the evening of Saturday, March 20th at the Paso Robles Event Center with the Grand Tasting. Hundreds of thirsty wine lovers filled into the Center to enjoy Zinfandel wines from dozens of Paso Robles wineries and culinary treats from local restaurants and caterers. Chef Dallas was dishing out paella from Tenth Street Basque Cafe (San Miguel) to hungry tasters.

Although I am not the biggest fan of Zinfandel (I am a huge fan of some Paso Zin blends), I did get to sample a few wines from some old friends and new wineries. Highlights from the festival was standing at a booth across from Tenth Street Basque Cafe (paella!) and watching the line form at the Villa Creek food booth (it stretched from one end of the Center to the other).

Despite the fact that the event started too late in the evening (7-9:30pm), the 2010 Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival was a success. Hopefully organizers will decide to go on with the Grand Tasting next year despite some consideration to cancel it this year. The event can be a good opportunity to expose visitors to small, family-owned wineries who otherwise would have never known about their wines, and may consider dropping by the tasting room during the weekend or joining the wine club.

In the meantime, get ready for the 28th Annual Wine Festival, May 21-23, 2010. Wineries will be rolling out new releases. The Grand Tasting will be filled with wine, food and entertainment. I'll see you in May! Cheers!

Kaleidos 2004 Morpheus, Paso Robles

2010-03-19T12:12:00.000-07:00

Background: Established in 2004, Kaleidos is a family-owned and operated winery and vineyard. Nestled in the Templeton Gap of the Santa Lucia Mountains in Paso Robles, the vineyard sits atop two south facing slopes. The winery and vineyard were established with the mission of producing the finest premium handcrafted wines. Owner Steve Martell's passion and focus is Rhône varietals. Believe it or not, my first encounter with these wines occured at the 2010 Rhône Rangers Paso Robles Experience on February 14. Kaleidos was the highlight of my tasting experience that afternoon, particularly the 2005 Morpheus, 2005 Syrah and 2006 Grenache.

Stats: 67% Syrah (Kiler Canyon Vineyards and Starr Ranch), 23% Grenache (Terra Bella Vineyard), 10% Mourvedre (Halter Ranch). Aged in a mix of new and neutral French, American and Hungarian Oak. 16% Alc. By Vol. 266 cases.

Tasting Notes: The Kaleidos 2004 Morpheus is a Rhône blend (Syrah/Grenache/Mourvedre) exhibiting toasted oak, cherry and blueberry aromas, blackberry and dark chocolate flavors, leaving a lingering and spicy finish with firm and robust taninns. This medium to full-bodied wine teases the palate with silky and delicate texture, opening up to amazing depth and complexity.

Kaleidos
1990 Township Road, Paso Robles
(805) 226-0828
info@kaleidoswine.com
Facebook: Kaleidos Wine

Penman Springs Vineyard '08 Muscat Blanc "Dry Humour," Paso Robles

2010-03-13T10:25:00.000-08:00

Background: Penman Springs Vineyard is a family-owned, artisan winery situated in the rolling hills east of Paso Robles. The proprietors, Carl and Beth McCasland, along with winemaker Larry Roberts, craft a lineup of varietal offerings of Muscat Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petite Sirah, along with Petit Verdot for use in their "Meritage" blend. Penman Springs produces 2,000 cases a year, most of it which is available at the winery and through the wine club. On a clear, crisp winter weekend, I visited Penman Springs Vineyards and spent at least two hours enjoying wine and conversation with Beth McCasland. Boy, was she a hoot!

Penman Springs Vineyard '08 Muscat Blanc "Dry Humour," Paso Robles ($15): Here's what I scribbled down for tasting notes: "peach, dried mango (nose); oak and orange peel flavors; creamy texture with a dry, lingering finish and balanced acidity." I may not be a white wine drinker, but I sure enjoyed this wine. Remember to serve this wine chilled. Interested in other wines from Penman Springs Vineyard? Try the Petite Sirah!

Penman Springs Vineyard
1985 Penman Springs Road, Paso Robles
Tasting Room Hours: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Thursday-Sunday
Tasting complementary with purchase
(805) 237-7959
Email: inquiry@penmansprings.com

Flying Goat Cellars 2006 Pinot Noir, Salisbury Vineyard

2010-02-28T16:30:00.000-08:00

Background: With twenty-five years of wine-making experience under his belt, Norm Yost has crafted memorable and award-winning Pinot Noir from vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Maria Valley and San Luis Obispo County. For something different and refreshing, try the Flying Goat Cellars, Goat Bubbles Sparkling Brut Rosé. Why is the winery called Flying Goat Cellars? Check out Norm's explanation for the kitschy name here.

Stats: The Flying Goat Cellars 2006 Pinot Noir, Salisbury Vineyard ($36) marks the second vintage of this vineyard designate Pinot Noir. The Salisbury Vineyard is located in San Luis Obispo County's Avila Valley, a mere one mile from the Pacific Ocean. Flying Goat sources both clones 2A and 115 from this vineyard. The wine aged in French oak barrels, 20% of which were new, for nine months. The wine was bottled in August 2007 and given an additional six months of bottle aging before release in May 2008. 14.8% alcohol.

Tasting Notes: Bright and succulent with rich cherry, raspberry and spicy aromas. A smooth, silky texture combines with flavors of dried red fruit and cinnamon for a restrained finish; well-balanced with supple tannins. The nose says it all in this wine...

Flying Goat Cellars
1520 East Chestnut Court, Unit A, Lompoc ("The Wine Ghetto")
(805) 737-4628
Tasting Hours: Thurs-Sun, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm or by appointment
Facebook: Flying Goat Cellars Wine

Put a Cork in Corked Wine

2010-02-25T15:33:00.000-08:00

If you drink enough wine, you are bound to open a corked bottle. Regardless of the data on how often it occurs (or doesn't occur), there are a few things to keep in mind when you stiff out a corked bottle. First, how do I know if my wine is corked? Does it smell and/or taste like wet cardboard? Are you sitting there wondering is this how its supposed to taste? If you find yourself asking these questions, then you might have a corked bottle. It's one of the most depressing experiences (maybe that's a slightly over-dramatized statement).

Here a few suggestions when you open a corked bottle:

(1) Save the evidence. Most wineries want proof that the wine is in fact corked. It makes no sense to dump the bottle when you spent good money on a wine; but don't drink anymore of it hoping that it gets better.

(2) Contact the wine shop, winery owner, winemaker, tasting room manager or sales manager. Inform them that you purchased a corked bottle. Provide them with information on when and how you purchased the bottle (e.g. traveled to the tasting room, purchased the wine online or in-store).

(3) Discuss options for returning the bottle. In some cases, you may have visited a winery in California's Central Coast during a vacation, so it may not be feasible for you to immediately return the bottle. In this case, work with the winery to get your money's worth for the corked bottle. If your purchased a corked bottle from a wine store, return the bottle to that store and try to obtain another bottle in exchange.

As a consumer, you are entitled to receive a product of superior quality. It is incumbent upon the winery to offer its customers the best product and customer service possible. It doesn't matter how much you spend on a bottle of wine or whether you were a one-time customer or a wine club member. More importantly, don't be afraid to tell a winery or wine shop that you purchased a cork bottle.

Then again, you could find yourself in the unfortunate position of purchasing a "bad wine." To avoid this disappointing situation, do your best to research the wine you are about to purchase; ask friends if they purchased or tasted the wine; contact your local wine store for recommendations; or better yet, visit the winery and taste the wine(s) for yourself.

I would encourage wine drinkers to consider purchasing screw cap enclosed wines to experience the difference between a cork and screw cap bottle (if you think a difference is noticeable). I happen to be a fan of several Central Coast wineries that rely solely on screw cap enclosures.

What are your experiences and recommendations?

2010 Rhône Rangers Paso Robles Experience

2010-02-20T18:32:00.000-08:00

Raise your hands if you drive from LA to Paso Robles via U.S. 101? As I suspected, I see a lot of hands in the air. How about taking an alternative route: Interstate 5 north to Highway 46 East. After a rainstorm, you'll be wowed by the beauty of the drive on Highway 46 East between the SLO County Line and Paso Robles. It's quite an amazing sight. Plus you save a half-hour on the drive. I was in town to visit the Abascal's and Tillman's, otherwise known as Vines on the Marycrest and Alta Colina, respectively. Besides spending time with some of my favorite people and wines in the Central Coast, I drove north to participate in a good 'ol Rhone Rangers wine tasting event on Valentine's Day. Here was an opportunity to sample a great selection of Paso Robles wines, such as Terry Hoage, Villa Creek, Tablas Creek, Edward Sellers, Kaleidos, Kenneth Volk, Thacher, Anglim, and many more wineries.

Before heading to the 2010 Rhone Rangers Paso Robles Experience at Vina Robles on the Eastside, I dropped in to visit my favorite winemaking family - the Abascals of Vines on the Marycrest. Why do I always visit the Abscals when I am in town? Well, how would you feel if your family came to town and neglected to stop by to say hello? Plus, I came bearing gifts! Sadly, one member of the family was missing. A few weeks ago, Buck "The Wine Dog" Abascal passed away. He will be greatly missed, but his memory lives on for all those who had a chance to visit the tasting room.

After breakfast and a romp through the vineyard, Victor Abascal and I headed over to Alta Colina on Adelaida Road for a tasting and to talk shop. Everything on the tasting menu was popping in the palate, especially the '07 GSM and '07 Syrah. Besides the wine, I was enjoying the winemaking conversation between Bob Tillman and Victor. Plus, it was great to see Maggie Tillman again. She's always a gracious host and a great conversation. I will make it a point to visit the Alta Colina Vineyard this summer. Hopefully, we'll enjoy some collaboration between these two great winemakers and wineries in the future.

Now for the main event: 2010 Rhone Rangers Paso Robles Experience. This year's event was held at Vina Robles on Highway 46 East. This is an impressive winery that can accommodate large crowds, yet it's inviting and convenient. With glass in hand, I started plotting my wine tasting plan. Okay, I see all the familiar names and faces: there's Steffanie Anglim, Ed Sellers, Terry Hoage, Kenneth Volk, and Sherman Thacher. But where are my good friends from Los Angeles? After going back and forth between both tasting rooms (yes, it was that big), I finally ran into Daily Wine Dispatch and the hubby. Now the tasting can begin. You can't taste the wines alone nor can you taste every one. So here's a list of what I tasted and enjoyed. Check out each winery for more information about these and other wines.

10 Knots Cellars

-2007 Beachcomber, White Rhône Blend

Anglim

-2008 Grenache Blanc, Red Cedar Vineyard

-2007 Viognier, Bien Nacido Vineyard

-2007 Syrah

-2007 Mourvèdre, Hastings Ranch Vineyard

Adelaida

-2007 Mourvédre

Clayhouse Winery

-2006 Estate Petite Sirah

Edward Sellers

-2007 Le Thief, Red Rhône Blend

-2007 Syrah Sèlectionèe

Kaleidos

-2008 White, Rhône Blend

-2005 Morpheus, Red Rhône Blend

-2005 Syrah

-2006 Syrah

L'Aventure Winery

-2007 Côte à Côte, Red Rhône Blend

-2007 Estate Cuvée, Syrah Blend

Minassian-Young

-2008 White Rhônoceros

-2006 Grenache

-2007 Mourvèdre

-2007 GSMV

Tablas Creek Vineyard

-2008 Côtes de Tablas

-2007 Esprit de Beaucastel

Terry Hoage Vineyards

-2007 46, Red Rhône Blend

-2007 Skins, Grenache

Thacher

-2008 Viognier

-2005 Syrah

-2006 Syrah

Villa Creek Cellars

-2006 Vulture's Post, Mourvèdre Blend

-2007 Garnacha

-2007 Willow Creek Cuvée, GSM

-2007 Avenger, Syrah Blend

In comparing this event to last year's Rhône Rangers tasting in Los Angeles, I found this crowd to be more mature in age and drinking habits, but equally knowledgeable and excited about the selection of wines. None of the wines on the list above disappointed me. As far as standouts, I would give high marks to Kaleidos, Villa Creek, Terry Hoage, and L'Aventure. This was my first opportunity to sample most of these wines. There was heavy presence of single-varietal Mourvèdre on the tasting list and during the luncheon. Make no mistake, Paso Robles is producing amazing wines of distinct quality and character. I am looking forward to the next vintage. Bottling is already underway!

Of course I came away with a few wines for the cellar: Alta Colina '07 GSM and Vines on the Marycrest '07 My Generation and '07 Round Midnight. Get your hands on these wines next time you visit Paso Robles. Cheers!

Saarloos and Sons '06 Purper Hart Syrah

2010-02-05T07:29:00.000-08:00

Background: Purper? Yes. "Purper" is Dutch for purple, as in "Purple Heart." Uncle John Saarloos fought in World War II and won the Purple Heart for his enduring sacrifice.

Saarloos and Sons is located at the northern end of Grand Avenue in downtown Los Olivos. As you step into the tasting room, you can't help but marvel at the contemporary interior design within this historic building. For four generations, the Saarloos family has farmed the Santa Ynez Valley and crafted wines with a purpose and story to carry on.

Stats: Fruit harvested in 2006 from the Saarloos and Sons Estate Vineyard, Windmill Ranch. Barrel aged for 2 years; bottle aged for 1 year. 14.5% alcohol by volume. 347 cases.

Tasting Notes: Pop! Pour. Enjoy. The '06 Purper Hart Syrah elicits smoky, meaty notes and ripe fruit aromas, combined with black pepper and dark, jammy berry flavors. Without aeration, this Santa Barbara County single vineyard Rhône wine is firm, but eventually evolves into a wine exhibiting lush texture and ripe flavors demanding another year or two in the bottle for maximum enjoyment. How about the nose? Have you ever stepped into a winery during crush? Did you ever peek into a bin of freshly crushed Syrah grapes and take a good whiff? If so, you may pick up the faint resemblance of that ripe aroma when you first swirl a glass of the '06 Purper Hart Syrah. Can you relate?

Saarloos and Sons
2971 Grand Avenue, Los Olivos
(805) 688-1200
Twitter:@saarloosandsons
Facebook: Saarloos and Sons

Birthday Wishes and Wine in Paso Robles

2010-01-06T12:57:00.000-08:00

I love Paso Robles! Sure, the wines are superb, the scenery is breathtaking, and the air is clear, but what separates this wine region apart from many others is the people who pour their heart and soul into their wines. I've been fortunate to come across many of these individuals and families over the course of the year traveling north to Paso Robles, including the Abascals, Anglims, Dubosts, Tillmans, Thachers...and so on.

The mission: celebrate my birthday in Paso Robles Wine Country. Honestly, who needs an excuse to visit Paso Robles?! Despite encountering some foggy weather along the Grapevine, the low clouds dissipated as I hit the "San Luis Obispo County" sign along Highway 46 half-way between Interstate 5 and U.S. 101. Rather than continue through town to the Westside, I decided to take a detour and experience the views and wines that the Eastside has to offer. Upon entering the city boundaries, I turned left on Geneseo Road and headed south to Cass Winery. Wow! What a drive! The Eastside offers the same reaction as the Westside, but a completely different visual panorama, and quite honestly, one that was absolutely breathtaking on this winter Sunday. The hillsides were studded with oak trees and blanketed green. As I pulled into Cass Winery, I could not envision a more spectacular view nor a better way to get the day started.

Cass Winery has practically everything to offer: hand-crafted wines, cafe, bed and breakfast, and more. As I strolled into the driveway, five minutes past 11:00 am, I was taken aback by the absolute magnificence and serenity of the property. As the one and only patron, I took my time sampling the tasting list, chatting with the staff about the NFL playoffs and taking a stroll through the barrel room. Wines includes the Rockin One' Blanc 2008 (80% Roussanne/30% Marsanne), Flying Nymph (60% Cabernet Sauvignon/40% Mourvedre), Syrah 2006, Cabernet Franc 2006, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 and Petite Sirah 2006. If I didn't have to visit other wineries, I could have easily bought a bottle of Cab Franc and relaxed outdoors under the large oak tree surrounded by lush green hillsides and absolute silence.

Cass Winery
7350 Linne Road, Paso Robles
(805) 239-1730
Tasting Hours: M-F, 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm & Sat-Sun, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Cafe Hours: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Twitter: @CassWinery
Facebook: Cass Winery

Since it was my first trip to the Eastside, I had to take advantage of the day by visiting one more winery before heading to the Westside. So its back onto Linne Road heading west. Where to go next? While taking in the sights, I remember a friend recommending that I visit Penman Springs Vineyard. I've never heard of them, but why not give it a try? On the drive to Penman Springs Road, it dawned on me that this was the road in the map labeled "Dirt Road - Possible Washout." Well, it hasn't rained for a few days, so I should be in good shape. Eureka! But no one told me it was a 1/4 mile gravel road along the riverbed. No matter, I am almost to the vineyard. Now that's a classic vineyard view! I was greeted at my car by the wine dog, who led me enthusiastically to the front door. Co-owner Beth McCasland greeted me inside the tasting room (a.k.a "grandma's house). After a couple hours chatting about everything but wine, Beth has become my new favorite wine friend in Paso Robles. That woman has character!

Penman Springs Vineyard is located approximately three miles east of downtown Paso Robles atop a rise with unparalleled vineyard views. The McCasland's purchased their 40-acre piece of wine country paradise in 1996. Two years later, they launched the Penman Springs Vineyard line and brought Larry Roberts on board as winemaker. Penman Springs Vineyard produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Muscat Blanc, Petite Sirah and Syrah. You will be hard-pressed to find another winery in Paso Robles with spectacular views, charm and easy drinking, affordable wines. Cheers to Beth for the wine, cheese and entertainment that afternoon!

Penman Springs Vineyard
1985 Penman Springs Road, Paso Robles
(805) 237-7959
Tasting Hours: Thursday-Sunday, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

My tour of the Eastside is complete. Yes, it was brief, but my true intent for driving north to Paso Robles was to visit my friends at Vines on the Marycrest. It's been too long since my last visit to the winery during crush. "Victor, I am on my way," I wrote on Twitter. Pulling into the newly paved driveway was like a homecoming for me. I spent a number of weekdays and weekends at the Abascal home working in the winery alongside Victor crushing grapes for the 2009 vintage. Honestly, that was one of my most memorable life experiences (skydiving is tied with winemaking). It was great to see the entire Abascal family, including the greatest Paso Robles wine dog to roam these vineyards - Buck. With some food in my belly thanks to the culinary skills of Jenni Abascal, Victor and I trekked uphill to Remo Belli Vineyard to visit my "wine godparents" - Nick and Connie. I can't visit Paso Robles and forget to say hello to these absolutely wonderful people.

Vines on the Marycrest
5050 Mustard Creek Road, Paso Robles
(805) 237-0378
Tasting Hours: Friday-Sunday, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Twitter: @Vines_Marycrest
Facebook: Vines on the Marycrest

With permission from Jenni (good man), Victor and I decided to visit Dubost Ranch and Jack Creek Cellars. If you are looking for a spectacular drive, head west on Chimney Rock Road after it forks with Nacimiento Lake Road. Picture perfect late afternoon in Paso Robles. Take it in...

Here's what I got: Dubost Ranch '05 Gran Reserva, Jack Creek Cellars '06 Estate Pinot Noir (Thanks, Victor!!!), '06 Flying Goat Cellars Salisbury Vineyard Pinot Noir, and Happy Birthday sung by a 3 year old and his family from Templeton. How about that! Thanks to Joan from Flying Goat Cellars for the bottle. We met each other at the Jack Creek Cellars tasting room. On top of it all, Victor poured barrel samples of the '09 vintage we crushed together. Rockin'!

It was a great birthday excursion thanks in large part to the Abascals. I can't thank them enough for all that they have done for me. Cheers, friends!

Dubost Ranch 2006 Tempranillo, Paso Robles

2010-01-01T19:46:00.000-08:00

Background: Dubost Ranch is a family-owned winery handcrafting limited production wines grown locally and in the family vineyard in the historic Adelaida area west of Paso Robles.

The Dubost Family left the Cherbourg region of France after the Franco-Prussian War of 1871 to escape the violence of Europe. They were blacksmiths by trade and immigrated to Hawaii and the Black Hills of South Dakota before settling on the Central California Coast. There is an historical marker at the site of the old store and post office commemorating the town of Adelaida and the role played by the Dubost family.

The vineyards and winery are on 320 acres of hillsides in the heart of Adelaida. The climate and limestone soils are perfect for producing premium grapes and the straw bale winery is a model for sustainable production facility. Dubost Ranch is a beautiful property located on Chimney Rock Road west of the historic town of Adelaida. A few months ago, Victor Abascal of Vines on the Marycrest and I drove to the winery to visit Curt and Kate Dubost and sample their wines.

Stats: 100% Tempranillo from Starr Ranch in Paso Robles, which is located next door to Dubost Ranch. Aged 32 months half in new oak (50% French/50% American) and half in neutral oak. 112 cases

Tasting Notes: Bright red fruit aromas with sweet tobacco notes and vibrant flavors of cranberry leading to an airy, smooth mouthfeel. Other Dubost Ranch recommendations include the '06 Carmenere ($30) and '05 Gran Reserva ($32).

Dubost Ranch
9988 Chimney Rock Road, Paso Robles
(805) 226-8463
Tasting Hours: Friday-Sunday, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm ($3 tasting fee)
Twitter: @DubostWines
Facebook: Dubost Wines, Fans of Dubost Winery & Family
Blog: Dubost Ranch Winery

Sort This Out Cellars: Where Wiseguys Raise a Glass to "This Thing of Ours"

2009-12-13T09:46:00.000-08:00

Where do wiseguys meet up with The Rat Pack for a glass of VinoNostra? No, its not the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas. Those days are long gone and the Venetian now sits on the site of the former Sands Hotel. Wiseguys and their goomah's are loading up into the Cadillac and heading to the quaint town of Solvang in the Santa Ynez Valley. Don't be alarmed. They are only here for the wine and not to shakedown local businesses...yet.

So who is this "friend of ours" opening shop in a Danish tourist town? Michael "The Big Winner" Cobb and his associates opened this storefront known as Sort This Out Cellars a couple weeks ago and business is booming. After feeling the heat in nearby Buellton, they packed up shop and moved east to Solvang. Since then, the place has been packed with wiseguys from all the territories: New York, Providence, Chicago, Kansas City and even places far out west. Word is spreading to locals and tourists about this place too. One part of the storefront is gaining some reputation. The "High Rollers Lounge" is being described as a room to make deals while playing a hand of blackjack. In the main room or "tasting room" as they call it, everyone seems to be enjoying a glass of wine from the Suited Collection and some want to "Ante Up Syrah." No worries, the tasting bar is big enough to accommodate everyone. We don't need Tommy coming in here again trying to start something with Billy Bats because Billy asked Tommy to get "his shinebox." Tommy unloaded on Billy and we had to close shop for a while.

We'll see how long our friends stay around. There is a lot of competition in town from "friends of ours" like Carivintas Winery, but there is enough vino to go around to make us all rich for a long time. If you are in the mood to hang out with the likes of Moe Green and The Rat Pack (Frank and Dino often make an appearance), then head to Solvang and visit Sort This Out Cellars. Otherwise, we'll have to make you an offer you can't refuse. Capiche, paisano?!

Cent'anni!

Sort This Out Cellars
1636 Copenhagen Drive, Solvang
(805) 688-1717
Sun-Thurs, 10:00 am - 7:00 pm & Fri-Sat, 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Twitter: @stoc, @MikeSortThisOut
Facebook: Sort This Out Cellars

kukkula 2005 i.p.o - Paso Robles

2009-12-08T19:58:00.000-08:00

Background: Kevin Jussila turned an interest in wine into a passion for wine. With the family in tow, Kevin purchased his prime Chimney Rock property in 2004 and began his winemaking career. When purchased, the property had about 75 acres of mature walnut trees and just over an acre of Cabernet. Today, some of the walnut acreage has been replaced by 16 acres of vines, and 8 acres of mostly French varietal olives. Grape varietals planted are Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Counoise, and Zinfandel.

Kukkula is Finnish for “the hill” and refers to owner/winemaker Kevin Jussila’s Finnish heritage and the family’s 80-acre hillside property west of Paso Robles. They are focused on producing Rhone and blended red wines from vines grown organically and dry farmed, and are located on Chimney Rock Road in the heart of the Adelaida area.

Stats: kukkula 2005 i.p.o - Paso Robles ($20) is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah, and 10% Zinfandel. Alcohol 14.6% by volume. 391 cases

Tasting Notes: Call me crazy put I pick up the distinct aroma of corn on the cob, cherry and rich earth. Strange? Probably so, but I stand by my claim. On the palate, the smooth texture and edges give way to alluring flavors of cherry, cola, coffee and white pepper with supple tannins and a round mouthfeel. Another value-oriented, food-pairing wine of subtle distinction from Paso Robles.

kukkula
9535 Chimney Rock Road, Paso Robles
(805) 227-0111
Tasting by appointment only

Ortman Family Vineyards 2007 Cuvée Eddy, San Luis Obispo County

2009-11-27T16:57:00.000-08:00

Background: Ortman Family Vineyards specializes in grape varietals from vineyards across California, including the Central Coast, as well as the famed Williamette Valley in Oregon. The father-son winemaking team of Chuck and Matt Ortman bring artistry and craftsmanship to advance the acclaimed “Ortman style,” which emphasizes richness, elegance and cuisine compatibility. A few weeks ago after a whirlwind day of crushing grapes, I dropped by the Downtown Paso Robles tasting room to sample wines and purchase a bottle of the '07 Cuvée Eddy. Recently, I enjoyed a bottle of the 2002 Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County.

Stats: The 2007 Cuvée Eddy is a blend of Syrah (42%) from Brave Oak Vineyard; Grenache (30%) and Mourvedre (19%) from Dino Boneso Vineyard; and Petite Sirah (9%) from Wittstrom Vineyard. Brave Oak and Dino Boneso vineyards reside in the foothills just east of the city of Paso Robles. Wittstrom Vineyard is located just west of Highway 101 halfway between Paso Robles and San Miguel. The separate varietal lots were aged in French oak barrels for 10 months, then assembled into the final blend after extensive trials. Alcohol 14.2% by volume. 1,200 cases

Tasting Notes: Although slightly restrained from young age, the '07 Cuvée Eddy ($24) displays earthy lushness, wild berries, black cherry and vanilla spice, tobacco, ripe tannins and a complex, full finish. Cheers to Chuck, Matt and Lisa Ortman for offering us another great QPR red blend wine from California's Central Coast!

Ortman Family Vineyards
1317 Park Street, Paso Robles
(805) 237-9009
Tasting Room (winter): Sun-Thurs, 12pm - 5pm and Fri-Sat, 12pm - 7pm
Twitter: @TasteOrtman
Facebook: Ortman Family Vineyards

Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail

2009-11-22T22:01:00.000-08:00

On a clear, crisp fall Sunday, I set out on the drive north on U.S. 101 to the city of Santa Barbara. The drive north can convince anyone to move to the idyllic, yet sprawling seaside city destination. Many wine travelers pass through the city on their way to the popular wine destinations in the Santa Ynez Valley and often overlook the more than half-dozen wine tasting rooms on Santa Barbara's Urban Wine Trail.

It was only a few weeks earlier that the wineries were filled wall-to-wall with fermentation bins and the aroma of fermenting grapes. Now, the bins are gone, the barrels are full, and fermentation is well underway. Within 5 hours, I hit 5 tasting rooms and 6 wineries searching for undiscovered Central Coast wines. Aside from Jaffurs and Kunin, I've never visited the other tasting rooms and tasted but a few of Carr's previous vintages, so this was a great opportunity to expose my palate to new wineries. Overall, I was pleased with the selection of wines on the tasting lists, but only a few wineries and wines stood out for me. Everyone should jump on the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail and taste these wines for yourself to find your favorites. Cheers!

Jaffurs Wine Cellars has produced highly acclaimed Rhône varietal wines from Santa Barbara County for over a decade. Jaffurs is one of my top 3 favorite Rhône producers in the Central Coast and each vintage gets better. Jaffurs sources its fruit from the best vineyards in Santa Barbara County, including Bien Nacido, Thompson, Stolpman, Larner, Ampelos and Verna's. Selections include award-winning Viognier, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Petite Sirah. 819 E. Montecito St., Santa Barbara. Open Fri-Sun 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. $10 Tasting Fee (glass included). (805) 962-7003

Jaffurs Wine Cellars

Carr Vineyards and Winery specializes in limited production wines from Santa Barbara County. Selections includes their wide-ranging collection of Pinot Noir from vineyards throughout the Sta. Rita Hills, Pinot Gris, Grenache, Syrah and Cabernet Franc. It's always a party in the tasting room and during harvest, you can sip on Pinot Noir and watch the crew crush the next vintage. 414 N. Salispuedes St., Santa Barbara. Open daily 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (till 8:00 pm, Thurs-Sat). $10 Tasting Fee (805) 965-7985

Carr Winery and Tasting Room

Kunin Wines/Westerly Vineyards share a tasting room a block from East Beach and Stearns Wharf. Kunin Wines has produced hand-crafted wines from California's Central Coast for eleven years. Westerly Vineyards focuses on Rhône and Bordeaux varietals from the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA. Kunin's selections include a spectacular, award-winning Viognier, Châteauneuf-du-Pape ("Pape Star"), Syrah and Zinfandel. Westerly's selections include Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Syrah and Merlot. 28 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara. Open daily 11:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m. $10 Tasting Fee (Kunin), $8 Tasting Fee (Westerly) (805) 963-9633

Kunin/Westerly Tasting Room

Whitcraft Winery is a family-owned limited production winery specializing in Central Coast Pinot Noir. The wines are never fined, filtered or pumped. Whitcraft's wine selections include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah. 36 A S. Calle Cesar Chavez, Santa Barbara. Open Fri-Sun 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. $8 Tasting Fee (805) 730-1680

Oreana Winery produces small lots of Pinot Noir, Syrah and blends from Santa Barbara County. The winery once housed a tire shop in this industrial section of Santa Barbara, that has become home to many other wineries. Oreana's wine selections include Chardonnay, Verdelho, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo and blends. 205 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara. Open daily 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. $10 Tasting Fee (805) 962-5857

Anglim Winery 2006 Grenache, Paso Robles

2009-11-14T15:01:00.000-08:00

Background: Anglim Winery is a boutique winery located in downtown Paso Robles focusing on limited production, hand-crafted Rhône varietals, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. Anglim sources grapes from renowned vineyards throughout the Central Coast including Bien Nacido, Hastings Ranch, Fiddlestix, French Camp and others. Steve Anglim serves as winemaker, while his wife, Steffanie, assists with sales and marketing. You can find both working in the tasting room, which is located at the old train depot. One of my first discoveries in Paso Robles, Anglim Winery has grown into my one of my favorite wineries in the Central Coast. I look forward to opening many more bottles of Anglim wine in my cellar in the coming months and years.

Stats: 79% Grenache, 14% Syrah and 7% Counoise. Blends grapes from vineyards on the east and westside of Paso Robles. Destemmed and fermented in open and closed top fermenters. Aged separately on the lees in French oak barrels (20% new) for approximately 14 months. 15.3% alcohol by volume. Drink now through 2011. 611 cases. $24

Tasting Notes: Bright red fruit, earthy aromas and the scent of bacon fat complement the deep cherry and spice flavors on the palate leading to a mouthwatering finish. The 2006 Grenache is a fruit-forward, medium to full-bodied wine with fine tannins and smooth edges. Great wine and great buy from an award-winning winery in Paso Robles.

Anglim Winery
740 Pine Street, Paso Robles (Located at the old train depot)
(805) 227-6813
Tasting Room Hours: Thursday-Monday, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Twitter: @AnglimWinery
Facebook: Anglim Winery

Melville 2007 Syrah, Estate-Verna's

2009-11-10T20:43:00.001-08:00

Background: Melville Vineyards and Winery is located in the famed Sta. Rita Hills where the cool climate lends to high quality, low-yield fruit, particularly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Melville also focuses on Rhône varietals such as Syrah and Viognier. Currently, they have 139 acres planted with 255,000 vines of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and Viognier at their estate vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills and Verna's Vineyard in Los Alamos. Verna's Vineyard consists of 100 acres in Cat Canyon north of Los Alamos primarily dedicated to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah. Melville supplies fruit to many acclaimed wineries including Bonaccorsi, Brewer-Clifton, Jaffurs, Ojai and Samsara.

Stats: This is 100% estate Syrah from the Melville ranch in Los Alamos and is composed of six clones (Clone 1, 99, 174, 383, 420 and 877). This vineyard is named in honor of Ron Melville's mother, Verna. 15.3% alcohol. 1876 cases. $24

Tasting Notes: Vibrant herbaceous aromas mingle with dark fruit and peppery notes finishing with flavorful hints of blackberry, spice and rich earth, yet on the palate the wine is remarkably smooth and velvety with supple tannins and a subtle grip. Aerated with a Vinturi.

Melville Vineyards and Winery
5185 East Hwy 246, Lompoc
(805) 735-7030
Open daily, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Trojans Invade '09 Crush at Tercero Wines

2009-11-09T10:52:00.000-08:00

Three things excite me on a Saturday morning this time of year: crushing grapes, drinking Central Coast wine and USC. Bring these three together, and I am a kid in a candy store with no parental supervision. I embarked on my weekend journey (again) north to Santa Barbara County to visit a great friend, an amazing winemaker, and the region's biggest champion - Larry Schaffer of Tercero Wines. First, let me say that Larry and his wife, Christie, are great people and a blast to hang out with (Santa Barbara, Arlington, Jack Johnson...can't forget it). When you are with Larry, you get the sense right away that he is 100% passionate about what he does and sharing that euphoria for this acclaimed wine region with anyone and everyone. That's why I make an effort to visit Larry as often as possible and join him at special events in Santa Barbara County and Los Angeles. He has a plethora of knowledge to share with anyone willing to lend an ear.

Earlier in the morning, Larry received a few tons of Grenache from Watch Hill Vineyard in Los Alamos, located halfway between Los Olivos and Santa Maria. As a wannabe winemaker, I had to see his operation in effect and compare it to my amazing experience working crush at Vines on the Marycrest in Paso Robles. As assistant winemaker for Fess Parker Winery, Larry has access to the winery equipment to crush his grapes and produce his acclaimed wines. It's a great incentive even for a limited production wine label. Check out the pics below from the crush. Whole cluster grapes are dumped into a hopper, sorted and gravity fed into a fermentation bin. The same process is repeated, however, whole clusters are fed into a crusher/destemmer where whole berries cold soak and ferment.

Following the morning crush, a caravan of cardinal and gold rolled into the winery to participate in the USC Physical Therapy Alumni Association wine social and grape crush. As a proud Trojan, I looked forward to meeting fellow Trojans and watching alum of all ages jump into picking bins to foot stomp whole cluster Grenache grapes. I didn't think everyone was going to participate. Sure enough, it took but a few minutes after tasting Larry's wines that everyone jumped into the bins and stomped away. Larry got into the action too attempting to punch down the cap of a larger bin. It was great to see everyone relive the most famous I Love Lucy moment.

Big thanks to Larry and Christie for allowing me to participate in the festivities. I strongly encourage everyone to seek out Tercero Wines. If you are planning to visit the Santa Ynez Valley, email Larry for winery recommendations and other suggestions. Cheers!

The Goods: 2008 Outlier (Gerwurztraminer) ($18), 2008 Grenache Blanc ($18), 2008 Rose (Grenache/Mourvedre) ($15), 2006 Cuvee Christie (Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre)($28), ($28), 2006 Camp 4 Grenache, 2007 Watch Hill Grenache, 2007 The Climb (Syrah/Petite Sirah), 2007 Larner Syrah, and 2007 Thompson Syrah.

Tercero Wines
P.o. Box 383, Los Olivos, CA 93441
(805) 245-9584
larry@tercerowines.com
No tasting room, but call or email Larry for special arrangements