Category Archives: CALIFORNIA

Dog Friendly Wineries in Paso Robles – Part 2

Posted on January 29, 2013 | 7 Comments

In my ongoing quest to have our dog with us on most – if not all – of our wine tasting adventures, I’ve uncovered more incredible, dog-friendly wineries in Paso Robles.   As a rule of thumb when tasting with dogs, always bring a leash, make sure the dogs remain well-behaved, and remember to be respectful of other tasters.

Below is a list of some of my recent favorite dog-friendly spots…

Alta Colina

Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery

  • Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery
    2725 Adelaida Road
    Paso Robles, CA  93446
    Phone:  (805) 227-4191
    Fax:  (805) 541-8025
    email:  info@altacolinawine.com
    Tasting room hours:  11AM – 5:00PM Thursday through Sunday
    Notes:  At Alta Colina, dogs are very welcome inside the tasting room while their owners try some of the winery’s award-winning wines.  If the tasting room is crowded or there are tasters who have allergies, you may be asked to taste outside as a courtesy.
Our happy dog Booker relaxing on the cool tasting room floor at Edward Sellers

Our happy dog Booker relaxing on the cool tasting room floor at Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines

  • Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines
    1401 West Highway 46
    Paso Robles, CA 93446
    Phone: (805) 239-8915
    Email: info@edwardsellers.com
    Tasting room hours: 11AM – 5PM Daily
     Notes:  Edward Sellers is a very dog-friendly winery where our dog Booker was invited inside the tasting room with us.  He was given a bowl of water and quickly made friends with one of the resident tasting room dogs.  The two of them played inside as well as outside on the beautiful grounds. 
Booker & Per Cazo's resident winery dog,

Booker & Per Cazo Cellar’s resident winery dog Rosie playing tug of war

  • Per Cazo Cellars
    5325 Vineyard Drive
    Paso Robles, CA  93446
    Phone:  (805) 227-4949
    Fax:  (866) 252-5962
    email:  dteckman@percazocellars.com OR lteckman@percazocellars.com
    Tasting room hours:  BY APPOINTMENT.  Wine tasting is complimentary.
    Notes:  Our dog absolutely loves Per Cazo Cellars.  Not only is their gorgeous Creekside Bed & Breakfast dog-friendly, but Booker had a blast playing with the winery’s resident dog Rosie while we tasted some delicious wine outside.
Our dog Booker enjoying the beautiful grounds at Terry Hoage Vineyards

Our dog Booker enjoying the beautiful grounds at Terry Hoage Vineyards

  • Terry Hoage Vineyards
    870 Arbor Road
    Paso Robles, CA 93446
    Phone: (805) 238-2083
    Email: info@terryhoagevineyards.com
    Tasting room hours: 11AM – 4PM Thursday through Monday
    Notes:  At Terry Hoage Vineyards, dogs are welcome inside the tasting room as long as they remain leashed and are well-behaved.  There is also a beautiful outdoor area where owners sip wine while their dogs watch water birds swimming in the pond.

More to come!…

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Posted in CALIFORNIA, Central Coast / Monterey, Paso Robles, Rhone, WINERY/VINEYARD

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Terry Hoage Vineyards – Paso Robles

Posted on January 6, 2013 | 1 Comment
Terry Hoage Vineyards

Terry Hoage Vineyards

Tucked away on an idyllic parcel of land on the Westside of Paso Robles lies the Terry Hoage Vineyards and tasting room.  In the rustic winery perched right across the small parking lot from his home, Terry Hoage and his wife Jennifer are hand-crafting some of the finest wines to come out of Paso Robles.

Terry Hoage Vineyards Tasting Room

Terry Hoage Vineyards Tasting Room

Terry Hoage Vineyards Tasting Room

Terry Hoage Vineyards Tasting Room

Terry and Jennifer learned the art of winemaking from some of the artisan trailblazers in the area, particularly Justin Smith of the famed Saxum Vineyards.  Justin made wine for Terry Hoage Vineyards and oversaw the winemaking process from 2002-2003 until Terry and Jennifer released their first vintage in 2005.

Terry Hoage Vineyards Tasting Room

Terry Hoage Vineyards Tasting Room

The Hoage’s take a very minimalist approach to making wine and do not incorporate any racking, fining or filtering.  They personally oversee every step in the process, producing bold, juicy Rhone varietals that are 100% organically farmed and estate grown.  You can taste the quality, creativity, and attention to detail in each sip.

Our dog Booker enjoying the beautiful grounds at Terry Hoage Vineyards

Our dog Booker enjoying the beautiful grounds at Terry Hoage Vineyards

Seating area at Terry Hoage Vineyards

Seating area at Terry Hoage Vineyards

During a pre-holiday trip to Paso, I had the pleasure of spending some time with Evan and Kellie in the Terry Hoage Vineyards tasting room.  Aside from the Hoage’s, Evan and Kellie are the only other official employees at the winery, which made it feel even more like a true family style operation.

Evan & Kellie of Terry Hoage Vineyards

Evan & Kellie of Terry Hoage Vineyards

We were taken through the current tasting flight which included 4 incredible reds, and also got to try a couple of wines from the upcoming 2010 release.

Before embarking on his career as a wine maker, Terry was a professional football player and spent 13 seasons in the NFL playing for 6 different teams.  He subtly pays homage to his football days through the names he give his wines (“The Pick”, “The 46″, “The Hedge”, etc).

Memorabilia from Terry Hoage's career in the NFL

Memorabilia from Terry Hoage’s career in the NFL

IMG_2727

Memorabilia from Terry Hoage’s career in the NFL

I thought all the wines at Terry Hoage Vineyards were outstanding and were on par with my favorites in the area (Booker, L’Aventure, etc).  I wanted to take a bottle of each home with me, but I managed to narrow my purchases down to a 2009 “The Hedge” (a deep red Syrah named after the hedges of UGA where Terry played), a 2010 “5 Blocks” (a Syrah/Mourvedre/Grenache/Cinsault blend honoring the 5 blocked field goals Terry had in his college days), and a 2011 “Pik Pool” (a white Picpoul Blanc that tasted like summertime).

The Current Tasting Flight: '08 "The Pick" Grenache Cuvee, '07 "The 46" Grenache-Syrah, '09 "The 46" Grenache-Syrah, and '09 "The Hedge" Syrah

The Current Tasting Flight: ’08 “The Pick” Grenache Cuvee, ’07 “The 46″ Grenache-Syrah, ’09 “The 46″ Grenache-Syrah, and ’09 “The Hedge” Syrah

The 2010 Release - Currently available to wine club members

The 2010 Release – Currently available to wine club members

I truly can’t recommend Terry Hoage Vineyards enough and thank Evan & Kellie for sharing their knowledge, passion, and hospitality.  To quote Robert Parker, “This is the kind of wine the Central Coast should be producing more.”

The stunning views at Terry Hoage Vineyards

The stunning views at Terry Hoage Vineyards

Click here to visit the Terry Hoage Vineyards website.

TERRY HOAGE VINEYARDS
870 Arbor Road
Paso Robles, CA 93446
Phone: (805) 238-2083
Email: info@terryhoagevineyards.com
Tasting room hours: 11AM – 4PM Thursday through Monday

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Posted in CALIFORNIA, Central Coast / Monterey, Grenache, Mourvedre, Paso Robles, Rhone, Syrah, WINERY/VINEYARD

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Sparkling Wines for the New Year – Vertuze & Louis Bouillot Sparkling Rosé

Posted on December 28, 2012 | Leave a comment

With all the celebrating that goes on at this time of year, I find myself enjoying a lot more sparkling wine and champagne than I usually do.

Since I have less time to travel to wine country over the holidays, I’ve been exploring the world of sparkling wine at home with friends and family.  I recently tried a couple of bottles of sparkling Rosé that I thought were excellent and deserving of attention right before we ring in the New Year.

Vertuze Brut Sparkling Rose

Vertuze Brut Sparkling Rosé

The first bottle I tried was a brut sparkling Rosé by Vertuze.  It is produced in the Arroyo Grande Valley in California’s Central Coast from a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir.  Made in the traditional French méthode champenoise, the Vertuze Rosé had a very pale pink hue and a nice touch of sweetness.

Vertuze Brut Sparkling Rosé

Vertuze Brut Sparkling Rosé

For those who are unfamiliar, the méthode champenoise is the oldest and most traditional way of making sparkling wine.  It involves a long, detailed process which includes blending wine (typically some combination of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir) followed by a fermentation period that requires a secondary in-bottle fermentation that can last up to 6 years.

True Champagne comes exclusively from the Champagne region of France while bubbly from anywhere else in the world is referred to as sparkling wine.

Vertuze Brut Sparkling Rosé

Vertuze Brut Sparkling Rosé

Back to Vertuze.  Though I typically enjoy a drier sparkling wine, the Vertuze sparkling Rosé was nicely balanced, very easy to drink, and easy on the wallet at about $19 per bottle.  I could see this being a hit for sparkling wine drinkers with a wide variety of palates.

The second bottle I tried was a brut Cremant de Bourgogne Sparkling Rosé called “Perle d’Aurore” by Louis Bouillot.  Cremant de Bourgogne is the appellation (or defined geographical area) for the Rosé and white sparkling wines of Burgundy in France.

Louis Bouillot Cremant de Bourgogne Sparkling Rosé "Perle d'Aurore"

Louis Bouillot Cremant de Bourgogne Sparkling Rosé “Perle d’Aurore”

The Louis Bouillot “Perle d’Aurore” Rosé is a blend of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Gamay.  On the palate, it started with lots of strawberry, but finished drier than the Vertuze with a slightly finer effervescence and a nice minerality.  I could see this appealing to sparkling wine drinkers who prefer less sweetness.  Also crafted in the méthode champenoise, the Louis Bouillot Cremant du Bourgone “Perle d’Aurore” Rosé was a steal at $14.

Louis Bouillot Cremant de Bourgogne Sparkling Rosé "Perle d'Aurore"

Louis Bouillot Cremant de Bourgogne Sparkling Rosé “Perle d’Aurore”

Louis Bouillot Cremant de Bourgogne Sparkling Rosé "Perle d'Aurore"

Louis Bouillot Cremant de Bourgogne Sparkling Rosé “Perle d’Aurore”

Grab a bottle (or several bottles) of Vertuze Brut Sparkling Rosé and Louis Bouillot “Perle d’Aurore” Sparkling Rosé for your next holiday party.  I guarantee either sparkler will be a hit.  Cheers & Happy New Year!

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Posted in Burgundy, CALIFORNIA, Central Coast / Monterey, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Rosé, Sparkling Wine & Champagne, WINERY/VINEYARD

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2nd Annual Garagiste Festival – Paso Robles

Posted on November 27, 2012 | 1 Comment

By definition, the term “garagistes” refers to a group of innovative, renegade wine makers from the Bordeaux region who refuse to follow the strict French rules and instead, produce “Vins de garage” or “Garage wine”.

For the second year in a row, Paso Robles has celebrated the spirit of the garagiste movement by holding a festival focused solely on small production wines.   Local artisan wine makers – some familiar and some unknown – gather together for a long weekend, giving wine lovers from all over an opportunity to taste the fruits of their labor.

The Creekside Room at Creekside Bed & Breakfast – Per Cazo Cellars

This year was my first experience at the Paso Robles Garagiste Festival and I was thrilled to be part of it.  On this particular trip, we stayed at the Creekside Bed & Breakfast at Per Cazo Cellars.  I honestly can’t recommend Creekside B&B enough.  From the comfy bed to host Lynn Teckman’s delicious gourmet breakfasts that were delivered to our room each morning, the entire stay was perfect.  Creekside B&B was also very dog-friendly which made it extra convenient and comfortable.

The cozy Creekside Room at Creekside Bed & Breakfast

The cozy Creekside Room at Creekside Bed & Breakfast

The Creekside Room at Creekside Bed & Breakfast

Amazing breakfast #1: Egg & sausage scramble with fresh mixed fruit, fresh squeezed juice, and warm muffin

Amazing breakfast #2: French toast, thick bacon, and fresh berries

The Garagiste Festival opened on Thursday with a dinner at Thomas Hill Organics featuring the cuisine of celeb chef Ludo Lefevbre.  Unfortunately I did not attend the dinner, but having experienced Ludo’s pop-up restaurant LudoBites in Los Angeles, I’m sure diners had an unforgettable experience.

Windfall Farms – Paso Robles

We attended the Garagiste Festival on Saturday, which was the day of the big Grand Tasting.  We walked into the beautiful Stallion Barn at Windfall Farms where 48 independent and passionate wine makers were set up for tastings in the horse stalls.

Inside the Stallion Barn at Windfall Farms

It was difficult to decide where to begin, but I decided to head over to Liquid Farm.  On a rare occasion, I’ve seen Liquid Farm Chardonnay and Rose on menus at some of the finer restaurants in LA, but I had yet to actually try the wine.  Owners Nikki and Jeff Nelson took us through a tasting of two Chardonnays – both of which were unique and wonderfully balanced – as well as one Rose.  If you can get your hands on a bottle of Liquid Farm, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

Nikki & Jeff Nelson of Liquid Farm

After Liquid Farm, we headed to Nicora Wine where winemaker Nick Elliot took us through some outstanding Rhones.  Right now, Nicora wines can be tasted by appointment only, but I highly recommend trying them next time you’re in Paso Robles.  I can’t wait to see what else Nick comes up with in the future.

Nick Elliott of Nicora Wine

From Nicora, we headed over to Cloak & Dagger where Ray Schofield walked us through his portfolio of exceptional wines – all of which are “handcrafted in secret”.  We were unsuccessful at uncovering any of the secrets of Cloak & Dagger wines, but we were very impressed with what we tasted.  We tried two Pinot Noirs, as well as a delicious 2010 Illuminatus Sangiovese and a 2010 Skull & Bones Zinfandel.

Ray Schofield of Cloak & Dagger Wines

After Cloak & Dagger, we headed to Red Zeppelin Winery where the eccentric Stillman Brown introduced us to a couple really good Central Coast red wine blends.  Finally, we ended our tasting with the latest offerings from our friends Lynn and Dave Teckman at Per Cazo Cellars.  The 2010 Epi Telos and 2010 Zing were so good that I had to take home a couple of bottles when we checked out of the Creekside B&B.

Stillman Brown of Red Zeppelin Winery

Overall, I loved being part of the 2nd Annual Paso Robles’ Garagiste Festival and feel like there were so many more amazing wines to try.  The wine makers who I met continue to inspire me and deepen my love for wine.  It was so wonderful to have the opportunity to taste new wines with the passionate people who are hand-crafting them.   I look forward to next year…

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Posted in Bordeaux, Burgundy, CALIFORNIA, Chardonnay, Grenache, Mourvedre, Paso Robles, Petit Sirah, Pinot Noir, Rhone, Rosé, Syrah, WINERY/VINEYARD, Zinfandel

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Presqu’ile Winery – Los Olivos, CA

Posted on September 12, 2012 | 1 Comment

Presqu’ile Wine – Los Olivos, CA

Every time I head up to Los Olivos, CA, I feel like the town just gets better and better.  With every trip, I seem to uncover an incredible new wine or a fun, new place to grab a bite.  This past weekend was certainly no exception.

Presqu’ile Wine – Los Olivos, CA

Presqu’ile Wine – Los Olivos, CA

I decided to try the wines of Presqu’ile and instantly fell in love.  The Presqu’ile Wine tasting room is located a couple of doors down from the recently opened Sides Hardware & Shoes restaurant.  The restaurant had a 45 minute wait, so we put down our names and headed to Presqu’ile.

Anna Murphy in the Presqu’ile Wine Tasting Room

We walked in the front door and I couldn’t help notice the incredibly cool decor.  The room was painted in a deep charcoal that was warmed with splashes of color, interesting art, and great lighting.  It was refreshing to see a tasting room with such a unique and contemporary design.

Proper pronunciation of Presqu’ile cleverly written on the tasting room wall

Colorful art on the wall at Presqu’ile

Presqu’ile Wine Tasting Room

I was also thrilled to see a doggy water bowl on the front porch when we arrived.  Our dog Booker was welcomed inside and instantly made friends with the tasting room dog, Hazel.

Booker and his new friend Hazel having a blast

While the dogs played, we sat at the bar and started our tasting.  They offer a Presqu’ile Flight for $10 which includes a Sauvignon Blanc, a Chardonnay, a Rose and a Pinot Noir.  They also offer a tasting flight of 3 Pinot Noirs for $15, or you can taste all 6 wines for $20.

Wine wall at Presqu’ile

Presqu’ile Wine Tasting Menu

We opted for the “taste them all” option, and tasting room manager Anna Murphy took us through the line up while she told us about the history of the winery.

We learned that the Murphy Family owns Presqu’ile and that the name means “almost an island” – an homage to a very special piece of land in the Gulf Coast that belonged to her family and was lost during Hurricane Katrina.  The family is working on a permanent Santa Maria winery/tasting room that will open Summer 2013.

Chandelier in the Presqu’ile tasting room

Back to the wine.  I thought the entire line up was pretty incredible and had a difficult time picking favorites.  Winemaker Dieter Cronje handcrafts the wines in a perfectly balanced, elegant, food friendly style which I really enjoyed – especially in an area with so many super-juicy Pinot Noirs and buttery Chardonnays.

Photo of winemaker Dieter Cronje

Presqu’ile Wine Tasting Room

Presqu’ile Wine Tasting Room

The hot day helped me narrow down my purchases to a 2010 Presqu’ile Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley ($35) and a 2011 Presqu’ile Rose of Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley ($18).  I will definitely be back for several bottles of Pinot Noir on my next visit.

Overall, I was so happy we visited Presqu’ile.  Anna was such a pleasure to chat with, the vibe of the tasting room was so welcoming and fresh, Booker got a great workout playing with Hazel, and the wines were fantastic.  I can’t wait for my next visit.

Click here to visit the Presqu’ile Winery website.

PRESQU’ILE WINERY – TASTING ROOM
2369 Alamo Pintado Avenue
Los Olivos, CA  93441
Phone: (805) 688-2022
Email: info@presquilewine.com
Tasting room hours: 11AM – 5PM Thursday through Monday

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Posted in Burgundy, CALIFORNIA, Chardonnay, Los Olivos, Pinot Noir, Rosé, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Sauvignon Blanc, WINERY/VINEYARD

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Wrath Wines – Monterey County

Posted on September 2, 2012 | 2 Comments

Wrath Wines

Wrath Wines

The Santa Lucia Highlands in Monterey County was yet-to-be-explored wine country for me until a couple of weekends ago.  After spending two perfect days soaking up as much of the area as I could, I found it to be a unique and very special place.

The SLH AVA sits in the Salinas Valley between the Santa Lucia and Gabilan Mountain Ranges, and enjoys a true cool climate thanks to fog and breezes blowing in from the Monterey Bay.  This makes it absolutely ideal for growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah – varieties that dominate in the area.  As a serious fan of Pinot Noir, I couldn’t wait to taste some new wines.

Wrath Wines

We spent most of our time on the River Road Wine Trail, which is essentially the main artery through the Valley and home to approximately 13 tasting rooms. The area is covered by over 50 vineyards, but most of them are private and solely grow grapes to sell to wine makers. We stopped at many of the tasting rooms along the wine trail, but I absolutely fell in love with Wrath Wines.

Exterior of the Wrath Wines tasting room

Exterior of the Wrath Wines tasting room

Aside from the fact that it’s surrounded by gorgeous vineyards, the Wrath Wines tasting room was not an immediate stunner. That is, until we stepped inside. Once I walked through the front door, I felt like I had entered a hidden oasis.

A view of the outdoors from inside the Wrath Wines tasting room

Wrath Wines tasting room

Wrath Wines

Inside, the tasting room was modern, simple & bright. We had our dog, Booker, with us and he was immediately welcomed to join us indoors. He quickly became friends with a winery dog named Penny and the two of them chased each other through the vines the entire time we tasted.  We decided to grab our first taste and join the doggies outside.

Sip Certified Wrath Wines

Wrath Wines

Wrath tasting menu

We enjoyed an outstanding line up of Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and Syrahs while relaxing by the pond. We also ordered a plate of crackers with local, hand crafted Monterey Jack cheese from Schoch Family Farmstead.

The cheese is hand-made just down the road from the winery by the Schoch family who have owned and operated their small dairy since 1944.  It was so yummy and paired so nicely with the wine that I hunted it down at The Cheese Shop in Carmel – right next to Wrath’s smaller Carmel tasting room.

Stunning views at Wrath Wines

Penny showing our dog Booker around the property…

Wrath Wines

Pond at the Wrath Wines tasting room

Outdoor seating at Wrath Wines

Outdoor seating at Wrath Wines

Wrath Wine & Schoch Family Farmstead Cheese

Wrath’s adorable winery dog, Penny

An incredible old building that sits next to the vineyards and can be seen on the label of every bottle of Wrath wine.

Even after spending a couple of hours at Wrath Wines, I didn’t want to leave.  The stunning scenery, amazing wine, and friendly people made the whole experience unforgettable.  I can’t think of a better place to lose track of an afternoon.  Wrath is not to be missed.

Click here to visit the Wrath Wines website.

WRATH WINES
35801 Foothill Road
Soledad, CA 93960
Phone: (831) 678-2212
Email: info@wrathwines.com
Tasting room hours: 11AM – 5PM Friday through Monday

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Posted in CALIFORNIA, Central Coast / Monterey, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, WINERY/VINEYARD

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Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines

Posted on May 26, 2012 | Leave a comment

Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines

I’ve wanted to try Edward Sellers’ wines for years.  It was always on my list, however because the tasting room was located in downtown Paso Robles, it usually ended up at the bottom as a last place to visit before dinner.  Unfortunately after a day of wine tasting outside of town, we usually skipped more wine and focused on food.

Now Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines has a gorgeous tasting room on the Westside of Paso and during my last visit, I made it the first stop of the day.

Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines

Driving down Highway 46 West, it’s easy to miss the entrance to Edward Sellers.  Although the tasting room is not far off the highway, once you turn down the unpaved drive and head onto the vine-covered grounds of the winery, you feel miles away from everything.

Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines

The tasting room at Edward Sellers is modern, yet it fits in perfectly with the natural beauty around it.  There is plenty of sunny outside seating that overlooks the acres of vineyards.  We got out of our car and were greeted by two friendly winery dogs who quickly made friends with our dog, Booker.

Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines

Outside seating at Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines

Outside seating at Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines with a picture-perfect view

After soaking up some sunshine, we headed inside – Booker included – to try some wine.  The inside of the Edward Sellers tasting room is just as lovely as the outside with dark stone floors, a bright green accent wall, and big window behind the bar that allows you to peek inside the barrel room.

Inside the Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines tasting room

Inside the Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines tasting room

Inside the Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines tasting room

Our tasting included two whites followed by a series of reds.  Similar to other wineries in Paso Robles, Edward Sellers specializes in hand crafted American Rhone style wines.  However, what I think sets them apart is the fact that most of Edward Sellers’ wines were perfectly balanced and surprisingly food-friendly.  They had the classic, big Paso Rhone style that I love without being too big and bold to complement a meal.

Booker enjoying the cool stone floor at Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines

All the wines we tried were consistently good which made it difficult to pick our favorites.  We decided to leave with a couple of bottles of 2011 Grenache Rose – a juicy, strawberry-filled rose that is perfect for summer.  We also took home a bottle of 2007 Vertigo (71% Grenache, 16% Mourvèdre & 13% Syrah) which was slightly tart with a nice hint of smoke.

I’m so glad we finally tried Edward Sellers.  It is one of our new favorites and will be a regular stop on our visits to Paso Robles.

Click here to visit the Edward Sellers Vineyards website.

EDWARD SELLERS VINEYARDS & WINES
1401 West Highway 46
Paso Robles, CA 93446
Phone: (805) 239-8915
Email: info@edwardsellers.com
Tasting room hours: 11AM – 5PM Daily

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Posted in CALIFORNIA, Grenache, Mourvedre, Paso Robles, Petit Sirah, Rhone, Syrah, WINERY/VINEYARD

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Booker Vineyard Release Party – Paso Robles

Posted on May 8, 2012 | 3 Comments

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending Booker Vineyard’s annual member release party and I wanted to share some photos of what ended up being an incredible day.

The wine, food, music and setting couldn’t have been more perfect.
Pier 46 Seafood Market and Thomas Hill Organics catered the event and provided a delicious assortment of finger foods, including fresh oysters.  I also had the opportunity to introduce our dog Booker to his namesake.  I’m proud to be an allocation member and am already looking forward to next year…

Booker Vineyard private release event – May 5th, 2012

Booker Vineyard release event

Winemaker Eric Jensen’s wife, Lisa greeting incoming guests

Guests enjoying a perfect day at Booker Vineyard

Delicious oysters from Pier 46 Seafood Market in Templeton, CA

A yummy assortment of appetizers from Thomas Hill Organics in Paso Robles, CA

A picture-perfect day at Booker Vineyard

Our dog Booker relaxing in the shade at Booker Vineyard

Click here to visit the Booker Vineyard website.

BOOKER VINEYARD
640 Anderson Rd.
Paso Robles, CA 93446
Phone: (805) 237-7367
Fax: (805) 237-7368
email: eric@bookerwines.com OR orion@bookerwines.com
Tasting room hours: 11AM – 5PM Thursday through Sunday

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Posted in CALIFORNIA, Paso Robles, WINERY/VINEYARD

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Dog Friendly Wineries in Santa Barbara Wine Country

Posted on March 26, 2012 | 12 Comments

The wine country just north of Santa Barbara is hands down one of my favorite destinations for a weekend trip.  Considering how often I visit the area, I’ve made it a point to find out which wineries are dog friendly.

Our dog Booker heading out on another wine tasting trip...

Just as I discovered in Paso Robles, Santa Barbara is full of wineries that welcome dogs with open arms. I’ve listed a few of my favorite wineries below and plan to expand this list with each visit…

  • Foxen Vineyard & Winery
    7600 Foxen Canyon Road
    Santa Maria, CA 93454
    Ph:  (805) 937-4251
    Fax:  (805) 937-0415
    Email:  info@foxenvineyard.com
    Hours:  Daily 11AM – 4PM
    Notes:  Foxen is an extremely dog-friendly winery where leashed dogs can be brought into the tasting room at both locations (the main winery at 7600 Foxen Canyon Road & “The Shack” at 7200 Foxen Canyon Road).  At the main winery, Booker was allowed inside with us on a leash or in one of the several outdoor seating areas where he was able to relax while we sipped wine.  At foxen 7200 (“The Shack), Booker was allowed to come inside the small tasting room with us or sit outside with us on the deck and bask in the sun.  At both locations, the tasting room staff brought him water and showered him with loads of attention.  He absolutely loved it.

    Outdoor area at Foxen Vineyard & Winery

    Dog friendly Foxen 7200 ("The Shack")

  • Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard
    6200 Foxen Canyon Road
    Los Olivos, CA 93441
    Ph: (805) 688-1545
    Email: infowinery@fessparker.com
    Hours: Daily 10AM – 5PM
    Notes:  Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard is a dog’s dream.  The winery is situated on a beautiful piece of land with a huge, perfectly manicured lawn where dogs are able to run around until their hearts are content.  I actually didn’t inquire if they were allowed inside the tasting room because the outside area was just too perfect.  We did a tasting, bought a bottle and sat outside with wine and snacks while Booker and his cousin Bodo played.  Just remember to be courteous… even though dogs are allowed to be off leash, the lawn is also a picnic area so don’t forget to bring a leash with, as well as some potty bags and water.

    Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard

    Dogs hanging out at Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard

    Dogs playing on the lawn at Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard

  • Alta Maria Vineyards
    2933 Grand Avenue
    Suite A
    Los Olivos, CA 93441
    Ph: (805) 686-1144
    Email: aminfo@altamaria.com
    Hours: Daily 11AM – 5PM
    Notes:  I was very pleasantly surprised to find out Booker was allowed in the Alta Maria Vineyards tasting room.  This gorgeous new tasting room is located in downtown Los Olivos and when I inquired about bringing our dog inside, I expected to have to sit outside with him.  Instead, we were told he was more than welcome to come in as long as he remained on a leash and we kept an eye on him.  The tasting room is beautifully decorated and somewhat small, so this was definitely not a place for an excessively large or high energy dog.  They apologized for not having a water bowl for him, which was totally fine.  We were just happy he could be inside with us.  He got to take a nap on the cool stone floor while we enjoyed some amazing wines.

    Small outdoor seating area at Alta Maria Vineyards Tasting Room

    Our dog Booker napping on the cool stone floor at Alta Maria Vineyards

  • Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards
    7250 Santa Rosa Road
    Buellton, CA 93427
    Ph: (805) 688-9090
    Email: info@almarosawinery.com
    Hours: Daily 11AM – 4:30PM
    Notes:  Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards is a rustic, off the beaten path winery that some may remember from the movie Sideways.  Booker was welcome to relax inside the tasting room on a leash, as well as roam around outside on Alma Rosa’s beautiful property.  The tasting room staff happily gave him some water and a local dog who helps herd livestock in the area came down from the hills to say hello.

    Beautiful and rustic Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards

    Booker roaming around outside at Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards

    Taking a stroll at Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards

    Booker hanging out with us inside the Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards tasting room

    Very sweet (and very dirty) local dog stopped by to say hello at Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards

    Lots more to come!…

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Posted in Buellton, CALIFORNIA, Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, Los Olivos, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Santa Rita Hills, Santa Ynez Valley, Solvang, WINERY/VINEYARD

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Foxen Vineyard & Winery…Again.

Posted on March 7, 2012 | 3 Comments

I realize this is the third time (at least) I’ve written about Foxen Vineyard & Winery, but as I sit here opening up my latest wine club shipment, I feel like a quick post is definitely in order.

Foxen Wine Club Open House

I patiently waited for three long years to be accepted into Foxen’s Anchor Wine Club.  Due to the relatively small production at Foxen, wine club membership is limited and waiting lists are often long.  But now that I’m a member, I can say without hesitation that the wait was 100% worth it.

As a member of the Foxen Anchor Club, I’ve been enjoying great discounts at the winery and feel like a kid on Christmas every time I receive one of my regular quarterly wine shipments (many of which are wine club exclusives).  However, one of my best club experiences thus far happened on February 25th at Foxen’s first ever Wine Club Open House.

Heading into the barrel room at Foxen's Wine Club Open House

We started our day of tasting at the Foxen shack where we tried a few wines before heading up to the newer, larger winery for the private event.  When we arrived, we were led directly into the barrel room – a place that I’ve been dying to see ever since it was built.

Inside the Foxen Vineyard & Winery barrel room...

We signed in, were given name tags and wine glasses, and started our tasting on the east side of the barrel room.  As we walked past neatly stacked barrels towards the folding table where a small crowd was gathered, I realized the man pouring was winemaker Bill Wathen.

Foxen's winemaker Bill "Billy" Wathen

Bill “Billy” Wathen has been lovingly hand-crafting the wines at Foxen from day one.  As I walked up to Billy, I have to admit I felt a bit starstruck.  I’ve been hearing about the “Foxen Boys” Bill and Dick for years, but I had never met them in the flesh.

I introduced myself to Billy and he poured us tastes of his latest offerings, including a 2010 Sauvignon Blanc – Vogelzang Vineyard, a 2010 Chardonnay – Tinaquaic Vineyard, a 2010 Pinot Noir – Santa Maria Valley, and a 2010 Pinot Noir – John Sebastiano Vineyard.

More views from inside the Foxen barrel room

I truly have never tried a wine at Foxen that I didn’t like and I feel like the Pinot Noir’s that come out of Foxen are unparalleled.  Such was the case during this visit.  It was such a wonderful opportunity to have the winemaker walk us through his creations.  I’m sure I drove Billy a bit crazy with my questions, but I loved every moment of the experience.

After we tried the first four wines, we headed to the snack table where we grabbed a selection of cheeses, almonds, olives, meats and chocolates – all of which were a nice complement to the wine.   Then we moved on to the west side of the barrel room to finish our tasting.

More views from inside the Foxen barrel room...

On the way to the west end of the room, we bumped into Dick Dore – Bill Wathen’s partner at Foxen and the man behind the slogan “if you don’t know Foxen, you don’t know Dick”.  We got a chance to speak to Dick about some of the dinners and events Foxen has coming up – some of which were happening in my hometown just outside of Chicago.  Yes, yet another starstruck moment.

We found that Billy had moved to the west side tasting table, so we were fortunate enough to have him pour our last three tastes – a 2009 Pinot Noir – La Encantada Vineyard, a 2008 Volpino – Santa Ynez Valley, and a 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon – Vogelzang Vineyard.

The wine list from the Foxen Wine Club Open House

We chatted a bit more and enjoyed our last tastes on a picture-perfect Santa Maria afternoon.  I walked away with a couple extra bottles of the 2010 John Sebastiano Vineyard and the 2009 La Encantada Vineyard Pinot Noir’s – both of which were too good for words.  If you can get your hands on either bottle, you’ll be very pleased you did.  They’re heavenly.

Dick Dore outside the Foxen Vineyard & Winery barrel room

I absolutely loved being part of this wine club event and hope it’s something Foxen does more regularly.  I’ve been to several other wine club events, but I’ve never been to one that felt quite so relaxed and personal.  It was so nice to meet Billy, Dick, Allyson, Lee and the rest of the crew.

As I open my wine club shipment, I feel like I have an even deeper connection to what is inside and know a bit more about how each wine came to be.  I look forward to the next one…

Click here to visit the Foxen Vineyard website.

FOXEN WINERY & VINEYARD
(business address & tasting room)
7600 Foxen Canyon Road
Santa Maria, CA 93454
Phone: (805) 937-4251
Fax: (805) 937-0415
Tasting room hours: 11AM – 4PM Daily

(foxen 7200 “the shack”)
7200 Foxen Canyon Road
Santa Maria, CA 93454
Phone: (805) 937-4251
Fax: (805) 937-0415

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Posted in Burgundy, Cabernet Sauvignon, CALIFORNIA, Chardonnay, Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Santa Rita Hills, Santa Ynez Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, WINERY/VINEYARD

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