Category Archives: Rhone

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

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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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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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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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Alta Maria Vineyards

Posted on February 5, 2012 | 2 Comments

Alta Maria Vineyards

It seems like every time I visit the Santa Maria Valley north of Santa Barbara, I discover an incredible wine that I’ve never tried before.  On a recent visit, I not only found some new wines, but I discovered one of my new favorite wineries in the area.

Alta Maria Vineyards Tasting Room

Alta Maria Vineyards Tasting Room

Tucked away in the charming town of Los Olivos sits the new Alta Maria Vineyards tasting room.  Although the tasting room is less than one year old, wine makers Paul Wilkins and James Ontiveros have been making wine for years.  In fact, the Ontiveros family has a long ranching and farming history in the area.  They drove thousands of heads of cattle into the Santa Maria Valley in the early 1800′s, finally settling there on the Rancho Tepusquet Land Grant of 1837.

With a rich farming history, a shared love of the land in the Santa Maria Valley, and a mutual passion for wine running through their blood, college friends Paul and James decided to turn their passions into careers.  James’ expertise lies in viticulture while Paul serves as winemaker.

Pinot Noir label from Alta Maria Vineyards

Before stopping in the tasting room, I had heard about Alta Maria Vineyards and had seen their unmistakable bottles at specialty wine stores around CA.

The artwork on Alta Maria’s wines features hand-hewn iron nails used by homesteaders in Santa Maria before the Industrial Revolution.  Each nail was essentially a one-of-a-kind based on the conditions in which it was made along with the expertise of the craftsman.  This same idea of uniqueness and authentic, artisan craftsmanship carries seamlessly through to the wines of Alta Maria Vineyards.

Inside the Alta Maria Vineyards tasting room

Inside the Alta Maria Vineyards tasting room

When we walked into the gorgeous tasting room, we had our dog with us and assumed we would be sitting outside with him.  On the contrary, he was welcomed inside with open arms and sat by us at the bar while we did our tasting.

Inside the Alta Maria Vineyards tasting room

Inside, the tasting room was warm and comfortable with natural stone floors, aged leather chairs, and a great cowhide rug.  Our tasting consisted of four Alta Maria Vineyards wines: a 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, a 2009 Chardonnay, a 2009 Pinot Noir, and a 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Our dog Booker napping on the nice, cool floor

We also tried a 2008 and 2009 Native9 Pinot Noir, and a 2008 Autonom Rhone Cuvee.  Native9 (strictly Pinot Noir) and Autonom (focused on Rhone varietals) are labels Paul and James produce in limited quantities along with the Alta Maria wines.

The wines of Alta Maria Vineyards

I truly loved all the wines we tried and could taste the attention to detail in each glass.  I took home a few bottles of the crisp Alta Maria Sauvignon Blanc, the Alta Maria Pinot Noir, and the lush Autonom Rhone Cuvee – all of which I thought were really exceptional.

Alta Maria Vineyards

I’m so glad to have found Alta Maria Vineyards and recommend it to anyone visiting Los Olivos.  It is officially on my list of regular go-to spots in the area.

Click here to visit the Alta Maria Vineyards website.

ALTA MARIA VINEYARDS
2933 Grand Avenue
Suite A
Los Olivos, CA  93441
Phone:   (805) 686-1144
Email: aminfo@altamaria.com
Tasting room hours:  11AM – 5PM Daily

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Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, CALIFORNIA, Chardonnay, Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, Los Olivos, Pinot Noir, Rhone, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Sauvignon Blanc, WINERY/VINEYARD

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Truett-Hurst & VML Wineries

Posted on December 24, 2011 | 2 Comments

Sometimes wine tasting in Napa and Sonoma can be daunting.  With so many wineries to choose from in a relatively small area, I often feel like I don’t know where to begin.  However, during my last visit, I felt like I found a couple perfect spots.

Truett-Hurst Winery

Tucked away on a gorgeous piece of land in the heart of the Dry Creek Valley in Northern Sonoma County sits Truett-Hurst Winery.  Truett-Hurst encompasses 26 picture-perfect acres, complete with an eco-friendly tasting room, an organic garden, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah vineyards, and several outdoor seating areas.

Truett-Hurst Winery

Truett-Hurst Winery

We made our way into the tasting room where we began our tasting and learned a bit about the winery.  Truett-Hurst was purchased fairly recently by bio-dynamic/organic farming guru, Paul Dolan, and the former winemaker of Fetzer Winery, Phil Hurst.  Virginia Lambrix was brought on as winemaker and completed the winery’s vision of “creating world-class wines using bio-dynamic principles.”

Truett-Hurst Winery Tasting Room

Truett-Hurst Winery - Outdoor Tasting Area

Truett-Hurst Winery - Outdoor Tasting Area

With our second glass of wine in hand – a delicious and juicy 2010 White Sheep Pinot Noir – we decided to stroll down to the banks of Dry Creek. We were given pairs of “fish finder” glasses that we thought were just a clever little touch until we discovered they magically allowed us to have a crystal clear underwater view.  We watched a few salmon making their way up-stream and headed back to the tasting room.

Truett-Hurst Winery - Organic gardens leading to Dry Creek

Truett-Hurst - Vibrant red chairs next to Dry Creek

Modelling my amazing "fish finder" glasses while enjoying a glass of wine

We finished our tasting with a 2010 Black Sheep Pinot Noir, 2009 Rattler Rock and Red Rooster Zinfandels, and a 2009 Burning Man Petite Sirah. The entire line up was expertly crafted and really tasty, but I absolutely loved the ’09 Black Sheep Pinot Noir and the ’09 Red Rooster Zinfandel (both of which I took home with me).

VML Winery - Russian River Valley

After a really great experience at Truett-Hurst, we asked our tasting room host for a recommendation on where to go next. He suggested we head down the road to VML - Truett-Hurst’s sister winery.  VML is winemaker Virginia Marie Lambrix’s  brand new winery that specializes in hand-crafted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley.

Beautiful gardens at VML Winery

Beautiful gardens at VML Winery

Beautiful gardens at VML Winery

Beautiful gardens at VML Winery

We pulled up to the winery and were blown away by the beautiful, Alice in Wonderland type gardens and vegetation that lead us up to the tasting room.  We walked inside and were immediately greeted and offered some crackers, cheese and chocolate to accompany our tasting.

Tasting room at VML Winery

Tasting room at VML Winery

One of the first things I noticed about VML wines were the incredibly cool wine bottle labels.  Apparently Virginia Lambrix hired a company to come up with a brand image that truly reflected her personality and passion.  The branding company felt like she was like a witch or a sorceress - mainly because of her dedication to organic/bio dynamic wine making practices – and created labels that I felt communicated this perfectly.

VML 2010 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Our tasting consisted of a 2010 Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc, a 2010 Chardonnay, and two 2010 Pinot Noirs – one from the Russian River Valley and one from Ivywood Vineyard.  All the wines we tasted were fantastic.  You could taste the impeccable care and craftsmanship in each glass.  I took home a bottle of  Chardonnay and one of each of the Pinots (and ordered another bottle of each when I got back to Los Angeles).

The rocky coastline just a short, scenic drive from VML Winery

The rocky coastline just a short, scenic drive from VML Winery

We left VML and headed on a quick, scenic drive towards the rocky coast before heading back to our hotel.  I feel like we were so lucky to find both Truett-Hurst and VML Wineries and highly recommend both to anyone visiting the area.  Virginia Lambrix is an incredibly talented winemaker and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

Click here to visit the Truett-Hurst Winery website.

Click here to visit the VML Winery website.

TRUETT-HURST WINERY
5610 Dry Creek Road
Healdsburg, CA  95448
Phone:   (707) 433-9545
Email: info@truetthurst.com
Tasting room hours:  11AM – 5PM Daily

VML WINERY
4035 Westside Road
Healdsburg, CA  95448
Phone:   (707) 431-4404
Email: info@vmlwine.com
Tasting room hours:  11AM – 5PM Daily

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Posted in CALIFORNIA, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Petit Sirah, Pinot Noir, Sonoma, WINERY/VINEYARD, Zinfandel

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Calcareous Vineyard

Posted on October 2, 2011 | 2 Comments

Calcareous Vineyard

We hadn’t been to Calcareous in a few years and decided to stop for a tasting during our last visit to the area.  Perched up on a hill overlooking Paso Robles, I remembered Calcareous being really beautiful with picture-perfect views.  After our last visit however, I think Calcareous might possibly be one of the most beautiful wineries in Paso.

Lloyd’s Lookout – the gorgeous tasting room at Calcareous Vineyard

We drove up the long driveway to the winery and arrived at the parking lot.  From the tasting room with floor to ceiling windows to the perfectly landscaped grounds dotted with tables where tasters can sit and take in the views, Calcareous was stunning.

Lloyd’s Lookout – the gorgeous tasting room at Calcareous Vineyard

The view at Calcareous Vineyard

The hilltop tasting room opened in 2008 and was named Lloyd’s Lookout, in honor of the winery’s cofounder, Lloyd Messer.  We found the perfect table outside and I went in to set up our tasting.  I was immediately offered a big bowl of cold water for our dog and was given our first pour – a wonderful 2009 Viognier/Marsanne.  It was full of refreshing citrus and great to drink outside on a warm day.

Calcareous Vineyard

The view at Calcareous Vineyard

The priceless view at Calcareous Vineyard

Calcareous Vineyard had a consistently good portfolio of wines with quite a few stand outs.  Since our last visit, they have broken into 2 proprietary labels – Calcareous and Calcareous Twisted Sisters.

Bocce ball court at Calcareous Vineyard

Booker enjoying the bocce ball court at Calcareous Vineyard

The glorious view at Calcareous Vineyard…

The view at Calcareous Vineyard

The winery’s signature and primarily estate grown wines fall under the Calcareous label while the Twisted Sisters wines are made from several different local vineyards.  All the Calcareous Twisted Sisters wines retail for $20, which makes it nice if you’re searching for high quality wines at reasonable prices.

Calcareous Vineyard

We found both labels to be equally good and could have easily purchased 1 bottle of everything.  We narrowed it down and purchased two wines from each label. From the Calcareous label, we took home an ’07 Cabernet Sauvignon and an ’07 Cabernet Franc which was full of dark cherry, strawberry and a touch of oak.  From the Calcareous Twisted Sisters label, we chose an ’08 Main Squeeze – a perfectly balanced blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel – and an ’07 Syrah which earned 92 points in the World Wine Competition.

Our dog Booker running around with one of the winery dogs…

Overall we were very impressed with the wines of Calcareous Vineyard and could have easily spent the entire day relaxing on their beautiful grounds.  Calcareous is a must-see for anyone looking for a truly memorable Paso Robles wine experience.

Click here to visit the Calcareous Vineyard website.

CALCAREOUS VINEYARD
3430 Peachy Canyon Road
Paso Robles, CA  93446
Phone:   (805) 239-0289
Fax:  (805) 239-0916
Tasting room hours:  Open daily 11AM – 5PM

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Posted in CALIFORNIA, Paso Robles, Rhone, Syrah, WINERY/VINEYARD, Zinfandel

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Rancho Sisquoc Winery

Posted on May 1, 2011 | 2 Comments

When people ask for winery recommendations in the Santa Maria area, I never hesitate to recommend Rancho Sisquoc Winery.

Rancho Sisquoc Winery

Located at the north end of the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, Rancho Sisquoc is not only in a gorgeous setting, but it seems to have a wine for just about every palate.

Entrance to Rancho Sisquoc Winery

One of the first things visitors see as they approach Rancho Sisquoc is the old chapel perched on top of a hill overlooking the entrance.  The San Ramon Chapel as its called was built in 1875 by Frederick Wickenden, at the request of his wife, Ramona Foxen Wickenden.  Frederick drove 5,000 sheep up north to Redwood City, which he sold to purchase redwood boards to build his home and the chapel you see today.

San Ramon Chapel

San Ramon Chapel

The San Ramon Chapel was officially dedicated in 1879 and services were held once a month.  The chapel’s structure was built on stilts, which often resulted in service being disrupted by cold temperatures and wind.  When attendance dropped, the chapel was used for special services only.

History of the San Ramon Chapel

Another weathered plaque outside of San Ramon Chapel

Fortunately, the San Ramon chapel began a period of rebirth in July 1966 when it became the first official landmark in Santa Barbara County.  On August 31, 1975 the chapel was dedicated as State Historical Landmark #877 and in November 1976, Father Anthony Runtz agreed to restore regular services.  Finally, in 1979 the San Ramon Preservation Committee was formed.  Their job is to maintain the beautiful chapel and to preserve its historical integrity.  

The chapel with its storied past appears as the logo on every bottle of Rancho Sisquoc wine.

San Ramon Chapel

After a trip down the long driveway – barely wide enough for two cars – visitors approach the cozy little tasting room.  Every time I visit, I’m taken aback by the charming surroundings at Rancho Sisquoc.  It feels as if you’re miles away from Foxen Canyon Road and surrounded by a lush landscape with a perfectly placed, wood shingled wine cottage and an inviting, secluded little picnic area.

The Rancho Sisquoc Winery tasting room

Rancho Sisquoc Winery

I come to Rancho Sisquoc Winery on a regular basis for three main reasons: the beautiful setting, consistently good wines, and prices that are surprisingly affordable.  I love that I can walk away with several bottles of great wine without feeling like I broke the bank.

Rancho Sisquoc Winery

Picnic area at Rancho Sisquoc Winery

Rancho Sisquoc has a portfolio of 12 beautifully crafted and reasonably priced wines from which to choose.  From a sweet Riesling with hints of citrus to a dark velvety Malbec full of black fruit, tasters get to choose 6 wines from the list for an $8.00 fee (logo glass included).  The least expensive wine is priced around $12.00 and the top end is $30.00 per bottle.

The wide variety of wines at Rancho Sisquoc

I always walk away with a few bottles of Tre Vini and Sylvaner – both of which are unique to Rancho Sisquoc.  Tre Vini ($20/bottle) is an Italian blend that seems to change slightly with each vintage and pairs perfectly with Italian food.  The latest vintage (2008) is a unique blend of 52% Sangiovese, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon & 22% Syrah, and is absolutely delicious.

Rancho Sisquoc Winery

The ’09 Sylvaner ($14/bottle) on the other hand is a white blend of the Sylvaner grape with 16% Riesling.  Rancho Sisquoc is the only producer of this varietal in California.  It’s perfect for summer with hints of light lime, apricot, sweet pear and roasted peanuts on the nose and a crisp, slightly sweet finish.  It’s very unique and loved by many – including those who don’t typically enjoy drinking white wine.  I’ve also purchased Rancho Sisquoc’s Malbec, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Pinot Noir, and have thoroughly enjoyed each and every bottle.

With over 30 years of experience making estate grown wines and a claim of being one of the first wineries in the now famous Santa Barbara County wine region, Rancho Sisquoc Winery truly knows their craft.

Click here to visit the Rancho Sisquoc Winery website.

RANCHO SISQUOC WINERY
6600 Foxen Canyon Road
Santa Maria, CA  93454
Phone:  (805) 934-4332
Fax:  (805) 937-6601
Tasting room hours:  10AM – 4PM Monday through Thursday.  10AM – 5PM Friday through Sunday.

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Posted in Bordeaux, Burgundy, Cabernet Sauvignon, CALIFORNIA, Chardonnay, Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, Los Olivos, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Santa Ynez Valley, Syrah, WINERY/VINEYARD

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Per Cazo Cellars

Posted on March 31, 2011 | Leave a comment

Per Cazo Cellars

During my last visit to Paso Robles, I had one of my most unique wine tasting experiences to date. While researching wineries in the area to check out, I came across a review on Per Cazo Cellars.  This person had great things to say about it and I really knew nothing about the place so I added it to the list.

Per Cazo means “by chance” in Italian, which perfectly describes our visit. We decided to make Per Cazo Cellars our first stop of the day.  I hadn’t called ahead to make sure anyone was there to do a tasting, so I really wasn’t sure what to expect.

Sign at the entrance to Per Cazo and Creekside Bed & Breakfast

On the Per Cazo Cellars website it says “the gate is always open when we are home”, which was luckily the case when we arrived. We turned down the driveway and parked our car in the empty parking lot.  While we sat inside debating whether to call or just go knock on the door, I heard a light tap on my window.

It was Lynne Teckman – one of the proprietors – inviting us to come inside.  She literally welcomed us into her home, which serves at the tasting room at the moment, and led us to a table on the back patio.

The Teckman's home & current tasting room for Per Cazo Cellars

The surroundings and the day were absolutely gorgeous.  Lynne and her husband Dave also run a B&B called Creekside Bed & Breakfast which is located across the parking lot from their house and offers visitors a place to relax and enjoy the peaceful setting.  The creek cuts through the back of their property and a large, welcoming pool takes up a good portion of the backyard.

Creekside Bed & Breakfast at Per Cazo Cellars

A view of the creek that cuts through the back of Per Cazo

We made ourselves comfortable while Lynne began our tasting, pairing each wine with a hand-selected cheese or another accompaniment.  She is a true lover of wine and food, and believes in enjoying both in unison.  As food and wine lovers who are accustomed to tasting wine with a bowl of crackers or pretzels, we absolutely loved the added touch.

The backyard pool at Per Cazo Cellars

Once we had full glasses, Lynne sat down with us at our table and chatted with us about what we do, about our families, and about our shared passions for wine, food and travel.  I felt as if we were enjoying an afternoon with a good friend.

The back patio at Per Cazo Cellars where we enjoyed a long, leisurely visit...

Lynne’s husband Dave joined us a bit later and brought a barrel sample of ’09 Zinfandel which was absolutely delicious – unlike most Zinfandels I’ve tasted.  We chatted more with Dave about the wine making process and how they got into the world of wine.  It was such a relaxing and enjoyable experience, I didn’t feel like we were at a typical wine tasting at all.

The wines at Per Cazo Cellars are made in very small production and you can taste the attention to detail in each one.  While I enjoyed all the wines we tried, I thought the ’08 Epi Telos – a Rhone blend – was outstanding and walked away with 2 bottles.

Enjoying a wonderful wine tasting experience with Lynne and Dave Teckman of Per Cazo Cellars

From the warm hospitality we received from Lynne and Dave to the unique and tasty wine & food pairing, my entire experience at Per Cazo Cellars was both unexpected and truly memorable.  We ran into Lynne at L’Aventure Winery later in the day and it was like bumping into an old friend.  Hopefully the gate at Per Cazo Cellars will be open the next time you’re in Paso Robles…

Click here to visit the Per Cazo Cellars website.
Click here to visit the Creekside Bed & Breakfast website.

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.

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Posted in CALIFORNIA, Paso Robles, Rhone, WINERY/VINEYARD, Zinfandel

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