Category Archives: Grenache

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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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 Colina Estate Vineyard

Posted on March 17, 2011 | 1 Comment

My recent visit to Alta Colina Estate Vineyard reminded me once again of why I love Paso Robles so much.

Alta Colina Estate Vineyard

The area has been the center of attention recently in the wine world.  This is largely due to the fact that Saxum Vineyards’ 2007 James Berry Vineyard just earned the #1 spot on the Wine Spectator top 100 most exciting wines of 2010 list, a perfect 100 score from Wine Enthusiast, and a score of 98 from Wine Spectator along with a photo of winemaker Justin Smith on the cover of the latest issue.

All the attention around Saxum has trickled down to other wineries in the area.  Brian Benson, Booker, and several other local wineries were also featured with glossy photos and rave reviews in the March issue of Wine Spectator.

Outside the tasting room at Alta Colina Estate Vineyard

The great thing is that even with all the buzz, high scores, and continuous accolades the wines of Paso Robles are receiving, the area still feels unaffected.  It is unpretentious, intimate, and clearly rooted in a true passion for winemaking.

Paso Robles is a place where on any given day, you may find the winemaker pouring for tasters while discussing the fruits of their labor and the process it took to get there.  It’s a place where wine makers are proud of the incredible reviews and attention they’re getting, yet it’s evident reviews and scores are not the reason they make wine.  Like true artists, they seem more focused on hand-crafting outstanding, expressive, world-class wines –  review or no review.

Alta Colina Estate Vineyard

This was definitely the feeling I got when I visited Alta Colina Estate Vineyard.  When we walked into the small understated tasting room, the entire family was present.  Winemaker Bob Tillman and his daughter Maggie were behind the tasting counter while his wife Lynn was chatting with guests.

Outdoor tasting area at Alta Colina Estate Vineyard

We were immediately welcomed to the counter, which was only occupied by 2 other tasters. Both Bob and Maggie walked us through the incredible portfolio of Rhone varietals, describing each one in detail including the quality of the harvest, how the elevation of the vineyard and the type of soil impact the grapes, and how they created the blends they were pouring.

I truly can’t say there was a wine on the list that I didn’t like.  Every wine at Alta Colina is 100% estate grown and produced.  Furthermore, production is kept very low, which results in carefully nurtured, handcrafted wines of exceptional quality.

I very much enjoyed the 2009 12 O’Clock High ($28) which is a blend of 69% Viognier, 18% Roussanne, 7% Marsanne, and 6% Grenache Blanc – a crisp wine perfect for a summer day.  Production on this wine was the second highest on the list at a mere 22o cases.

Inside the tasting room at Alta Colina Estate Winery

My favorite at Alta Colina was the 2008 Ann’s Block Petite Sirah ($48), of which only 125 cases were produced.  This wine earned a well-deserved score of 92 points from Robert Parker and 91 points in Wine Spectator along with a photo of Lynn and Bob Tillman in the March 2011 issue.  The ’08 Ann’s Block Petite Sirah is 100% estate grown Petite Sirah and has wonderful ripe dark fruit flavors balanced perfectly with a touch of smoke and spice.

Enjoying a wonderful afternoon with Alta Colina Wine Maker Bob Tillman and his daughter/Director of Marketing Maggie Tillman

One of the most memorable things about Alta Colina Estate Vineyard – aside from the wine – was the fact that it truly embodied the spirit of Paso Robles.  The entire family was so welcoming and friendly.  I loved having the winemaker himself pouring wine for us.  It was all about passionate people sharing incredible wine in a beautiful and down to earth setting.  Be sure to stop by next time you’re in Paso…

Click here to visit the Alta Colina Estate Vineyard website.

Alta Colina Estate 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
* NOTE:  Alta Colina is located upstairs at the Villicana Winery.

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

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Brian Benson Cellars

Posted on September 20, 2010 | Leave a comment

Often it’s the people you meet on wine trips that you remember just as much as the wine.  This was certainly the case with Brian Benson Cellars.

Brian Benson Cellars

Since second generation winemaker Brian Benson is the only employee at his winery, there is a very good chance he’ll be the one pouring for you at his tasting room.  And this was exactly the case when we walked in on a recent Saturday.

Brian Benson Cellars & Dark Star Cellars

We had the tasting room to ourselves and Brian was indeed behind the counter.  He is young (probably around 28 or 29 now), laid back, extremely knowledgable, and is already producing great wine using grapes from some of the most respected vineyards in the area, including Denner and Glenrose.

Tasting room at Brian Benson Cellars

Brian Benson got into the wine industry early.  Having spent a great deal of his youth hanging out in his grandparent’s vineyard and later his father’s winery, Brian started to learn about the winemaking process and business before he was out of elementary school.  Starting in 1995, when Brian’s father Norm Benson bought 10 acres in Westside Paso Robles,  Brian worked part-time on the weekends learning the ins and outs of the business.  And in 1997, at the ripe age of twelve, made his first wine – a Cabernet.

Brian Benson Cellars & Dark Star Cellars

In October of 2000 Brian became the full-time assistant winemaker for his father at Dark Star Cellars.  With just Brian and his father working at the winery, Brian got a priceless crash course in all aspects of the wine business.  In 2001, at age 19, Brian decided he wanted to start making his own wines. Starting with a little less than $2000, Brian worked deals with local Paso Robles growers and made his first commercial vintage, a Cabernet and a Zinfandel, totaling 147 Cases.

Brian Benson Cellars custom pinstriped "Kandy Red"

Nearly 10 years later, Brian has increased his production, designed an incredible label that pays homage to 2 very important people in his life who are no longer with him but who greatly influenced his decision to start his own label – his grandfather and one of his closest friends, moved his production operation to the new state-of-the-art gravity winery at Denner Vineyards, and opened his own tasting room right next door to Dark Star Cellars.

A serious hot rod and custom car fan, Brian has also partnered with world-famous pin striper Doug Dorr.  Each year, Brian will build a custom car or hot rod and create a special custom blended wine and bottle to match the design of the vehicle.  These limited edition wines – called the Brian Benson Cellars Kustom Series – allow Brian to bring his dream of combining two of his greatest passions to reality.

Winemaker Brian Benson pouring wine for us in his tasting room...

So back to our visit…

We spent over an hour at Brian Benson Cellars tasting his most recent releases (no whites) which included Kandy Red, an ’07 Cabernet, a series of 3 different vintages of Denner Vineyard Syrah (’05, ’06, ’07), an ’07 Glenrose Vineyard Syrah, and an ’07 S & M (67% Syrah, 33% Mourvedre) which Robert Parker rated 91 points.  I couldn’t help but walk away with a couple bottles of Kandy Red in their unique pinstriped bottles.  I still can’t decide if I want to drink them or just collect them.

Dark Star Cellars

While we tasted the fantastic wines, we also had great conversation with Brian about how he got into wine, about his passion for old hot rods, about his family, about why he loves Paso Robles and about which other wineries he recommends in the area.  He had fun stories to tell about many of his fellow wine makers in the area – many of which seemed to be personal friends of his.  I got such a sense of his love of winemaking and his pride in being part of the Paso Robles winemaking community.

I felt like we walked away with not only some great bottles of wine, but with a new friend in the area.  Stop by and say hello to Brian next time you’re in town.  You’ll be glad you did…

Click here to visit the Brian Benson Cellars website.

Brian Benson Cellars
2985 Anderson Road
Paso Robles, CA  93446
Phone:  (805) 296-9463
email:  brian@brianbensoncellars.com
Tasting room hours:  10:30AM – 5PM Friday through Sunday

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Posted in Paso Robles, WINERY/VINEYARD, Rhone, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre

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Chronic Cellars

Posted on September 1, 2010 | Leave a comment

Chronic Cellars

My first experience with Chronic Cellars happened many miles from the sprawling vineyards of Paso Robles.  We were up in Mammoth Mountain enjoying a tasty apres snowboarding dinner at a restaurant called Petras Wine Bar & Bistro.  I noticed a white wine on the menu called La Muneca (meaning “the doll”) from Chronic Cellars that was described as having clean acidity with just the right amount of sweetness and notes of tropical fruit, pineapple and peach.  I decided to try a sample and ended up ordering a couple of glasses with my meal.

Chronic Cellars

I knew Chronic Cellars was in Paso Robles.  In fact, we had driven past it many times making silly remarks about the name, never thinking the wine could actually be good.  But after trying La Muneca in Mammoth, I put Chronic on the top of my list for our next wine trip and I’m very glad I did.

Chronic Cellars tasting room

Chronic Cellars rebels against every wine tasting stereotype in the book.  At the tasting room, you’ll find no pretension, no overpriced wines, no corporate-looking decor, and no stuffy tasting room staff.  Brothers and co-owners Jake and Josh Beckett focus on making great wine that is fun, causal and accessible.

Chronic Cellars tasting room

Jake and Josh were raised in the heart of Paso Robles wine country and have always had a deep connection to the art of wine making.  After graduating from college, they joined the team at Peachy Canyon Winery and spent a decade each immersing themselves in all aspects of the wine industry.

The Beckett brothers came up with the concept of Chronic Cellars in the midst of harvest in 2004.  They had used the term “The Chronic” to describe likable objects before, but had never considered it a suitable descriptor for wine.  They sat alongside the crush pad one evening in wine stained clothes and wet boots laughing about the idea of a wine that targeted a casual lifestyle.

Chronic Cellars tasting room

After their time at Peachy Canyon, they decided it was time to try something new and use all the knowledge and tools they gathered over the years to work on their own dream.  They had an undeniable vision and desire to make a statement in the wine industry and took their first step toward Chronic Cellars.  Their dream became reality when their first wines went public in 2008 and they’ve been going strong ever since.

I’ve actually visited Chronic Cellars a few times now and am currently a member of the Connoisseurs wine club.  My most recent visit was a club event to celebrate the release of their summer shipment.  The Chronic Cellars Connoisseurs Club is one of the best wine clubs I’ve seen – 2 shipments of 6 bottles per year with a 30% discount on each shipment plus 30% off all other purchases of wine and merchandise.  It ends up being around $100 for 6 great bottles of wine which really can’t be beat.

Artwork on the walls at Chronic Cellars

Artwork at Chronic Cellars

I decided to pick up my summer shipment at the tasting room and enjoy the little party.  Immediately upon entering, my senses were overwhelmed by the colorful hand-painted Dia De Los Muertos inspired artwork that covered the walls. Bluegrass music played in the background and I noticed an ever so subtle hint of incense in the air.  Both Beckett brothers were in attendance – 1 pouring wine and 1 manning the grill outside.  It felt a bit more like walking into a comfy living room than your average tasting room.

Wine & cheese at the Connoisseurs' Club summer event

Next we decided to taste the 6 wines they were pouring, each paired with a locally made cheese.  One thing you notice immediately about Chronic Cellars wines are the fantastic wine labels and clever wine names.  The bright-colored labels are drawn by Joe Kalionzes, an amazing artist and good friend of the owners.

While La Muneca was no longer on the tasting list, I was excited to try 2 new whites that took her place.  The first was ’09 Stone Fox (55% Grenache Blanc/28% Roussanne/17% Viognier, $20) which was light, mildly acidic, and full of peach, pear, pineapple, and citrus fruit on the nose and the palate – perfect for a hot day.  While La Muneca holds a special place in my heart, Stone Fox was a fantastic follow-up and I purchased 2 bottles right off the bat.

Stone Fox was followed by ’09 Sofa King Suite (54% Viognier/46% Albarino, $13.99) which was well-balanced and a bit sweeter with flavors of gummy fruits, candied orange rind and freshly cut peaches.

Wine & cheese at the Connoisseurs' Club summer event

Next was a series of reds.  ’07 Purple Paradise (95% Zinfandel/5% Petit Sirah, $13.99) was full of raspberries, strawberries, white pepper and vanilla.  It was smooth on the palate and great for everyday drinking.  ’06 Dead Nuts Zinfandel (100% Zinfandel, $20) had concentrated flavors of dark fruits and peppery spices.  ’08 Sofa King Bueno (65% Syrah/12% Petit Sirah/11% Grenache/11% Mourvedre, $20) was my favorite with lots of juicy fruits, bing cherries and toasted vanilla.  Finally, ’08 Suite Petit (100% Petit Sirah, $30) was full of concentrated blueberry, blackberry and sweet oak flavors.

Outdoor patio at Chronic Cellars

We left the winery with 6 great bottles of wine and, as usual, smiles on our faces.  Chronic Cellars is truly one of a kind with a unique personality, a casual and welcoming vibe, and a great portfolio of tasty wines that can be enjoyed without feeling like you’ve broken the bank.  I’m already looking forward to picking up my winter shipment…

Click here to visit the Chronic Cellars website.

CHRONIC CELLARS
2020 Nacimiento Lake Drive
Paso Robles, CA  93446
Phone:  (805) 237-7848
Fax:  (805) 237-7532
Tasting room hours:  11:3oAM – 5:30PM Thursday through Monday

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Posted in Grenache, Mourvedre, Paso Robles, Rhone, WINERY/VINEYARD, Zinfandel

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Booker Vineyard

Posted on August 30, 2010 | 1 Comment

On a recent trip to Paso Robles, I finally got to try the wines of Booker Vineyard.  I’ve been reading reviews on Booker for years and couldn’t wait to taste the wines myself.

Booker Vineyard

Booker produces very limited quantities of their wines, which are known to sell out fast.  Very fast.  In fact, the only way to guarantee enjoyment of their wines is to join the 6-bottle per year wine club.  From that point, they will try to move you up to their allocation list, which currently has a 2 year waiting list.  I knew the wine had to be good, but I really had no idea what I was in for.

Entry to the Booker Vineyard tasting room

Upon arrival at Booker Vineyard, the first thing I noticed was how stunningly beautiful the winery was.  The building was finished in perfectly weathered metal siding with huge solar panels on the roof.  Rolling hills lined with green vines that kissed the cloudless blue sky provided the ideal contrasting background. Delicate grasses and colorful flowers covered the grounds around the building, and a huge gravel space behind it was dressed with strings of simple hanging lights – the perfect spot for an evening party.

Booker Vineyard

Booker Vineyard

The attention to details outdoors carried seamlessly into the tasting room.  The space itself was bright and modern with small touches that added a wonderful air of sophistication – including a vintage leather armchair and old black & white photographs of the vineyard arranged salon-style.

Tasting room at Booker Vineyard

Tasting room at Booker Vineyard

Black & white photos at Booker

The name Booker comes from the two orphan brothers, Claude and Dick Booker, who had purchased the land in the late 1920’s.  By the turn of the century the Booker brothers had acquired over 1,200 acres on Paso’s Westside. The Booker brothers were Paso’s favorite sons, dedicating their lives to being great farmers and humanitarians. Aside from lending their farming knowledge and manual labor to neighbors and those in need, they were the area’s biggest philanthropists, leaving 100% of their estate to charity when they passed.

Booker Vineyard

The current owners Eric and Lisa Jensen purchased 72 acres of the property in 2001 with the intent of growing the best fruit for some of the area’s best wineries.  After spending several years making wine with the likes of Justin Smith of Saxum and Stephan Asseo of L’Aventure, the Jensens decided it was time to create their own expression with Booker Vineyard. The 2005 Vintage was Booker Vineyard’s first release with the wines being made by owner Eric Jensen.

One of Booker's resident doggies...

After admiring the surroundings for a bit, we finally tried the wines which now rank among my favorites in California.  Most of the wines we tasted during our visit were from the 2008 vintage (along with one wine from ’07).  The ’08 White (60% Roussanne, 40% Viognier) is the only white Booker makes and was one of the most unusual whites I’ve tried.  Nearly 50% of the wine was fermented to dryness while still on the skins and most of the juice was fermented in concrete tanks.  The mouthfeel was like that of a red with notes of peach and apricot.

The ’08 Vertigo (53% Syrah, 25% Granache and 22% Mourvedre) is a classic Rhone blend and my favorite of the Booker offerings.  The ’08 Alchemist (65% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 10% Tempranillo, 5% Granache) was perfectly blended and was my close second favorite.  Finally, the ’07 My Favorite Neighbor was a delicious blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot that has earned rave reviews among wine critics.

Beautiful day at Booker...

All the wines we tasted at Booker were truly outstanding.  Luckily they have a small stock of wine available for purchase through the tasting room, so we walked away with 2 bottles of ’08 Vertigo ($50) and 2 bottles of ’08 Alchemist ($50).  I’m so glad to have discovered Booker and can’t wait to try the next vintage.  This winery is not to be missed.

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 Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Mourvedre, Paso Robles, Petit Verdot, Rhone, WINERY/VINEYARD

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A trip down the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail…Solo.

Posted on July 13, 2010 | 2 Comments

I’ve never planned a wine tasting trip alone, but today seemed like the perfect day to try it. I woke up early and headed up towards Santa Maria, CA – a relatively quick and easy 2 hour drive north of Los Angeles.

Solvang, CA

My first stop was the little Danish town of Solvang for some coffee, snacks and water. The picture-perfect downtown area of Solvang is a great place to grab a bite and stroll around either before or during a day of wine tasting.

Solvang, CA

By the time I left Solvang, the last little remnant of  early morning fog had burned off and the sky was a sparkling shade of turquoise.  I was ready to start my journey down the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail.  I decided I would visit three wineries during my trip, taking my time at each to really learn about the wineries and the wines they produce while soaking up the beautiful day.

The first winery on my list was Curtis.

Curtis Winery

While I’ve visited the wineries of Santa Barbara County more times than I can recall, I had never been to Curtis and was excited for the new experience.  I was particularly excited because in an area that tends to be dominated by Burgundy styles like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Curtis focuses exclusively on Rhone varietals (Granache, Syrah, Mourvedre, & Viognier).  In fact, the Curtis tagline is “We live for Rhones”.  Winemaker Chuck Carlson recently held the position of president of the Rhône Rangers, “an organization dedicated to the appreciation, enjoyment and advancement of Rhône-style wines in the United States”.  I had a feeling I was in for a treat.

Curtis Winery

Vineyards at Curtis

When I first pulled in to the parking lot, I immediately noticed how beautiful the grounds were.  The winery is surrounded by vines that were full of grape bunches in the stage just before their skin becomes saturated with color.  Assorted plants and flowers added splashes of color around the vine-covered building and a couple of signs noted trailheads with paths meandering up into the hills.

Grapes in the early stages of ripening

One of the trailheads adjacent to the parking lot

I walked into the tasting room and was fortunate to be one of only a few tasters – one of the benefits of starting the day a bit early.  Nancy in the tasting room poured the current releases for me and explained each one (6 wines for $10 including a logo glass).  The line up included a ’08 Viognier, ’08 Heritage Rose, ’06 Mourvedre, ’06 Grenache/Syrah blend called The Crossroad, ’06 Syrah, and ’06 Cabernet Syrah.

Curtis Winery tasting room

I was pleasantly surprised as each wine I tasted exceeded my expectations.  They were well made, nicely balanced, reasonably priced, and just plain tasty.  After chatting a while with Nancy and a couple of fellow tasters, I walked out with two bottles of Rose ($14/bottle), one Mourvedre ($25/bottle) and one Syrah ($22/bottle).  Curtis was the perfect way to start my day.  It’s a must-try for anyone who enjoys great Rhone wines.

Next, I was on to Foxen.

Foxen 7200 "the shack"

Obviously Foxen isn’t a new place for me and it has already been a topic on my blog, but I was on a mission.  Just days ago, Foxen released a couple new wines and I was very eager to try them.  I also wanted to try their ’09 Rose of Mourvedre as I’ve been stocking up on Rose for the summer.

Foxen Winery & Tasting Room

Foxen's solar powered tasting room

I ended up doing a split tasting at Foxen (3 wines at the new tasting room and 3 wines at the Foxen 7200 “the shack” for $12).  I won’t spend too much time on Foxen, but once again, they’ve proven they can do no wrong in my eyes.  The newly released 2007 Grassini Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon was fantastic, the ’09 Rose of Mourvedre (also referred to as “The Watermelon”) was fruity but not overly sweet – perfect for a warm day, and if you like Pinot Noir, the ’08 Block N – Bien Nacido Vineyard  Pinot Noir is an absolute must try.  But hurry… it was produced in such small quantities and is so delicious, they only had a case or two left as of today.  You will not be disappointed.

View from the deck at Foxen 7200

After lingering in the sunshine on my favorite back deck at  ”the shack”, I headed to my final destination for the day – Rancho Sisquoc.

Rancho Sisquoc Winery

Rancho Sisquoc Winery

Rancho Sisquoc has been a long-standing favorite of mine for a few simple reasons: a wide variety of really good wines at great prices.  For 30 years, Rancho Sisquoc has been hand crafting small batches of estate wines from grapes grown on their 37,000 acre ranch.  I also love the rustic and cozy little tasting room nestled far off the beaten path where lucky travelers might spot a group of deer roaming around in the fields or a few hawks flying overhead.  It’s a great place to spend the afternoon relaxing on their outdoor tables.

Rancho Sisquoc Winery tasting room

Visitors to Rancho Sisquoc can sample any 6 wines from their list of many for $8.  The list includes everything from Chardonnay to Riesling to Malbec and many more in between.  I usually walk away with a few bottles of two wines unique to Rancho Sisquoc – Tre Vini and Sylvaner.

Tre Vini ($20/bottle) is a blend of 58% Sangiovese, 22% Malbec & 20% Syrah that goes perfectly with Italian food.  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 another great wine 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.

So, with a great day of tasting behind me and a full trunk of wine, I started my journey back to Los Angeles.  While I had reservations about my day of solo wine tasting before I left, it ended up being a wonderful day and a fun new adventure.  Instead of feeling like the strange girl standing by herself in the tasting rooms, I met so many warm and friendly people both pouring the wines and tasting them.  Best of all, I was able to go at my own pace, relax, and see where the day took me.  Until next time!

Click here to visit the Curtis Winery website.
Click here to visit the Foxen Vineyard website.
Click here to visit the Rancho Sisquoc Winery website.

CURTIS WINERY
5249 Foxen Canyon Road
Santa Maria, CA  93454
Phone:  (805) 686-8999
Tasting room hours:  10AM – 5PM Daily

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

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 Cabernet Sauvignon, Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, Grenache, Mourvedre, Pinot Noir, Rhone, Rosé, Santa Barbara, Solvang, Syrah, WINERY/VINEYARD

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L’Aventure Winery….

Posted on May 4, 2010 | 1 Comment

L'Aventure Winery

During the last weekend in February, I had the honor of attending L’Aventure Winery’s unveiling of the 2008 vintage.  I joined Club L’Aventure last year on my birthday and have developed such a passion for these wines, I was waiting to taste the new vintage like a little kid waiting for Santa to arrive.  I wasn’t going to let torrential downpours and hurricane-like winds stop me from getting up to Paso Robles.  More on that later.

L’Aventure is very near and dear to my heart.   The Optimus blend is the single wine that turned me from a casual wine drinker to someone who truly appreciates and understands incredible wine.  Flash back to very early 2005.  I was at a wine tasting in Los Angeles called “The Best Wines for $20 or Less”.  As I meandered my way from table to table, tasting a lot of better than average, relatively inexpensive wines, I came across a man who poured me the wine that changed my life.

L'Aventure Winery

He actually wasn’t even representing L’Aventure.  In fact, I don’t really recall which winery he was representing, but I tasted his wines and they were pretty good.  Nothing special, but not bad.  We started chatting about my favorite wines of the night, etc, etc and then…he reached into a bag behind him and said “you really need to try this.  Just keep it quiet… it’s from my personal collection.”  My new friend pulled out a bottle of 2002 L’Aventure Optimus and poured a little into my tasting glass.  I smelled it (wow…incredible.  So much more complex than any wine I’d experienced).  I tasted it (unreal).  I literally stood there and savored every little bit of berry, spice, cassis and minerality I was tasting.  This wine was unlike anything I’d ever tried.

I pulled out my tasting note brochure I got for the evening and scratched in pen “L’Aventure Optimus.  DELICIOUS!!”.  I thanked my friend for opening my eyes to a whole new wine world, tasted a few more wines – none of which could stand up to what I just experienced – and I left the tasting event with a whole new perspective.

Winemaker Stephan Asseo at the L'Aventure Winery

I’ve been following L’Aventure ever since and have been equally impressed by each and every vintage.  Winemaker and owner Stephan Asseo has been making wine since 1982.  Since then, he has “developed into an artisan winemaker of fastidious craftsmanship, and gained a reputation as a maverick vigneron”.  Stephan’s passion for winemaking and his desire to raise the bar for other wine makers in his league is evident in each and every bottle he produces.

The estate vineyards at L'Aventure

I’m particularly drawn to the fact that Stephan is truly a trailblazer in his craft.  He grew tired of the strict AOC laws in his native France and decided to venture out on a quest – a great adventure – to find the perfect terroir to craft his remarkable wines.  After traveling the world from South Africa to Argentina to Napa Valley, Stephan fell in love with Paso Robles and has been there ever since.

Artwork on the wall at L'Aventure

So, back to that weekend in February.  I first visited the L’Aventure tasting room 4 years ago and have made a yearly pilgrimage to Paso every year since, just to taste the latest vintage.  But this weekend was my first visit as a wine club member.  The winery was closed to the public so this was our exclusive opportunity to see what 2008 was tasting like.  Unfortunately Mother Nature wasn’t sure if she wanted us to make the trip.

We left Los Angeles on Friday evening, fully aware of the fact that it might rain.  When we got in the car, things were dry as could be and we though we may have dodged the storm.  Unfortunately half way up to Pismo Beach (where we were spending the night), it started raining.  Really, REALLY hard.  There were a few moments where I wasn’t sure if we should press on or pull over.

L'Aventure Winery

Fortunately we made it to Pismo Beach and checked into our lovely hotel room at the SeaCrest Resort.  This hotel was recently renovated and is highly recommended.  The attention to detail throughout the hotel and the gorgeous seaside location are unsurpassed for a relatively inexpensive hotel.  After a night of more rain and wind that nearly convinced us there was a hurricane blowing outside, we woke up to clearing skies and were excited for our day of wine tasting.

SeaCrest Resort after the storm...

We left Pismo Beach and were in Paso Robles in less than 30 minutes.  We drove down the beautiful gravel road toward L’Aventure, parked, and quickly made our way towards the tasting area.  Before we could enter the winery, we were stopped by a voice declaring “wait a minute… you have to see me first”.  At a small table near the door to the winery was the artist himself.  Stephan was pouring his ’09 Estate Rose and personally greeting his visitors.

The entry gate to L'Aventure Winery and Estate Vineyard

The vineyards at L'Aventure...

My moment with master winemaker Stephan Asseo

After chatting with Stephan about his newest releases, this past growing season, and about what he has up his sleeve for the next year at L’Aventure, we headed inside to taste the rest of the wines.  I honestly can’t say which were my favorites.  They were all poured directly from the barrels so they were all perfectly “open” and so delicious.

View from inside the tasting at L'Aventure Winery

The ’09 Estate Rose was an incredible start.  We decided to purchase 3 bottles right off the bat.  The ’08 Optimus was perhaps one of the best to date.  The ’08 Le Grand Verdot – a new release for members only and inky purple in color with just the right amount of tartness on the palate – was another stand out.  The Estate Cuvee and Cote a Cote are always favorites and this vintage certainly didn’t disappoint.

Freshly bottled '08 Le Grand Verdot...delicious!

'08 Estate Cuvee...

We got home and placed our order for a mixed case without hesitation.  L’Aventure wines are a bit on the pricey side, but well worth it if you appreciate quality wine.  We’ve already received our shipment and finished off 2 bottles of Rose which were just as delicious as when Stephan handed me my first taste.  If you’re in the Paso Robles area, L’Aventure is an absolute must see.  I can’t wait for our next visit…

Click here to visit the L’Aventure Winery website.

L’AVENTURE WINERY
2815 Live Oak Rd.
Paso Robles, CA  93446
Phone: (805) 227-1588
Fax: (805) 227-6988
Tasting room hours:  11AM – 4PM Thursday through Sunday.  Monday through Wednesday by appointment.

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Posted in Grenache, Mourvedre, Paso Robles, Petit Verdot, Rhone, Rosé, Syrah, WINERY/VINEYARD

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