Groundwork Grenache - Santa Barbara

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A while back, I wrote about an unfortunate attempt at a bus trip to Santa Barbara wine country with Learn About Wine (through no fault of this company). A couple of months later, our trip, deemed the "Burning Bus Tour" (nice!), was rescheduled and we were on our way!

I would highly recommend anyone to take a trip with Learn About Wine. Professional, organized, informative, and fun!

The trip occurred in 2010, and a little more than a year later, we found ourselves digging through our wine collection, finding this bottle, the Groundwork Grenache ($20), and reminiscing... "Oh yeah, remember that?"

Actually BETTER than what I remembered. Fruit with a hint of spice, smooth and medium-bodied, chilled at 55 degrees to make it refreshing on a 100 degree day (*hint: we use a mini-fridge to store our red wines. We turned it down to "low" and it happens to be around 55 degrees! Much cheaper than purchasing a wine fridge.)

Then it all came back to us.... outdoor tasting, trying the excellent wines of Sans Liege, but the wine-maker raving about this particular bottle, his favorite, his passion, his label called Groundwork.

Just to let you know, Grenache is usually used as a blending grape along with Syrah and Mourvedre to create the lovely "Rhone" blend. It is brave and wonderful for him to venture this way. I appreciate it more and more with every sip (and a chug here and there).

To passion, uniqueness, and accomplishment... Cheers!

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"Jammy" Triumph

"Jammy" is often used as ammunition against California wine... but it's what MAKES California wines.

Delicious.

Bridlewood (Central Coast) Syrah, 2006. Thick, jammy with lots of dark berry flavors, undertones of dark chocolate, and then a lingering light-peppery finish. 

This bottle is accessible in many retail stores, not only at the winery. I found it at the BevMo 5-cent sale one year and went to town!

However, I make it a point to visit their beautiful, mission-style winery in Santa Ynez whenever I'm in the area (which is quite frequently).

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$13 at your local BevMo

Vina Robles - Red4 - Paso Robles

Table Wine.

Weak, quick finish, light-bodied, unimpressive.
Tastes cheap.

Technically, Vina Robles' Red4 is a "table wine", but I REFUSE to label it that way.

A Rhone blend - Syrah, Petite Syrah, and splashes of Grenache and Mourvedre - which is a hearty, medium-bodied wine with a soft, yet memorable, combination of dark fruit, cinnamon&spice, and the good ol' earth. The flavors and aroma have no notes of "cheap table wine"; you would think it's much more expensive than it actually is.

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Winery: Vina Robles
Location: Paso Robles
Wine Label: Red4
Price: $14

Ecluse - Cabernet Sauvignon - 07

To celebrate both of our birthdays, Danny and I decided to stay in, cook, and open up a "special occasion" wine... our beloved Ecluse Cabernet Sauvignon!

We had been holding onto this one, for it is our most expensive bottle at $30 (Ecluse is a small-production, family-owned, boutique winery in Paso Robles). 

Drinking this wine truly made us feel thankful for life, our senses, and our patience in keeping this bottle 'til it was "the right time".

Apparent fruit and minerality that show off the Paso Robles terroir. Tannins add to the structure but finish off smoothly. Every time I took a sip, I desired to hold and swirl it in my mouth as long as I could because I didn't want the sensation to end.

With this incredible wine, we had homemade pizzas (sauteed chicken+bell peppers on pita bread, marinara sauce, topped and baked with a variety of cheeses) and, of course, birthday cake (light pound cake with chopped fruit and fluffy white cream - which my amazing friend Jennifer bought me). The wine went perfectly with everything we ate.

Thank you Ecluse, for making our birthday unforgettable. We can't wait to return to Paso Robles to pick up more "special occasion" wines!

Mandolina - Nebbiolo - Solvang

Solvang is a unique, pedestrian-friendly, Dutch town in the Santa Barbara area. Many are so excited to go, plan trips around seeing it, only to realize they're "done" with it after about 2 hours.

Fortunately, there are many other places to go around Santa Barbara - Downtown, Los Olivos, Foxen Canyon... but if you wanted to come all this way to Solvang, why not stay a little longer?

I suggest going to Mandolina (tasting room). They make their wines in "Italian" styles. Super Tuscans, Nebbiolos. Barberas. Last time I was in Solvang, Mandolina was the last stop on our wine trail, and as the saying goes, "After 3 wineries, you're not tasting - you're DRINKING." I did manage to walk out with tasting notes, and 6 bottles. 2 Super Tuscans and 4 Nebbiolos.

After coming home from the trip, I organized my wine collection and came across my 4 bottles of Nebbiolo. 4 bottles? I didn't even remember why I purchased this! I had to try it.

Light bodied, good balance of cherries and oak, not too much acidity but just enough to make me salivate. Easy to drink. Perfect for making any weekday a special day.

I checked my tasting notes and I saw that the original price of this is $20. Then, I looked at the fine print. "Passport weekend: buy 6 bottles and recieve 50% off". Oh, that's why I have 4 bottles of this stuff!

While in Solvang, I'd also recommend visiting Mandolina's sister tasting room, Lucas and Lewellen, which focuses on more California style wines. (Yes, we brought home 6 of their bottles, too!)

Santa Barbara Vintner's Visa / Passport (and suggested itinerary)

(scroll down to read a suggested itinerary if traveling from Los Angeles)

*my tasting notes*

Ah, the dilemmas of visiting wine regions....


How many wineries can you go to? At $10 per tasting room (at least), the fees can add up.

You want to purchase wines, but again, it could end up costly. The more you drink, the more you want to bring the wine home (darn that warm, fuzzy, friendly, loving feeling that wine gives me!)

Which wineries do you choose to go to? In the Santa Barbara area, there are over 50 wineries to choose from, and so many well-crafted and delicious Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and Syrahs to experience! Where do you even begin planning?

To solve your dilemma, I would suggest participating in visa/passport events. You purchase one ticket (usually about $40-50), which has several participating wineries on a checklist (at least 12). You go to as many of the wineries that your tolerance allows and get each of the places stamped (like a passport). The tastings are the same or better for visa/passport participants (who are usually offered snacks, a separate area to lounge in, and/or treated to reserve tastings). Want to bring wine home? Wineries usually offer amazing deals for the event!

I have participated in several passport/visa events in SB wine country, from vineyards on the countryside to tasting rooms in the quaint towns (most recently, the Santa Barbara Vintner's Visa).

After tasting through several Santa Barbara visas, I present my list of favorite wineries/tasting rooms in this region...
 click here for detailed map

Solvang (tasting rooms):
Mandolina
Lucas and Lewellen

Los Olivos (tasting rooms):
Stolpman
Daniel Gehrs

Santa Barbara (tasting rooms):
Santa Barbara Winery/ La Fond Winery
Oreana Winemaking Company

Santa Ynez (vineyards):
Buttonwood
Rideau
Bridlewood
Gainey
Sunstone

Foxen Canyon (vineyards):
Kenneth Volk
Foxen
Zaca Mesa
Demetria
Riverbench

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Suggested FULL, 3-day itinerary if traveling from Los Angeles:

There are MANY other vineyards and tasting rooms to visit, but if it's your first time in this wine region, these are good ones to start with. Links to all wineries mentioned in the itinerary can be found in the list above (which is organized by area). Please read my tasting tips before going.

Day 1
Take 101N to the 154, which is indicated by "State Street" exit (the 154 is also known as the San Marcos Pass - BREATHTAKING views of the mountainside!) Eat breakfast at Los Olivos Grocery (their cafe has a pretty view). Visit Bridlewood (Santa Ynez), and then head to Los Olivos to explore. Eat lunch at Panino, and taste at Stolpman and Daniel Gehrs. After, head south on Alamo Pintado Road, hitting up Buttonwood and Rideau (Santa Ynez), and end up in Solvang to finish off your day of tasting with Mandolina and Lucas&Lewellen. Have dinner at Cafe Angelica. Stay overnight at the newly re-modeled Kronborg Inn.

Day 2
Breakfast in Solvang at Paula's Pancakes (sit at the counter to avoid a 20-30 minute wait for a table). Head to the R Country Market in Los Olivos to pick up food for a picnic lunch. Head up to Foxen Canyon to taste at Ken Volk, Foxen, Zaca Mesa, Demetria, and Riverbench, and take time to soak in the phenomenal views. Head back down for dinner at the Hitching Post (have their Merlot with one of their steaks, and walk around the bar to view pictures from Sideways), and then stay overnight again at the Kronborg Inn.

Day 3
Make sure you wake up early for a light continental breakfast at the Kronborg Inn because you want to make sure to go taste at the lovely Sunstone Vineyard (Santa Ynez). Afterwards, go eat lunch at The Vineyard House, and go taste at the magnificent Gainey Winery (Santa Ynez) on your way back to the 154 Pass (it's so pretty - why NOT go back this way?). On your way back down the 101, taste in the city (Santa Barbara) at Oreana and Santa Barbara Winery. Dinner at Beachbreak Cafe (cool local joint).

Day 4
You will be TIRED at work, but that just means you had an AWESOME weekend!

***I packed a lot into the itinerary, but you should take out items on the list that do not seem reasonable for your tolerance or price-range. Check store websites for current hours, exact locations, and menus. Please drink responsibly. When in doubt, eat more and stay a while in the town or winery you are in.***

Paso Robles, Part 2: Far Out Wineries

*map: courtesy of faroutwineries.com*

The following wineries are more north-west, and a bit "out of the way" compared to the wineries on the 46. Here are the ones worth visiting(wineries listed from west to east):


1. JUSTIN: Known for their custom reds- JUSTIFICATION, ISOSCELES, OBTUSE. Beautiful winery. Tour recommended (for appointment call 805.238.6932 ext. 3224 )

2. Le Cuvier: Smooth reds with various layers. Nice craftsmanship, especially with their Pinot Noir and Cab. Franc.

3. Tablas Creek: Specializing in Rhone varietals, so expect jammy fruit with a side of tannins.

4. Tolo Cellars: These wines are more spicy and tannic. There are even signs of green peppers and pepperoncinis. Appetizing wines for a great meal!

5. Adelaida Cellars: our FAVORITE in this region. These wines are clean, silky, sexy, amazing.

6. Opolo Vineyards: Earthy yet smooth, with hints of fruitines.

7. Minassian-Young: An up-and-coming winery. Big, unique reds worth visiting.


click here to view more on Paso Robles (wineries along the 46 east and west)

Buttonwood - Cabernet Sauvignon - Santa Ynez - '05

Purchase at the Buttonwood Winery - case sale: $100!!!
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I don't cook. It's messy, and frankly, I'm not very good at it.

Now, imagine this scenario: I come home later than expected because of work. I'm tired and frustrated, so I relieve myself with a nice phone conversation with a friend, and as we are talking, I look through my wine collection and pull out this Cab. I uncork it and pour myself a glass while I'm listening to my friend go on about her day. I swirl my glass, take a sniff, sensing aromas of dark, ripe fruit and some acidity. I take a sip and the fruit becomes brighter, the tannins are present yet mellow, and the finish is soft, with a slight acidic kick at the end. At this point, I was not listening to my friend anymore; the only thing in my mind was that I wanted spaghetti and marinara meat sauce. So simple, yet the wine made me crave it.

I said good-bye to my friend and drove to Ralphs, where I bought Ragu premade marinara sauce, turkey ground meat, penne pasta, and fresh cut mushrooms. I brought it home and put it together, and it was AMAZING. Yes, this wine inspired me to cook. There was a specific flavor I sought that only I knew how to fulfill. After my meal, I relaxed on the couch with another glass, just by itself, and I decided it was an awesome day.

Donati - Merlot - Templeton (Paso Robles)

Don't get me wrong. I love me some fruit forward, full-medium bodied, over-ripe zin.

But opening up a mellow, earthy Donati Merlot after a "jammy" zin brought some relief to my palate and rocked my senses to sleep after a long day at work.

The next day, I noticed more fruit, but surrounded by oakiness. Wonderful balance. I just sipped and loved every minute of it.

The third day, more acidic qualities exuded. I should have finished the bottle the previous day...

(lessons of evolving wine... always finish the bottle if you're enjoying it - never assume it will be the same the next day) 

Price: This bottle is $27, but we bought it directly from the tasting room in Templeton, near Paso Robles, and the bottle came with a complimentary tasting. Currently, this bottle is out, but let this be a testament for wonderful Merlots!

Paso Robles

3.5 - 4 hours from LA... but well worth the trip!

Courtesy of Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance

(click on the image to enlarge)










Paso Robles is known for their Zinfandels. I never really considered myself a Zin fan, but after tasting in this region, I now know that Zins can be diverse (as with all wines). This just goes to show that tasting is important (and I will continue to do it!)

Tasting in Paso is also economical - tasting fees cap at $10, and there are many coupons available in local magazines and in hotels to waive those fees. In addition, many wineries waive their tasting fee if you purchase a bottle of their wines. On top of that, several wineries give complimentary tastings. So first, figure out what road you want to taste on. Second, go to the Paso Wine Allliance website to find out how much the fees are. Lastly, take your time on the road and at each winery, and soak in the wine and scenery!

Here is a break down of the memorable wineries we visited:

(from west to east on the 46W)

1. Castoro: Their motto is "Dam Fine Wine" ("Castoro" means "beaver" in Italian). Well, I think they have DAM fine Zins! 3 complimentary tastings, 7 tastings for $3 (waived with purchase).

2. Windward: Specializes in Pinot Noirs. Each wine delicately tastes like the whole cluster - grapes, seeds, and vines. Interesting tannins, pleasant, unique. $10 tasting fee (tasting coupons available in local magazines and hotels). Pricey wines, but worth tasting at.

3. Terry Hoage: Vibrant, fruit forward wines produced by the former NFL player. $10 tasting fee (waived with purchase). Note: you probably wouldn't buy wines from this place, though. Each wine is at least $40.

4. Ecluse: Bravo to their CABs! This small family-owned winery is so confident in their wines that they give complimentary wine tastings. If you visit this place, you WILL walk away with at least one bottle of their awesome wines.

(off the 46E)

1. Eberle: Their wines didn't quite WOW us, but we went on their complimentary wine cave tour which was educational  and interesting. The tastings are also complimentary, so a visit to this winery is highly recommended if just for the tour.

2. Vina Robles: We walked out with one bottle (we usually don't buy more than one per winery) and the couple next to us walked out with 5 cases! THAT purchase is a testament to their wines. Wonderful Zins - we purchased an '07 which was off the tasting menu (thank you wine pourers that let you taste those!). Complimentary wine tasting. Check out this recent SF Chronicle article on Vina Robles!

3. Falcon Nest: Dark berries, pepper, oak, ripe tomatoes, and hint of acidic qualities. All of their wines have some combination of that. Great for "blending" parties. Buy two bottles of any of their wines and mix them on the spot for family and friends! $5 tasting fee (waived with purchase)

click here for suggestions of Paso's "Far Out" Wineries