Thursday, May 14, 2015

RECENT TRAVEL'S WITH DON

Having the opportunity to write for a few different publications has forced me to move out of my wine comfort zone....and explore new (to me) wineries, wines and wine regions along the Central Coast.  And THAT....is a very good thing!

The Central Coast is just replete with great areas....from Santa Barbara all the way up to Paso (still my passion, but being challenged)!  Santa Ynez, Santa Maria and the Edna Valley to name a few are producing such vibrant and different wines reflective of their specific climate and terroir.

A few recently visited included the Byron** tasting room in Los Olivos where I was graciously hosted by Pati Wilkinson (Estate Manager) and Lucio Uribe (Tasting Room Associate).  Their line up of Santa Maria Valley Pinots is nothing short of amazing...reflecting the dirt, weather and special conditions of this area. Touting themselves as a "Pinot House," they certainly are!
                                                           

A few weeks later I had the pleasure of interviewing Stephen Ross**, of the winery that bears his name, in his San Luis Obispo tasting room.  Again, a region with a special climate for Pinot and Chardonnay.  Stephen's wine education and experience and travels has brought him to the apex of his small production boutique winery. Single vineyard designated wines, specializing in Pinot Noir....yummmy




Lastly....I have to say SOMETHING about a new discovery in Paso!  Not a "new" winery, but new to me.  CALCAREOUS!  Recently having 4 of their wines named in a winespectator.com article:  "9 powerful reds from Paso Robles"....these 4 wines certainly give you a WOW factor!  Anna (tasting room manager) and John (Hospitality/Sales manager) just exude passion and friendliness when walking through the Calcareous line up. Add the comfort of their modern, beautifully designed tasting room and view and you have a piece of Paso heaven.   The winery and wines are NOT to be missed!

                                               
                                                                     
So....there you have a quick recap of my recent wine experiences!  ** (AND....be certain to pick up a copy of Wine Country this Month, July edition, to read about Stephen Ross, winemaker, and the Byron Tasting room)!

Cheers to more travels and more new (to me) wines coming up.  So much wine and so little time!

ds



Sunday, April 5, 2015

Our Family Passover Seder
Sonderling Style
Paso Style

Passover Seder in our house is always a very special event, with family and friends.  It is steeped in family history and tradition, and as meaningful and important as it is, it is also:  FUN!  We try to make it that way for all:  From the 5 year old to the 93 year old.  It's more than just "telling the story" of The Exodus. It's about blending together family, friends, history and....WINE! Because...on Passover, you are commanded to drink (a minimum) 4 glasses of wine.  At least, in our house!

So, for my friends and followers, fellow sippers, wine lovers, winemaker and winery friends, following is a re-cap of this year's story of Passover, Sonderling style...Paso Style---with some help from some of our best friends.  I hope you enjoy our journey.
                                              --------------------------------

The leader of the service would be me, also referred to as The Maven, who 

(Torrin, 2011)

tells the Epoch story of the Israelites flight from bondage, in the land of Egypt.
(Zinfandel, 2010)

Moses, as we all know, in a Brash move, tells Pharaoh "Let My People Go!"
(ONX, 2011)

When Pharaoh relents, Moses then leads the People of Israel on the Mother of Exiles, out of Egypt, towards the Promised Land.
(Denner, 2010)

The Israelites, after being slaves for centuries, were Euphoric to be free.
(Nicora, 2011)

Journeying through the desert, Moses heard G_D Speak, commanding him to go climb up the Toasted Slope of the highest mountain
(Alta Colina, 2009)

Where Moses then received the Sagacious Law (2010)  from G-D.

Upon descending the mountain, Moses saw his Cohorts worshiping a golden calf..
(Caliza, 2011)

And in a fit of rage, threw the tablets of law to the ground, shattering them into Broken Stones.
(Saxum, 2011)

Alas, the Jewish people were now destined to wander the desert, praying there Comes a Time, for Peace on Earth (Paix Sur Terre, 2013).

And that my friends, is the story of Passover, or PASOver....In Style...Sonderling Style! With prayers and wishes for all of you, and blessings, for love and health and happiness, and of course, good wine, for all of humankind.

And yes, we fulfilled the commandment to drink at least 4 glasses of wine, in fact, we manged to drink many many more than 4 glasses....which included ALL of the special Paso-ver bottles shown above!  Sharing special wine with special friends for a special event....and THAT is what wine and celebrations, is all about.
The Before, During and the Aftermath and the Damage we did!
                                                  Before...the Plagues!     

    The table is set....Everything in its place
                               
                              Eating, drinking, and telling the Passover Story
                                                                    
                         The aftermath
                                                    and...the final count!
                                  Our 101 year old Family Heirloom Seder
                                                            Tray
      






Sunday, March 1, 2015

OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE---THE EDNA VALLEY!!!

OK.....I have to be honest here.  As you all know by now, I am an unabashed PASOfile!  So, having been asked to write an article on Edna Valley Vineyards for Wine Country This Week Magazine (Central Coast edition), I knew I would be moving out of my normal wine comfort zone.
   
                                                       
A link to the article follows, I hope you enjoy it:

                                                   
                              The impressive TR as seen on your approach



http://www.winecountrythisweek.com/issue/central-coast-edition-march-1-2014-0

(please click on the above link, scroll to the bottom of the page, and fill in "38" then hit enter in order to access the article--this will take you to the proper page).  YOU MAY HAVE TO COPY AND PASTE THE ABOVE URL into your browser in order to access. Then scroll down, fill in 38 and hit enter to bring up the article.

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                                    A demonstration vineyard greets you

But now, a few other personal observations and comments about EVV and the Edna Valley!
                                   
                                    A picture is worth a thousand words
                                          As you sip their selections
                                          
Being used to the small, boutique Paso producers, and doing some research before my trip up to Edna Valley Vineyards, I wasn't quite sure what to expect of this larger producer.

Driving into their parking lot and pulling up right in front of the Demonstration Vineyard, overlooking the expanse of vineyards, Santa Lucia Mountain range and inviting tasting room, my first thought was:  WOW!  There is something special here.   And, so there was.

Walking in we were greeted by Lindsey Jessup, TR manager.   Talk about a smile and twinkle in her eyes and unbridled enthusiasm and passion
that was immediately evident.  As she greeted us, we already knew this would be a very special day.

Standing at the tasting bar, Lindsey started out by giving us not only a historical perspective of the winery and area, but also a quick education of the geology as we gazed out at the vista and Islay Peak, one of 7 inactive volcano domes in the region.  I had NO idea at one time this was a volcanic area.  Suffice to say, the view from the tasting room was mesmerizing.

Then....the wine pouring began.   The first several wines were their nationally distributed wines:  A Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, being the wineries flagship wine.

Following the initial flight, we then settled in for the next 90 minutes or so, as we moved through the assortment of their small lot production wines, 12 in all.

Talking to Lindsey, my friend Paul and I were struck by the way the entire staff related to visitors.  Enthusiastic, fun, educational, passionate.

Edna Valley Vineyard leaves no stone, or vine un-turned in their commitment to quality, and respecting the earth, the vine and what evolves from that.

If there was just ONE major take-away I had from my visit, it is the commitment to education of staff, that is then passed onto the guests.  So important is education, that each harvest two tasting room hosts are selected to work the harvest, and when they are back in the tasting room pouring, it is their responsibility to impart information about that particular vintage to the rest of the staff.

I love Paso.   But the much different, cooler climate wines coming out of the Edna Valley are tantalizing, and so interesting to compare to what my pallet is used to.  A visit to Edna Valley Vineyards, and the Edna Valley is a must!

Move out of your comfort zone and explore the delightful, different wines of The Edna Valley!

Cheers, and thank you EVV and staff for such a gracious, educational, fun visit.  I hope you have enjoyed my latest blog, and the article on EVV.
ds

(feel free to post, share, forward, comment on my remarks or email me at:  askinut2@socal.rr.com).