Central Coast Edition - May 1, 2013

7/30/2019 Central Coast Edition - May 1, 2013

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PASO ROBLESWINE FESTIVAL

TICKETS ON SALEPAGE 11

VISIT CAFQUACKENBUSH

IN LOS ALAMOSPAGE 38

ROBERTHALL

WINERYPAGE 18

WINEMAKERPROFILE:

PEAR VALLEYPAGE 20

4TH ANNUALWINE, WAVES

& BEYONDPAGE 30

COTE DETOLOSA VELO

CHALLENGEPAGE 31

MAY 2013

SERVING SAN LUIS OBISPO & SANTA BARBARA COUNTIE

YO UR GUI DE TO CEN TRA L COAS T WI NE TASTI NG & EVE NT S

PAGE 12

PAGE 14


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J. Lohrs Wine FestivalWeekend Events

J.LOHR

PASO ROBLES WINE CENTE

6169 Airport Road (off Hwy 46 Ea

805.239.8900

TASTING DAILY 10AM 5PM

@JLohrWines

#ShareTheLohr

Friday, May 17

Caribbean-style Buffet BBQ6:00 pm 8:00 pm

KillerEatz brings Caribbean flair to our

Friday night Buffet BBQ! Enjoy traditional island disheslike Jerk chicken breast and Cuban beans.

BBQ includes your choice of J. Lohr Estates:

Riverstone Chardonnay, Los Osos Merlot

or Seven Oaks Cabernet (375 ml size.)

Music by The Shival Experience.

$55/person $45/Wine Club

reservations required

Sunday, May 19

Buffet Brunch10:30 am12:00 pm

Cahoots Caterings menu will include

a succulent Prime Rib Station and a

made to order Omelet and Waffle Bar.

Cost includes your choice of

J. Lohr wine by the glass.

$50/person $45/Wine Clubreservations required

For complete menus go to jlohr.com/eventsFor reservations email [email protected] or call 805.239.8900

Introducing J. Lohr Estates

Flume Crossing Sauvignon Blanc.This lovely wine hails from the ArroyoSeco appellation in Monterey Count

Stop by soon to enjoy thisdelicious release!


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More Perfect Pairs at www.WineCountryThisMonth.com

WINE COUNTRY THIS MONTH MAY 201

4

A Publication of Wine Country This Week

PUBLISHERMike Giangreco

Direct 707-938-3734

[email protected]

MANAGING EDITORChandra Grant

P.O. Box 92, El Verano, CA 95433Phone 707-938-1783 / Fax 707-938-3674

[email protected]

OFFICE MANAGERCathy Gore

Phone 707-938-3494/ Fax 707-938-3674

Email [email protected]

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORSMichael Cervin, Melissa Chavez, Rachel Eckert, Lisa Pretty, Kim Murphy Rodrigues,

Jemma Wilson, Carolyn Wooddall, Brette Ann Womack

SOCIAL MEDIAwww.WineCountryThisMonth.com

www.facebook.com/WineCountryThisMonth@WineCountryTW

ADVERSTISING REPRESENTATIVES

Whitney BremSAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY

Phone 805-252-5440

[email protected]

Cathy OlsonSANTA BARBARA COUNTY

Phone 415-816-1652

[email protected]

Planning a Visit to Northern California Wine Country?Pick up a copy ofWINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK or

download the current issue at www.winecountrythisweek.com

S A N LUIS O B IS PO & S A NTA B A RB A RA C O UNTIES


5/56

MAY 2013 WINE COUNTRY THIS MONT

5Sign up for our email newsletter at www.WineCountryThisMonth.com


6/56

Sign up for our email newsletter at www.WineCountryThisMonth.co6

TABLE OF CONTENTS | WINE COUNTRY THIS MONTH MAY 2013 | ISSUE 5, VOLUME

FEATURES REGULARSWINE REGIONS55 | CENTRAL COAST MAP

22 | SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY

San Luis Obispo Wineries Map, 23Pleasant Valley Wineries, 25West Side Wineries, Doce Robles, 27

Paso Robles Wineries Map, 28-29Downtown Paso Robles Wineries, 28

32 | SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

Northern Santa Barbara County Wineries Map, 33Lompoc Wine Trail:Scott Cellars, 39

Santa Maria Valley, 44-45

Solvang Wineries:Wandering Dog Wine Bar, 36

Los Olivos Wineries, 40-43Qupe, 40Tessa Marie Wines, 42Dragonette Cellars, 43

Los Alamos:Cafe Quackenbus, 38

12 | ON THE COVER: EBERLE WINES

14 | BROKEN EARTH WINERY

Success Troug Diversity

16 | CLAUTIEREExperience te Fun Side of Wine!

18 | ROBERT HALL WINERY

19 | CHAMISAL VINEYARDSReleases 2012 Stainless Pinot

20 | WINEMAKER PROFILE:PEAR VALLEYJared Lee

24 | NINER WINE ESTATESMaster te Art of Gourmet Cooking

30 | 4TH ANNUAL WINE, WAVES & BEYOND

31 | AFTERNOON OF EPICUREAN DELIGHTS

31 | TOLOSA WINERYSCOTE DE TOLOSA VELO CHALLENGE

8 | WINEOLOGY by Len NapolitanoWat is te difference between a Claret and a Meritage win

10 | WINEGOWING DECISIONS by Jos SteinWy te Weater Matters Tis Year and Next

17 | WINE COUNTRY DININGEstrella Restaurant

46 | CALENDAR OF EVENTS

San Luis Obispo County, 46Santa Barbara County, 49Ventura County, 49

50 | WINERY LISTINGSPaso Robles, 50San Luis Obispo, 52Santa Maria/Foxen Canyon, 52Los Alamos, 53Los Olivos, 53Lompoc/Buellton, 53Solvang, 54Santa Ynez, 54Santa Barbara, 54Ventura County, 54

54 | WINE COUNTRY DEALS & DISCOUNTS

55 | CENTRAL COAST MAP

19

16

24


7/567Find out more at www.WineCountryThisMonth.com

MAY 201 3 WINE COUNTRY THIS MONT

PASO ROBLES

WINE FESTIVAL

WEEKEND FESTIVITIES

Gourmet Cheese & Wine Pairings

Our Famous Grilled Chipotle Burgers

Barrel Samples

Grand Opening ofClub Clautiere

for special occasions

and large groups

Check out our brand new website

www.clautiere.com for more information!

10:30-5:30


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A term used more often a few decades ago than today, Claret,pronounced like clair-ette, is an unofficial designation for red wines

originating in Bordeaux, France and which are primarily made from

Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and blended with other Bordeaux

grapes, such as Petit Verdot, Malbec or Cabernet Franc. Some lesser-

known red grapes that are also permitted in Bordeaux but seldom

used are Gros Verdot, Carmenere and St. Macaire. Coined by the

British, the term Claret is still used as a name for a wine that blends

the specific traditional Bordeaux grapes, but one which is specifically

made in France.

In the US, a wine that fits this description is known by a uniqueAmerican wine term, Meritage. Meritage (rhymes with heritage)

wines also use the traditional grapes made famous for centuries in

Bordeaux, but are made only in the US. Meritage wines frequently

given unique names, like Symmetry by Rodney Strong or Stature b

Kendall-Jackson. In a Meritage wine, no single grape varietal can

make up more than 90% of the blend.

Claret and Meritage wines share similar styles and characteristic

They are usually smooth in texture, medium bodied, have notes of

black currant and pair well with meat.

So, whether you call it Claret, Meritage or simply a Bordeaux

blend, each term refers to a style of wine that pays homage to thetime-tested, world-class grapes of Bordeaux, France that wine lover

saround the world have come to know and enjoy for centuries.

A Certified Specialist in Wine, Len Napolitano has been educating consumers about wine since 2001.

also Tweets tips and advice to the wine consumer. Follow him on Twitter: @Wineologist. Wineology i

excerpted from Len's forthcoming book, "Nose, Legs, Body!: Uncomplicated Answers To The Mystifie

Wine Consumers First 50 Questions" E-mail your wine questions to [email protected]

Learn more about wine!

For past Wineology columns,scan the QR code with your

smart phone application or go towww.winecountrythisweek.com

and search Wineology.

Look for us on Facebook and become a Fa8

I N T E L L I G E N C E F O R T h E W I N E C O N S U M E R

BY LEN NAPOLITANO

www.brokenearthwinery.com5625 Highway 46 East Paso Robles, CA 805.239.2562

10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

OPEN DAILY

FEATURINGOur Estate Grown Award Winning Wines& A Unique Selection of Gourmet Foods.

What is the difference between a Claret and a Meritage wine?


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Wherever you go in wine country, youre bound to see

machinery, equipment, even the vineyards themselves, which is

oriented towards mitigating weather influences. Unlike row crops,

vineyards and orchards cant pick up and makes changes every year,

but they can make changes to things around said vineyards. Why is

this necessary in the first place? Because weather problems can

affect not just this years crop but next years too, and damaging

vines through cold or heat can quickly become a far more expensive

proposition than the costs of installing solutions to keep the

problems at bay.

Why? Because vines arent like other annual crops. If you look

closely at a vine, you will see both this years and next years buds,

which is why weather damage can be such a problem: a grower isforced to contemplate the loss of multiple years income. Inside

each bud are really small leaves, and from them come the leaves,

canes, shoots and grapes, and each bud has concentric layers, which

is why weather damage is along a continuum. Minor damage,

generally from frost, may reduce the yield a bit, but its the more

severe darkening, akin to frostbite, which is the real issue,

guaranteeing a crop loss of at least fifty percent, if not more. Equally,

the phloem, the bark on exterior of canes and vine trunks, can a

be damaged by cold, causing crop losses, too.

The best way to undestand winegrowing options for weather

mitigation is to walk through the vineyard throughout the year.

Winter cold is actually no issue because the vines are dormant,

which is why all fifty states have vineyards. Spring is when weath

has the most impact on two years crop because the weather often

flipflops quite quickly, and rain at an early point can be helpful to

bring temperatures up while later in the season causing crop dam

via hail or thunderstorms winds. Shattering of the blooming

flowers can disrupt clusters or keep them from being fertilized, ye

when faced with a frost event earlier in the year, rain is welcomed

it brings the temperature up above freezing. Summer and fall heacan also be an issue because too-high a temperature can cause vin

to shut down, shriveling or even sunburning grapes, and also

potentially killing the vine in the process.

There are actually lots of options for mitigation, and the best, a

you might expect, are set up so as to help solve more than one

problem. Believe it or not, something as simple as low trellising

versus high has an impact as far as weather goes as low trellises in

the wrong locales are more subject to frost damage, and higher

trellises can provide shade for adjacent rows. How the trellis is

trimmed in winter and early spring prior to budbreak is thus one

strategy, and there is projected to be a move back to California

Sprawl from the VSP candelabra currently seen all over as theNorth Coast replants in the next few years for this reason: not only

does this provide different vine growth and Brix gains, but it also

helps as regards frost or hail damage during April and May, when

buds break and the vines flower.

Mechanical options abound, too. The wind machines, those

twirling engines and fans on poles; the Inverted Sinks or Air

Dams, which essentially turn the wind machine to provide a fros

sink to pull cold air down and away from vines on hillsides and

slopes; vertical sprinklers and micro-sprinklers, which can raise th

temperature or allow frozen water to encase and protect the vines;

and smudge pots, the gas fired heaters for the end of vineyard row

which work in combination with wind machinesall are ways to

work in combination with the land to mitigate the negatives of

weather while allowing the terroir, the locational distinctiveness

still show through in the grapes and finished wines by moving th

weather since the vines really cannot. Its not always easy or chea

but the results are worth it, no? Enjoy!

Why the Weather Matters This Year AND Next

10 Look for us on Facebook and become a Fa

BY JOSh STEIN

Josh Stein has been in the Napa wine business for more than a decade, and, in addition to being owner/winem

of the Stein Family Wine Group, which produces a nationally and internationally distributed portfolio of wine bran

and donates 5% of its sales to the children of wineworkers in the form of college scholarships and support funds, he

regularly consults for wineries and organizations throughout the North Bay and Coast via their subsidiaries, Discre

Wine Support Services and SF-Integrated Vineyard Management.

Experience Five unique wineries from theEdna Valley pouring under the same roof.

These wineries are located in the Independenceschoolhouse established in 1909


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Find more at www.WineCountryThisMonth.com 1


60+ Wineries to Pour at the 31st Annual Wine Festival Downtown City Par

Tickets for the 31st Annual Paso Robles Wine Festival in the DowntownCity Park are now on sale at www.pasowine.com. This three day celebra

tion in Paso Robles Wine Country is the perfect opportunity for wine

enthusiasts to enjoy what Paso Robles is all about exceptional wine,

fantastic food and picturesque scenery all with a laid back and

welcoming attitude.

Paso Robles Wine Festival Weekend takes place May 17 - 19, and kick

off Friday evening with Reserve, a ticketed intimate tasting, which

includes culinary bites from local chefs and a Futures Auction benefitting

San Luis Obispo County charities. Saturday begins with a fun and

educational winemaker seminar, followed by the Grand Tasting with mor

than 60 wineries showcasing current vintages alongside a plentifulselection of food options. New in 2013, wineries will be organized into

four regions for tasting: Cabernet & Bordeaux, Rhne, Zinfandel and

other wild wines for your tasting pleasure. Central Coast band One Time

Spaceman will provide entertainment for the festival with their Rock,

Blues and Americana style.

To thank locals for their continued support of Paso Robles Wine

Country, a locals only discount is being offered to residents of San Luis

Obispo County until April 30th.

Tickets All Wine Festival tasting tickets include unlimited tasting

and a commemorative wine glass:

Reserve: $125 Friday Reserve: 3:30 to 6 p.m.; Saturday GrandTasting: 12 to 4 p.m. Advance purchase only.

Premium: $75 Saturday Grand Tasting: 12 to 4 p.m.

Festival: $55 Saturday Grand Tasting: 1 to 4 p.m.

Locals Only: $45 Saturday Grand Tasting: 1 to 4 p.m. Available to

San Luis Obispo County residents, advance purchase only, deadline

April 30.

Designated Driver/Child: $15 Saturday Grand Tasting: 12 to 4 p.m.

Seminar: $20 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Limited seats.

Travel beyond the park to visit the more than 130 wineries that host

special activities including winemaker dinners, food pairings, barrel

tastings, winery and vineyard tours, and much more. View the WineryActivities link on pasowine.com to plan your itinerary for Wine Festival

Weekend. Be sure to designate a driver, or visit the Touring section of

pasowine.com to find a touring company in Paso Robles Wine Country.

About Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance

The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance represents wineries, growers

and businesses in Paso Robles Wine Country. Centrally located between

San Francisco and Los Angeles, along Californias Central Coast, Paso

Robles Wine Country is Californias third largest wine region. It

encompasses more than 26,000 vineyard acres and 270 wineries. For

more information, visit www.pasowine.com.

Paso Robles Wine FestivalTickets Now On Sale


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ON THE COVER | WINE COUNTRY THIS MONTH MAY 201

12 Find more at www.WineCountryThisMonth.co

BRETTE ANN WOMACk

Gary Eberle is considered to be one of the most significant pioneers o

the Paso Robles wine region. After he operated his family business,

Estrella River Winery, for almost ten years and co-founded the Paso Rob

Appellation in 1980, Gary proudly opened the doors to his own ventur

Eberle Winery, in 1983. Today, Eberle wines are highly acclaimed and

these award winners can be sampled at the winery in its extremely

popular Tasting Room.For the past decade, Ben Mayo has been at the helm of the winery,

working side by side with Gary as Eberles Winemaker. Chuck Ortman

or Mr. Chardonnay, recommended Ben to Gary in 2001, after Ben

worked for Chuck at Meridian. Ben worked his way up from Cellar

Worker, to Assistant Winemaker, to Winemaker in 2003 a very excitin

day for Ben with not only this promotion, but also the birth of his

daughter, Zoey. When reminiscing about his tenure with Eberle, Ben

recalled a promise from Gary. While processing 5 tons of Viogner, a

vacuum motor burned out on the press. They purchased a new motor

and flew to Napa to pick it up. While waiting at the airport, Gary

ON THE COVER

EBERLE WINERY

Wines For Every Palate

Open daily 10am-6pm3810 higway 46 East, Paso Robles

www.eberlewinery.com | (805) 238-9607


13/5613Look for us on Facebook and become a Fan!


jokingly said that when I start to [score] in the 90s in the press,

he would buy a jet, Ben remembered. Now that Bens wine

consistently scores 90 points or above, he is eagerly awaiting

that jet.

The Eberle portfolio includes a wine for virtually everypalate. The amazing thing is that each variety is made

brilliantly. His philosophy is that every lot is equally important

and the same care and treatment are taken with every varietal.

In addition to the daily wine tasting and popular tours

available at Eberle Winery, the event calendar is filling up

quickly with unique ways to enjoy Bens wines. Eberle will host

a Mothers Day Celebration on May 12th, Dinner in the Caves

with Chef Scott McGlinchey of Las Vegas on May 17th, and an

Afternoon Lunch and Bocce Ball for Fathers Day on June 16th.

On May 19th, Gary & Marcy Eberle will be serving their famous

BBQ alongside live music by Ruckus.

As the season changes, so does the palate of a winemaker.

Ben recommends the 2010 Barbera or the 2009 Cabernet

Sauvignon, as both are drinking wonderfully. Celebrate with

him by enjoying these favorites for $28 and $34 respectively

and available online and in the Tasting Room. For more

information about Ben Mayo and Eberle wines and events, visit

www.eberlewinery.com.

Continued

Winemaker, Ben Mayo


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Find out more at www.WineCountryThisMonth.co

WINERY FEATURE | WINE COUNTRY THIS MONTH MAY 201

14

BROKEN EARTH WINERYSuccess Through Diversity

BY MIChAEL CERVIN

The land of worked earth, is what Rancho Tierra Rejada roughly translates to from

the original Spanish. This historic 2,500 acre Paso Robles ranch is now home to the

vineyards of Broken Earth Winery. And it is rather fitting that the winery itself has gone

though other iterations of wineries and is now in the hands of winemaker Chris Camero

as the parcel has had its own broken earth history, so to speak.

For Cameron, vice president and director of winemaking, this is his dream job. Born Australia he has worked more than 35 vintages spanning from Australia to Italy to Turke

to the United States. For the past five years Cameron has settled into Paso Robles, workin

at first at Summerwood Winery, and then Veris Winery, before taking the helm at the

newly created Broken Earth Winery on Paso Robles Eastside directly off Highway 46. An

Camerons work at Broken Earth has already been recognized with two Gold Medals at th

prestigious San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition in 2012. Weve come a long way

in 12 months, Cameron explains. We havent really taken a breath yet.

But there is little time to rest. As guests enter the massive 110,000 square-foot winery

and hospitality facility which was built in 1985, not only is the cavernous space decked

out with multiple tasting bars, but there are five different labels to choose from, which

keeps Cameron busy. The winery makes a full range of wines from dry table wines to

dessert and specialty wines. The multiple labels you will encounter include Shimmin

Canyon, Pull, Triptych, Quadrant and Broken Earth. The strategy was to develop differe

wine brands and unique styles at various price points for different markets. This ultimate

meets every guests needs, and theres even a small deli on site.

Cameron develops wines under Triptych which makes Chardonnay, Cabernet

Sauvignon and Merlot, to a blended wine made from Viognier, Pinot Gris and Chardonn

called Triptych White. The Broken Earth wines include Petit Verdot, Tempranill, and

Albario. The success of the Broken Earth vision is just this type of diversity. All the five

labels are offered in the tasting room and on their website. There are about 20 different

wines to choose from on the tasting menu, with bottle prices ranging from $15 to $35.

Cameron expects to be producing an astounding 250,000 cases eventually. Outside the

Open daily from 10:30 a.m. - 5.30 p.m.

5625 higway 46 East, Paso Robles, CA 93446(805) 239-2562 | www.brokeneartwinery.com

Winemaker Chris Cameron


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15

sweeping winery grounds are dotted with mature large lawns, Italian

Cypress trees, multiple patios and picnic areas and youll probably

notice the solar panels that provide the majority of energy for the

winery.

Broken Earth offers a wine club simply known as Tierra Rijada

providing flexibility to guests who may choose from three, six or 12

bottle shipments three times annually.

And assuming you need to impress your boss, or make a splash at

a wedding, or for any other reason whatsoever, Broken Earth also

offers custom designed labels for their wines. You can have your

picture taken, and within an hour, take home a bottle of wine with

your own label on it! Varieties available include Chardonnay, Merlo

Cabernet Sauvignon or a Cab/Merlot blend. Using a state of the art

German printer the quality is unsurpassed. Additionally, the winery

offers occasional live concerts and can host weddings, large corpora

events, just about anything you can think of. So stop by and sampl

what the broken earth of Paso Robles wine country can offer.

Broken Earth Winery is located at 5625 Highway 46 East in Pas

Robles. They are open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Contact

them directly at (805) 239-2562, www.brokenearthwinery.com.

Continued


16/5616 www.WineCountryThisMonth.co

WINE COUNTRY NEWS | WINE COUNTRY THIS MONTH MAY 201

BY BRETTE ANN WOMACk

Clautiere Vineyard, located on the Union Road wine trail on the East sidof Paso Robles, has a longstanding reputation for wine, wigs and fun. Thes

days the winery is renewing itself to allow visitors to focus on what a winer

is all about delicious, quality, food friendly wines! Dont misunderstand;

the wigs and fun are still present. Clautiere always encourages guests to

Experience the Fun Side of Wine!

The revamping started virtually with a brand new website, launched in

April. The website truly reflects Clautieres story and feel. Each page is sup

clean and user friendly, while relaying plenty of technical wine notes,

Clautiere history and information about visiting the property. While the

website allows fans to purchase wine and stay up to date with winery

happenings, the best way to experience Clautiere is by visiting the tasting

room.Currently, the tasting room offers a menu of five estate wines for $10 ($

of the fee is included with a bottle purchase per person); each wine is

expertly paired with a gourmet cheese. The selection of wine ranges from

current Rhones to Bordeauxs plus some Library wines. Many of these win

have received recent accolades. The 2009 Estate Syrah was just awarded Be

of Show at the San Diego County Fair. The NV Estate Mon Beau Rouge

received a Gold medal from the 2013 Winemaker Challenge International

Wine Competition and 2007 BDX Platinum Best Bordeaux Blend 2012

Critics International Wine Challenge San Diego. After guests enjoy the win

and cheese flight, they are shown into the fun playroom, where, behind a

velvet rope, are countless wigs and hats to try on; a perfect place for photo

ops.

Just outside of the tasting room exists a lovely garden and picnic area

surrounded by beautiful mosaics, designed and crafted by proprietor

Claudine. Guests are able to relax in the meditation areas under the majest

oaks, which truly define the geography of the area.

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the renovation is a new addition

called Club Clautiere, which plans to celebrate its grand opening during

Wine Festival weekend. The club occupies a separate building, wedged

between the tasting room and pastoral views. Private parties will be able to

reserve the space for special occasions, such as birthdays, showers and

graduation parties. The standard offering will include a VIP seated wine an

cheese tasting and all guests will receive a special discount on winepurchases. However, the staff at Clautiere is happy to accommodate all

special requests and can cater to the occasions needs. Club Clautiere com

equipped with a stage, professional surround sound and fun house mirror

The club is sure to be a valued addition to the wine industry in the area.

Clautiere Vineyard looks forward to welcoming guests during Paso Rob

Wine Festival Weekend May 17th through 19th with a special barrel tastin

served with Clautieres famous chipotle burgers. Beginning in June, Clautie

will roll out a few new releases including Viogner, Rose and Malbec.

For more information about visiting the tasting room, reserving Club

Clautiere, and upcoming events, check out the fabulous new

www.clautiere.com.

CLAUTIERE VINEYARD

Experience the Fun Side of Wine!

Open Tursday Monday 12p.m. to 5p.m.By appointment on Tuesday and Wednesday

1340 Penman Springs Rd, Paso Robles(805) 237-3789 | www.clautiere.com


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www.WineCountryThisMonth.com 17

Viking Garden Restaurant

Danish Favorites, German, American

Classics, & Tasty Mexican Dishes

Largest Tap Beer Selection in Town

Pet Friendly Patio | Open Daily

446 Alisal rd. Ste C Solvang805-688-1250 | www.vikinggardenrestaurant.com

S O L V A N G

MAMA'S MEATBALLFine Italian Restaurant and Catering

Mama's Meatball as specialized in creating

seasonal menus by using only te finest and

fresest ingredients.

570 Higuera St. Suite 130-135www.mamasmeatball.com

805-544-0861

S A N L U I S O B I S P O

Spain, Argentina, Chile and Mexico all influence the lively

flavors at Estrella restaurant in downtown Paso Robles, where

fresh, handmade ingredients combine to create vibrant, flavorfulfare. Everything is made in-house here, from the slow-cooked

black beans, to the plump yucca fries, to the piquant enchilada

sauce that bathes the restaurants popular braised beef short-rib

enchiladas.

We asked customers from our sister restaurant, Roberts, what

type of cuisine they wanted to see in Paso, says Estrella co-

owner, Brenda Clouston. There was an overwhelming request for

a Spanish-inspired food. We took that concept and expanded it to

include a range of Latin cuisine. The response has been very posi-

tive.

Estrellas bold dcor matches the restaurants lively cuisine with

warm, orange-toned walls, exposed brick, custom-made bar

inlayed with snakeskin and hand-made chairs tastefully covered

in cowhide. We wanted both locals and out-of-town guests to

feel comfortable here, says Clouston. We designed the dcor

with the cuisine in mind, but we also wanted to add a touch of

Paso.

At the restaurants helm stands Chef Ryan Swarthout, who also

manages the kitchen at Roberts. Among his most popular disheare the rock lobster tacos drizzled with chipotle cream, the

Caribbean coconut-braised chicken, as well as the roasted cornand crab-stuffed chile rellenos, which arrive light, tender anddelicious.

Guests at Estrella can choose from the extensive wine list,which features a selection of local favorites, as well as thosesourced from Argentina, Spain and Chile. Beer aficionados willappreciate the restaurants global-influenced beer list, with itsselection of brews from Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Jamaica and CostRica. Also of note are Estrellas special beer-paired dinners, whicinclude three courses paired with beers sourced from a particulabrewery.

When we designed Estrella, our main goal was to create beautiful, affordable, delicious cuisine, says Clouston. I believeweve done just that.

Estrella Restaurant

A Fresh Approach toClassic American Cuisine

ROBERTS Restaurant & Wine Bar

1218 Pine Street, Paso Robles | www.robertsrestaurantpaso.com | 805-226-5556

805-226-5406 | 815 12th Street, Paso Robles | www.estrellarestaurant.com

Latin Riviera Inuence - Once Inside Youre a World Away

LUNCH / DINNER

O-iviera Inuencetin RaL, Peettr815 12th S|805-226-5406

yaworld AWe arunce InsideOom.ctanestaurellar.estrwww|aso Robles, P

D O W N T O W N P A S O R O B L E S

Wine Country Dining


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www.WineCountryThisMonth.co


18

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.3443 Mill Road off hwy 46 East in Paso Robles(805) 239-1616| www.robertallwinery.com

ROBERT HALL WINERYBY JEMMA WILSON

People call many things breathtaking, but arriving at Robert Hall Winery trulyis a breathtaking moment, where the only thing you can do is simply say wow.

With their grandeur buildings and cathedral-style entryways, it takes a moment to

get that breath back. Robert Hall Winery invites you to not only come and taste th

award-winning wines, but to stay a while.

The vast property boasts a waterway feature that leads to a seven-foot high

fountain in the winerys amphitheater, a BBQ area with a garden terrace, a grassy

knoll for picnicking and two bocce ball courts. These bocce ball courts are a great

attraction, especially considering there is no fee to use them, just call and reserve a

spot. On weekends you can purchase a wood-fired pizza paired with wine, then

relax and play some bocce ball or other lawn games the winery offers.

Throughout the year Robert Hall Winery will be hosting musical guests in theiramphitheater, BBQs with their winemaker and many other fun events. Their new

hospitality staff wants to ensure you have a great time while sipping their wines, an

with views like this, you cant beat it!

One of the more notable highlights of Robert Hall Winery is their underground

19,000-square-foot cavern, where free tours are offered throughout the day for

visitors to explore their barrel room and sip on some wine straight from the barrel.

Considering all production is done on site, guests may be fortunate enough to see

the wine being bottling, grapes being pressed or the lab team in action.

Robert Hall Winery is located at 3443 Mill Road, just off Highway 46 East in

Paso Robles. For more information on their wines and events, please contact them

(805) 239-1616 or www.RobertHallWinery.com.


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MAY 201 3 WINE COUNTRY THIS MONT

Chamisal Vineyards, the historic property which is celebrating its

40th anniversary and is home to the first vineyard planted in Edna

Valley, is pleased to announce the 2012 release of its Stainless Pinot

Noir. After two sell-out vintages through the tasting room, this wine

will be released in select markets this March. The 2012 ChamisalStainless Pinot Noir is a unique bottling, created to express the

distinctive varietal characteristics of Pinot Noir.

The Stainless Pinot Noir was conceived as a companion wine to

Chamisal's popular Stainless Chardonnay. Produced without the useof any oak or malolactic fermentation, winemaker Fintan du Fresne

allows the pure flavors and aromas of the fruit to stand alone with

these wines. A viticulturist first, du Fresne hails from Wellington,

New Zealand and has applied his expertise with New Zealand

Sauvignon Blanc to both the Stainless Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Crafted with little manipulation and absolutely no oak influence, the

resulting wine displays luscious fruit intensity and balanced acidity

while allowing the true varietal characters to shine.

"The Stainless Pinot Noir is stylistically reminiscent of a high-

quality Cru Beaujolais," said du Fresne, whose New Zealand roots

and purist winemaking philosophy helped to inspire this wine. "By

Chamisal Vineyards Releases 2012 Stainless Pinot

a t A t a s ca de r o L ak e9305 Pismo Avenue, Atascadero

Enjoy the Central Coasts PremierOutdoor Evening Wine Festival

Saturday, June 22, 20134:00 to 8:00 pm

For Information Visitwww.AtascaderoWineFestival.com

Culinary Pairings

Artist Showcase

Live MusicFree Shuttle

Mayor's Winemaker Dinner

Golf Tournament

Culinary Pairings

Artist Showcase

Live MusicFree Shuttle

Mayor's Winemaker Dinner

Golf Tournament

fermenting this Pinot in stainless steel tanks, we ensure that the win

retains authentic varietal aromas and flavors, and the result is a win

that bursts with aromas of bright cherry, candy apple and rose peta

Vibrant, youthful and expressive, it is designed to be enjoyed now

while it is young and exuberant."

Chamisal's 2012 Stainless Pinot Noir was sourced from

meticulously-farmed vineyards throughout the Central Coast, with

majority of the blend coming from the home Chamisal Vineyard.

This wine mixes the high tone red fruit flavors from vineyards in

northern San Luis Obispo County with the denser, more structured

characteristics of the Edna Valley to yield an expressive, flavorful an

food-friendly wine. This wine also represents the diverse clonal

selections for which Chamisal is known. A combination of Clone

828 offering red and black berry fruit aromas with good intensity

and supple tannin structure and Clone 2A with plentiful red fru

aromatics and a fruit forward flavor profile these clones are ideall

suited for this style of wine. The 2012 Chamisal Stainless Pinot No

retails for $24 per bottle. Only 1,200 cases were produced.

For more information regarding Chamisal Vineyards, visit

www.chamisalvineyards.com. For questions regarding the website

online sales, please call 866-808-9463 or 805-541-9463 or email u

at [email protected].


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www.WineCountryThisMonth.co20


BY MELISSA ChAVEz

Winemaker Jared Lee is a bundle of energy. Like the consummate worker bee, his

location shifts within moments.

Im involved in all aspects of the winemaking process, says Jared, from the tasting

room to the vineyard and all of the duties in between. In 2011, winemaker James Hendo

handed the reins to his four-year assistant, and Jared is having a blast.

Among Jareds favorite wines this season are Pear Valleys Albario, Charbono and

Distraction. The Albario got bottled last Tuesday and its great. Full, tropical and fruity,

enthuses. The Aglianico, were going to be known for. Its a fine, Italian-style wine, verypeppery and just a fantastic food wine. Interestingly, Pear Valley Winery is among only

several within the Paso Robles appellation currently presenting Aglianico wine.

Two of the most talked about gold medal-winning selections are Charbono and

Distraction. Charbono grape wines remain a relative find in California, but Lee has taken

these inky purple morsels and created an appealingly fragrant combination of

mouthwatering berries and romantic undertones of rose, spice and sandalwood.

The aptly named Distraction is a head-turner, offering condensed aromas of blackberry

cherry, and intense flavors of berries, cassis, leather and spice. A lingering sip of this oh-so

sophisticated Bordeaux blend all but raises the eyebrow to elicit a Well, then! Stock up o

bottles of both varieties to enjoy and impress friends right now, this one will age beautiful

with promise.Its not about brands, points and scores. I love what I do so much, that I spend as muc

time as I can in the vineyard. I also have a good relationship with the owners (Tom and

Kathleen Maas) and were on the same page, says Jared, who describes his winemaking

style as somewhat restrained. Were not into making heavy, clunky fat wines. Its what the

vineyard gives us. Its about fruit purity, the essence of the grapes, and how we run with it

True to form, Pear Valley utilizes conscientious farming and winemaking methods that

practice environmental sustainability without forsaking quality. In 2012, the operation

earned its Sustainability in Practice (SIP) Vineyard Certification.

For Jared and Pear Valley Winery, good fruit and a unified less is more approach, from

hand-harvested vines to sought-after bottles, is what makes for an excellent glass of wine.

WINEMAKER PROFILE

PEAR VALLEY

PEAR VALLEY

Open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.4900 Union Road, Paso Robles

(805) 237-2861 | www.pearvalley.com

Winemaker Jared Lee


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BeachPismoClassicCalifornia.com


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TASTING ROOM OPEN 10:00 AM TO 5:00 PM2300 AIRPORT ROAD, PASO ROBLES, CA 93446

TASTING ROOM | 805.591.8050

EOSVINTAGE.COM

PASSIONATE WINES

FROM CALIFORNIAS CENTRAL COAST

LIFO

ASSP

SNTR

INES

T

W

ineTasting

in

S

AN

LUISOBSIPO

Its no wonder the people herecall it SLO. No one is in any hurry

in the cafs or on the sidewalks, andcertainly no one is in any rush toleave. Strangers are genuinelyfriendly, always ready to talk abouttheir favorite hiking trail orbarbecue joint, or to point the wayto the winery with the best PinotNoir. Its all part of the SLO life, thatcombination of good stuff that

makes visiting here so nourishing tothe soul.

San Luis Obispos unusual naturalbeauty, along with its gentle climate,first attracted the Spanish padres tothe area in the 1700s. In 1772 theybuilt the fifth of Californias 21missions here, on the banks of SanLuis Creek, and named it MissionSan Luis Obispo de Tolosa. Today,many consider this the most beau-tiful of the Spanish missions.

More than 200 wineries producecritically acclaimed vintages in PasoRobles, Edna Valley and ArroyoGrande Valley. Visitors can head outalong the gorgeous country roadsto sip their way through the vine-yards.

For more information on San LuisObispo County, go to visitslo.comor visit www.pasowine.com.


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To Paso Robles

(26 miles )

SANTA

ROSA

JOHNSONAVE

CANYONRD

LOPEZ

DR

CORBETTC

ANYONRD

BROADST

TANK FARM

BUCKLEY RDVACHELL

LOSOSOSVALLEYRD

ORCUTT

RIGHETTI

RD

TIFFANYRA

NCH

OAK

PA

RK

NOYES

SEECANYO

NRD

AVILABEACH

S.HIG

UERA

EDNAR

D

ORC

UTT

BIDDLERANCH

HINDSAVE

HU

ASN

ARD

HUASNARD

ONTARI

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MONTE

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JOHNSONAVE

MARSH

ST

TANKFARM

CARPENTE

RCANYONRD

BRANCH

RD

GRANDA

VE.

TRAFFIC

BRIDGE

CAMINO

OAKPARK

BRISCO

SUBURBAN

PRICE

CHORRO

SACRAMENTOCAP

ITOLIO

CALLEJOAQ

UIN

LAETITIA VINEYARD

S a u c e l i t o C a n y o n

W o l f f V i n e y a r d s

K y n s i

V i n e y a r d s

R a n c h o

A r r o y o

G r a n d e

C e r r o C a l i e n t e C e l l a r s

B a r n w o o d W i n e s

N a d i a

1

101

227

101

101

P i e d r a C r e e k

B Y A P P O I N T M E N T

BISHOPS PEAK/TALLEY

VINEYARDS

TOLOSAWINERY

M o r o v i n o

MAMASMEATBALL

S t e p h e n R o s s

W i n e r y

WOOD WINERY

S e x t a n t

C l a i b o r n e

& C h u r c h i l l

CHAMISALVINEYARDS

P i s m o B e a c h

W i n e r y

T a s t e o f

t h e V a l l e y s

A l a p a y C e l l a r s

P i t h y L i t t l e

W i n e C o .

C e n t e r o f

E f f o r t W i n e

M o n t e r e y S t r ee t

W i n e C o m p a ny

P h a n t o m

R i v e r s

K e l s e y

S e e C a n y o n

V i n e y a r d s

E d n a V a l l e y V i n e y a r d s

S a l i s b u r y

V i n e y a r d s

P e l o t o n

C u v e e

C h a m p a g n e

B a r

BAILEYANA WINERYTANGENT WINERY

Arroyo Grande

San Luis Obispo

PacificOcean

Pismo Beach

Avila Beach

Shell Beach

Grover Beach

Oceano

A u t r y C e l l a r s

L u i s

W i n e B a r

C l e s i W i n e s

( P e r B a c c o )

SANLUISBAYRD

SANL

UISBAY

MAMAS MEATBALL

SAN LUIS OBISPOTASTING ROOMS

Oceanfront Wine TastingUnique gifts & apparelWines by the glass!

480 Front St. Avila Beach805.595.9663 | www.wildwoodwine.com

Open Daily 11-5, Fri 11-8, Sat 11-6

Wish You Were Here!

Patiois

Open!

MAY 201 3 WINE COUNTRY THIS MONTH | SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNT


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Sign up for our email newsletter at www.WineCountryThisMonth.co24

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY | WINE COUNTRY THIS MONTH MAY 201

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.2400 higway 46 West, Paso Robles

www.ninerwine.com | (805) 239-2233

NINER WINE ESTATESMaster the Art of Gourmet Cooking

BY JEMMA WILSON

A wine and food pairing is not a new idea, but what if youre the one preparing the five-

course gourmet meal? You may not be a certified chef, but Niner Wine Estate has you

covered. Once a month, Niner invites a local guest chef to host a uniquely themed cooking

class where attendees not only enjoy a five-star meal paired with Niners award-winningwines, but they also partake in the behind-the-scenes preparation of that meal.

This completely hands-on cooking class is intimate, with no more than 17 students per

class, allowing the chef to show you a variety of culinary techniques and give feedback as yo

master the art of gourmet cooking. With an array of chefs and styles throughout the year,

guests can expect to help create a three- to five-course meal, each themed to that chefs area

expertise, then sit down to a family-style luncheon where each course is perfectly paired wi

a Niner wine. Previous guest chefs include Meagen Loring of Lido, Julie Simon of Thomas

Hill Organics, Mike McGourty of the Cracked Crab and Antonio Varia of Buona Tavola; all

which are staple and iconic chefs to San Luis Obispo County. Learning from these chefs can

garner serious bragging rights to foodies out there!

Whether youre dishing up a one-of-a-kind pizza, learning the correct way to crack a cr

or mastering the art of true Italian cooking, these classes offer a little something for everyon

The classes are offered on a select Saturday each month, and range in price from $80 to $1

per person. The fee includes all the food and wine, a Niner apron, a recipe book with the

days learnings and a guaranteed good time! Classes fill up quickly, so dont hesitate to cont

the winery to reserve your spot today.

Not going to be around for a cooking class? Dont let that stop you from visiting Niner

Wine Estates and sipping on their estate-grown wines. Whether you purchase a glass of win

and sit on their outdoor patio overlooking local landmark, Heart Hill Vineyard, or taste a

flight of five wines, Niner Wine Estates is a must-stop for your Paso Robles wine tasting

adventure. Also, a selection of Celebration Weekends will be held throughout the summer.

Each weekend highlights local musicians and local chefs, so dont miss out on the fun!


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Find out more at www.WineCountryThisMonth.com 25

MAY 2013 WINE COUNTRY THIS MONTH | SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNT

MISSION

STREET

MISSIONSTREET

EXIT

MAP NOT TO SCALE

SILVER HORSE

WINERY

2995 Pleasant Road, San Miguel805-467-WINE

Open Friday-Sunday 11-5or by appointment

Come see what everyone is talking about!

TACKITT FAMILY

6640 Von Dollen Road, San Miguel

Friday-Sunday 12-5 805-467-9490www.tacittfamilyvineyards.com

Come talk with the winemaker, enjoy the wines,and just relax in our open country setting.

Bring in this ad and receive 10% off on your purchase.

www.pleasantvalleywinetrail.com

Wine Tasting in

PLEASANT VALLEY

BY RAChEL ECkERT

Once known for its cattle, cowboys and

ranchers, Paso Robles (The Pass of the Oaks) is

now known as the pride of the Central Coast,

the city with an abundance of vineyards andwineries, rolling hills, almond groves and olive

oil. And, for over 200 years, one of its

sustaining claims has been the Sulphur springs

and healing thermal waters. There are legends

that Native Americans would bring their sick to

the waters of Paso Robles.

Paso Robles is once again a place to visit and

partake of all it has to offer and is no longer just

the place in-between two great cities (San

Francisco and Los Angeles). It is again a

destination spot not only for its vineyards and

production of top notch wines but for its

healing mineral springs.

The Paso Robles Inn has a history as long as Paso Robles itself. In

the mid 1800s, homesteaders started coming to the area and in

1891, when the San Jose firm of Jacob Lenzen & Son designed the El

Paso de Robles Hotel, it became a gathering place with a hotel and

grand ballroom adjacent to the town City Par

In 1940 the original hotel went up in flames

leaving only the ballroom. The hotel and the

ballroom were rebuilt in 1942 and became

known as The Paso Robles Inn.In 2000, the ballroom and hotel were

restored to their original appearance and toda

the Paso Robles Inn boasts 100 guest rooms,

of which are Spa Rooms that have the minera

hot springs piped right into the in-room spa

tubs. For those staying into the Paso Robles

area,The Paso Robles Inn offers a beautiful

inner courtyard with lush gardens, a

steakhouse, bar/lounge and a coffee shop and

caf, fireplace and spa rooms, heated pool an

great Sunday brunch.

The Paso Robles Inn has seen it all and sto

its ground, with open arms for all that wished to come sleep, eat an

take of the springs. A perfect way to experience both the past and

the present of Paso Robles.

The Paso Robles Inn is located at 1103 Spring Streetand they ca

be reached at (805) 238-2660 or www.pasoroblesinn.com.

The Paso Robles Inn What Goes Around Comes Around


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The 4th Annual Wine Waves & Beyond Central Coast Longboard

Surf Classic will be held in Pismo Beach from May 30 through June 2.

Once again, this classic California event will evoke the vivid andtimeless culture of surfing and the enchanting world of wine and

handcrafted locally brewed beers. Proceeds from Wine Waves &

Beyond are donated to the Association of Amputee Surfers (Amp

Surf) an organization that strives to promote, inspire, educate and

rehabilitate those with disabilities, especially veterans, through

adaptive surfing and other fun and safe outdoor activities. Over the

past three years, Wine Waves & Beyond has raised over $45,000 for

Amp Surf.

Wine Spectator magazine commented that Wine, Waves &

Beyond celebrates two of the Central Coasts most enticing assets, its

surfing scene and its wineries. It is Sideways meets Big Wednesday.Over four exhilarating days, the 4th Annual Wine Waves & Beyond

Central Coast Longboard Surf Classic will feature the following

events at various scenic venues throughout Pismo Beach and San Luis

Obispo County:

Surf Movie Night at the Fremont Theatre, SLOThursday, May 30, 6:30pm, $10

San Luis Obispos landmark Fremont Theater will kick-off another

great year for Wine, Waves & Beyond with a surf movie screening in

a night filled with community, culture, surfing and prizes. Raffle

tickets will include a chance to win everything from original art and

custom boards, to dinners at SLO county's finest restaurants, plustickets to weekend Wine Waves & Beyond events.

Barrel-to-Barrel at The Cliffs Resort, Pismo BeachFriday, May 31, 5-8pm, $45

Held on the picturesque ocean front lawn of The Cliffs Resort,

Wine Waves & Beyond presents an unforgettable and authentic

Barrel-to-Barrel winetasting event that will include live music from

Aloha Radio, tastings from over 35 participating wineries and

breweries, a spectacular lifestyle silent auction, gourmet bites from

local restaurants, and a breathtaking vista of the Pacific Coast sunset.

Winemakers Dinner at The Cliffs Resort, Pismo Beach

Saturday, June 1, 6:30pm, $75

Chronic Cellars, Cypher Cellars and Grey Wolf Cellars will partnwith the Cliffs Resort for Wine Waves & Beyonds inaugural

Winemaker Dinner. Guest chefs from Marisol Restaurant at the Cli

the Sea Venture, Apple Farm Wine Country Inn and the Gardens o

Avila at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort will each create a deliciou

course to pair with each flight of these local outstanding wines. Al

at this years Winemakers Dinner, the Chef Auction returns with th

opportunity for dinner guests to bid on privately served and prepar

custom meals by SLO county's finest chefs.

Surf Contest on the Pismo Pier Sunday, June 2, 7am-3pm

The 4th Annual Wine, Waves & Beyond Longboard Contestbegins early Sunday morning. This California classic surf contest w

consist of mens and womens heats, Challenged Athletes heats, and

local Winemakers/Brew Masters heat. Surf contest winners will

receive a cash prize sponsored by the City of Pismo Beach. Entry fe

is $30.

Volkswagen Display, Sunday , 11am-5pm

805 Classic BBQ & Live Music at on the Beach in front of SeaVentur

Sunday, 12-5pm

Coinciding with Sundays surfing events, the 805 Classic BBQ w

feature Firestone Walker Brewing Company, the annual Volkswagen

display and live music from Soul Sauce and the Crisptones.

Major sponsors of the event include American General Medias

The Krush, New Times, KCOY, the City of Pismo Beach, and all the

Boutique Hotel Collection Properties, including the Cliffs Resort, th

Sea Venture Resort, the Apple Farm Wine Country Inn, along with

SLO Digital Designs, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, Tolosa

Press (which includes Coast News, SLO City News, and Bay News)

SLO IFF, Firestone Brewery and Chronic Cellars. For more

information, visit www.winewavesandbeyond.com.

30 www.WineCountryThisMonth.co

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY | WINE COUNTRY THIS MONTH MAY 201

4th Annual Wine, Waves & Beyond, May 30


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On Sunday May 20th, the strongest and most fearless of cyclistswill gear up for Tolosa Winerys third annual Cote de Tolosa Velo

Challenge. This 55 mile ride led by Tolosa Winemaker Larry Brooks,

will push participants from smooth pavement up miles of mountain

dirt trails and back to the winery all in support of Bike Month 2012.

Tolosa Winery will host a lunch at the finish line donating all

proceeds to the SLO County Bicycle Coalition.

Created in 2010, this ride was designed to highlight two of Larrys

most favored passions, wine and cycling. This event was designed

with the competitive cyclist in mind. The Cote de Tolosa route goes

through wine country, up steep, rocky, mountain terrain and back

beside vast coastal views. As a veteran competitive cyclist for over 30years, Larry Brooks notes, I have been very proud to see Tolosa

support such an unique and grueling ride. Brooks also predicts,

After doubling in size from the first year, Tolosa will see a strong

turn out in May and a sizable donation to the coalition.

In the words of National Collegiate Road Racing Champion and

winner of last years Cote de Tolosa, Blake Anton, This race is

unique, beautiful and brutal, but dont underestimate the course.

The ride will start at 7 a.m. with a field limited to 100 riders. Tolosa

has paired up with the SLO County Bicycle Coalition to donate all

event proceeds for the development of a bike friendly community.

Tolosa welcomes all guests, family and friends to join the competito

for a catered finish line lunch on the patio. Ride registration, route

information, along with tickets for the lunch can be purchased onli

at www.tolosawinery.com.

Tolosa Winery is located minutes outside of San Luis Obispo and

four miles inland from the Pacific Ocean at 4910 Edna Road, San

Luis Obispo, CA 93401. The tasting room is open daily from 11a.m

to 5 p.m. For additional information, visit www.tolosawinery.com o

in the tasting room.


MAY 2013 WINE COUNTRY THIS MONTH | SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNT

The 26th annual Afternoon of Epicurean Delights (AED) will be

celebrated on Sunday, June 2. This spectacular event will be held

from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the tranquil and picturesque

grounds of the historic Chapman House by the Sea, nestled on the

bluffs of the Pacific Ocean in Shell Beach. Proceeds benefit the Health

& Prevention Division of Community Action Partnership of San Luis

Obispo County (CAPSLO), which provides medical, educational and

advocacy services for over 10,000 under-served families, women,

men and youth throughout our county.

Guests at the event are invited to stroll through the serene

gardens, take in the panoramic ocean views, and sit poolside while

tasting food and beverages from SLO County's most renowned and

award winning restaurants, caterers, wineries, breweries and

confectioners. Guests will also enjoy a variety of live music and can

participate in a silent auction with items featuring local art, hand-

crafted jewelry, premium and reserve wines, get-away weekends, giftbaskets, and much more.

Serving their finest at this year's event are: Big Sky Cafe, Black

Horse Espresso & Bakery, Bloom Microgreens, Blue Sky, Cracked

Crab, Dels Pizzeria, Doc Burnsteins Ice Cream Lab, Giancarlos

Ristorante, Honey Bee Cakery, Indigo Moon, Linns, Marisol, Novo

Sage at Vista Grande, Seaside Caf & Bakery, Splash Caf, Tahoe Joe

Testa Catering, Thai Talay, Trader Joes, Upper Crust Trattoria,

Windows on the Water and Zorros Caf & Cantina.

Beverages this year will be poured by Ancient Peaks Winery,

Baileyana Winery, Cambria Estate Winery, Castoro Cellars, Chamis

Winery, Clairborne & Churchill Vintners, Edna Valley Vineyards,

Firestone Walker Brewery, Frockling Frog Winery, J Lohr Winery,

Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards, Laetitia Vineyard and Winery, Opolo

Vineyards, Peachy Canyon Winery, Peloton Cellars, Saucelito Cany

Winery, Sculpterra Winery, Stephen Ross Cellars, Still Waters

Vineyards, Tablas Creek Vineyard, Tap It Brewing Co., Tolosa Wine

Wild Horse Winery and Wolff Vineyards.

Tickets for Afternoon of Epicurean Delights are $100.00 and ma

be purchased by credit card from their website, www.aed.capslo.org

Breakaway Tours and Event Planning will provide convenient shuttservice from Shell Beach Elementary School to the Chapman Estate

For those not living on the lovely Central Coast, Afternoon of

Epicurean Delights has become the best excuse for a get-away

weekend, and an experience that brings people back, year after yea

The 26th Annual Afternoon of Epicurean Delights

Tolosa Winerys Third AnnualCote de Tolosa Velo Challenge

WelliverPhotography


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www.WineCountryThisMonth.coW

ineTasting

in

S

ANTA

BARBA

RA

The hit motion picture, Side-

ways, put the Santa Maria

Valley viticultural appellation,

including the Foxen Canyon Wine

Trail, on the map in 2004.

Following the picturesque winding

roads of Tepesquet and Foxen

Canyon will lead you to world-

class wineries by way of sprawling

vineyards and rolling hills. In the

more northern region of the

appellation, Chardonnay and Pinot

Noir reign due to the maritime

climate. This ensures a long

temperate growing season which

the Burgundian varietals crave. In

the southern region of the appella-

tion, the trail moves a bit east

resulting in hotter days and coolernights. Bordeaux and Rhone vari-

eties flourish in this more extreme

climate. The wineries in this

region boast a concentration of

Californias most well known wine-

makers; join them year round in

the tasting rooms or at the many

weekend events.


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34/5634 Sign up for our email newsletter at www.WineCountryThisMonth.co

The Conway family is actively involved in their winery business.

With two different labels covering the best of the California CentralCoast, Conway Family Wines might just become your familys wines.

They offer two labels to choose from including Deep Sea wines

which are made from grapes grown in Californias moderate coastal

climates including offerings of Chardonnay, Viognier and Sauvignon

Blanc to Syrah and Pinot Noir. Vineyards along Californias coastline

are cooled by fog and ocean breezes which translate to distinctively

different grapes from those grown in warmer interior areas. Its the job

of the Conway winemaker to preserve these differences so the wines

reflect their oceanic terroir. Conway purchases fruit from noteworthy

vineyards in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey and the Napa

Valley, contracting specific blocks, actively managing individual vin

and working with growers to formulate viticultural practices so th

the grapevines are farmed to Conways exacting specifications.

Their Rancho Arroyo Grande wines are made from grapes grown

their estate vineyards in San Luis Obispo County includi

Mourvdre and Zinfandel from this 1880s era property. These a

limited production wines, small lots, for the fine wine connoisse

who wants something uncommon.

The ethereal fog-like wave on the Deep Sea label represents t

influence of the Pacific Ocean and thats exactly where you can tastheir wines; on historic Sterns Wharf in Santa Barbara as the Paci

laps below the second story tasting room.

Visit them at 217 Stearns Wharf, daily from noon to 7 p.m. Conta

them at (805) 618-1185, or www.conwayfamilywines.com

Conway Family Wines Deep Sea Tasting Room

CESARCHAVEZ

101

Pacific O

cean

Pacific O

cean

Santa Barbara MILPASW

.ANA

PAMU

OLIVE

ANACAPA

MONTE

CITO

STATE

EGUITERREZ

NSALSIPUEDES

CHAPALA

LAGUNA

GARDEN

SANTABARBARA

W.HALEY

ST

WCANON

PER

DIDO

YANONALI

CABRILLO

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NOT TO SCALE

Wine Tasting in


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Look for us on Facebook and become a Fan! 35

MONDAY-THURSDAY 4-9PM

FRIDAY-SUNDAY 11AM-9PM

This family-owned brewery started by Jim and Jaime Dietenhofer

of Los Olivos, has been life-long dream in the making. Harnessing

their Bavarian heritage the Dietenhofers wanted to create a craftbrewery in the Santa Ynez Valley that focused on creating the highest

quality beer and help add to a growing hop culture in the Central

Coast.

Utilizing the skill sets from award-winning head brewer A.J. Stoll

and his brew team, Figueroa Mountain Brewing has been able to

create a line-up of seven quality craft beers (soon to be more). The

brew team has been able to earn multiple medals including three

golds in a very short period of time (open since 2010).

In addition to selling beer in draft and bottles on the open market,

Figueroa Mountain Brewery has a tap room that puts the patrons a few

feet away from the brewing action. Complete with a state-of-the-art

stainless brewing system, customers can enjoy the pint of beer thatwas made in the same room and epitomizes freshness. An experience

that includes live music on Fridays, and a complete food and wine list.

Beer lovers may also enjoy the Fig Mtn Beer truck complete with

taps on the side ready to pour. The truck can be seen at a large list

of events throughout the Central Coast. Stay tuned to

www.figmtnbrew.com for more information, or follow them on Face-

book: Figueroa Mountain Brewing for the latest news and updates.

Quality Craft Beers fromFigueroa Mountain Brewing Co.

MAY 201 3 WINE COUNTRY THIS MONTH | SANTA BARBARA COUNT


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Wandering Dog Wine Bar is a family owned business by peoplewho are passionate about wine. Director di Vino, Charles CTWilliams, has an extensive knowledge of the local wine country andhas a knack for picking out under the radar wines before anyone elsehas heard of them. Everything here is palate-picked meaning thatwe try every wine that we carry and are not influenced by the latesttrends or scores. In fact, you will not a see a score for any winesanywhere on our site.

Leave your leash behindit is more than just a motto, it is a wayof life for us. We encourage you to try wines youve never heard offrom producers you didnt know existed in places that you neverthought produced wine. This is not the place to sample your typicalCabernets and Chardonnays and chances are, you may only have

heard of half of the wines that we carry.With a wide variety of wine, beer and sparkling from artisan

producers along the Central Coast, as well as from around the world,there is always something for everyone. Enjoy one of our themedflights or order a glass of wine and relax with friends. If you need alittle break from all of the wine, do a beer flight instead, or just kickback with a cold one! The only thing better than wine and beer ishaving some little bites to go along with it, so we offer a nice arrayof gourmet antipasto and cheese platters as well as deliciouschocolate truffles and caramels. Visitors can also add on a cheesepairing to any flight for $5 for those who want more of the tastingexperience.

For those visiting on a Thursday, stop in for the Blind Tasting from4-7pm. Each month is a different focus and guests are challenged tomatch up regions, varietals, price points and vintages of the fourwines included. We will be hosting some special classes and pairingsfor Craft Beer Month in May so check out

www.wanderingdogwinebar.com to read about all of our fun eventBy combining all the best parts of being a bar and the best parts

wine tasting, Wandering Dog Wine Bar offers a unique experienceevery day. Wander on in during your next visit to the Santa YnezValley and leave your leash behind with our eclectic variety of wineand beer.

Wandering Dog Wine Bar

36 Email winery updates to [email protected]

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When visiting Solvang, enjoying a real Danish meal is a must.Viking Garden Restaurant in Solvang is a locally owned and operated

restaurant that specializes in authentic Danish cuisine rated the

best authentic Danish cuisine in town!

If it is beer youre after, no worries. An eclectic selection of bottled

beer covers a wide range of flavors. There are 17 beers on tap the

largest selection in town.

Viking Garden Restaurant is located in the historic Jensens

Copenhagen Square. The building is the first Danish Style

commercial structure in Solvang, built with a unique cross hatched

roof accompanying a storks nest meaning good luck. It is located at

Copenhagen Drive and Alisal Road, the popular shopping and dining

area. They are open forbreakfast, lunch and dinner

from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Outdoor patio seating is

available and is pet friendly.


can accommodate large

groups and offers group discounts.

Call Viking Garden Restaurant today at (805) 688-1250 for all o

your Danish cuisine needs.

SANTA BARBAR A COUNT

Find out more at www.WineCountryThisMonth.com 37

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BEDFORD WINERYFor the adventurous that seek the uncommon, go to Bedford Winery.

Along with barrel fermented Chardonnays and signature Syrahs,

there is always the surprise of lesser known varietals.

448 Bell St, Los Alamos, CA 93440(805) 344-2107 | www.bedfordwinery.comDaily 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

BELL STREET FARM EATERY & MARKETBell Street Farm is a culinary destination in Santa Barbara County

wine country. This delicious eatery/market is located in Los Alamos,

California and is surrounded by gorgeous vineyards and farmland.With the freshest cuisine and comfortable design, Bell Street Farm

is the perfect place to enjoy a meal, snack or a wine tasting.

406 Bell Street, Los Alamos, California 93440 (805) 344-4609Open Fri, Sat, Sun and Monday, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

CAFE QUACKENBUSHA full service coffee house & cafe paired with the

Art Brut Gallery of fine art and antiques, located in the

historic Los Alamos General Store

458 Bell Street, Los Alamos(805) 344-4440 | www.GeneralStoreCa.comTuesday troug Sunday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

CASA DUMETZ WINESCasa Dumetz started in 2004 with a patch of raw earth,

a bucket of grapevines and grit. We are committed to producing

authentic wine. Come visit our tasting room in historic Los Alamos!

448 Bell Street, Suite B, Los Alamoswww.casadumetwines.com | (805) 344-1900Open Tursday 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

MARTIAN RANCH & VINEYARDMartian Ranch & Vineyard is a biodynamic vineyard and winery

established in 2008. Located on the scenic Alisos Canyon Road,

we offer an eclectic array of wines, produced from our estate vineyard.

9110 Alisos Canyon Rd, Los Alamos | Daily 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.www.martianvineyard.com | (805) 344-1804

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NOT TO SCALE

LOS ALAMOSWelcome to

Caf QuackenbushAmid the comfort and charm of the historic 19th century Gener

Store building in Los Alamos is the popular Caf Quackenbush and

the Gallery Art Brut.

A bit of history. The General Store was built in 1880, shortly aft

the town was founded in 1876 and is one of the oldest buildings in

the historic town of Los Alamos. In 1900 Max King named it The

Emporium and ran the store until 1934. Others followed until 19when the Mathers family restored the building and dedicated the

store as a State Historical Monument.

Although centered in the middle of wine country, Los Alamos

remained a sleepy town with little or no reason for local residents t

come down town except to pick up mail. To paraphrase Gertrude

Stein, There was no there there.

Smack in the middle of town, the General Store was the perfect

building to change all that.

In 1998, Ralph Quackenbush saw potential in the uniqueness a

charm of the structure. After some months of construction and

restoration, on Memorial Day, 1999, with John Morley (Gallery ArtBrut) and Jesper Johansson (chef of the Caf Quackenbush), The

General Store once again opened its doors, preserved to face the 21

century with grace and composure it had for over a hundred years

Serving specialty coffee drinks, with a bistro style menu and che

specials, a selection of regional wines, Caf Quackenbush quickly

became not only a popular downtown meeting place for locals, but

must on any trip up or down the coast for U.S. and foreign touris

Now, about to enter its fourteenth year, Caf Quackenbush is no

only still the place to go when in Los Alamos, its reason enough to

make the trip.


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ARCADIAN

1515 East Cestnut Ave, Suite B, Lompoc | Open daily 11am-5pm805-737-3900, w ww.arcadianwinery.comInspired by the great traditions of Burgundian winemaking, Joseph Davis

has been making Arcadian Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah in Cali-

fornia's Central Coast region since 1996. Using French artisan methods

and hands-on vineyard management, Joe's Arcadian label consistently

receives high marks from the world's most respected wine writers.

JALAMA WINES

308 Nort 9t St, C, Lompoc805-735-8937, www.jalamawines.com

Friday-Sunday 12-5pm, or by appointmentWinemaker Mark Cargasacchi specializes in Pinot Noir and Syrah

from select vineyards throughout Santa Barbara County.

LORING WINE COMPANY TASTING ROOM

1591 E. Cestnut Avenue, Lompoc805-742-0478, www.LoringWineCompany.com

Open Friday troug Sunday 11am-5pmWere a small w inery that produces tasty Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

and whatever else strikes our fancy : )

PALMINA

1520 East Cestnut Court, LompocTursday-Saturday 11am-5pmSunday-Monday 11am-4pm805-735-2030, www.palminawines.comPalmina is a Californian celebration of the rich, wonderful lifestyle and

attitude toward food, wine, friends and family that exists in Italy.

STOLPMAN VINEYARDS

1700 Industrial Way, Ste B; Friday 1-5pmSaturday 11am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm

805-688-0400, ww w.stolpmanvineyards.comTry a splash of estate grown Syrah, Sangiovese and Roussanne

amidst the controlled chaos of sorting, punch-downs, pressing

& racking to truly experience the excitement of winemaking...

TRANSCENDENCE

313 N. F. Street, Lompoc805-689-5258, www.transcendwines.comFriday-Sunday 11am-4pm. $10 Tasting FeeLife happens over a bottle o f wine: you fall in love,

celebrate a birth, mourn someones passing, begin,

end, plan, listen dream. Transcendence celebrates

the journey you take with a great bottle of wine.

ZOTOVICH CELLARS

1500 East Cestnut Court, Suite D; Lompoc805-736-1600, www.otoviccellars.comTursday-Sunday 10am-5pm

A family owned and operated boutique winery.

"We grow, produce and bottle estate Syrah, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

We're new to the Lompoc Wine Ghetto. Stop in to meet us!"

SCOTT CELLARS316 Nort F St, Lompoc | Friday-Sunday 11am-4pm(805) 736-6161, www.scottcellars.com

Specializing in vineyard designate Sangiovese's and our

lavish Cuvee's, we produce ultra rich California style wines.

Our Sangiovese's are dense with fruit and the Cuvee's are

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Scott CellarsSUBMITTED

Peter Scott Fraser started Scott Cellars in 2005 with a driving

passion for making great wine. We produced Chardonnay, Pinot

Noir, Syrah and a luxury blend. However, in 2007 the first

Sangiovese was made. Now, only a short time later, it is the focus.

We still make small lots of these wines, but Scott Cellars is taking

Sangiovese to a new level in California, Santa Barbara specifically.

Our small boutique winery is committed to creating world class

Sangiovese with a distinctive New World style. More than that, we

want to show the world that truly great Sangiovese can be made he

in Santa Barbara. The special terrior here combined with the marininfluence and valley orientation make for some of the most uniquel

rich distinctive Sangiovese grapes anywhere.

The Scott Cellars style is based on the place the wines are grown

while I name the wines after the soils and or places the grapes are

grown. In other words, the Scott Cellars style is all about the

California climate and soil and what most naturally comes from it.

may be half Italian, but I am all about making wines based on this

terroir and this climate, not some place a world away. I feel that w

winemakers are only just starting to understand the true nature of

Sangiovese and what it can be here in CA. In this place the clima

naturally lends itself to wines that are rich and fruit forward with

smooth supple tannins. That is the Scott Cellars style.

Sangiovese may be associated almost exclusively with Italy, but w

have developed a style that reflects our sensibilities. We are creatin

our own traditions. The wines are concentrated yet supple, power

yet elegant and designed to be consumed within 5 to 8 years. The

tannins are velvety and the acid while balanced is lower than most

Tuscan wines. They exhibit lush ripe fruit flavors in their youth an

have utterly distinctive character unlike similar wines from anywhe

else in the World.


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SPECIALIZING IN

SANTA BARBARA &

CENTRAL COAST

PINOT NOIRS

2905 GRAND AVE

LOS OLIVOS

805-688-7406

thelosolivostastingroom.com

Now open, every day from 11 am to 5 pm.

2367 Alamo Pintado Avenue, Los Olivos

888-938-7310

www.byronwines.com

No appointment necessary.

Please call ahead for parties of 8 or more.

Vineyard Crafted Wines

VINEYARDS

Open daily 11-52434 Alamo Pintado Avenue, Los Oliv

(805) 688-0400 www.stolpmanvineyards.co

40

The new planting of any vineyard is fraught with choices. Just ask

Louisa Sawyer Lindquist who, along with her husband, the legendary

Bob Lindquist, secured a new parcel for their Qupe and Verdad

labels. So many decisions about grape varieties, rootstock, how

would the rows be sited and how to farm the land? say Louisa

Sawyer Lindquist. Do we go organic, sustainable, biodyanmic?

There are big decisions and a big commitment. Ultimately the

couple decided to farm biodynamically, a process that is still

misunderstood.

Biodynamic isnt synonymous with organic. Where organicdoesnt use pesticides and reduces the chemical makeup of wine,

biodynamics goes beyond that, requiring you to be intimately

involved with your land and to respect the natural cycles inherent in

farming and in life. Biodynamic farming is a closed loop system using

only natural methods.

Louisa was sold on the idea but Bob was uncertain. By chance he

was in London and there was a biodynamic conference in town. He

attended the conference and ran into two friends and who sung the

praises of biodynamics. Late that night Louisa received a phone call

from Bob. Biodynamic is our future, he told her. Their Sawyer

Lindquist Vineyard is planted to Syrah, Tempranillo, Albario,

Grenache, Pinot Noir, Marsanne

and Viognier.

Their gardens are filled with

native plants attracting bees,butterflies, ladybugs and other

helpful insects. There are owl

boxes located throughout the

vineyard, as owls are natural

predators of gophers and ground

squirrels who eat vines. During

dormant months sheep graze the vineyard helping with weeding an

fertilizing the ground between the vines, and its all natural.

Taste for yourself the difference biodynamics can make. The Qu

tasting room is located at 2963 Grand Ave, Los Olivos. Qupe is ope

daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (805) 686-4200, www.qupe.com.

QupFarming Biodynamically

Wine Tasting inLOS OLIVOS


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Graduating from high school, most people think about college.But Tessa Parker was thinking about wine. Coming from a

winemaking family (her father is Eli Parker who has his own label

and her grandfather was Fess Parker) her college curriculum was

working in her familys tasting room and ironically at age 18 she was

legally unable to sample the wines she was pouring. But that didnt

stop her enrolling in the Enology and Viticulture program at Allan

Hancock College in Santa Maria.

During her first semester while working harvest at a local winery,

she discovered what would become her favorite wine - Sangiovese.

This Italian grape captivated her because of its food-friendly appeal

and ripe fruit. I like tomake New World-style

wines with bold, stand-

out flavors that still

demonstrate balance, she says. Not yet a veteran winemaker, she

nonetheless has multiple harvests under her belt.

She crafts her wines in a small, unassuming industrial warehous

a stark contrast to her sleek modern Italian-styled tasting room. Fo

me, making wine is really about making art. I dont mean that I tak

it all too seriously; its just that I like to take my time when Im

making wine, Tessa says. I rely much more upon my intuition and

sense of taste when Im in the cellar, than on analysis. I guess myapproach is intuitive, more than anything else, she says,

You can sample her wines including Vermentino, a sparkling

Vermentino, Sangiovese and Coquette - a flirty blend blend of a

sparkling Sangiovese and Syrah, hinting at seduction. Bottle prices

ranging from $20 to $36, and the tasting fee, including souvenir

glass is $10.

Tessa Marie Wines is located at 2901 Grand Ave., Suite C, Los

Olivos. They are open Thursday through Monday 11:30 a.m. to 5

p.m. Call (805) 688-6081, or visit www.tessamariawines.com for

more information.

Tessa Marie Wines

More events at www.WineCountryThisMonth.co42

Wine Tasting in

RANCHO OLIVOSANCHO OLIVOSE S T AT E O L I V E O I LS T AT E O L I V E O I L

805-686-9653www.ranchoolivos.com

2390 N Refugio Rd

Santa Ynez, CA 93460

TASTING & SALES

DAILY 12-4

Come see why Robert Parker, Jr. said...Production is small, but these winesare well worth seeking out!

Open Daily 11-5

2901 A Grand Avenue, Los Olivos

805-693-9644

www.AndrewMurrayVineyards.com

2 for 1 Tasting

with this ad

LOS OLIVOS


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Now entering its fourth year in its off-Grand location in

downtown Los Olivos, Dragonette Cellars has rapidly become knownfor the high quality of its limited and/or allocated, small-production,

ultra-premium Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Rhne styled (Syrah-

and Grenache-based) blends. Prominent wine critics, including the

Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate and Stephen Tanzers International

Wine Cellar have also discovered Dragonette Cellars, bestowing highpraise and scores on their wines. For the wine country visitor,

Dragonette Cellars has an added plus; their tasting room is staffed by

the proprietors and their family members, who are all intimately

involved in the production of the wines and the story behind the

label.Dragonette Cellars is a collaboration between family and friends,

John and Steve Dragonette and Brandon Sparks Gillis, who interned

at some of the finest vineyards and wineries before launching their

own label. Utilizing a network of personal vineyard contacts, they

obtain grapes from selected blocks within meticulously managedvineyards throughout the Sta. Rita Hills (Pinot Noir), Happy Canyon

(Sauvignon Blanc) and the Santa Ynez Valley (Syrah). In most cases,

they buy grapes on a per acre basis, which allows them to control

important viticultural decisions and limit yields to produce the

highest quality fruit.

In the cellar Brandon, John and Steve focus on allowing their

carefully selected fruit to evolve into wines of great complexity, puriand balance. To that end, they monitor each vineyard block careful

before

Central Coast Edition - May 1, 2013

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