‘Hitchhiker's Guide to the Grounds’ Articles
Reviews of Bars, Restaurants, Wine Stores, Wineries, Estates, Locations and Appellations…
Here is a very good point from W.U. contributor and all around wine enthusiast Rich Magallanes. Yes, it’s a controversial issue, but no matter what, one thing is for certain. This topic in the wine community will probably never go away. – Jennifer.
I love wine tasting and the wine country but I don’t like what it does to my wallet. I go for the experience, the grounds, the people, the relaxation and most of all, the ability to taste and choose some of my favorite (or new) wines. It’s so exciting and refreshing, yet relaxing. It’s on your time and most certainly, your dime. From Santa Barbara to Napa, the coastal vineyards and rolling hills all the up to Northern California, you simply can’t go wrong. I recently went to Paris, France and spent considerable time tasting their fine wines. They were good, but if truth be told, it only reiterated my devotion to California wines. I’m such a poster boy for “Bottle Shock” and “Sideways.” For all the fanfare and hype of those movies, the truth is in the bottle. After my Paris trip, I was in need of real palate satisfaction, so I ventured on a road trip from Los Angeles to Calistoga. I stopped many a time at familiar and some unfamiliar wineries and came home fully stocked with a nice variety of hand-picked selections. I was so excited to share with my friends, family or drink solo by the fireplace. But first I needed some cheeses and that’s where the trouble began…
I went to my local WholeFoods – a grocery store not known for being inexpensive – and what I found was a giant selection of wines. Having my wine quota full, I thought I’d just quickly browse to see what they offered. I was quickly stunned to see they had almost all of my favorites from both SB and Napa. Even better – their prices were about $4-5 cheaper than what I paid! WholeFoods! The grocery store that I only do “selective” shopping due to their over-priced items, has great prices on great wines!?! I was excited and my blood started to boil all at the same time. First, I realized I no longer need to savor that special wine thinking I’d have to make another trip up North to get the next bottle, or order online. I can come right here and choose from their “Buy Local” selections. “Hell yeah!,” I thought. Then the blood-curdling started… “Wait a minute – I’ve been had!” Not by WholeFoods, but by these wineries.
Chart from winebusiness.com
Sure, it’s nice to get the full experience visiting a winery, but at what price? It’s not just the tasting fees, but what gets me are the grandiose tasting fees at most wineries. Especially during this time of economic struggle for most folks. It’s a further dig when you purchase bottles and then the tasting fee is still tacked on to your bill. Why? I tasted so I could buy, which I’m doing now and you want to charge me anyway? I understand if you don’t buy, then you pay, but if you buy, you shouldn’t have to pay. Simple business, right? Some wineries charge up to $20 or more and that really kills the opportunity to visit more vineyards. Don’t they see these fees take away from purchases? There are some ways around fees but these routes can be a bit bogus too – joining their wine club or purchasing a specific amount (usually more than you intended) before the fee is waived. It all feels like trickery.
My wife and I were recently at a famous winery in the Napa area which charged $20 per person (there’s a good $40 bottle down the drain). Anyway, their rule was “purchase $100 and get one tasting free.” Oh boy, what a deal! It is a bit insulting, isn’t it? Regretfully, we did it anyway because we spent the money driving up there, paying for the hotel and feeding ourselves at the local hot spots in order to have a good time. The irony of it all was the billionaire owner standing next to us like a celebrity shaking hands and saying “hello” to folks. After purchasing my $100 of goods to avoid one fee (fell for that hook, line and sinker – sort of), we walked around the grounds a bit. There was a giant lake with all the fancy winery trimmings. It was, indeed, very nice and peaceful. But I couldn’t help thinking, “it better be, I just helped pay for it all.”
I could go on and on, but have confidence that connoisseurs and consumers know all too well what I am saying. It’s time to fight back and demand a break – we buy, you don’t charge for tasting! Simple as that. Give us, wine enthusiasts, a break to enjoy more of your goods - we will, it’s true!
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Tags: tasting fees, wine tasting, Wineries
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Byron Tasting Room
2367 Alamo Pintado Avenue
Los Olivos, CA 93441
888-938-7310
805-938-7365
Map
If you haven’t been yet, I highly recommend The Bench Tasting Room in Los Olivos, CA, and I would defintiely try to make it up Valentine’s Day Weekend. Why? For lovee doviness? Yeah, I don’t think so.
The Grand Opening of the official Byron Tasting Room. They are transitioning over from being a Byron, Cambria, Kinton Tasting room to solely Byron the weekend of February 13&14th, 2010. And I am indeed a sucker for their Chardonnays. Okay, so I use the term sucker a lot.
Okay, there may be slight lovee doviness as they are having 2 for 1 tastings, $10 per couple. Awww. But there will also be live music, mini foodage, and winemaker on premises.
Mosey on over here yourself and take a look. That’s right I said mosey.
I would say sashay but once again… lovee doviness.
Tags: Byron Wines, Los Olivos, The Bench Tasting Room, Valentine's Day
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Rockin’ out at Demetria Vineyards.
And have a lot of new wines …
Some great new finds, some great old finds and some new friends hooked on the vino….. MWHAAAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Tags: Demetria Estate, santa barbara, wine tasting
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Carivintâs Winery
476 First St.
Solvang, CA 93463
805.693.4331
Lover of animals, breeders of good taste, decidedly awesome furniture.
Caritas: charity (syn. philanthropy), an affection for giving to humanity [Latin]
Vin: wine [French]
Caritas + Vin: blending wine with philanthropy— Carivintâs
Cool, huh?
Carivintas is a winery with a great new tasting room in Solvang, CA. They are known for their philanthropic mindset and donate some of their profits to non-profit organizations involved in the arts, sciences, and humanities. Don’t forget the doggies. Love the doggies.
Bless you guys for having rocking hours. They are open until 9pm. Anyone who has been to the area knows there is almost squat to do after 7. But this isn’t just a place to go due to squattage or abundance thereof. Paul Ramos and Fleet Hamilton will take care of you as well as they take care of their wines. Fleet is their wine alchemist and knows his stuff. And Paul never seems to stop propelling Carivintas along. They did a great job on their new tasting room. Go.
Their wines:
2007 Otis & Myka Semillon (14.2%): A rare grape to find in California mostly alone. Refreshing and chilled. Would rule with soft cheese. Definite pear and green fruit notes. Nice.
2008 Chenin Blanc (13.5%): Brought this home with me. Crisp and very aromatic. Floral notes along with more exotic fruit. Rich and light. Is that possible? Yeah.
2007 Sadie & Shadow Chardonnay (14.6%): my kind of Chardonnay. Rich, lush, vanilla, round yet crisp edges. Yes, a hint of butter along with its lively fruit. Just calm down. I won’t tell anyone you liked a nice buttery Chardonnay.
2008 Rosé of Tempranillo (13%): Light rose. Classic. The slightly lower alcohol is appreciated.
2005 Brooklyn & Georgia Pinot Noir (14.1%): Definite spice, roses, cherry and maybe a vanilla splash. Nice fruit.
2006 Olive Mataro Mourvedre (14.6%): Probably my fave. Richness of cinnamon and game, black fruit and oak. Yumtasm. Aerate this and see what happens.
2006 Windmill Cabernet Sauvignon (14.2%): Solid tannins, plenty of dark fruit and pepper spice. Nice concentration. Decant and have fun.
The SB County Visa weekend is coming around again in October. If you are going, even if they are not on the Visa this year, stop on by. If nothing else, but to try a few and hang out on the decidedly awesome furniture.
Tags: Cabernet Sauvignon, california red, Carivintas Winery, Chardonnay, mourvedre, Paul Ramos, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, rose', semillon, Solvang, Tasting Room, Tempranillo, white wine
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Palate FOOD + WINE
933 South Brand Boulevard
Glendale, CA 91204
Hiding smack in the middle of car dealerships and lamp stores in downtown Glendale is a wine bar worthy of repeat visits. For once.
Let’s get to the point. Smooth cool, steel pub chairs and long silver tables overflow in every room. A modern concrete bar with a European handwritten blackboard takes center stage. It feels like part cheese and wine making factory, part Soho loft, part old castle. Maybe it’s just me but somehow, it works. This French heavy eatery/lounge is in fact:
Part wine store/part book store/part tasting bar/part cheese retail and viewing room/part restaurant.
With all of these fantastic parts combined, Palate is basically The Six Million Dollar Man of wine bars. They can make it better than it was before. Better, stronger, faster.
Some highlights:
-As part of my red flight, the 2007 Copain “Tous Ensemble” Pinot Noir, which I have talked about before, was the major standout for me. Their wine selection is copious to say the least and their glass offerings are decent.
-A brilliant skirt steak that literally melted in your mouth. Single dish Sundays is something most people may not be used to, so if you want a lot of choices, do not go on Sundays. But if your up for BTG*or a flight, pork and a cheese platter then don’t miss this valley gem.
-Speaking of cheese, my platter was, of course, a little too small for my taste. But cheese platters are pretty small and expensive anywhere I go and I know it. They definitely have nice ones though. Some stand outs were the Roncal and the Comte, served with paper thin crostini slabs.
Even though it’s hip for the valley, Palate doesn’t seem to exclude like some Hollywood joints may make you feel. So don’t be afraid of the cool. Order what you want, ask questions and wear some comfy weekend wear. Yes, even a Lee Majors 70’s tracksuit would suffice.
*by the glass.
Tags: by the glass, cheese plate, Cheese Tasting, France, Glendale, Los Angeles, Palate Food and Wine, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, salumi platter, steak, wine bar, wine flight, wine tasting
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Macari Vineyards
150 Bergen Ave
Mattituck, NY 11952
(631) 298-0100
www.macariwines.com
Living in Southern California for 12 years now, I have indeed gotten spoiled from all the lovely California wines avaiable at my fingertips, but going back to my roots was definitely interesting and fun. But don’t underestimate Long Island wines. Give them the right variety and they can kick your butt in the bottle.
I haven’t gone wine tasting on the North Fork of Long Island since ‘96 and my, has it exploded. Well, not literally, but there are definitely a heck of a lot more wineries. One of them definitely stood out.
Macari Vineyards has a gorgeous tasting room. And yes, darn it, they grow their own grapes. Joseph Macari Jr and his wife Alexandra run a good show. Alexandra was awesome. She knows her stuff and she’s got good stories to tell so go visit. The staff was also great. Some people may not want to be swayed in any way, but I actually like when the pourers have their favorite wines off the top of their heads when I ask them.
The wines on board that day:
Collina 48: Chardonnay $9.99: With a splash of Sauvignon Blanc added, this crisp Chardonnay delivers refreshing fruit and versatility. Clean mouthfeel, but not invisible to substantial texture.
2007 Reserve Barrel Fermented Chardonnay $22.99: As I’ve said before and will say again, I am indeed a sucker for a lovely VOB Chard. Vanilla, Oak, Butter to clarify my vernacular. Alexandra mentioned that she is not a massive fan of this kind of Chardonnay. In spite of that, man, can she pull it out of the velvet hat. But it’s the balance of acidity in this wine that should pull non vob’s to the oak table. We’re not talking that cheap butter bomb taste here people. We are talking a well made, carefully thought out yummer for anyone with a smart tongue and an appreciation of a complex combo of old world and new world Chardonnay styles.
2008 Early Wine $16.99: A hint of residual sugar (which I am not a fan of) but interesting (which I AM a fan of)! Aromatic, with tropical fruits, hints of sweetened citrus peel and melon. Crisp ending. Definitely something to try.
2007 Rosé $12.99: A French style dry Rose’, 85% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot. Nice fruit. Very versatile.
Sette $16.99: Boasting a fruit forward tannic element, it yells plum and spice. 50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Franc, 100% yum.
2004 Cabernet Franc $26.99: One of my favorite grapes, it is a solid wine with essence of lingonberry and pheromone. Tons of big sweet fruit and structure.
2004 Merlot Reserve $35.99: One of my favorites, this has moderate alcohol (13.8%), unfiltered, super concentration and nice body. Notes of mocha, vanilla and caramelized core. Soft solid tannins and lush fruit. Go for it.
2004 Bergen Road Meritage $42.99: I do love a blend. 42% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot. Juicy red fruit, ripe cherries, and loose supple tannins. The barest hint of spice and sweetness.
Block E Chardonnay 2005 Dessert Wine $39.99: Unless a dessert wine is very special, I stay away from the stuff. This was nice. Ice wine style, oven baked apple tart, thick mouthfeel, appropriate finish.
If you are on the Island, don’t miss Macari. I don’t know if I would go first or last. If you go first, it may spoil you with wonderful taste. If you go last, you may not be able to relish in it like you should.
On second thought, go first.
Tags: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Long Island, Macari Vineyards, Mattituck, Meritage, Merlot, North Fork, Red Wine, rose', sweet, Tasting Room
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Demetria Estate
Santa Ynez Valley
6701 Foxen Canyon Road, Los Olivos, CA 93441
http://www.demetriaestate.com
I am finally starting to talk about my April trip to Santa Barbara and Vintners Visa weekend. Anyone interested in finding out what that is about, take a look here. $35+12 wineries = good deal. I am still getting notes together and you may have already read about my final stop at Saarloos. Well, here is one of my first stops. Demetria.
Simply: I found this location and it’s wines energizing and illuminating. A gem-like find…winding roads to the gorgeous hidden château-like farm. A barking dog greets you and the fountain echoes its rain. It makes you feel like it’s something you want to be a part of. Very individual, calming atmosphere. Lee was a wonderful host and has brilliant tasting notes. Spot on. Demetria delivers thoughtful winemaking, and it shows. Tasting is right there in their kitchen. Worth every second.
By appointment only, except this year on the Santa Barbara Vintners Visa Pass. Even if it’s not next year, go out of your way.
WHITES:
2006 Pinot Gris $25
Crisp light gold, tropical fruits, plenty of ginger and clean mineral notes.
2006 Pinot Blanc 30$
Ripe pear and vanilla with a lime and mineral finish. Not so much quaffable, but more a refreshing time companion. Relax.
2006 Chardonnay 27$
Bright gold, less oak and butter and more clean elements. Fruity aroma, teetering on rich, floral and creamy at the same time. It grows in the glass. Lovely.
2006 Viognier $25
Fragrant and beautiful, luxuriant and fresh. Ripe peach skin and the barest touch of citrus on the nose. Dried summer stone fruits, lingers on the palate with sweet acidity. Quite complex yet remains easy and versatile. A standout, and my favorite purchase.
REDS:
2006 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir 40$
Very nice. Balanced and easy. Tons and ripe cherry and rich concentration, but never heavy. Cedar, vanilla and toned down spices with a pert yet restrained finish.
2006 Pinot Noir Cuvee Sandra 65$
Clear spice notes and light on the leather. Darker fruits and richer finish. Can hold up to the heavier end of a Pinot food pairing.
2006 Syrah 35$
Classic Syrah elements, heavy and attentively made. Black licorice and cracked pepper, black fruits and dried currants. Base notes of clean smoke and tobacco leaves. The slightest distant call of limestone on the nose reminds me of Southern Italian streets. Another standout.
2006 Constantine 40$
Aromatic and big. Clear kirsch on the nose, florals, lavender being the dominant driver. Definite chocolate and fruit leather. Lots of black fruit and splash of earth. Lovely, dusty and rich.
Don’t forget to peek around the corner and take a look at their limestone fermentation tanks. These lovely orbs of juice holding goodness definitely give some of the Demetria wines a little something extra.
Tags: Demetria Estate, pinot gris, Pinot Noir, Santa Ynez, syrah, viognier, Wine
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I was honored to find out today that I was the inspiration for Saarloos and Sons short movie illustrating the “painting of the walls”.
See Painting the Walls here.
If you want to read up on this awesome winemaker check out my review below, or go to their rockin blog. Ok, it’s not called rockin blog. But it is rockin.
Tags: painting the walls, Saarloos and sons, Tasting Room, Wine, wine glass
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SAARLOOS&sons @ HOUSE
2971 Grand Ave Los Olivos
www.saarloosandsons.com
From second one, I knew this was my kind of place. Basically, this is what my tasting room would look like if I had one. It was so disturbingly suited to my style that I did a double take when I walked in, thinking I maybe had too much wine that day and was having a dreamlike psychotic episode. But no.
Those who have seen my beauty products or truffles, been to one of my parties or ever walked into my house for that matter, knows that anything that is a cross between alchemical and modern whimsy is my cup of tea. Speaking of tea, Alice and the Mad Hatter would have the most outrageous tea party here. It even comes with it’s own little cakes in-house. But this is not where you go to get tea. It’s where wine goes to get you.
Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t some frilly, froufrou wine cottage. We’re talking clean-line funky mirrors, a giant yet unobtrusive flat screen tv, and what I call a cheerful-gothic sensibility. It’s more Matrix than Martha Stewart. Trust me, any geek with good taste will enjoy this.
But before I go any further, Enjoy Cupcakes: as for the brilliant mini cupcakes, the whimsical blackboard shows that choices are abound. Just remember this formula: chocolate + blackberry x syrah = good. Fresh, barely sweetened and perfect. I suspect it’s an oil based cupcake not a butter one. That’s a good thing. It would explain the continuing moistness and light, but still substantial texture. Can you tell I like mini cupcakes? Can you tell I thought about this too much? Visit the apothecary bell jars and cake pedestals behind glass upon entering to your right. If nothing else but to stare at them for 3 minutes.
You must be asking yourself at this point, chick, are the wines any good or what?
Owner Keith Saarloos will pour the drinks with smooth no-nonsense and quick wit. In a good way. Don’t be afraid. Step up. As an intense mac nerd myself, anyone with that large of an apple screen behind the bar can pretty much do no wrong. Thank god the wines rock.
Mostly reds….the points just keep going up. Though one Chardonnay does hang around and it will make you pay attention. Out it pours, and the last red flows from the best looking decanter in existence. Here, each wine is family. And I mean literally. There’s a familial tale for each in the tasting book, relating to someone in the ‘loos’s lore. I won’t do it an injustice by trying to summarize here. There is a special and rich history to learn, along with the land that the grapes are grown on. Keith will tell you all about it when you see him. But one thing he won’t tell you is what to think about his wines. That’s up to you.
He is also about the education, whether it be his winemaking choices or how to optimize your tasting by “painting the walls”. Pouring the perfect amount every time into the glass and lying it vertically on the bar, you may slightly jump until you get used to the fact that the wine will indeed skillfully remain at the very edge of the rim while you roll the glass, “painting the walls”, giving a leggy coat. I’ve always loved this concept because, I admit, I am a ponce about how my glass smells and want no distractions.
A rundown of wines from April 2009:
Daughter’s Chardonnay: crisp, light but solid in the glass. The barest hint of mineral, but that’s not what drives it. You won’t find lots of oak here but you will want to go back to the glass. This can handle both acid and oil, so pair away.
Purper Hart: all Syrah, means business. Clear spice but not a heavy machine. Screams for roast beast. Decant and delve.
194Five The Union: 85% Syrah, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep fruit, balanced tannins, super friendly.
Ring Effie Unk: 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauv, 5% Cab Franc. It’s no secret I love blends and this was one of my favorites. Hint of limestone and jam. Earthiest of the bunch, it feels like Europe in a glass. Gigantically aromatic. Take your time on this.
They were out of O and 2 that day, but go take a look and drool.
Extended Family: So this was my favorite. Heady and full with supreme balance. Put it down for a year and see what happens. Brilliant. Everything a Pinot should be but often is not. It’s about time.
More than my usual extreme love of leather, earth, oak and leaves, some of my favorite, rarer elemental qualities exude from these wines: deep, amorphous, gluey and pheromone rich.
The bottle images remind me of my own family’s very old photos from turn of the century Italy. Romantic, real and unrepeatable. Pretty much like their wines. Saarloos and Sons won’t make the same wine twice. Limited releases, small productions and once it’s sold out, you are out of luck. Club members will get wine put aside for them but other than that one loophole, you’ll have to ready yourself for the next new wine, new label and new experience.
Three of us were at the bar and unfortunately it was our last stop of the day and the room was almost closing. My tasting notes were severely lacking from my usual thoroughness and my memory is not as potent. That will not be happening next time I can tell you. It’s slightly stressing me, because I know that I will never get those same wines to taste again. That’s the price you pay for unique quality.
But it was a whirlwind of tasting, talking, taking in and after leaving, I felt like I just got punched in the face with experience.
If you feel you have a limited view of the grape and if you want to completely change your traditional perception of wine, do yourself a favor. Stop by. I could effervesce with descriptors for another week, but it’s pointless. It’s something you have to go and do. Just take the red pill and see how far the rabbit hole goes.
I personally plan on bringing a bus load of people toward the end of the summer, and most of them will laugh and understand why I am raving. Because they know me. And it’s just one of those perfect things in life that feels like it was made just for you, but you didn’t have to build or paint anything.
Just the walls.
Tags: Chardonnay, cupcakes, grapes, Los Olivos, Red Wine, Saarloos, santa barbara, syrah, tasting, Tasting Room, wine bottles
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So, I’m putting together a review of Saarloos and Sons Winery and tasting room to post this weekend.
Just a taste…painting the walls will have a whole new meaning.
Prepare to learn about an intriguing new place.
Tags: Red Wine, Tasting Room
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