• Blog
  • About Me
    • Press Release
  • Back Road Wineries
    • California Wine Trail
    • Tuscany Wine Trail
    • Baja California Wine Trail
  • Wine A Bit ~ Editorial & Reviews
  • Contact Me

UNCORKED WINE TRAVELS

Musings Along The Wine Trails

Pinots Rule At Iconic Alma Rosa

June 13, 2013 by Deborah Mines Leave a Comment

No frills, Alma Rosa Winery is one of the top producers of Pinot Noir in the Santa Rita Hills, near Buelton
No frills… Alma Rosa Winery is one of the top producers of Pinot Noir in the Santa Rita Hills, near Buellton

You’ll almost miss the gravel road that leads to Alma Rosa if you’re looking the other way!  Five miles down the twisty Santa Rosa Road, near Buellton, lies Alma Rosa.  Tucked in the oaks, down a dusty gravel road lies a real treasure.  It doesn’t have the flashy curb appeal of the larger production wineries in Foxen Canyon because there are NO curbs!

No pretense...just fabulous wines!
No pretense…just fabulous wines!

Alma Rosa is the lovechild of the 1970’s wine pioneers Richard and Thekla Sanford ~ artfully recreated in the Sideways movie, it remains, unchanged.  Much to my dismay, this time around, Chris, the bearded Willie Nelson look-a-like, was not working there.  I was told he was “taking a break”.  Chris, does however, continue to write the lofty wine descriptions which are as fun as the wines are good!

Stroll around the grounds
Stroll around the grounds with wine glass in hand…

Alma Rosa was the first vineyard in Santa Barbara County to earn the Certified Organic designation, a combination of “nature and agriculture in sustainable harmony.” Considered a small production winery, Alma Rosa offers a nice selection of white wines but is best known for the Pinot Noirs.  The proximity to the coast with its cooling effects on the grapes,  is the ideal climate for Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs.

Bacchus - The Wine God
Bacchus – The Wine God, is ever present

Start your wine tasting with the 2009 Pinot Blanc, a delightful peach-meets-melon white wine, ideal for Summer afternoons on the patio, or the 2011 Pinot Noir-Vin Gris, a rose- colored, crisp dry wine with hints of strawberry and pink grapefruit.  Progress to the coveted Pinot Noir lineup.  The 2011 Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills, is earthy, jammy and easy drinking.  La Encantada Vineyards are the cream of the crop at Alma Rosa.  The 2011Pinot Noir “Clone 115” and the 2010 Pinot Noir Mt Eden Clone from El Jabali Vineyards are superb and show great promise for holding.  There are many library wines available, some of the best of the Clone 667 from La Encantada can be found here.

Alma Rosa is set deep in the Santa Rita Hills
Alma Rosa is set deep in the Santa Rita Hills

The Alma Rosa wine club is excellent on many levels.  Not only do you receive the new releases, but also, the wine shipments can be as small as two bottles.  Tastings are always complimentary and there is a 20% discount of all wines.  www.almarosawinery.com

 

 

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: 115 clone, 667 clone, Certified Organic, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir Clone, Rose, Sideways movie, Vin Gris, Wine Tasting

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Wine Trail Search

Follow My Wine Blog

    Your Name

    Your Email

    A Little About Me

    To many, I’m simply known as a wanderlust ~ a free-spirited adventuress with a passion for travel and a lover of great wines!Read more...

    Vintage Posts

    • Ojai’s Spiritual Vortex (And Great Wine) Soothes The Soul April 4, 2021
    • Book Review: The Billionaire’s Vinegar January 3, 2021
    • Book Review: Sonoma Wine And The Story Of Buena Vista November 29, 2020
    • California Wineries Are Now “Waiting For The Other Shoe To Drop…” November 15, 2020
    • Russian River Valley Welcomes Visitors in Uncertain Times… September 20, 2020
    • BOOK REVIEW: A Wine Journey Along The Russian River May 30, 2020
    • US Wine Market Update: A Regional Perspective Webinar Unites Top Industry Leaders April 17, 2020
    • The Lifecycle of a Grape Vine ~ From Vine To Wine March 26, 2020
    • 2019’s “Top 10” Eclectic RRV Wineries December 29, 2019
    • Russian River Valley’s Arista Wines Earn Top Accolades From Wine Spectator September 24, 2019
    • Littorai Wines ~ A Tale of Two Coasts & Three Pinot Noir Styles September 13, 2019
    • After Much Ado, “House of Flowers” Debuts In Russian River Valley August 29, 2019
    • Best Backroads For Cycling In RRV-Healdsburg Wine Country August 16, 2019
    • Experience Cave-Aged Wines At DRNK Winery in Russian River Valley July 3, 2019
    • Best Kept Secret in Sta. Rita Hills ~ Spear Vineyards & Winery May 17, 2019
    • Spring Is An Ideal, And Uncrowded, Time To Visit Wine Country April 19, 2019
    • NEW BOOK RELEASE: Root Cause, A Novel by Steven Laine February 19, 2019
    • Discover the Hidden Wine Caves in Sonoma Wine Country December 17, 2018
    • Vin Santo Reigns In Chianti’s Medieval Hamlet of Castello di Volpaia November 16, 2018
    • Hidden Gem Alert ~ Dry Creek’s Unti Vineyards Is A “10” October 31, 2018

    Copyright © 2021 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in