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UNCORKED WINE TRAVELS

Musings Along The Wine Trails

Ojai’s Spiritual Vortex (And Great Wine) Soothes The Soul

April 4, 2021 by Deborah Mines

Photo credit Melissa Curtin/Money Inc.

Believe what you may, but Ojai’s spiritual vortex is very real, super calming and guaranteed to soothe the soul.  A 14-mile trek up Highway 33 from Ventura connects nature and casts good vibes to all those who visit and live there.  The actual town of Ojai is nestled along a winding country road lined with old oaks and majestic redwoods in the Topatopa Mountains.  A known burial ground for the Chumash Indians,  the translation for Ojai is ‘moon’, which probably explains the immense spiritual energy present connecting nature and visitors alike.  Artsy shop owners in downtown’s Arcade warmly welcome visitors after a long year’s closure, and eclectic spiritual boutiques on the back streets wistfully display their colorful clothing and spiritual wares.

As a curious enophile though, Topa Mountain Winery was a natural point of interest.  Excited to experience Topa Mountain Winery’s wine tasting featuring Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo AVA wines, we settled in for a relaxing afternoon of sunshine and stellar wines.

The mixed flight kicked off with a 2019 Rosé of Grenache from Santa Barbara Highlands and the warmer Happy Canyon AVA.  Followed by a zesty oaked 2017 Viognier from Santa Barbara County’s White Hawk and Camp Four vineyards.

Topping the score sheet was the 2017 Blend 150, scoring 93 points from Wine Enthusiast, a Rhone blend of Grenache and Syrah from Demetria Vineyards in Santa Ynez.  Expertly paired, I might add, with the fig and olive tapenade and organic crackers.  And not to be overshadowed by the opulent 2016 Syrah Bien Nacido from Santa Maria AVA.

All of the wines along with the gracious service proved to be a memorable experience at Topa Mountain Winery.  Also noteworthy is, that the winery is dog-friendly and encourages a BYOPL (Bring Your Own Picnic Lunch) vibe.  An excellent way to while away the hours in sunny peaceful Ojai.

 

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: dog friendly, Grenache, Rhone wines, San Luis Obispo AVA, Santa Barbara AVA, Syrah, Winetasting

California Wineries Are Now “Waiting For The Other Shoe To Drop…”

November 15, 2020 by Deborah Mines

So what does “waiting for the other shoe to drop” really mean?  Here’s a little backstory to the ominous phrase.  In the tenements of New York City in the late 19th and early 20th century, apartments were built with bedrooms stacking another. It was common to hear your upstairs neighbor take off a shoe, drop it, and then repeat the action.  Hence, “waiting for the other shoe to drop,” literally means waiting for something to happen that you feel is inevitable.  Much like all of 2020, California wineries are now “waiting for the other shoe to drop” and will be keeping a close eye on neighboring Oregon’s Willamette Valley during the next month.

Last week, Oregon’s Governor Kate Brown announced that a two-week statewide lockdown will begin November 18th, shuttering all restaurants, bars and tasting rooms for on-site consumption, both indoor and outdoor, to help slow the spread of Covid-19.  Many wine industry experts fear the same will happen in California in the coming months.  For now, wineries statewide are struggling to keep the outdoor patio areas open for tasting and bottle sales during the cooler fall temperatures.  It is no surprise that the big winners are the party rental companies who supply the canvas tents, tables, chairs and portable propane heaters.  Several wineries in Russian River Valley are being proactive and constructing permanent covered outdoor seating areas, hoping to attract visitors in the off-months, weather permitting.

In the meantime, as we all wait for the return to “normalcy”, check out the myriad of virtual wine tastings and events offered online.  High-end wineries offer personalized virtual group tastings  which bring family and friends together in a fun, festive way.  So raise your glass high and support your favorite local wineries and order holiday wines online!  Cheers ~

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: California wineries, new normal, Oregon wineries, Russian River Valley, Willamette Valley, Wine Tasting

Russian River Valley Welcomes Visitors in Uncertain Times…

September 20, 2020 by Deborah Mines

I had the pleasure to take a quick jaunt to Russian River Valley in North Sonoma County over the long Labor Day weekend with my lovely daughter Tara.   Perhaps, not the most ideal time to visit due to the smoldering wildfires, extreme heat and the pandemic.  But, it felt really good to travel again and to visit my favorite wineries and see familiar faces.  We were well-received all weekend and experienced some of the grandest tastings with super personal service.

Our first tasting adventure started at Dutton Estate for a Dusk Wine Tasting.  We were greeted by friendly faces with Dutton’s estate Hard Cider in hand and led to our table amidst the summer blooms surrounded by the vineyards and towering pines. Dutton’s Estate Sauvignon Blanc and gourmet charcuterie plate was most fitting for the glorious sundowner.

Our wine trip itinerary was focused primarily on Westside Road, where days before, all of the residents and wineries had been evacuated from the raging Wallbridge Fire, still semi-active over the crest of the hill.   A major arterial roadway, Westside Road had been closed in both directions for several weeks and was used by the fire crews to travel from Jenner to Dry Creek during the initial fire outbreak.

What was on everyone’s mind, but rarely spoken, was the topic of possible smoke taint in the vineyards.  Harvest was already mid-way in RRV with fruit still on the vines in many vineyards

Smoke taint would be the bane of many large and small growers and winemakers alike.  There was great uncertainty hanging in the smoky air with many wondering if there would be an actual 2020 wine production.

Our top reservation tastings included MacRostie Vineyards, Arista Vineyards and Flowers Vineyards, all off Westside Road.  As is elsewhere in California wine country, wine tastings are permitted outside only,  by appointment, with social distancing and face masks required when not seated.  Other than that, it was business as usual, albeit, without the crowds.  Winery staff were very gracious everywhere we went and happy to have visitors once again. [Read more…]

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: Chardonnay, Harvest, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Wine Tasting

US Wine Market Update: A Regional Perspective Webinar Unites Top Industry Leaders

April 17, 2020 by Deborah Mines

Newsflash – The Wine Institute reported today that revenue losses for the nation’s more than 10,000 wineries and more than 8,000 wine grape growers due to COVID-19 could reach $5.94 billion.

Fortunately, there appears to be a silver lining for the US wine industry amidst all the doom and gloom.   Direct to Consumer (DTC) wine sales are soaring sky high!  With so many people ordered to stay home, more wine lovers are turning to online wine purchases.  Case sales have increased four-fold and many wineries are offering deep discounts and free shipping to move their wine.

This week, Michelle Metter, Co-Founder and Partner of SommCon, hosted US Wine Market Update: A Regional Perspective with a fantastic guest panel of wine leaders from California, Oregon, Washington, Ohio and Virginia.   Not surprising, the general consensus from these leading industry experts was to be innovative and “think outside the bottle.”   But, how?

With all tasting rooms shuttered across the US, the big shift in wine sales is moving toward a digital presence with a goal to add new consumers to the database and to lessen the reliance of tourism in tasting rooms.  Webinars, new social media platforms, in-depth wine education, local campaigns and virtual wine tastings have become the “new normal”.

Panelist Connor Best spearheads the International Marketing efforts on behalf of Napa Valley Vintners for its 550-winery members and winegrowers.  He notes that there has been a huge transition to e-commerce sales, even with top-end producers.  Best also encourages wineries to utilize their front house workers for phone sales, shipping, bottling and other vineyard work to keep staff employed during the shutdown.  “Surprisingly, wine club memberships in Napa remain strong with fewer cancellations than predicted,” remarked Best.   Despite the 2014 earthquake and the recent Sonoma-Napa wildfires, Napa remains resilient.  NPV has a concentric plan in place to start rebuilding the wine tasting room experiences with outreach to local San Francisco Bay area visitors first and will then expand marketing efforts outward as California relaxes the stay-in-shelter orders.

Sonoma County Winegrowers’ President Karissa Kruse, who actively supports the hospitality industry during these difficult times, expressed a similar sentiment.  Other than an earlier than usual bud break, the growing season seems to be on track.  “Agriculture continues to give and doesn’t understand the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Kruse.   She feels positive, however, that Sonoma County is well poised to welcome Bay area day-trippers into wine country soon and that the wine industry will eventually recover.   In the meantime, local eateries are pairing take out food with Sonoma wines by the glass and bottle, in the “Keep Restaurants Alive” campaign, which has been well received.

Another panel contributor, Joel Peterson, Executive Director of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance is closely aligned with over 200 wineries in Central California.  Again, the big shift was to quickly pivot and go to digital marketing.  Many distilleries in Paso immediately ramped up to produce hand sanitizer for the first responders, while wineries delivered wine care packages to those on the front lines.  Peterson is working closely with the county on the anticipated roll out plan to re-open the region’s wineries.   He also supports the “Home With Paso Wine” campaign and invites wine lovers to connect with local winemakers via Zoom for weekly virtual tastings, vineyard updates and interviews.

Elsewhere in the state, Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country’s Brand Marketing Partner, Devin Parr, expressed great concern over the lack of distribution and wholesale market for the 40+ wineries. Largely founded by DTC sales, Temecula’s target market caters to the 23 million visitors within a one to two hour drive from wine country.  Parr believes that the valley’s “Sip From Home” packages are key to garnering wine sales at this time and has reported moderate success feedback.  Many wineries are being more innovative and have reached out to wine club members via various social media platforms to offer free local wine delivery or curbside pickup.  And, a big shout out goes out to Wilson Creek Winery for donating 50,000 tasting tickets to Southern California wine lovers.

Washington State Wine Marketing Director David Flaherty had some interesting insights, as Seattle was six weeks ahead of the COVID-19 curve. Unfortunately, one of the largest revenue producing wine events, Taste Seattle, had to be cancelled with short notice.  However, on the positive side, Flaherty received huge support from regional wineries with his quick call to action.  “We all need each other.  The spirit of collaborative union creates a sense of urgency to shake off stodginess of the industry and break down walls,” said Flaherty.  A noteworthy digital campaign recently launched by Washington State Wine is SIP GLOCAL, a global movement that rallies around a local bottle of wine, with the hope of closing the social distance between communities near and far.

 

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: Napa Valley Vintners, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, SommCon, Sonoma County Winegrowers, Temecula Valley, Washington State Wine, Wine Tasting

The Lifecycle of a Grape Vine ~ From Vine To Wine

March 26, 2020 by Deborah Mines

When Spring arrives, the lifecycle of the grape begins anew.  Bud break signals the start of the grape growing season.  Depending on the weather, bud break generally occurs in mid-March or early April in the Northern Hemisphere.   The vines awaken from dormancy and start pumping energy into the woody part of the vine to produce buds.  Barring any hailstorms or damaging spring frost, nature prepares for photosynthesis and warmer weather.

As bud break turns into vegetative growth, the next process of the grape vine begins from April to May.  Flowering is when bunches of tiny flowers bloom from the new vine shoots. Grape vines are self-pollinating, so each of these flowers has the potential to turn into a single berry.

The next growth stage, fruit set, is critical as it determines the potential crop yield for the harvest.  As the summer months near, the pollinated flower drops its petals and tiny green grape berry clusters with seeds develop at the end of the stem.  Not every flower is fertilized into a berry, so it simply falls off the vine.

Veraison occurs in mid-summer, when the green berry clusters begin to expose their color pigmentation. Veraison stems from a French viticulture term meaning “the onset of grape ripening”.   This is the process in which the berry clusters begin ripening and turning purple or blueish in color, depending upon the grape varietal.  White grape varietals turn golden yellow in the same fashion. The heat of summer induces sugar development and ripening in each grape, while the cool evenings preserve natural acidity and freshness.

Harvest is the much anticipated culmination of the grape growth cycle.  Global warming has dramatically altered the traditional September to November harvest time.  It is common practice to harvest in the middle of the night in warmer areas when the grapes are cool and the sugars are resting.  It’s a little sad to see the vines stripped of their fruit after harvest, but it’s all part of nature’s way.  Soon, the vines will be dormant and the grape lifecycle will repeat itself.  Here’s to a great growing season with no drama!

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: bud break, fruit set, grape growing, Harvest, Vine, viticulture

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    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

    • Jordan Winery’s Chateau Block Vineyard Tasting Is Unforgettable November 26, 2021
    • Trending Now ~ Top 3 Wineries in Temecula September 12, 2021
    • Freeman Vineyard & Winery’s Cave Tasting Is A “10” August 8, 2021
    • 2021’s Top 10 Winery Picks off Russian River Valley’s Iconic Westside Road July 5, 2021
    • Kickstart The Weekend In DRNK’s Wine Cave June 6, 2021
    • Cannabis in Wine Country? NIMBY. May 29, 2021
    • 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
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    Deb Mines is a wine enthusiast with a passion for travel! Seeking the stories behind the vines... . WSET Level 3, FWS, CSW,AWE

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    A shout out to Ryan Kunde ⁦@DRNKwines⁩ Wildwood Vineyards 2018 Cab Sauvignon ~ perfectly integrated lusciousness🍷🍷🙌🙌#wine #SonomaStrong

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    The @WineSpectator Scholarship Foundation is giving $10M to @NVCollege's Viticulture, Wine and Technology program. The Wine Spectator Wine Education Complex will offer affordable training for aspiring #wine industry workers young and old: https://winesp.ec/39nW5r7

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    Top 3 Wineries in Temecula WIne Country
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    Discover Scout & Cellar's Clean-Crafted Wines - Be ready to be wowed! Interested in starting your own wine business? DM for details or visit http://www.scoutandcellar.com/UncorkedWineTravels

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    9 Aug 2021

    Freeman Vineyard & WInery's Cave Tasting is a "10"
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    Hot time Summer in the city 🎵🎶. Fire up the BBQ and pair grilled goodies with Scout and Cellar’s clean-crafted wines 🍷🍷DM me for info or visit my bio link. https://www.instagram.com/p/CRUti0CLHoh/?utm_medium=twitter

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    Beautiful warm breezy day @PalumboWinery #temeculawinecountry #winetasting #July4th

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    2 Jul 2021

    Breezy warm day in #temeculawinecountry @palumbowinery Where Will your travels take you this holiday weekend? @ Palumbo Family Winery https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ1p0hVrv_Q/?utm_medium=twitter

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