UNCORKED WINE TRAVELS

Musings Along The Wine Trails

Oso Libre Vines, Wines, Angus Are Oso Fine

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Oso Libre Winery ~ Paso Robles
Oso Libre Winery ~ Paso Robles

No trip to Paso Robles is complete for me without a visit to Oso Libre Vineyards!  Something magical happens when you step through the door.  Within a few seconds,  you are warmly greeted and welcomed by the Behr family.  Chris and Linda Behr, along with Jeff and Liz Freeland have put their hearts and soul into making Oso Libre one of the most fun, top wineries in Paso Robles.

Sustainability in Practice philosophy at Oso Libre
Sustainability in Practice philosophy is held in high regard at Oso Libre

Oso Libre, Spanish for Free Bear, (a compilation of Behr and Freeland family names), is certified as  Sustainability in Practice (SIP), which is no easy feat.  To be certified as SIP, the goal is to grow crops  and raise farm animals with the least impact to the environment, without the use of harmful pesticides.  Not all wineries qualify for this coveted designation, and this is only one reason that makes Oso Libre so special.

Free range, grass-fed Black Angus cattle along with Babydoll sheep (used for organic weed abatement and organic fertilization) and a few alpacas (who protect the sheep), are raised side-by-side on the 90 acre spread.  The outside patio is positioned as an observation area high above the working farm. [Read more…]

La Ciarliana Revisited ~ A Sparkling Gem In Montepulciano

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The glorious San Biago stands at the base of Montepulciano

In the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside, outside the gated enclave of Montepulciano, a few miles down La Strada di Vino Nobile, you will find La Ciarliana winery.  This little crown jewel is a small, family run winery, gently situated on 22 acres, that produces very notable Vino Nobile wines.

La Chiesa di San Michele, Ciarliana, a 9th century ruin across the fields from La Carliana   The winery’s logo pays tribute to La Chiesa di San Michele’s famous bell tower, which lay in ruin in the distance.  The founder of La Ciarliana was Santo Pellegrino Frangiosa, who was born and raised on the podere (farm), just a stone’s throw from centro Montepulciano.   Santo Pellegrino was one of the first wine pioneers in the valley to plant the famed Prugnolo Gentile, otherwise known as Sangiovese, in the early 1960’s.  

[Read more…]

Villa Dievole ~ Chianti’s Most Heavenly Retreat

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l'aria...in questo luogo e magica
l’aria…in questo luogo e magica

It was love at first sight! I had found the perfect sanctuary– Villa Dievole, a wine resort!  Could there be anything more sublime?

From the minute you approach the resort, you feel that you are in a most special place in the world.   And you are…

Show me the way... to Vaglagli per favore
All signs point to Vagliagli

Villa Dievole was nestled among rolling fields of vineyards as far as the eye could see, and bordered by the Tuscan wooded hills off of one of the “white roads” near Chianti’s main wine road,  the SR222.

The long road to Vagliagli was a solitary drive, meandering six kilometers  through the woods on a secondary unpaved road.  

The "white road" to Vagliagli
The “white road” to Vagliagli

My eyes were peeled for wild boar and deer, but the only “wildlife” I encountered were a few cars madly passing me on the narrow road leaving me in a cloud of dust. [Read more…]

Great Wine & Contemporary Art — Perfect Duo at Lorimar Vineyard & Winery

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Lorimar's Award Winning Wines
Lorimar’s Award Winning Wines

What two things blend better than great wine and contemporary art? Add a little live music and you have a winning trio! Lorimar Vineyard & Winery in Temecula’s Wine Country is one of the newest additions to the valley and is at the top of the charts!

IMG_5938Family owned, Lorimar follows a Tuscan theme with Sangiovese being one of the primary grapes grown. Other varietals grown on the 22 acre estate are Syrah, Grenache, Muscat, Viognier and Cabernet Sauvignon.                                                                                                                                         [Read more…]