UNCORKED WINE TRAVELS

Musings Along The Wine Trails

Castello di Volpaia’s Romantic Lure Is Intoxicating

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Volpaia rises high into the clouds at 2500 feet near Radda in Chianti, Tuscany.
Volpaia rises high into the clouds at over 2000 feet above sea level near Radda in Chianti, Tuscany.

Right in the heart of Chianti, five steep miles atop the highest peak, lies Volpaia, touted as one of the most romantic villages in the heart of Tuscany.  Dating back to the 11th century, this medieval borgo (village) is one of the best preserved walled villages in Italy.

Medieval curved walls add charm to the little hilltop village.
Medieval curved walls add a charm to the little hilltop village.

As was customary in the middle ages, people were named for their trade or place of origin.  In the mid-1400’s, Lorenzo della Volpaia, a mathematician, architect and skilled clockmaker, adopted the town’s name, literally meaning Lorenzo from Volpaia (Lair of the Foxes).   Della Volpaia was even said to have consulted with Leonardo da Vinci (Leonardo from Vinci) on technical projects. One of Volpaia’s most exclaimed clock works is the clock in Palazzo Vecchio in centro Florence.

Escape to Volpaia for a stay at a medieval bed and breakfast stay.
Escape to Volpaia for a medieval bed and breakfast stay.

Today, Volpaia is owned by the Stianti Mascheroni family (Father Rafaello Stianti gifted the village and winery to his daughter Gionvanella as a wedding present in 1996).   Castello di Volpaia is renowned for its wonderful wines, traditional olive oils and aromatic vinegar. [Read more…]

Very Fond of Lafond Winery

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The Sideways movie wine trip continues down the windy Santa Rosa Road about six miles outside of Buellton.  Fields of vines line the country road, dotted with a few farm houses, a few fruit stands…a few tractors pull out in front of  you.  Not a whole lot happening….

Santa Rita Hills AVA is five miles west of Buellton.
Santa Rita Hills AVA is five miles west of Buellton.

Welcome to the Santa Rita Hills American Viticultural Area (AVA), home to the finest Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays in the Central Coast Wine Country!  The Santa Rita Hills  AVA was  established by the Bureau of American Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms as a sub wine growing area of the greater Santa Ynez AVA.

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Lafond Winery and Vineyards was the forerunner in the Santa Rita Hills AVA to bring Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Reisling and Syrah to the market.

What makes the Santa Rita Hills AVA so special is the proximity to the ocean (approximately five miles) and the position between the east and west mountain ranges of the Purisima Hills and the Santa Rosa Hills, which in effect, extend the growing season with the ebb and flow of the coastal fog combined with the sunny inland heat. [Read more…]

Fess Parker Winery Is Grandiose In Every Way

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Fess Parker's rambling estate is impressive
Fess Parker Winery & Vinyard’s rambling estate is impressive

When it comes to Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard, nothing is understated!  The grounds are perfectly manicured and stretch endlessly in all directions.  Weddings are commonplace here and dogs are welcome!

Manicured grounds at Fess Parker are ideal for picnics and wine tasting!
Manicured grounds at Fess Parker WInery & Vineyard are ideal for picnics and wine tasting!

Baby boomers will recall that Fess Parker was an American film icon in the 1950’s and 1960’s, playing the roles of frontiersmen Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett.

Raccoon skin caps adorn the wine bottles and shelves as a tribute to founder Fess Parker, aka Davy Crockett
Raccoon skin caps adorn the wine bottles and shelves as a tribute to founder Fess Parker, aka Davy Crockett

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Dog Friendly Kynsi Winery ~ Sip, Sit, Stay

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Kynsi Winery was once a working dairy farm in the 1940's
Kynsi Winery was once a working dairy farm in the 1940’s

Driving down the bucolic country back roads of Edna Valley several years ago, I was lucky to discover the hidden jewel, Kynsi Winery.  And, wow, what a treasure!  Totally charming and renovated, Kynsi Winery was once a working dairy farm in the 1940’s.  Today, it’s a forerunner in superb Pinot Noirs with a laid-back atmosphere with a fun, friendly  and knowledgeable staff.

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Adult Barn Owl  — mascot of Kinsey Winery   Photo courtesy of Kynsi Winery

The signature barn owl logo for Kynsi Winery is actually a named after a Finnish word for “talon”.

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Barn Owl fledglings ~ Photo courtesy of Kynsi Winery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Pinots Rule At Iconic Alma Rosa

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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! [Read more…]