Musings Along The Wine Trails
I have to admit, Arroyo Grande in the Central Coast near San Luis Obispo, produces some mighty fine Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The close proximity of the ocean brings the fog inland enough to cool the vines making it an ideal climate for these two varietals.
The Talley family bought the fertile Arroyo Grande farmland in 1974, which included the El Rincon Adobe pictured above. The adobe was built by Ramon Branch, one of the original settlers in the valley in the 1860’s. [Read more…]
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.
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.
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…]
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….
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.
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…]
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!
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.
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.
The signature barn owl logo for Kynsi Winery is actually a named after a Finnish word for “talon”.
