UNCORKED WINE TRAVELS

Musings Along The Wine Trails

Rhone Rangers Rule at Curtis Winery

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Curtis Winery in Santa Ynez Valley specialzes in Rhone-style wines
Curtis Winery in Santa Ynez Valley is dedicated to  Rhone-style wines

For a truly unique wine tasting experience, get off the beaten path on Foxen Canyon Road and check out Curtis Winery ~ one of the first wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley to push the envelope with Rhone-style wines.

Foxen Canyon wine trail
Foxen Canyon wine trail points the way to Curtis Winery

The highly touted Firestone family established the first estate winery in Santa Barbara County in 1972, later creating Curtiss Winery to showcase their Rhone wines.  Today, the true Rhone Rangers are Curtis Winery‘s wine grower Chuck “Calypso” Carlson and winemaker Ernest Storm.   Together they bring France’s renown Rhone Valley wines to Santa Barbara County.

Santa Ynez Valley stretches east to west making it an ideal Mediterranean climate
Santa Ynez Valley stretches east to west making it an ideal Mediterranean climate

Curtis Winery is a little understated, but worth a stop.  Belly up to the bar for a tasting of six artisan Rhone-style wines  for only $10.  The staff is not overly friendly, and the tasting bar is short on space, but the wines are certainly worthy. [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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Start Your Sideways Wine Tour At Koehler Winery In Foxen Canyon

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Koehler Winery's vines are over 30 years old
Koehler Winery’s vines are over 30 years old, making it one of the valley’s oldest vineyards

Call me a creature of habit.  But whenever I visit Los Olivos, I make my way first to the  delightful and unpretentious Koehler Winery on the beautiful Foxen Canyon Trail.  There’s something endearing about Koehler Winery–perhaps its the peacefulness that you feel as you cross the one-lane bridge over the creek through the vineyards upon approach…

Or, perhaps it’s the baby emus that eagerly greet you at the split rail fence–a first time I’ve ever seen baby emus!

Tasting room at Koehler Winery exudes farmhouse charm
Tasting room at Koehler Winery exudes farmhouse charm

Or, maybe it’s the quaint tasting room which resembles an old farmhouse with lazy cats on the veranda…  Or maybe it’s the hearty welcome from Dan Zurleine, fondly called “Dan The Man” who runs the show and Koehler Winery‘s wine club. [Read more…]

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…]

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…]