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UNCORKED WINE TRAVELS

Musings Along The Wine Trails

Foxen Canyon’s Demetria Estate Is A Hidden Enclave

April 23, 2014 by Deborah Mines

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Demetria Estate is truly a sight to behold!  Visitors must call ahead for an appointment, then find the hidden wooden sign off Foxen Canyon Road, buzz the gate, then head up the narrow, winding scenic road for about two miles.

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Absolutely blissful scenery at every turn!  Just when you think you can’t go any further, a stately Mediterranean-type chateau rises to meet you, which seems a little out of character on the rustic Foxen Canyon Wine Trail.  However, Demetria Estate‘s chateau’s colors are as welcoming and warm, as the Zahoudanis family.

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[Read more…]

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: Burgundian, Chardonnay, Grenache, GSM, Marsanne Grenache Blanc, Mourvedre, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Rhone-style, Rose Grena he, Roussanne, Syrah, Viognier, Wine Tasting

Let The Good Times Roll At Chamisal Vineyards

October 13, 2013 by Deborah Mines

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In the heart of the Edna Valley wine country, where the bucolic views stretch for miles in any one direction, and vineyards line the country roads, if you’re lucky, you’ll stumble upon Chamisal Vineyards.

Historically speaking, Chamisal Vineyards claims to have planted the first vineyard in Edna Valley in 1973. However, the planting of the first vineyards actually date back to the 1880’s when the Franciscan padres planted the first vines along the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa trail.

Chamisal Vineyards was initially known as Domaine Alfred. The vineyards changed hands a few times over the years and eventually were replanted in the 1990’s with numerous high-end Pinot Noir clones, Syrah, Chardonnay, Grenache and Pinot Gris.

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Aptly so, Chamisal Vineyards‘ namesake was derived from the fragrant native white-flowered shrub, the chamise. Keeping with the theme, Chamisal Vineyards features a top-line wine series labeled Califa, translated from the Modoc Indians to mean “the prettiest one”. And yes, they are the prettiest ones! Califa’s 2010 Pinot Noir recently earned 90 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate and it is certainly deserving of every point. The blend of three Pinot Noir clones (115, 667 and 777) fills your mouth with lush blackberry, boysenberry and raspberry and is absolutely divine and worth the price ($60).

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Another favorite is the 2009 Califa Syrah, which is extremely rich on the palette with flavors of blackberry and black plum with a touch of violet and underlying oak. On a lighter note, the 2011 Estate Grenache is outstanding and easy to pair with all foods. The red cherry and black plum flavors offer the slightest hint of sandalwood, anise and allspice and is very characteristic of a Chamisal Vineyards‘ Grenache, vintage after vintage. For Chardonnay lovers, try the 2012 Stainless Chardonnay, (three Chardonnay clones), for a crisp, acidic wine tasting of lush tropical pineapple, peach and red apple without the overdone oaky taste of a typical California Chardonnay. [Read more…]

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: Burgundian, Chardonnay, Grenache, GSM, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir clones, Rhone-style, Robert Parker, Rose Grenache, Syrah, Viognier, Wine Advocate, Wine Tasting

Rhone Rangers Rule at Curtis Winery

August 23, 2013 by Deborah Mines

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…]

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: Consult, Grenache, GSM, Marsanne Grenache Blanc, Mourvedre, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Rhone Valley, Rhone-style, Rose Grena he, Roussanne, Syrah, Viognier, Wine Tasting

Dog Friendly Kynsi Winery ~ Sip, Sit, Stay

June 16, 2013 by Deborah Mines

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Read more…]

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: Chardonnay, dog friendly, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Wine Tasting, Zinfandel

Pinots Rule At Iconic Alma Rosa

June 13, 2013 by Deborah Mines

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…]

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: 115 clone, 667 clone, Certified Organic, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir Clone, Rose, Sideways movie, Vin Gris, Wine Tasting

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