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UNCORKED WINE TRAVELS

Musings Along The Wine Trails

Anderson Valley’s Seebass Vineyards’ Old Vine Zin Rocks

September 25, 2015 by Deborah Mines Leave a Comment

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Take the road less travelled…toss in miles of hairpin, white knuckled, high-banked turns, for a most scenic drive over the  Highway 128 pass to Anderson Valley, gateway to the towering Mendocino County redwoods and pristine coastal access.

Ahhhhh…. when I reached the top of the summit, I was spellbound by the beauty of the ruggedness and the color of the deep red soil against the vibrant vines and dense dark redwoods.

My destination was Boonville, population 1,035, home of the Boontling folk language (Scottish Gaelic, Irish with some Pomoan and Spanish), and the Seebass Vineyards’ tasting room.

For history buffs, Boonville was founded in 1862 by John Burgots whose claim to fame was building the Boonville Hotel, which still proudly stands.  A general store and post office also co-existed in the tiny western town.  Remnants of the original town are still evident driving down Highway 128.

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Much more modern that the Boonville Hotel, is the quaint Seebass Vineyards’ tasting room right across the street.   Fashioned after an early 1900’s parlor room, complete with a dark wood vintage bar, guests are invited to belly up to the bar and sample the estate wines.   [Read more…]

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Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: boutique winery, Chardonnay, estate wines, Grenache, Merlot, old vine Zinfandel, Rhone-style, Syrah, Zinfandel

Foxen Canyon’s Demetria Estate Is A Hidden Enclave

April 23, 2014 by Deborah Mines Leave a Comment

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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…]

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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 3 Comments

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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…]

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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 Leave a Comment

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…]

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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

The Big “O” ~ Orfila Winery Is Outstanding

August 8, 2013 by Deborah Mines 2 Comments

Orfila Vineyards and Winery in San Pasqual Valley vistas are stunning!
Orfila Vineyards and Winery in San Pasqual Valley offers stunning vistas!                                      Photo courtesy of Orfila’s website

Locals call it the  “Big O” — aka Orfila VIneyards and Winery,  gently nestled in the beautiful San Pasqual Valley near Escondido in northern San Diego County.  Whenever I’m in the area,  I love to stop in and visit  Orfila Vineyards and Winery.   I’ve been a wine club member here on and off for over 10 years for a good reason.  The wines are constantly improving and, my palette is ever evolving.

Orfila's "barrel room" features library wines
Orfila’s “barrel room” features library wines

The vineyards here have existed since  the early 1970’s, initially planted by San Pasqual Winery and later managed by Thomas Jaeger Winery. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: italian varietal, Marsanne, Merlot, Montepulciano, Rhone-style, Roussane, Sangiovese, Syrah, Viognier, Wine Tasting

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To many, I’m simply known as a wanderlust ~ a free-spirited adventuress with a passion for travel and a lover of great wines!Read more...

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