• Blog
  • About Me
    • Press Release
  • Back Road Wineries
    • California Wine Trail
    • Tuscany Wine Trail
    • Baja California Wine Trail
  • Wine A Bit ~ Editorial & Reviews
  • Contact Me

UNCORKED WINE TRAVELS

Musings Along The Wine Trails

Top Paso Robles Wine Trail Picks

August 22, 2017 by Deborah Mines Leave a Comment

When thinking of weekend wine destinations, Paso Robles is often overlooked.  Once a sleepy agricultural enclave, Paso Robles now touts 11 separate AVA’s (American Viticulture Areas) and more than 200 wineries.  Roughly three times larger than Napa Valley AVA, the soils are as diverse and the grape varietals produced here range from Burgundian Pinot Noir to Old Vine Zinfandel.  Vineyard elevations are between 700 feet to over 2,400 feet and are greatly influenced by the Templeton Wind Gap, which brings cooling ocean breezes to some of the most prized wine estates.

A great place to start your wine trek is at Calcareous Vineyards  off Peachy Canyon in the west hills of Paso Robles.  Perched high atop a limestone ridge, the panoramic views from the tasting room are absolutely stunning, as are the wines.

Burgundy, Rhone and Bordeaux grape varietals are sourced from three estate vineyards resulting in distinctive small lot handcrafted wines.  Still family-owned, this gem of a winery is a must visit.  Play a game of bocce ball or bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the never-ending vistas from Calcareous Vineyards.

[Read more…]

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: Albarino, Bordeaux, Burgundian, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec, Marsanne, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Rhone, Roussane, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Tempranillo, Viognier, Zinfandel

A Toast To The Emerging Wines Of Valle de Guadalupe (Baja California, Mexico)

May 15, 2017 by Deborah Mines Leave a Comment

On a recent trek to Baja’s Valle de Guadalupe with foodie group Wine Pairs Events of San Diego, it was soon evident that Baja itself had not changed much in the past 30 years.  Sure, seeing the 1920’s Hollywood  resort aka, the classic Rosarita Beach Motel, now towering umpteen stories high with over 500 rooms, was a little bit of a shock, but the charm of the La Fonda Motel and little mercado storefronts along the way looked pretty much the same.  An hour later, we arrived at our destination.

Our group of 26 eager wine tasters were warmly welcomed at Vinedos Malagon, gently nestled in the crux of the valley floor.   Winemaker Alberto Rubio holds a degree in Enology and  has been at the helm since 2011 turning out small lots of handcrafted wines.  Rubio is ultra-passionate about  winemaking and also produces organic, dry-farmed wine from old vines for his private label, Fluxes.

Vinedos Malagon‘s field blend, 2014 Tinta Mexicana, beautifully marries Nebbiolo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Grenache and Petit Sirah together for an aromatic  immersion of dark berry fruit laced with black peppercorn.  Aged in 10% new French oak, this blend is one of the most popular value-driven wines in the lineup.

For purists, the 100% 2015 Grenache plays on the senses with the intoxicating aromas of  raspberry, tart cherry and sun-kissed strawberry, touched with hints of vanilla and cinnamon.  Very feminine and delicate, this wine is aged in 20% new French oak and will age well due to the higher acidity.

Another Grenache crowd-pleaser was the 2015 Grenache Rosé, a delicate salmon-colored dry rosé produced using the saignee method. www.vinedosmalagon.com

[Read more…]

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Baja California Wine Trail, California Wine Trail Tagged With: Baja California, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, dry-farmed, Grenache, Nebbiolo, Tempranillo, Valle de Guadalupe

San Pasqual’s Hungry Hawk Vineyards Soars High

July 3, 2015 by Deborah Mines Leave a Comment

IMG_8792Hungry Hawk Vineyards, is one of the newest, and most promising, boutique wineries to join forces with the San Diego Vintners Association in the San Pasqual Valley AVA.

Nested in the rural outskirts of Escondido, Hungry Hawk Vineyards officially opened its doors in the summer of 2014 after several years of vineyard installation, tasting room construction and endless county and state ordinance permits.

IMG_8795Through the hard work of Ed and Jeanine Embly, Hungry Hawk Vineyards has morphed into a top-notch production facility and upscale tasting room.

Hungry Hawk Vineyards has already earned Silver Medals at the 2014 Florida State Fair and the 2014 San Diego County Fair.

IMG_8783

Hungry Hawk Vineyards, a former avocado estate, has been planted to 17 grape varietals.  White varietals include Albarino, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Pinot Gris.  Bordeaux varietals include Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec.  Grenache, Mouvedre, Petit Sirah, Sangiovese, Tempranillo and the little known Syrah Noir round out the list.  [Read more…]

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: Albarino, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Grenache, Merlot, Mouvedre, Petit Sirah, Pinot Gris, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah Noir, Tempranillo, Viognier

Temecula’s Monte de Oro Shines Like Gold

November 29, 2013 by Deborah Mines Leave a Comment

IMG_5914One of the most architecturally impressive and trendy new wineries in Temecula is Monte de Oro.  Fashioned with a contemporary Tuscan theme, the soaring floor-to-ceiling windows are absolutely magnificent!  Opulence surrounds you in the center tasting room, in every direction.

ToursandTastingFPOOne of the most unique features at Monte de Oro is the glass-floored tasting room, which looks into the Barrel Cellar below.  I have to admit, it’s a little unnerving to walk across the glass floor.  You might be surprised to look down and see someone looking up!

Founded in 2002, Monte de Oro has 68 family owners from the Americas, South Africa and the United Kingdom who call themselves the OGB Parnters (One Great Blend).

IMG_5939

[Read more…]

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Cinsault., Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Mourvedre, Petite Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Tempranillo, Viognier, weddings, Wine Tasting, Zinfandel

Cordiano Winery’s Big Red Heart Says It All

September 18, 2013 by Deborah Mines Leave a Comment

fl_panor_terrace

San Pasqual Valley is now home to another notable winery ~ Cordiano Winery.  Rising high above the valley in Escondido, the expansive views from the outdoor terrace are captivating and stretch for miles.

photo 3Cordiano Winery is family owned and run by Gerardo and Rosa Cordiano who are originally from southern Italy.  Restauranteurs turned winemaker, the Cordianos have had great success in both arenas in the San Diego area. [Read more…]

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: California Wine Trail Tagged With: Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo, Wine Tasting

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »

Wine Trail Search

Follow My Wine Blog

Your Name

Your Email

A Little About Me

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...

Vintage Posts

  • Book Review: The Billionaire’s Vinegar January 3, 2021
  • Book Review: Sonoma Wine And The Story Of Buena Vista November 29, 2020
  • California Wineries Are Now “Waiting For The Other Shoe To Drop…” November 15, 2020
  • Russian River Valley Welcomes Visitors in Uncertain Times… September 20, 2020
  • BOOK REVIEW: A Wine Journey Along The Russian River May 30, 2020
  • US Wine Market Update: A Regional Perspective Webinar Unites Top Industry Leaders April 17, 2020
  • The Lifecycle of a Grape Vine ~ From Vine To Wine March 26, 2020
  • 2019’s “Top 10” Eclectic RRV Wineries December 29, 2019
  • Russian River Valley’s Arista Wines Earn Top Accolades From Wine Spectator September 24, 2019
  • Littorai Wines ~ A Tale of Two Coasts & Three Pinot Noir Styles September 13, 2019
  • After Much Ado, “House of Flowers” Debuts In Russian River Valley August 29, 2019
  • Best Backroads For Cycling In RRV-Healdsburg Wine Country August 16, 2019
  • Experience Cave-Aged Wines At DRNK Winery in Russian River Valley July 3, 2019
  • Best Kept Secret in Sta. Rita Hills ~ Spear Vineyards & Winery May 17, 2019
  • Spring Is An Ideal, And Uncrowded, Time To Visit Wine Country April 19, 2019
  • NEW BOOK RELEASE: Root Cause, A Novel by Steven Laine February 19, 2019
  • Discover the Hidden Wine Caves in Sonoma Wine Country December 17, 2018
  • Vin Santo Reigns In Chianti’s Medieval Hamlet of Castello di Volpaia November 16, 2018
  • Hidden Gem Alert ~ Dry Creek’s Unti Vineyards Is A “10” October 31, 2018
  • Windsor’s Notre Vue Estate’s Unabashed Views Are Worth The Drive October 20, 2018

Find Me On Twitter

My Tweets

Copyright © 2021 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.