Cali Coast Wine Country
Spring has sprung, and that can only mean one thing in wine country: it’s rosé season. This is the time of year when wineries release their new rosé, to be enjoyed now and all through the summer (and if you can hold onto a bottle all the way until Thanksgiving, it’s superb with the food). This …
Bien Nacido Vineyards in Santa Maria Valley Bien Nacido Vineyards are some of the most well-known vineyards in the world. 12 different grape varieties grow there and are famous for their ability to make high-quality, award-winning wines. It’s also the most-named vineyard across all branded labels in the world. If you’ve never seen the vineyard, get a peek in …
As you approach the Santa Ynez Valley from southern California, you’ll be driving over “the pass” – if you know what’s good for you. Meaning, if you drive like a local. And, as you make that final stretch after all those gorgeous winding turns, you’ll make a left onto route 246 (not to be confused …
One of the original sparkling wine makers in Santa Barbara county using the traditional method to make bubbles — méthode champenoise — was Flying Goat Cellars. Norm Yost and Kate Griffith have been picking early, fermenting grapes, providing the proper environment for a second fermentation in the bottle and disgorging in the Lompoc wine ghetto since 2005. Flying Goat is one …
One of my favorite summer wines is Sauvignon Blanc. (The other one is Rosé, but that’s a whole other post). I would describe Sauvignon Blanc as fresh, lemony and grassy…it reminds me of a fresh-cut lawn, a big warm sun and long days of languishing in the heat needing a refreshment. Sauvignon Blanc is that perfect summer refreshment! …
“Why are you all dressed alike? What’s with the polka-dots?” The slightly tipsy woman was staring at the seven of us dressed in various impersonations of Lucy and Ethel stomping grapes from the classic “I Love Lucy” episode. I looked our group up and down. Some did look like Lucy & Ethel, but a few …
