Central Coast - December 10, 2009

SERVING SAN LUIS OBISPO, SANTA BARBARA & VENTURA COUNTIES EDWARD SELLERS

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YO U R E S S E N T I A L G U I D E TO C A L I F O R N I A C E N T R A L COA S T W I N E, G E TAWAYS , T H I N G S TO D O & E V E N TS

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ESPRIT DU VIN PAGE 12

FOOD & WINE PAIRING:

PREFERRED TASTING ROOM:

SCULPTERRA WINERY

JUDD FAMILY WINERY

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HEARTHSTONE PROFUNDO

WINEMAKER PROFILE:

San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara & Ventura Counties MILEAGE:

WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK: CENTRAL COAST SAN LUIS OBISPO, SANTA BARBARA & VENTURA COUNTIES

PUBLISHING EVERY OTHER WEEK! DECEMBER 10, 2009 • ISSUE 24 – VOLUME 3 ON THE COVER Salisbury Vineyards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 WINE COUNTRY NEWS Wine Country Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10 Wine Country Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 PASO ROBLES WINERIES MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 SAN LUIS OBISPO/PISMO BEACH WINERIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-23 SANTA MARIA VALLEY WINERIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-25 SOLVANG, LOS OLIVOS, SANTA YNEZ WINERIES MAP . . . . . . 26 SANTA BARBARA WINERIES MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 VENTURA COUNTY WINERIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28-29 WINERY LISTINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30-35

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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK : CENTRAL COAST

SAN LUIS OBISPO, SANTA BARBARA & VENTURA COUNTIES

ADVERSTISING/MARKETING DIRECTOR

PUBLISHER

Whitney Brem San Luis Obispo, CA Phone 805-252-5440 [email protected] Mike Giangreco Direct 707-938-3734 [email protected]

MANAGING EDITOR

Chandra Grant P.O. Box 92, El Verano, CA 95433 Phone 707-938-1783 / Fax 707-938-3674 [email protected]

CALENDAR EDITOR

Laurie Flippen Phone 707-938-1783 / Fax 707-938-3674 [email protected]

OFFICE MANAGER

Cathy Gore Phone 707-938-3494 / Fax 707-938-3674 Email [email protected]

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS

Michael Cervin, Len Napolitano, Mark Storer, Dave Wilcox

Going to Northern California Wine Country? Look for WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK at wineries, hotels, concierge desks, car rentals, restaurants, high-end grocery stores and more!

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Eight Questions for a Farm Family Patriarch An Interview with John Salisbury of Salisbury Vineyards Most people don’t start out where they end up. How did you land in the wine business? JS: “Well, I’m the exception to the rule, I guess. I’m the sixth generation of California farmers. I went to school at Cal Poly and have farmed everything from pears to tomatoes. They say that the best way to go broke is to go into the wine business, but I saw that this Paso Robles thing was taking off and decided to get in on it. I bought, developed and sold several pieces of property before I finally found this place. I’m hangin’ in there now.” Continuing a dynasty isn’t easy. How did you get your daughter to carry on the tradition? JS: “She was second in line. She didn’t have a choice! Actually she loves it and does a great job for the winery. She and her husband, Kevin helped create this business, so its already in their blood. My son, Patrick is an artist in New Orleans and we hope to someday get his family out here, too. My son is an artist on the east coast, but we’re working on him and his wife to get them out here, too.” Is an eighth generation in the works? JS: “I’ve got four grandchildren. My job for the next fifteen years is to corrupt at least one of them to be a farmer.” Behind most successful men there’s usually a woman who was overly optimistic about him. True for you? JS: “My wife Maridel was completely over-optimistic. Of course she became a bit pessimistic real quick. That will happen when you marry a farmer. But we’ve been married for nearly forty-five years now. Guess she’s adjusted. This place wouldn’t be what it is without her. She was instrumental in the restoration of the Schoolhouse that now serves as both our tasting room and her amazing Fine Art Gallery. Maridel was my college sweetheart.” You seem like a very contented man. Have you achieved what you set out to do? JS: “I’ve been an itinerant fruit tramp all of my life moving around from Northern California down to Mexico. I’ve finally found the

perfect place here in the Avila Valley. So I guess it would be an emphatic ‘yes’ to that question.” In your fifteen years here, what changes have surprised you the most? JS: “I’m surprised our southern San Luis Obispo area was unknown for so long, but that really seems to be changing. We have wine that is world class and people are discovering us finally. The other thing that has changed is the demographics. I always wondered how we’d find enough old white men to drink all this wine, but these days its younger people who make up the largest percentage of wine buyers, particularly young women. They’re the ones buying over 60% of the wine sold in the US.” So, what did you have for dinner last night and which wine did you pair it with? JS: “I made Cornish game hens stuffed with wild rice and basted with a sauce made of a bit of leftover Chardonnay that I opened a couple of days ago and some apricot jam. I barbecued it and opened a bottle of 2008 Pinot Naturale” You sound like quite the chef. JS: “I do quite a lot of cooking and barbecuing. We have some great parties here at the winery.” Pinot Naturale? I’ve never heard of that wine. JS: “Well, we had a block of Pinot Noir on an east facing slope. It was always late ripening so I asked our winemaker, Harold Osborne if he thought it might make a good sparkling wine. Harold has a lot of experience making sparkling wine, but when it was time to add the bubbles we tasted it and asked ourselves why we would want to screw up an already great wine by adding bubbles. So I guess you could say that it is Champagne without the bubbles.” One final question … for your last night in this life, what bottle would you open? JS: “I’m going to be in the vineyard with clippers in one hand and my cane in the other and a nearly empty half bottle of our Pinot Noir.”

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TRADITION QUALITY FLAVOR

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HOLIDAY GIFT PACKS AVAILABLE 829 13TH STREET • PASO ROBLES SUNDAY, MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY 12 TO 6 PM FRIDAY & SATURDAY 11AM TO 7PM CLOSED TUESDAY

805-226-4005 | pianettawinery.com

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS | WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY PASO ROBLES ONGOING Making Sense of Scents at Wild Horse Winery Learn how to properly taste & smell some of your favorite Wild Horse wines & find naturally occurring aromas. $20 per person Saturdays by appointment at 12, 2 & 3:30pm. Limit 8 people. Call for reservations or for groups more than 8. Templeton, 805-434-2541 ext. 15, email [email protected] ONGOING Pinot Noir Blending Seminar Sample Pinot Noirs from the Central Coast AVA and learn what terroir truly means. Each participant creates their own blend to take home. $50, $35/wine club. Saturday or Sunday by appointment, 11am or 2pm, Limit 10, Templeton RSVP 805-434-2541 ext. 15, email [email protected] ONGOING 2nd Sunday Wine Down at Hearthstone Enjoy music and delicious food with their fine wine. www.hearthstonevineyard.com, 805 238 2544 ONGOING FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH Wine & the Arts Join the Downtown Wineries the first Saturday of every month as they celebrate local artists, musicians & wine. Check out our website for information on the artists being featured! 4-7pm, 805-227-6813, www.anglimwinery.com ONGOING EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT Open Mic Songwriters & Comedian Night BBQ, beer, wine & soda available for purchase. Bring your own chair, all ages welcome. 6-9pm, free, Stacked Stone Cellars, Paso Robles, 805-238-7872 ONGOING WEDNESDAYS Wine Tasting at Vinoteca Wine Bar Local winemaker featured each week, 5:30-8pm, 805-227-7154 ONGOING FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH Gourmet Pairings at Meridian Vineyards Try gourmet food paired with fine wine, 12-5pm, $5, 805-226-7133 ONGOING SATURDAYS North County Farmers’ Market • Atascadero;Wed, 3-6 pm • Paso Robles;Tue, 3-6 pm • Baywood/Los Osos; Mon, 2-4:30 pm • Templeton; Sat, 9am-12:30pm Fresh fruit, flowers & vegetables, 805-748-1109 ONGOING THIRD WEDNESDAYS Free Cooking Show at Idler’s Hospitality Catering Food samples, wine & entertainment featuring wineries and special guests 5:30pm, 805-238-7979, www.hospitalitycatering.net ONGOING Estrella Warbird Museum Collection of military aircrafts, Fri & Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 12-4pm 805-238-9317, www.ewarbirds.org ONGOING 15 Degrees C Wine Shop & Bar Templeton, 805-434-1554 • Wednesday; Happy Hour, $3 glasses of wine & beer, 5-7pm • Thursday; Food & Wine Pairing, $25, 5-7pm • Friday; Oyster Bar, Champagne, & Bubbles galore!!! Orders must be in by 7pm ONGOING Tastings at Meridian Winery 805-226-7133, www.meridianvineyards.com, open daily 10am-5pm • Limited Release Tasting-$5: A selection of five tasting room exclusive wines. Tasting fee refunded with wine purchase. • Cheese & Wine Pairing-$10: A selection of five tasting room exclusive wines paired with five gourmet cheeses from Vivant Fine Cheese of Paso Robles. Includes logo cheese board. • Chocolate & Wine Pairing-$10: A selection of four tasting room exclusive reds paired with four artisan dark chocolates by Scharffen Berger of Berkeley. Includes logo board. ONGOING SATURDAYS Live Music in the Tasting Room Enjoy great music, fantastic wines & great company at Eos. 12-3pm 805-239-2562, www.eosvintage.com • December 12: Mike Maguire • December 19: Unfiltered Jazz Trio

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ONGOING THROUGH DECEMBER Sculpture by Bob (Bart) Kerwin at Ortman Family Vineyards His work combines formed, plasma-cut and welded steel with marble, granite, glass and brass to create unique free-standing and wall-hung pieces. 805-237-9009, www.ortmanvineyards.com ONGOING THROUGH DECEMBER Art at the Castoro Cellars Winery Each month, the art gallery at Castoro Cellars Winery Tasting Room in Templeton exhibits artwork from local artists. In December, Castoro will be showing the work of Jennifer Hubbard. www.castorocellars.com, 888-DAM-FINE ONGOING THROUGH JANUARY 29 Over the Edge The Loft Gallery annouces the opening of a group exhibition. The show opens in the historic downtown of Paso Robles with an artists reception open to the general public. Featured wine poured by Sculptura Winery, music by Jacob O’Dell. 6-8:30pm, [email protected], 805-239-8152 DECEMBER 12 Holiday Open House at Eberle Winery Join the festivities with carolers, free appetizers and Gary’s famous barbecue. Their friendly elves in the Tasting Room will be happy to help you finish your shopping list with great ideas, free gift wrapping and pre-made or custom gift baskets. Please take a new, unwrapped toy as a donation to the Toy Bank of San Luis Obispo County. 12-4pm, 805-238-9607, www.EberleWinery.com DECEMBER 12 Holiday Open House at Eos Share in the holiday cheer with live holiday music at Eos. Warm up by their wood burning fireplace with a glass of Eos wine paired with gourmet foods www.eosvintage.com DECEMBER 12 Vine Street Victorian Christmas Showcase 8th to 21st Streets lined with beautiful Victorian homes, be-decked in the holiday charm of yesteryear. Storytellers, Scrooge, carolers, dancers, as well as Santa Claus. Visitors and locals stroll the streets greeting neighbors and friends for the holidays. Hot cider, coffee, popcorn, cookies, roasted chestnuts, candy canes & more. www.pasoroblesdowntown.org DECEMBER 13 Polar Express Reading at Sylvester Winery Their traditional holiday fundraiser for the Family Care Network. Serves foster and high-needs children and families on the Central Coast. Climb aboard Sylvester’s 1947 Pullman Train cars for the reading of the holiday classic. Then be whisked to the North Pole where Santa & Mrs. Claus will give out sleigh bells. Kids will be treated to hot chocolate & Christmas cookies. Adults will be treated to wine & cheese. $15 donation per person. Limited to 30 people. Kids with the best pajamas will win a prize. 805-227-4000 www.sylvesterwinery.com DECEMBER 17 Celebrations of Life Lecture Vineyard Water Management/Irrigation at Eos, featuring Lowell Valenski in the Meeting Room. Learn more about vineyard irrigation methods. 2-3pm Featured wines: Reserve French Connection & Late Harvest Moscato 805-239-2562, www.eosvintage.com DECEMBER 19 Victorian Teddy Bear Tea A delightful time for the little ones and those that simply love teddies www.pasoroblesdowntown.org DECEMBER 26 Wine & Cheese Flight on the Patio Taste Eos Reserve Wines paired with local gourmet cheeses. $10 per person 805-239-2562, www.eosvintage.com DECEMBER 31 Annual New Year's Eve Celebration at Robert Hall Winery Join them for their snazzy Casablanca themed New Year’s Eve Party!! The elegantly appropriate Moroccan dinner, catered by Catering Unlimited of SLO, will be paired with their luscious wines. After dinner, enjoy the tunes by Funk 30, 7pm-1am, $120. RSVP early Chelsey @ 805-239-1616 ext. 24 www.roberthallwinery.com, [email protected] DECEMBER 31 New Year’s Eve at Villa Valdemosa Enjoy an array of hot & cold gourmet appetizers, cheeses, fruits, veggies, red & white wines, beer, coffee, dessert, party favors, live music & dancing. Champagne toast at midnight, 9pm-1am, $90/couple. www.valdemosa.net, 805-237-0170

JANUARY 16-18 Esprit du Vin Celebrate the“Spirit of Wine”with the Wineries of Highway 46 East! Join a consortium of 10 wineries located along Highway 46 on the east side of Highway 101 in Paso Robles, California. You will find diverse wine tasting experiences, local accomodations and great restaurants all close by. $20, RSVP 800-838-3006 www.pasorobleswinerieseast.com, www.brownpapertickets.com JANUARY 16 Walking Tour: The View from Halter Ranch This walking tour of the vineyard with veteran hiker Leslie Wyss is the best way to see the spectacular views that Halter Ranch has to offer. Wear your walking shoes and bring your cameras and binoculars. Includes a picnic lunch with wine. 10am-1pm, $20, Club discounts apply, lunch included RSVP 888-367-9977, [email protected] JANUARY 18 Tour of Sustainably Farmed Halter Ranch Vineyard As part of the annual Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival, birding guide Roger Zachary teams up with Winegrower Mitch Wyss for a tour of Halter Ranch Vineyard. Every Martin Luther King weekend over 450 birders visit Morro Bay, a Globally Important Bird Area, to see, photograph and learn more about birds. The birding and vineyard tour will include an introduction to sustainable farming at Halter Ranch and a chance to see how vineyards protect wildlife habitat. Wine Tasting included. RSVP, www.morrobaybirdfestival.org JANUARY 23 SLOFolks presents Rosalie Sorrels at Castoro Cellars A rare opportunity to see a folk legend, in person, at this intimate venue. One critic described Rosalie Sorrels' singing voice as an instrument as mellow and finely aged as an antique viola. 7:30pm, $20pp, www.castorocellars.com [email protected], 888-DAM-FINE JANUARY 26 Food and Wine Seminar at Edna Valley Learn to work with ingredients that will showcase your favorite varietals and how to utilize characteristics in food that will allow you to balance the components found in wine. 805-544-5855 ext. 42, [email protected] JANUARY 29 – 31 Cambria Annual Art & Wine Festival • Friday opens the event with shopping deals, demonstrating artists and some wine tasting at local participating businesses. • Friday evening an Event Kick-Off Party offering wine & food pairing, entertainment, preview of the Art Show/SilentAuction and special raffle prize packages will be held at the Veterans' Hall. • Saturday offers Wine Tasting at the Veterans' Hall (west village) & the Cambria Historical Museum (east village), over 25 local wineries participating. In addition Saturday offers an Art Show/Silent Auction of local artists original creations and more opportunities for guests to acquire raffle tickets by visiting participating businesses throughout the village. • Saturday evening offers additional venues with artists, food and wine pairing and continued entertainment. • Sunday offers an Artist's Faire with demonstrating artists, wine tasting and a barbecue lunch available. Raffle drawings will be held at the end of the event on Sunday at the Artist's Faire. www.seecambria.com/artwine/ JANUARY 30 Barrel Tasting at Harmony Cellars Cambria, in conjunction with Cambria Art & Wine Festival. Learn more about the art of winemaking! Barrel tastes and chef prepared hors d'oeuvres. Hosted by Winemaker Chuck Mulligan. 5:30-7pm,$20/pp RSVP, www.harmonycellars.com, 805-927-1625 FEBRUARY 6 La Fête de la Chandeleur Crepe Making Workshop at Halter Ranch La Chandeleur is crêpe day in France. The tradition is to hold a coin in your writing hand and a crêpe pan in the other; then toss the crêpe in the air. If you manage to catch the crêpe, your family will enjoy prosperity for the rest of the year. Come celebrate la Chandeleur at with Wine Club Manager and Bordeaux native, Solène Christophe. She will share with you a very simple French crêpe recipe. You'll make lots of crêpes - savory crêpes with ham, cheese and eggs, sweet crêpes with jam, or chocolate and maybe ice cream on the top. $20/Club discounts apply - lunch included, RSVP 888-367-9977, [email protected]

WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK | CALENDAR OF EVENTS FEBRUARY 12-15 17 Far Out Wineries Partner for Charity The 17 Far Out Wineries of Paso Robles are partnering with the Wellness Community of the Central Coast for a fundraiser to help find‘Hope and Support’ for people with cancer and their families. Sample award-winning wines and enjoy VIP treatment as you travel. Activities planned exclusively for Passport holders include complimentary wine tasting at each winery, special barrel tasting, winery tours, new releases, food pairings and much more. $40 donation for a VIP Passport and a stamp at each winery you visit. After visiting 8 tasting rooms you will be entered into a final drawing for some terrific prizes! In addition, 5% of the weekend sales will be donated to the Wellness Community! Order your passports by February 9 and receive a discounted price of $35 by contacting Judy at Norman Vineyards, 805-237-0138 FEBRUARY 13 Valentine's Day Winemaker's Dinner at Opolo Vineyards When you’re looking for a romantic evening, they’ve got the perfect event. Five delicious courses paired with favorite Opolo wines. Live music, dancing and amazing fun. 6:30pm, $90/Wine Club Member, $110/Non-Member 805-238-9593, www.opolo.com FEBRUARY 13 Black Tie Valentines Dinner in the Caves at Eberle Winery Join them for a romantic candlelight dinner in the caves. $150/person $120/Cellar Club members. RSVP Sheri Kennedy 805-238-9607 www.EberleWinery.com FEBRUARY 13 Valentines Day Dinner with Chef Charles Paladin Wayne at Halter Ranch Victorian Farmhouse This beautiful dinner celebrates love, chocolate and red wine! The ambience, the company and the wine all combine to make this an evening to remember. Limited to 20 guests. 6pm, $95, Club discounts apply, RSVP 888-367-9977 [email protected], www.halterranch.com FEBRUARY 14 Rhone Rangers Regional Chapter Seminar, Lunch, Grand Tasting & Silent Auction Vina Robles, $75/seminar, lunch and grand tasting: $25/walk around tasting only. Sells out, RSVP 805-227-4812, www.vinarobles.com • Seminar 10:30am-12pm: Each winery panelist will pour one special wine for discussion and tasting. • A catered lunch at 12pm • Walk around tasting 1:30-3:30pm: Each winery will pour up to four of their best wines for your tasting pleasure! FEBRUARY 14 Happy Valentine’s Day at Jada Nothing’s better than romance and wine a little chocolate to boot! New releases and old favorites paired with gourmet cheeses and chocolates. Special vertical tasting of 2005/2006 & 2007 Jack of Hearts! Enjoy Jada wines while taking in the breathtaking views from the tasting room or deck. Give the gift of wine to someone you love! www.jadavineyard.com, 805-226-4200 FEBRUARY 14 Wedding Celebrations at Edna Valley Celebrating Edna Valley Vineyard's 30th Anniversary, they are offering 30% off all ceremonies that are performed on Valentine's Day. Starting at noon they will begin individual ceremonies. At 6pm they will host one group ceremony. Contact 805-544.5855 ext. 42, [email protected]

CAYUCOS & MORRO BAY

JANUARY 21 Harmony Cellars Winemaker Dinner At Cass House Restaurant. A wonderful four course gourmet winter supper with wine. 6:30pm, $98, RSVP 805-927-1625, www.harmonycellars.com

SAN LUIS OBISPO ONGOING Hearst Castle Tours Led by an experience guide, tour Hearst Castle and encounter first-hand the majesty and beauty of this historical treasure. 800-444-4445, www.hearstcastle.org ONGOING EVERY FRIDAY Tapas at Tolosa Start the weekend enjoying four tapas from Corner View Restaurant paired with four reserve wines, 5:30-7:30pm. Located in the Heritage Room. $25 $20/Heritage Club members, [email protected], 805-782-0500 x10 ONGOING SATURDAYS Wine & Cheese Pairings at Tolosa Vineyards In the Heritage Room, four estate wines are paired with four artisan cheeses from around the world. 11am-3pm, 805-782-0500, www.tolosawinery.com ONGOING SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS Reserve Flight Tastings at Tolosa Vineyards In the Heritage Room. Flights will vary from Pinot Noir flights to Rhone style wines or even a vertical tasting of library wines. $20, $15/Heritage Club members, 805-782-0500 x10, [email protected] ONGOING The San Luis Obispo Art Center Permanent collection & constantly rotating exhibits of works by local artists in all media – paintings, sculpture, photography & more. 11am-5pm daily except Tuesdays, 805-543-8562, www.sloartcenter.org ONGOING WEEKENDS Music at Mother’s Tavern Upscale tavern with entertainment, check for schedules 805-541-8733, www.motherstavern.com ONGOING SECOND SUNDAY Dallidet Adobe & Gardens Oldest house in the city of San Luis Obispo. Site of first commercial winery in the area. 1-4pm, 805-543-0638, www.slochs.org/dallidet ONGOING FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH Art Gallery Events “Art After Dark” Various art galleries stay open late & host artist receptions with wine & cheese 6-9pm, Downtown San Luis Obispo , 805-544-9251, www.sloartcouncil.org DECEMBER 17 Holiday in the Vineyards Extended holiday hours for last minute shopping. Enjoy great wines, snacks, games and good company! Participating wineries in the Edna Valley will be open late and offering special discounts and tastings: Holiday in the Vineyards at Claiborne & Churchill Extended holiday hours for all of your last minute shopping. Enjoy great wines, snacks, games and good company! 11am-7pm 805-544-4066, www.claibornechurchill.com Holiday in the Vineyards at Tolosa What's better than the gift of wine? Explore the wineries of San Luis Obispo as they stay open late for holiday shopping, wine tasting and tasty treats. 11am-7pm, 805-782-0500, www.tolosawinery.com Holiday in the Vineyards at Laetitia Extended holiday hours for all of your last minute shopping. Enjoy great wines, snacks, games and good company! 11am-7pm 805-481-1772, www.laetitiawine.com

ONGOING SECOND FRIDAY OF THE MONTH Morro Bay Embarcadero Art Walk Spend an enjoyable evening touring the many Art Galleries along the waterfront on the Embarcadero in beautiful Morro Bay. Sample great food and wine and converse with the artists. Open late till 8pm, 805-772-9955, morrobay.org

JANUARY 26 Food and Wine Seminar at Edna Valley Learn to work with ingredients that will showcase your favorite varietals and how to utilize characteristics in food that will allow you to balance the components found in wine. 805-544.5855 ext. 42, [email protected]

ONGOING SATURDAYS Fishermen & Farmers’ Market in Morro Bay Fresh seasonal produce, crafts & musicians, 3-6pm, 800-231-0592

JANUARY 30 Crab & Chardonnay Fetê with Tolosa Tolosa Winery and Cracked Crab of Pismo Beach will join forces once again to present the 5th Anniversary of the Crab & Chardonnay Dinner. A five course dinner, complete with fresh oysters, King crab appetizers, crab cakes, mussels, salad, crab bisque, the famous "bucket" of crab, sausage & potatoes and their decadent key lime pie. Three top-rated Chardonnays, along with other specially selected wines. This event is guaranteed to sell out, so buy tickets early. 6pm $100 Wine Club/$120 Non-Members, 805-782-0500, www.tolosawinery.com

ONGOING Winemaker Dinners at Hoppe’s Join Chef Bill Hoppe as he celebrates his passion for food and wine with Winemaker Dinners featuring California's best wine producers and Chef Hoppe's personalized cooking classes featuring beautiful combinations of local and exotic foods. 805-995-1006, www.hoppesbistro.com

FEBRUARY 14 Wedding Celebrations at Edna Valley Celebrating Edna Valley Vineyard's 30th Anniversary, they are offering 30% off all ceremonies that are performed on Valentine's Day. Starting at noon they will begin individual ceremonies. At 6pm they will host one group ceremony. Contact 805-544.5855 ext. 42, [email protected]

PISMO BEACH/SHELL BEACH SUNDAYS DECEMBER 6 – JANUARY 31 A Murder Mystery Dinner Golden Girls: The Curse of Jessica Fletcher Dinner, wine & laughter, Spyglass Restaurant, Shell Beach, Sundays, 5pm 805-489-3875, www.murderinmind.com ONGOING THROUGH JANUARY The Monarch Migration The Monarch Butterfly Grove is located at the Pismo State Beach - North Beach Campground. A favorite area for the butterflies to winter. From November to February docents are on hand everyday from 10am-4pm. Docent talks on Monarchs every day at 11am- 2pm. www.ccnha.org, 805-489-2684 ONGOING Local Wine Tasting Tuesday, Live Music & Complimentary Appetizers At Lido Restaurant The Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa, 5:30-6:30pm, $12 RSVP 805-773-8900, www.thedolphinbay.com • December 8: Rancho Arroyo Grande • December 15: Halter Ranch Vineyard • December 22:Ancient Peaks Winery • December 29: Zaca Mesa Winery ONGOING FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH Art in the Park at Dinosaur Caves Art, crafts, children’s activities, music & more. Pismo Beach, 10am-4pm 805-704-8128, www.pismochamber.com

AVILA BEACH ONGOING SUNDAYS Art on the Beach at Avila Beach Artists paint & present their work, 10am, 805-238-4103, Avila Beach Pier ONGOING Wood Winery has moved! Great wines and an oceanfront view on 480 Fronts Street. 805-595-9663 http://wildwoodwine.com

ARROYO GRANDE ONGOING Hopping Good Time at the SLO Down Pub Open mic Mondays and everything else from blues to bluegrass. See the whole calendar of events at www.slodownpub.com/event_calendar.shtml ONGOING SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS Visit Historic Buildings in Arroyo Grande Sat 12-3pm, Sun 1-4pm, 805-473-5077, www.arroyograndevillage.org ONGOING THROUGH DECEMBER A Village Christmas Enjoy fairyland of lights throughout the Village every night. Santa strolls through the streets daily. www.arroyograndevillage.org ONGOING SATURDAYS Arroyo Grande Farmers’ Market Farm Fresh Produce & Flowers, Art Show and Live Entertainment in the Arroyo Grande City Hall Parking Lot at 215 East Branch Street. 12-2:30pm 805-473-2250, www.arroyograndevillage.org ONGOING WEDNESDAYS Ice Cream Creating ~ a family affair! The Doc Burnsteins Ice Cream Lab Show is a live performance that involves the whole audience! Live performances every Wednesday. 7pm, Invent a brand new flavor and watch it being made! 805-474-4068, www.docburnsteins.com DECEMBER 11 Mermaid Designs Jewelry Party at Phantom Rivers Winery Enjoy wine tasting while checking out Sara's line of handcrafted one of a kind jewelry. 5-8pm, 805-481-WINE, www.phantomrivers.com DECEMBER 18 Photography by Paul Foutz at Phantom Rivers Winery Meet the artist Friday evening from 5pm-8pm. See Paul's beautiful photography while enjoying great wines. 805-481-WINE, www.phantomrivers.com

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS | WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK ONGOING Art at Artiste Winery Each quarter, Artiste releases two new wines with impressionist painted labels from the brushes of their featured artist. 805-686-2626, www.artiste.com

ONGOING Ty Warner Sea Center Explore creatures of the sea at Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Stearns Wharf, www.sbnature.org/seacenter

ONGOING SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS Santa Maria Valley Railway Historical Museum Lots of fun including a train simulator exhibit. 1-4:30pm 805-714-4927, www.smvrhm.org/museum

ONGOING Glider Rides at the Airport 805-688-2517, Santa Ynez, www.gliderides.com

ONGOING Lectures & Readings at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum 805-962-8404, Santa Barbara, www.sbmm.org

ONGOING Friday Night Wine Down at Costa de Oro Great way to start your weekend! Enjoy live music, wine tasting, and cheese plates. 4:30-7:30pm, 805-922-1468, www.cdowinery.com • Dec.11 Mike Dean - The Dean of Guitar! • Dec.18 Mark Owens - Instrumental Guitar

ONGOING FRIDAYS Olde Towne Market in Lompoc Food wine & music in the summer months 805-736-4567, www.lompocrecord.com

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SANTA MARIA/FOXEN CANYON

LOS OLIVOS ONGOING FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH Wildling Art Museum - Free Friday Flicks Free movie & snacks with discussion, 7pm 805-688-1082, www.wildlingmuseum.org ONGOING WEDNESDAYS Evening with the Winemaker $15, 805-688-7265, 5-6pm, www.losolivoscafe.com ONGOING THURSDAYS Understanding Your Palate at Los Olivos Café Wine tasting & hors d’oeuvres, 5pm, $15 805-688-7265, www.losolivoscafe.com ONGOING SATURDAYS Global Gardens Organic Food Tasting Enjoy delicious organic tastings. 11am-5pm daily, $3 805-693-1600, www.globalgardensgifts.com ONGOING THROUGH JANUARY 31 “A Little of This, a Little of That” at Carina Cellars Royanna Robertson’s first show at Carina Cellars’Los Olivos Tasting Room was such a success last year that she is back again. Her watercolors display a range of landscapes, still life portraits, animals and California historical landmarks. She will also be displaying montage photographs, her jewelry and wineglass charms, available year-round. 805-688-2459, www.carinacellars.com DECEMBER 9 The Bench Holiday Open House Introducing the new Byron Cuvee wines. Music, appetizers & a special guest in The Bench Tasting Room. 6-8pm, $10, Wine Club/Complimentary RSVP 805-938-1537, [email protected]

SANTA YNEZ ONGOING THURSDAYS, FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS Dancing at Maverick Saloon Dance lessons, live country western or rock & roll. 6:45pm, check web for schedule of entertainers. 805-686-4785, www.mavericksaloon.org ONGOING Santa Ynez Valley Historical Society Museum & Parks - Janeway Carriage House Exhibits from Chumash period through early 20th century ranch day, 12-4pm 805-688-7889, www.santaynezvalleymuseum.org ONGOING Saturdays - Cachuma Lake Nature Walk Naturalists lead one mile walk for all ages, Oak Canyon Trail, 10-11:30am Weekends -Cachuma Lake Wildlife Cruise Guided 2-hour cruise with wildlife & geology. $7 for 12 & under, $15 over 12 Junior Ranger Program Kids learn about wildlife, ecosystems & caring for the environment 12:30-1:30pm $2 per child Many other children & adult friendly programs! Cachuma Lake Nature Center Santa Ynez Park, 805-693-0691, www.cachuma.com

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LOMPOC/BUELLTON

ONGOING Downtown Santa Barbara Various venues for art exhibits, cultural events & fine wine tasting, plus festival and holiday events. 805-962-2098, www.santabarbaradowntown.com

DECEMBER 19 Tasting at Foley in Lompoc Sample estate produced Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, while enjoying a complimentary tasting from Los Olivos Olive Oil Co. Jeff Feeley, owner, treats guests to tastings of his wonderful products, including artisanal Olive Oils, Balsamic Vinegars, Bread Dippers and the latest hit of French fries with Black Truffle Oil. 10:30am-4pm, 805-737-6222, www.foleywines.com DECEMBER 12-13 Open House at Ken Brown Wines Come taste with Ken and Deborah and learn about the vineyards of Sta. Rita Hills and Santa Maria Valley! 11am - 4pm www.sbcountywines.com/wineries/pages/kenbrown.html

SOLVANG ONGOING Quicksilver Miniature Horse Farm Visit Solvang horse farm with beautiful views. They do not offer petting pens or rides in the cart, but you are able to get up close and personal with the miniature horse.10am–3pm, 805-686-4002, http://www.syv.com/qsminis/ ONGOING WEDNESDAYS Solvang Farmers Market Fresh produce, flowers & foods, on First Street, between Mission Drive and Copenhagen, 4-7pm, 805-962-5354, www.sbfarmersmarket.org

ONGOING Santa Barbara Museum of Art Check site for hours and exhibits. 805-963-4364, www.sbma.net ONGOING Planetarium Shows at Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History 805-682-4711, www.sbnature.org Saturdays and Sundays • 11am : Twinkle, Twinkle for Little Stars • Noon: Cosmic Safari • 1pm: Exploring the Fall Sky • 2pm: Earth's Wild Ride • 3pm: Exploring the Fall Sky (in Spanish on Sundays) ONGOING C‘est Cheese Stop for lunch, wine, cheese and chocolate. They’re starting to ramp up their selection, bringing in new and delicious cheeses, wines, and various treats for all to enjoy. 825 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara, 805-965-0318 DECEMBER 11-13 Christmas Revels: in Celebration of the Winter Solstice Santa Barbara Revels presents their 2009 production of “The King and the Fool” at the Marjorie Luke Theatre features medieval traditions in music, dance, drama and ritual. Join them and be joyous! December 11-12, 7:30pm December 13, 3pm Tickets: $12-$35, 805 963-0761, lobero.com For more information, call 805-565-9357 or visit santabarbararevels.org

ONGOING Elverhoj Museum of History & Art Showcases Solvang’s rich cultural history. Former residence of one of Solvang's most artistic families, now a community museum devoted to the history of Solvang, the colorful heritage and pioneer spirit of Denmark, and the arts. 1-4pm Wed-Thur, 12-4pm Fri-Sun, 805-686-1211, www.elverhoj.org

DECEMBER 12 Santa's Starry Ride 7:30 & 8:30pm, tickets are required for Evening Exclusive presentations and are available at the Planetarium door. Members $3; non-members $6 805-682-4711, www.sbnature.org

ONGOING Hans Christian Andersen Museum Honoring the multi-talented Danish father of the modern fairy tale, is filled with copies of Andersen’s books, sketches, paper cutouts, silhouettes and collages. 10am-5pm daily, www.solvangusa.com

VENTURA COUNTY

ONGOING Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum Houses a collection of vintage and rare motorcycles as well as European race bikes. The museum rotates some of the bikes each month so that the bikes on display are constantly changing and expanding. Weekends 11am-5pm and by appointment mid-week. 805-686-9522, www.motosolvang.com

ONGOING Museum of Ventura County Photographs, publications, documents & exhibits depicting Ventura County’s history. 10am-5pm, 805-653-0323, www.venturamuseum.org ONGOING Ventura County Maritime Museum An enriching museum experience based on maritime history ranging from ancient mariners to the modern marine era. Educational programs through world-class maritime art, unique ship models, dynamic exhibits, artifacts and a nautical research. 11am-5pm, 805-984-6260, Oxnard

SANTA BARBARA ONGOING SUNDAYS Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show For 44 years featuring all types of art, crafts & jewelry with 200+ artists and craftsman. East Beach Pier, 10am–dusk, 805-897-1982,www.sbaacs.com ONGOING FRIDAYS Wine Tasting at East Beach Wine Hosted by a winemaker, winery owner or wine broker. 8 -10 wines to taste. 4-7pm, contact for current host listing. 805-691-1020, www.eastbeachwine.com ONGOING University of California, Santa Barbara Arts & Lectures Check their website for events. 805-893-3535, www.arts&lectures.ucsb.edu ONGOING SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS Downtown Walking Tours Guided stroll - experience Santa Barbara’s past. Saturday tour historic areas and Sunday 20th century architecture. $10, [email protected], 805-965-6307

ONGOING SATURDAYS Tour Ojai Olive Oil at Asquith Farm Begins outside with the history of the grove, an explanation of the olive varieties, their maturing process, the harvesting & a visit to the tree nursery. Share the adventure of producing premium-quality olive oils. 10am-3pm Mon-Fri by appointment. 805-701-3825, www.ojaioliveoil.com

Email your upcoming event information to [email protected] For best results, submit information at least 6 weeks prior to your event.

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Wineology

INTELLIGENCE FOR THE WINE CONSUMER

by Len Napolitano

Is ‘white wine with fish, red wine with meat’ still the rule when pairing food with wine? For some people, the task of pairing wine with food becomes a study in the seemingly unlimited complexities of wine and food anatomy. However, the simple rule of pairing white wines with fish and red wines with meat serves as a good starting point for anyone who enjoys wine with their meals. Of course, you can feel free to break this golden rule and still create a great food-and-wine experience. Two of my

favorite exceptions to this rule are salmon with Pinot Noir, and pork with Chardonnay. When choosing a wine that matches well with food, rule number one is that your own personal wine preference overrides all other rules. So, if you absolutely love Merlot, and only Merlot, even with the most delicate fish dish, then go ahead and drink it regardless of what you are eating. If, however, you want to experience a marriage between food and wine that in some cases can be described as heavenly, it may be worthwhile to precede your decision on wine with some consideration for this golden rule of wine and food pairing and a couple of subsequent steps that can bring you closer to wine-pairing nirvana. After applying the first stage of wine and food pairing – deciding on whether to have a red or white wine – you get to the next decision point – matching a full bodied wine with a robust dish or a light wine with a delicate dish. Finally, if you really want to get into the nitty-gritty of wine and food pairing, you can then match the flavors in a wine with the dominant flavors in the dish (or sauce) either because there is a shared component between them or because there is a complementary contrast between them. In some cases, the structure of a wine – its crisp acidity, for example, or its dry, tannic backbone – are features to also consider in the decision. There are some food and wine pairings that are considered as classic marriages. These include steak with Cabernet Sauvignon, lamb with Merlot, scallops with Chardonnay, caviar with sparkling wine, or sweet Port-style dessert wine with Stilton cheese. Except for the last example, these pairings follow the rule of red wine with meat, white wine with fish. But they all match the robustness of the wine with the food. They also are built upon the marriage of either similar or contrasting flavors that complement each other on the palate and make for a rich wine and culinary experience.

Len Napolitano lives in Sonoma Wine Country and is certified in wine by the Society of Wine Educators, Wine & Spirits Education Trust and Chicago Wine School and continually gains knowledge from his frequent contact with California winemakers. More information is on his website, www.wineology.com. Send your questions about wine to: [email protected] or by mail to Len Napolitano in care of Wine Country This Week magazine. Wineology is a registered trademark of Len Napolitano.

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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK : CENTRAL COAST

Celebrate Esprit du Vin, the “Spirit of Wine” With Highway 46 East Wineries, Jan.16-18 Join all 9 wineries of Highway 46 East for fabulous wines and scrumptious bites Come gather for an amazing weekend celebrating the collective spirit and enthusiasm of the Wineries of Highway 46 East in Paso Robles. The 8th annual Esprit du Vin event weekend is scheduled for January 1618, 2010. This exciting weekend consists of several special events including a wine, cheese and olive oil tasting with all

participating wineries Saturday evening and a complementary ‘Wineries of Highway 46 East’ tasting passport to be used all weekend long. Completed passports will be entered into a drawing for fantastic Wine Country prizes!

Saturday night, January 16 – Celebrate Esprit du Vin, the “Spirit of Wine” at Firestone Vineyard, 5-7pm Nine wineries will gather at the beautiful Firestone Vineyard Tasting Room in Paso Robles for an exciting night of wine and cheese. Wines will be expertly paired with different gourmet cheeses. Stroll around and savor each pairing! Gourmet olives, olive oils, breads and bites will also be served. Tickets are $20 per person, $35 for couples, plus tax. For reservations and information, visit the website at www.pasorobleswinerieseast.com or contact Brown Paper Tickets at 1-800-838-3006 or order online at www.brownpapertickets.com. You can also purchase tickets by calling Firestone Vineyard at (805) 591-8050. Firestone Vineyards is located at 2300 Airport Road, off Highway 46 East, in Paso Robles. The Wineries of Highway 46 East is a consortium of wineries located along Highway 46 on the east side of Highway 101 in Paso Robles. Member wineries include: Bianchi, Chumeia Vineyards, Eberle Winery, EOS Estate Winery, Firestone Vineyard, Martin & Weyrich, Meridian, Sylvester Winery and Tobin James Cellars.

Eberle Winery Experience fabulous wine in a friendly atmosphere. Enjoy complimentary wine tasting, explore more than 16,000 square feet of underground caves or enjoy a relaxing picnic lunch on the deck overlooking the Estate vineyard. 2009 will mark 30 years of fine winemaking at Eberle!

Firestone Vineyard Come taste the limited, Paso Robles grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. They also offer a diverse selection of wines to satisfy almost anyone’s palate. Conveniently located on Hwy 46 East, the winery features four acres of estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon as well as a spacious tasting room with unique gifts and gourmet foods. This is a perfect place for an impromptu picnic in our terraced gardens.

Sylvester Winery The spacious tasting room offers hospitality, hand-crafted wines to taste and a gourmet foods shop. Enjoy the expansive views of the vineyards and nearby mountain range with a picnic basket or with a sampling of the large assortment of gourmet meats and cheeses. Explore the classic railcars on display, including two vintage Pullman sleepers and a dining car.

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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK : CENTRAL COAST

ZAP Festival Celebrates Zin in Paradise The 19th Annual Zinfandel Advocates & Producers Festival takes place January 28-30, 2010, in San Francisco. The festival will “headline” Chef Beverly Gannon, one of the founders of “Hawai‘i regional cuisine.” Chef Gannon is the proprietor of Maui’s world famous Hali‘imaile General Store and possibly the most well-known chef in Hawaii. She will develop the “Hawai‘i regional cuisine” menu for Dinner With The Winemakers as well as prepare a signature Hawaiian dish for Good Eats & Zinfandel Pairing; she will also be visible throughout the three days of the festival and her new cookbook, Home Style Meals at The Hali‘imaile General Store, will be for sale. To order tickets by phone, call (530) 274-4900; tickets can be purchased online at www.zinfandel.org. The ZAP Festival will include more than 200 Zinfandel-specialist wineries from all across California pouring their barrel samples and new releases for over 10,000 enthusiasts during three days at four separate events. There will be silent auctions during three events – Good Eats & Zinfandel Pairing, The Grand Zinfandel Tasting, and Evening with the Winemakers; proceeds support ZAP’s Heritage Vineyard projects. Good Eats & Zinfandel Pairing takes place on January 28, 6 to 9 p.m. at Fort Mason Center (Marina Blvd. at Buchanan, San Francisco 94123). Approximately 50 restaurants will pair with wineries. Tickets are $125 for non-ZAP members, $95 for ZAP members. A list of the participants can be found on the website at www.zinfandel.org/default.asp?n1=14&n2=472&member=. Some tickets may be available at the door, but it is recommended to buy tickets in advance. Some of the Good Eats participants are Acorn Winery/Alegria Vineyards with Zin Restaurant & Bar, Alderbrook Winery, Artezin Wines with Knickerbockers’ Catering, B.R. Cohn Winery with Preferred Sonoma Caterers, Barefoot Cellars with Sonoma Cake Creations, Barefoot Cellars ‘2’, Barnard Griffin Winery, Blaauwklippen Vineyards with Radio Africa Kitchen, D-Cubed Cellars, Deep Purple Winery, Dogwood Cellars, Dry Creek Vineyard with The Peasant & The Pear, Edmeades Winery, Four Vines Winery, Gnarly Head Cellars, Grgich Hills Estate, Guglielmo Winery, Hartford Family Winery, J. Rickards Winery & Vineyards, John Tyler, Klinker Brick Winery, Marr Cellars, Mounts Family Winery, Outpost Estate Wines with Mustard’s Grill, Murphy-Goode, Peachy Canyon Winery with Hali‘imaile General Store, Peirano Estate Vineyards, R& B Cellars, Rancho Zabaco Winery, Ravenswood, Ridge Vineyards with Lark Creek Steak, Rockwall Wine Company with Angela’s Bistro, Rosenblum Cellars with Miss Pearl’s Jam House, Saddleback Cellars, Sausal Winery with EOS Restaurant & Wine Bar, Scott Harvey Wines, Sextant Wines, St. Amant Winey with A Chef For You, St. Francis Winery & Vineyard, Terra d’OroTrinchero Family Estates with Taste, Three Wine Company with Hali‘imaile General Store, Tin Barn Vineyards, Van Ruiten Family

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Winery and Z-52. Flights: A Showcase of Zinfandels, a seated tasting with in-depth seminars focusing on limitedproduction Zinfandels, takes place on January 29 from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., at The InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel’s Peacock Court [1 Nob Hill, San Francisco, 94108, (415) 291-9020]. Topics will include the role of blending and regional variation in the world of Zinfandel. Tickets for non-ZAP members are $80; for ZAP members, $65. Tickets are available only in advance and not at the door. Evening With The Winemakers: A Benefit Live Auction & Dinner, takes place on January 29 beginning with a reception-tasting at 5 p.m., at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco [1 Nob Hill, San Francisco, 94108, (415) 291-9020]. Tickets are $260 for non-members and $210 for ZAP members, available only in advance and not at the door. Participating wineries are Alderbrook Winery, Artezin Wines, Cakebread Cellars, Charter Oak Winery, D-Cubed Cellars, Dogwood Cellars, Edmeades Winery, Four Vines Winery, JR Wines, Mazzocco Winery, Peachy Canyon Winery, Ravenswood, Ridge Vineyards, Robert Biale Vineyards, Rosenblum Cellars, Saddleback Cellars, St. Francis Winery, Starry Night Winery, Terra d’Oro-Trinchero Family Estates and Three Wine Company. Updates are at www.zinfandel.org/default.asp?n1=14&n2=473&member= The reception will include the opportunity to taste, for the first time, the 2008 Heritage Vineyard Zinfandel (made from ZAP’s experimental vineyard by Tom Mackey of St. Francis Vineyards & Winery). Guests will then enjoy a feast prepared by ZAP’s celebrity chef, Beverly Gannon; guests are seated with a winemaker host at their table. Proceeds from the silent and live auctions benefit ZAP’s Heritage Projects, preserving the historical and viticultural significance of America’s heritage wine. The 19th Annual Grand Zinfandel Tasting takes place on January 30 from 2 until 5 p.m. at the Festival and Herbst Pavilions at Fort Mason (Marina Blvd. at Buchanan, San Francisco 94123). Tickets for non-ZAP members are $59; for ZAP members, $49. A list of the 200+ participating wineries can be found at on the website at www.zinfandel.org/default.asp?n1=14&n2=474&member=. There will be a silent auction based at the Festival Pavilion from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., benefiting ZAP’s Heritage Projects. Participating wineries: www.zinfandel.org/default.asp?n1=14&n2=474&member=. “The world of Zinfandel is full of surprises and out-of-the-box thinking,” says Rebecca Robinson, ZAP’s Executive Director. “Since Zinfandel lovers are always looking for new adventures, we anticipate that Chef Gannon’s headlining the Festival will energize wineries and attendees alike,” Ms. Robinson adds. Visit zinfandel.org, zinworld.org to join in the enormous online world of Zinfandel lore and socializing or join that conversation at Twitter (http://twitter.com/ZinfandelOrg), Facebook (Facebook/ZAPZinfandel.

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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK’S

WINE COUNTRY SPOTLIGHT

M A M A’ S M E AT B A L L One pretty reliable way to find out just how good the food at a local restaurant is, is to ask somebody in the restaurant business. Ask a bartender, a waiter, anyone in fact, what they think of Mama’s meatballs in San Luis Obispo and their lips begin to quiver, their eyes roll towards the heavens, they sigh; that is how good Mama’s Meatball is. Set in a small courtyard off of one of the town’s main streets, in a place called the Old Creamery, Mama’s Meatball is actually divided in two. On the right is the take-out where people line up to get their orders of meatballs and more. To the left, fronted by a huge-trunked tree and a water fountain, is the intimate restaurant with it’s mural of the Mediterranean across the back. Meatballs aside, the restaurant, under owner and chef Nicola Allegretta, offers a wide range of authentic Italian dishes, many of them now available in smaller sizes as well, a bow to the economy and his customer’s wishes. Among them are half a dozen soups, a long list of salads (including grilled salmon and a refreshing pear and gorgonzola), some wonderful antipasto choices, both hot and cold paninis (including, of course, one made with meatballs), more pasta dishes than there is space here to share (though the Ravioli di Pollo all Vodka – homemade ravioli filled with chicken and served in a vodka sauce – cannot go unmentioned). There is also a heady selection of meat and fish dishes as well as any number of traditional and specialty pizzas (now available in two sizes) and some far too-tempting desserts. Mama’s Meatball is open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day except Sunday. They are located in the Old Creamery plaza at 570 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo. They are also known for their very popular catering services, which work with groups (including weddings) of every type and size. Their telephone number is (805) 544-0861 and they are on the Internet at www.MamasMeatball.com. Watch for their new location opening the first week in April at 325 Pier Avenue, in Oceano; (805) 473-2383.

C AYUCOS

SAN LUIS OBISPO MAMA'S MEATBALL Fine Italian Restaurant and Catering Mama's Meatball has specialized in creating seasonal menus by using only the finest and freshest ingredients. 570 Higuera St. Suite 130-135 www.mamasmeatball.com 805-544-0861

HOPPE’S GARDEN BISTRO & WINE SHOP The most highly acclaimed restaurant and Wine Shop on the Central Coast. Recognized for Chef Wilhelm Hoppe’s seasonally inspired menu, hand-selected wine list with a beautiful garden and historical setting. Offering a wide range of menu items - from wild game to prime meats and vegetarian/vegan items. 78 N. Ocean Avenue • Wednesday-Sunday 11am-10pm www.hoppesbistro.com • 805.995.1006

AT A S C A D E R O

NOVO RESTAURANT NOVO’s international flavors are the leading ingredients in an exotic dining experience. Brazilian, Mediterranean and Asian flavors awaken the senses. In house roasted spices for curries, mixtures and marinades balanced with crisp, seasonal vegetables and savory meats. Explore. 726 Higuera Street • Open Daily from 11am 805-543-3986 • www.novorestaurant.com

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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK: CENTRAL COAST

‘Step Back in Time’ on Vine Street in Paso Robles This year the 23rd Annual Vine Street Victorian Christmas Showcase will be held on Saturday evening, December 12, from 6 to 9 p.m. It will start on 21st Street with the Paso Robles High School Bearcat Marching Band opening the evening’s festivities. Vine Street (one of the first residential streets in Paso Robles with many vintage Victorian homes) is blocked to car traffic from 8th Street to 21st Street. Within this 13block area all of the homes, offices and schools are beautifully decorated and lit. Many of the homes have entertainment such as choirs, storytellers, bands, Scrooge, the Snow King & Queen, Santa’s elves, etc. on their lawns or porches – and a mountain of snow for sliding and playing. There is a Santa Claus House with Santa to meet the children and throughout the route there are people giving away hot cider, hot chocolate, cookies, roasted chestnuts and popcorn. In addition there are strolling groups of carolers and people in costumes from times past.

This is a very special “Christmas Present” from the Vine Street neighbors, friends and businesses, the El Paso de Robles Area Historical Society and the City of Paso Robles. It takes many different people and organizations to make this celebration come

together. In addition to the individual neighbors and businesses the following participate: Dancers, choirs, high school marching band, and schools. For further information, call Norma Moye, chairman, at (805) 238-4103.

19th Annual Victorian Teddy Bear Tea On Saturday, December 19, the Downtown Paso Robles Main Street Association will host the 19th Annual Victorian Teddy Bear Tea for the children of Paso Robles. Children bring their favorite teddy bears – often in spectacular costumes – to the Teddy Bear Tea, which will be held at the Paso Robles Golf Club (1600 Country Club Dr., Paso Robles) from 2 to 4 p.m. Seating is limited. Tickets include all the fun, tea (juice) and cookies, and a commemorative tea cup and saucer. Tickets may be purchased for $7 per child and $13 per adult from the Main Street office at 835 12th St., #D, Paso Robles, CA 93446 (in the Norma’s Way alley). Parents must purchase a ticket for themselves if they wish to accompany their child. Special guests attending the Teddy Bear Tea will be the Snow Queen and King, Santa, Mrs. Claus, the mischievous elves, and Victorian Friends. Each ticket holder will receive a tea cup for a souvenir. For more information, call the Downtown Paso Robles Main Street at (805) 238-4103.

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P erfect P airs

by Len Napolitano

2006 Hearthstone Profundo Perfectly Paired with Orechiette Pasta, Sausage, Peppers & Feta It is fitting that a winery whose name refers to the part of a traditional home that keeps its residents warm would create a wine and food pairing perfect for warming up the body on a chilly day. The hearth, a stone fireplace used for heating or cooking, is the inspiration for Paso Robles-based Hearthstone Vineyard and Winery, whose recipe for Orechiette Pasta with Sausage, Peppers and Feta is married with their 2006 Profundo, a robust and aromatic blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. This wine falls under the category of Super Tuscan, a style of wine that takes the traditional grape of the Tuscany region of Italy – Sangiovese – and joins it with other red grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah or even Zinfandel. In the case of the 2006 Profundo by Hearthstone, it’s rich flavor and power stand up well to the Italian sausage, red bell peppers, kalamata olives and feta cheese included in this lively dish. Surprisingly, the beauty of this blend of grapes of Italian and French origin is its versatility. Sangiovese is generally acknowledged to be a food-friendly wine. Its balance of acidity and fruit work well with a variety of dishes. In Profundo, the added Cabernet Sauvignon contributes a tannic structure for mouthfeel and longevity, while Syrah delivers a bold and ripe fruitiness. It will impress anyone who enjoys a deeply flavored wine of depth, and apparently some wine critics, as well – Profundo recently won a “Critics Gold” recognition at the 2009 Critics Challenge International Wine Competition. Hearthstone Vineyard and Winery issued its first release in 2003 and opened a new tasting room last summer, boasting incredible

views and a picnic area. They make hand-crafted wine from estategrown grapes from the relatively cooler Templeton Gap region. Be sure to visit their rustic winery and tasting room and enjoy the variety of wines that warm the heart and soul. There’s a $7 tasting fee per person, complimentary with a two-bottle purchase.

Open 11am to 5pm Thursday to Monday 5070 Vineyard Drive, Templeton 805 238-2544 • www.hearthstonevineyard.com

ORECHIETTE PASTA WITH SAUSAGE, PEPPERS AND FETA • 8 ounces uncooked orecchiette (“little ear” pasta; about 2 cups) • 1 teaspoon olive oil • 3 cups (1/4-inch-thick) slices red bell pepper, each cut in half crosswise • 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided • 8 ounces turkey Italian sausage • 1 teaspoon dried oregano • 1 garlic clove, minced • 3/4 cup (3 ounces) crumbled feta cheese • 1/4 cup sliced pitted kalamata olives • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

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Cook the orecchiette according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain the pasta in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bell pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt; sauté 2 minutes. Remove casings from the sausage. Add sausage, oregano and garlic to pan; cook 4 minutes or until sausage is done, stirring to crumble sausage. Add pasta, reserved cooking liquid, 1/4 teaspoon salt, cheese, olives and black pepper; cook for 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring frequently.

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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK: CENTRAL COAST

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WINERY FEATURE | WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK

EDWARD SELLERS by Dave Wilcox Edward Sellers spends much of his time on the road these days, criss-crossing the country extolling the virtues of not only the winery that bears his name, but of Paso Robles. Make that, especially Paso Robles. While Paso has generated some wine industry buzz in recent years, that doesn’t necessarily mean a restaurant owner in, say, Dallas, knows about the region or what makes it unique in the world of wine. “It really comes down to a huge educational process,” Sellers said recently while sitting in a small office above the winery’s downtown Paso Robles tasting room. “Not everybody knows where Paso Robles is, or why it’s such an ideal place to grow wine grapes.” That Sellers himself wound up in Paso Robles is a story involving a fate-changing decision 15 years ago and a friendship going back 30 years. Sellers was this close to buying some property near Healdsburg in the mid-1990s. Flying home to the Midwest with the unsigned contract in hand, however, he decided the deal really didn’t make financial sense. Fast-forward a few years to 2003. Sellers and his wife, Dani, were visiting their best friends – including Ed’s college roommate – in Paso Robles and fell in love with the area. Edward Sellers Vineyards and Wines was launched less than a year later. A successful entrepreneur who has grown other businesses, Sellers relished the idea of not only launching a winery, but of being part of a region that was just coming into its own as a producer of premium wines.

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“I wanted to grow with the area and help develop the area.” Rhône-style varieties are particularly suited to the region, with its limestone-rich hillsides and 50-degree temperature swings from day to night, and those are the wines in which Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines specialize. Indeed, Wine Spectator this year named Edward Sellers as one of California’s top 10 emerging producers of Rhone wines. That kind of attention is due, in part, said Sellers, to the estate vineyard planted on 28 acres west of Highway 101 in the notable Templeton Gap region of Paso Robles. About 20 acres are planted to six of the nine Rhone varietals produced by the winery. “Quality fruit is where it all starts,” he said. “That’s the deal.” But it’s only the beginning, Sellers is quick to note. Producing premium wine is “50 percent science, 50 percent art,” he said. “And that’s where the winemaker comes in.” Amy Butler is the only winemaker Sellers has had since launching the winery in 2004. Butler is a UC Davis grad who learned and refined her craft at such places as Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and Schramsberg in Napa Valley and Summerwood and Peachy Canyon once she moved to Paso Robles. She pursues a style Sellers describes as “a little more Old World with a California fruit twist. I’m not a big ’fruit bomb’ guy.” Butler coaxes delicate expressions of the Rhone fruit, resulting in elegant, supple wines that are showcased in Edward Sellers blends. An affable person, Sellers is also a new parent. He and his wife have a 6-month-old son and Sellers proudly displays a picture of mother and son he keeps at his desk. Surrounded by cases of wine stacked in the office is a portable crib where his son occasionally naps.

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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK | WINERY FEATURE Continued

Sellers has appreciated fine wine since working as a waiter in a French restaurant during his college days at Arizona State University. He’s cultivated that appreciation on numerous trips to Europe. Proprietary blends are historically the finest wines in the world, noted Sellers, although in the U.S. there has been a tendency for consumers to think of blended wines as synonymous with cheap table wine. That’s changing, and Sellers produces Rhone-style blends that have turned heads. “I think you can get so much more complexity out of the (blended) wines,” said Sellers. “They’re so interesting.” The 2007 Cognito, a blend of Mourvedre, Syrah, Zinfandel and Grenache, was awarded 90 points by wine critic Robert Parker. He also awarded 90 points to the 2007 Vertigo, which includes Grenache, Mourvedre, and Syrah, and to the 2007 Cuvée des Cinq, a blend of Mourvedre, Syrah, Grenache, Counoise and Cinsault. Sellers is excited about the future. He expects to break ground next spring on a winemaking facility and eventually move his tasting room there and, a few years later, open a bed-and-breakfast. The Edward Sellers tasting room is less than a block from Paso Robles City Park at 1220 Park St. It’s located in the recently finished Clock Tower building. Tasting room hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For additional information, call (805) 239-8915, or visit the winery’s website at www.edwardsellers.com.

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PASO ROBLES | WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK

DOWNTOWN PASO ROBLES

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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK | PASO ROBLES

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SAN LUIS OBISPO | WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK

Hospice of San Luis Obispo County’s 25th Annual ‘Light Up A Life’ Ceremonies Lights on the Hospice Remembrance Trees will again rekindle memories of special people in our lives. Ten communities throughout San Luis Obispo County will host ceremonies during the week of December 4th through the 10th. For each $15 contribution, participants will be given a memory star and the name of their loved ones will be read at their chosen Light Up a Life Ceremony. These ceremonies have become a local tradition for individuals and families by keeping memories shining brightly throughout the holiday season. Hospice of San Luis Obispo County is very grateful for all the community support, especially from the major sponsors: Wilkins Printing, New Times, KSBY-TV 6, San Luis Ambulance Services, Inc., Thoma Electric co., Rabobank, Garing, Taylor

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and Associates, Inc., J.W. Design and Construction, Inc., Tenent Healthcare, PG&E, Walmart of Paso Robles and Paul Vanderhayden, DDS. Hospice of San Luis Obispo County is a volunteer hospice promoting overall quality of life to adults, children, and the community for over 30 years.

Proceeds from this event will enable Hospice to continue its county-wide care services to dying and bereaved individuals and their families. Hospice of San Luis Obispo County is available as always over the holidays for individual or group counseling. Please contact the office at (805) 544-2266.

Light Up a Life invitation and flyer are available at all the Chamber of Commerce locations, all Rabobank locations, and the Hospice office. For more information on Light Up a Life or Hospice of San Luis Obispo County services, call (805) 5442266 or (805) 434-1164 from North County.

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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK | SAN LUIS OBISPO

Martin & Bryan in the Barrel Room

Inviting Tasting Room

PISMO BEACH WINERY Where Wine Country Meets the Beach by Michael Cervin Pismo Beach has always been associated with the Pismo clam, but the times are changing. Pismo’s very first tasting room has opened and it might make Pismo just as well known for wine. Brothers Bryan and Martin Friedman were home winemakers for years, and started as a hobby. After years of making wine they were “heavily encouraged” to go professional. “All the people we were sharing our wines with told us we should sell it,” Bryan says. And thus began a near 10 year plan to open their very own winery. They owned a rental property in Pismo Beach, but it had been leased for 10 years already and everyone assumed the tenant would stay another 10 years. When their tenant moved out they saw the perfect opportunity. “Finding a location was the limiting factor for not opening sooner,” Bryan acknowledges. Additionally, it’s far better to be close to vineyard sources than too far removed. “High

quality fruit and as close to home as possible,” is Bryan’s motto. They are making about 1,500 cases currently and their portfolio consists of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Barbera and Petite Syrah. The Pinot Noir which they grow in the Edna and Avila valleys, utilizes four different clones. They are looking into a red blended wine and maybe adding a Pinot Gris or a Viognier for another white wine. But since it’s just them doing all of the work, they’re taking it slow. “My brother and I do pretty much everything ourselves, we’re wearing a lot of different hats.” Pismo Beach receives a tremendous number of visitors and the tasting room has seen not only guests from within the coastal communities, but California’s Central Valley and international tourists as well. “Just this last year, we’ve had people from all over the world,” Bryan says. Countries as diverse as

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Denmark, Korea, Africa, Australia and Ireland. The great benefit they have is that Bryan and Martin are the only game in town. The tasting room, located adjacent to the Pismo Outlet mall right off Highway 101 isn’t surrounded by verdant vineyards. Instead the urban setting is more a working facility with the crush pad next to the tasting room. “We’re family owned,” Bryan says proudly. “My wife works in the tasting room as does Martin’s daughter. We’re a tight-knit family business which is fun,” he says. Though the last year has been challenging for the brothers, it’s been more than rewarding. “We’ve met a lot of friends and met interesting people. It’s great to be in the hospitality business.” Stop by Pismo Beach Winery to taste their handcrafted wines at 271B Five Cities Dr. Chances are one of the Friedman family will be behind the counter. Visit their website, www.pismobeachwinery.com or phone them at (805) 773-9463

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SANTA MARIA | WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK

Santa Maria’s Women of the Vine Rarely have housewives been seen as playing a major role in the development of California’s wine country…or any role at all, for that matter besides being the primarily buyers (and in my case, consumers) of the household’s wine supply. But in the now famous Santa Maria wine region it was the housewives of the town of Sisquoc who got the whole thing started. In 1963, William De Mattie and Uriel Nielson bought 100 acres of the Fesler Ranch for the purpose of growing wine grapes. In 1964, the planting began when Bill Collins enlisted the homemakers of Sisquoc to help him plant Cabernet, Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Sylvarnii grapes. Whether it was dreams of delicious wines for their tables or just the extra pocket money that motivated them, the gals made it happen. Since then, some very talented and determined women have followed their lead and made the Central Coast one of California’s premier winemaking regions. These remarkable women have left their mark on the region as winemakers, owners of wineries and as tasting room employees.

Lane Tanner is an icon in the wine world. She is one of the Central Coast’s most notable winemakers and a woman whose significant contributions to the area’s development have helped it to achieve the fame it now enjoys. She grew up in Kelseyville,CA and graduated from San Jose State with a degree in chemistry. When she returned to Kelseyville in 1980, she was hired by Konocti Winery to do lab work. While there she met the man who would change her life. Andre Tchelistcheff was a consulting enologist for Konocti Winery and was very impressed by the young lady he met there in the lab. He took her under his wing and taught her the art of winemaking. It was a role she was born to play. She officially began her career as a winemaker with the Hitching Post of the movie “Sideways” fame, but quickly moved on to a larger stage. In 1989 she developed Lane Tanner Winery, based in Santa Maria Valley. Her awards are too numerous to list and her wine is a must-have for any serious wine collector. Kate Firestone is another of the area’s influential women. She may be known more famously now as the mother of Andrew Firestone of “The Bachelor” fame, but her contributions to the family’s winery extend way beyond that simple distinction. As a London-trained ballerina, Kate brought her sense of style and grace to the emerging Central Coast wine world and set a standard of sophistication that has helped the region take its place amongst the finest wine districts in the world. In 1987, along with her husband, A Brooke Firestone, she purchased the small family-owned Carey Cellars and set about creating a winery that reflected her intelligent and artistic approach to the business of winemaking. Now her daughter, Hayley Firestone Jessup is carrying on the tradition of Firestone women who are making their mark in the wine industry. In Santa Maria, another woman has worked hard to place the

Jess Jackson and Barbara Banke

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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK | SANTA MARIA

area on the map of great wines. Barbara Banke, along with her husband Jess Jackson (of Kendall Jackson fame) opened Cambria Winery in 1988. Barbara, acting as president, has created a winery whose name is synonymous with excellence. Her husband often refers to her winery as the “jewel in the crown” of the company’s many fine winery operations. In a tour of the region, you will find many gracious women operating tasting rooms as well. Acting as hostesses for the area’s wineries, as well as experts on the local wines, these women are instrumental in introducing visitors to the great wines of the Central Coast. The art of winemaking, the business management of wineries, the cordial greeting of guests, as well as the very planting of the vines have all been profoundly influenced by many talented, hard-working and dedicated women. The Santa Maria and Santa Barbara wine regions would truly not be the same without them.

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SANTA BARBARA COUNTY | WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK

TTB Officially Announced the Formation of the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA Abridged from redwinebuzz.com, October 9, 2009 On October 8, 2009, after an uneventful Public Comment period, the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) officially announced the formation of the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA. Happy Canyon, in many ways, is Santa Ynez Valley’s resolution to the larger AVA’s Bordeaux conundrum of the late ’80s: Their Cabernetbased wines were regarded as vegetal. Many pulled their Cabernet vines and switched over to Rhône varieties – some as late as 2005. Some of those vines were rightfully pulled as they had been put in the wrong sites. So, even in the last decade, Santa Ynez Valley growers

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pulled their Pinot Noir vines as well. Some of the region’s Bordeaux-style wines, however, not only had good varietal typicity but were also good emulators of Old World styles. A few producers (for example, Lucas & Lewellen with 30year-old Cabernet vines at their Valley View Vineyard), have been going strong and proving this “vegetal” assumption very wrong. Styles are subject to trends. Fancy is quite fickle and, at times, fleeting. One could entertain ideas of the pendulum swinging between two extremes of style as the reason for the trajectory of the style of California’s Bordeaux-type wines over the last two decades or so. There remains a fact, though, that producers want to find the

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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK | SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

Continued

varieties that work best in a particular location and to be able to consistently deliver a product that consumers expect. Moving Bordeaux variety-producing viticulture to the eastern ends of the Santa Ynez Valley may be a way of achieving that. It affords a greater guarantee of arriving at a quality of fruit which will satisfy market demands. To gain a better understanding of the new AVA, I spoke with Wes Hagen, Clos Pepe’s Vineyard Manager and Winemaker (who was hired to draft the AVA proposal for the Happy Canyon vintners) several months prior to this formal ruling. The Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA rests against the foothills of the San Rafael Mountains east of Highway 154, touches the Los Padres National Forest to the east, the Lake Cachuma Recreation Area in the southeast and the Santa Ynez river in the southwest. The eastern and southern boundaries line use the same lines established in 1983 for the Santa Ynez Valley AVA. The same applies to the new AVA’s southern boundary. The western boundary moves north from the Santa Ynez River and proceeds north, west of Santa Agueda and Figueroa Creeks and completes the perimeter at the point where Figueroa Mountain Road meets the eastern boundary in

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the foothills of the San Rafael Mountains. The area traditionally referred to as “Figueroa Mountain” is excluded from the AVA for geographical and geological reasons. The AVA’s terrain varies significantly across the 23,941-acre AVA. In the southeast, seep slopes span elevations of 800 to 3,400 feet. The appellation then spans across canyons, rolling hills, creek and river basins to the east and south. The landscape of the new AVA changes from gently rolling, green pastures in the west to alluvial and then steep, stony infertile soils in the east. The central portion, surrounded by rolling hills, transitions to deep canyons whose ridge lines range from 1,200 feet to 1,800 feet in elevation.

Vines There are less than 500 acres of vineyards on six commercial properties (and a few other tiny properties) in the newly formed, 23,941-acre AVA. The region’s growers have emphasized Bordeaux varieties, though the main Rhône varieties are also well-represented.

Wines Labeling laws concerning wines made around the time of AVA approval allow for some wines to be classified retroactively. 2007 vintage wines could be retroactively allowed to bear the “Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara” AVA name if they were still in barrel at the time of AVA approval (label cannot be submitted for approval prior to the AVA being approved). This is different from some wines such as Fiddlehead Cellars Happy Canyon Sauvignon Blanc and Doug Margerum’s Piocho label, which bear the words “Happy Canyon” but are still designated as Santa Ynez Valley wines. Wineries sourcing from the region and expected to label their wines with this new AVA include: Andrew Murray, Arthur Earl, Babcock, Brander, Carharrt, Carina Cellars, DiBruno, Fiddlehead, Gainey, Hitching Post, Jaffurs, Kalyra, Margerum, Nipomo Wine Grp., Ojai Vineyard, Osseus, Paige 23, Pietra Santa, Renard, Rusack, Sanford, Sanguis, Santa Barbara Winery, Siempre and William James Cellars.

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VENTURA COUNTY | WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK

Explore a Working Ranch, Taste the Olive Oils by Michael Cervin California has long been an agricultural wonderland. The very first olive trees were planted around 1789 at the mission in San Diego. And in the small village of Ojai, north of Ventura, immigrants planted Spanish olive trees in 1880 and, using a communal press, provided oil for themselves and their families. Those trees still stand today and Ojai Olive Oil still harvests them. Ron and Alice Asquith operate Asquith Family Farm and have planted an astonishing 2,600

olive trees in the last 12 years to compliment the old Spanish trees. They have planted Italian, French and Spanish varieties to maximize flavors and complexities for their oils. “Olive oil is pure fruit juice,” Ron points out, “without additives or preservatives, rich in antioxidant qualities that help the cardiovascular flow. It contains vitamins A, D, K and E and assists in the absorption of calcium.” And since Ventura County is on the same latitude as Casablanca in North Africa, the Asquith’s believe it enjoys an ideal Mediterranean climate

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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK: VENTURA COUNTY

oranges?” He says with a laugh, In addition to the variety of extra virgin oils, there are olive oil soaps and a face cream, balsamic vinegars and flavored olive oils like rosemary, garlic and mandarin. “We are primarily a local producer. We sell mostly in southern California, yet we ship throughout the U.S. via our website,” Ron says. To experience the free tour and tasting and even a bit of California history, contact them at (805) 701-3825, or visit www.ojaioliveoil.com.

to grow olive trees. “Our extra virgin oils are produced from olives that are grown specifically because of the quality of the oil,” Ron says. On Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine, they welcome all visitors to tour the farm’s olive grove, explore the working ranch and to taste their olive oils. Their tour begins outside with the history of the grove, an explanation of the different olive varieties, the maturing process, the harvesting and a visit to the tree nursery. And people come from all over to educate themselves about the diversity of olive oil. For Ron and Alice it has become a rewarding career. “The most satisfying experience from being in the olive oil business is the contact with the many people that we would never have met were it not for our producing olive oil,” he says. Ron sites a recent trip to Italy, where he spent a day with Dr. Mario Beltrami, an expert in the production of extra virgin oil. The following day when Ron was in Zurich, he talked with a Greek producer and sampled his oil. “How could this happen if I were simply growing

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AJB Vineyards – Paso Robles 3280 Township Rd; 805-239-9432

Weekends 12-5

Alta Colina – Paso Robles 2725 Adelaida Rd; 805 227-4191

Th-Su 11-5

AmByth Estate – Templeton

By

510 Sequoia Lane; 805 305-9497

appt

« Anglim Winery – Paso Robles 740 Pine St; 805-227-6813

« Arroyo Robles– Paso Robles

Th-Mo 11-6 or by Appt

Cayucos Cellars – Cayucos 131 N Ocean Ave; 805-995-3036 X X X X X

X X X X X

Fr-Su 11-5

Chateau Margene – Creston 4385 La Panza Rd; 805-238-2321

Fr-Su 12-5

Christian Lazo – San Miguel 249 10th Street, Suite A; 805-467-2672

Sa-Su 10-5

X

X

By Appt

X

X

Sum 11-6 Win 11-5

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

By Appt X

X

Four Vines Winery – Templeton 3750 Hwy 46 West; 805 227-0865

X

Fralich Vineyard & Winery – Templeton By Appt Private tastings at Paso Robles Wine Services; 805-434-1526 By Appt

X

T IN G

Daily 10-5

X

Five Rivers Winery – Paso Robles 8998 North River Rd; 805-467-0192

LE S

TO UR S

HO UR S

T IN G

LE S

SA

TA S

TO UR S

WINERY - LOCATION

2300 Airport Rd; 805-591-8050

We-Su 11-5:30 Closed Tu

Changala Winery – Paso Robles 3770 Willow Creek Road; 805-226-9060

Especially recommended by Wine Country This Week

SA

Daily 10-5 Adelaida Cellars – Paso Robles 5805 Adelaida Rd; 805-239-8980, 805 239-8980 X

WINERY - LOCATION

«

TA S

PASO ROBLES AREA

HO UR S

T IN G

LE S

SA

TA S

TO UR S

WINERY - LOCATION

HO UR S

WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK : CENTRAL COAST

X

X

Chronic Cellars – Paso Robles Fr-Su 12-5 2020 Nacimiento Lake Dr; 805 237-7848 or by apt

Fratelli Perata – Paso Robles 1595 Arbor Rd; 805-238-2809

X

X

Cinquain Cellars – San Miguel By apt 6404 Independence Ranch Pl; 805 400-5978

FS Cellars – Paso Robles 1337 Vendels Circle; 805-226-8989

Th-Mo 11-6

X

X

X

X

Gelfand Vineyards – Paso Robles 5530 Dresser Ranch Place; 805-239-5808

By Appt

X

X

X

X

Daily 11-7

X

X

Chumeia Vineyards – Paso Robles 8331 Hwy 46 E; 805-226-0102

Daily 10-5

X

X

Asuncion Ridge – Paso Roble 729 13th Street; 805 461-0675

Su-Th 12:30-6 Fr-Sa 12-8

X

Daily 12-5

By Appt

X

Clautiere Vineyard – Paso Robles 1340 Penman Springs Rd; 805-237-3789

Graveyard Vineyards – San Miguel 6990 Estrella Road; 805 467-2043

X

X

August Ridge – Creston 8790 E. Highway 41; 805 239-2455

Fr 12-5 Sa-Su 11-5

Daily 11-5:30

X

X

X

X

Clavo Cellars – Paso Robles Mo-Sa 12-5 1101 Riverside Avenue; 805-226-0174 Su 12-4

Grey Wolf Cellars – Paso Robles 2174 Hwy 46 West; 805-237-0771

X

X

Austin Hope – Paso Robles 1585 Live Oak Road; 805 238-4112

Fr-Sa 10-4 Call

« Halter Ranch Vnyd– Paso Robles

Daily 11-5

X

X

B & E Vineyards – Paso Robles 10,000 Creston Rd; 805-238-4815

Fr-Su 11-5 or By Appt

X

X

Croad Vineyards – Paso Robles Fr-Su 11-5 3550 Vinedo Robles Lane; 805-226-9899 Th-Mo 12-5 X

Baily Vineyard – Temecula 33440 La Serena Way; 951-676-9463

Su-Fr 10-5 Sa 11-5

X

X

D’Anbino Cellars – Paso Robles 710 Pine St; 805-227-6800

Fri-Sun 12-6 Closed Tu-We

Barrel 27 – Paso Robles 2323 Tulley Rd #110; 805-237-1245

Fr-Su 11-5 or By Appt

X

X

Dark Star Cellars – Paso Robles 2985 Anderson Rd; 805-237-2389

Fr-Su 10:30-5

739 12th St; 877-759-WINE

X

X

« Clayhouse Wines – Paso Robles 849 13th St; 805 238-7055

8910 Adelaida Rd; 805-226-9455

Daily 11-6

X

X

HammerSky Vineyards– Paso Robles Fr-Su 7725 Vineyard Drive; 949 338-7813 By Appt

X

X

X

X

Hansen Vineyard – Templeton 5575 El Pomar Dr; 805-239-8412

X

X

X

X

Harmony Cellars– Harmony Sum 10-5:30 3255 Harmony Valley Rd; 805-927-1625 Win 10-5

X

X

X

X

Bassetti Vineyards – Cambria 1191 N. Green Valley Rd; 805-927-1925

By Appt

X

X

Denner Vineyards & Winery – Paso Robles 5414 Vineyard Dr; 805-239-4287 Daily 11-5

Bear Cave Cellars – Paso Robles 1227 Park St; 805-238-4329

By Appt

X

X

Derby Wine Estates – Paso Robles 5620 Hwy 46 East; 805-238-6300

Fr-Mo 11-5

Bella Luna – Templeton 1850 Templeton Rd; 805-434-5477

Fr-Su 10-5

X

Doce Robles – Paso Robles 2023 Twelve Oaks Dr; 805-227-4766

Daily 10-5:30

Bianchi Winery – Paso Robles 3380 Branch Rd; 805-226-9922

Daily 10-5

X

X

Donati Family Vineyard – Templeton Daily 11am-5pm Corner of 46 West & Vineyard Dr; 805-238-0676 X

X

Black Hand – San Miguel 1735 Nygren Rd; 805-712-WINE

By Appt

X

X

Donatoni Winery – Paso Robles 3225 Township Rd; 805-226-0620

X

Booker Vineyard – Paso Robles 2640 Anderson Rd; 805-237-7367

Fr-Su 11-4

X

X

Dover Canyon Winery – Paso Robles 4520 Vineyard Dr; 805-237-0101

Brian Benson Cellars – Paso Robles Fr-Su 2985 Anderson Rd; 805-296-9463 10:30-5

X

X

Calcareous Winery – Paso Robles 3430 Peachy Canyon Rd; 805-239-0289

Th-Mo 11-5

X

X

Caliza Winery – Paso Robles 2570 Anderson Rd; 805-237-1480

Fr-Su 11-4:30

X

X

Caparone Winery – Paso Robles 2280 San Marcos Rd; 805-467-3827

« Carina Cellars – Paso Robles 3525 Adelaida Rd; 415-309-2046

Fr-Su 11-5 By Apt X Fr-Su 11-5 By Apt X

Carmody McKnight Estate Wines – Paso Robles 11240 Chimney Rock Rd; 805-238-9392 Daily 10-5 Cass Vineyards – Paso Robles 7350 Linne Rd; 805-239-1730

« Castoro Cellars – Templeton 1315 N Bethal Rd; 805-238-0725

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Sa-Su 11-6 Mo-Fr 12-5 Daily 10-5:30

X

X

X X X

X

X X

X

Th-Su 11-5

X

Eagle Castle Winery – Paso Robles Daily 3090 Anderson Rd; 805-227-1428 10:30-5:30 X

X

X

X

X

Écluse Wines – Paso Robles 1520 Kiler Canyon Rd; 805 238-4998

« Edward Sellers – Paso Robles « Eos Estate – Paso Robles Falcon Nest Winery – Paso Robles 5185 Union Rd; 805-226-0227

« Firestone Vineyard – Paso Robles

X

X

X

Th-Mo 12-7

X

X

X

X

X

X

Win 10-5 Sum 10-6 X

By

Th-Mo 11-5

X

X

Hice Cellars – Paso Robles 500 Linne Rd.; 805 610-1470

By Appt

X

X

Hug Cellars – Paso Robles 2323 Tuley Rd; 805-226- 8022

Fr-Su 11-5

X

X

X

X

10-5

X

X

J. Paul Rosilez – Paso Robles 4889 Dry Creek Rd; 805-226-0550

Daily 11-5

X

X

Jack Creek Cellars – Templeton 5265 Jack Creek Rd; 805-226-8283

Fr-Su 11-4:30 By Appt

X

X

X

X

« Hunt Cellars – Paso Robles

X

Sum 10-6 Win 10:30-5:30

6169 Airport Rd; 805-239-8900

« Jada Winery – Paso Robles

Fr-Sa By Appt

Daily 10-7:30

5070 Vineyard Dr; 805 431-0138

« J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines – Paso Robles Daily

Sa-Su 12-5 Or By Appt

Daily 10-6

Fr-Sun 11-5

« Hearthstone – Paso Robles

2875 Oakdale Rd; 805-237-1600

X

5625 Hwy 46 East; 805-239-2562 X

X

X

Dunning Vineyards Estate Winery – Paso Robles 1953 Niderer Rd; 805-238-4763 Th-Mo 11-5

1220 Park St; 805-239-8915 X

X

X

X

3810 Hwy 46 E; 805-238-9607 X

X

X

« Eberle Winery – Paso Robles

X

Th 12-5 Fr-Su 10-5 X

5620 Vineyard Dr; 805 226-4200 JanKris Winery – Templeton 1266 Bethel Rd; 805-434-0319

Daily 11-5

X

X

X

Justin Winery – Paso Robles 11680 Chimney Rock Rd; 805 238-6932

Daily 10-6

X

X

X

JUST OPENED! GREAT VALUES! 2850 Ranchita Canyon, San Miguel Friday-Sunday 11am-5pm 805-467-2891 Come enjoy the friendly atmosphere in our tasting room while sipping on our latest releases.

Kaleidos – Paso Robles 1032 Pine St; 805 226-2976

Th-Sa 12-8 Su-Mo 12-5

X

X

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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK : CENTRAL COAST

Preferred Tasting Room:

SCULPTERRA WINERY by Mark Storer Sculpterra Winery & Sculpture Garden is not your typical winery experience. Upon entering the property it is plain to see that a visit to Sculpterra Winery is an adventure into the world of art and wine. Sculpterra is the creation of Dr. Warren Frankel and his wife, Katherine. “It is a wonderful experience for all visitors, young and old,” says Kyle Coots, Sculpterra’s Hospitality Manager. The Frankel’s have done just that and with Paul Frankel, Warren and Katherine’s son, just recently taking over winemaking duties, the family business of art and wine has been handed on to the next generation. Paul keeps a blog at the winery’s website and writes about his day’s activities there and about the wines he’s making. Meanwhile, the iron and metal artwork by Robert C. Bentley, stone and bronze sculptures by John Jagger as well as art by renowned artist Aleah Koury, adorn the building and grounds, providing a ready escape in the heart of the Central Coast. Bentley’s latest edition, a new set of gates hung at the entrance to the winery, can be

seen now. “They are really beautiful and Mr. Bentley’s work can be felt throughout the grounds,” says Coots. Lest you think it’s all art and a little wine, think again. Sculpterra won the gold medal from the Los Angeles Wine and Spirits Festival in 2007 for its 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon and the gold medal from the West Coast Wine Competition for its 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, among many others. Sculpterra farms 120 acres of vines in the rolling hills of the Linne Valley, just east of Paso Robles. The micro-climate here is a bit cooler than its neighbor to the west and that means a perfect climate for the acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot, Viog-

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nier, Petite Sirah, Mouvedre and Cabernet Franc. Warren Frankel grew up in New York City, but after medical school in New York he moved west to do his residency at UCLA. According to Sculpterra’s website, Frankel wanted a more “self-reliant” lifestyle and moved his wife and three young children to Paso Robles to live a simpler life. He opened a medical practice there and bought the land that is now Sculpterra. Frankels first planting on the property were pistachios which he planted in the ’80s, grapes soon followed. It wasn’t until 2005 that the Frankel’s created there first wine, the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, they produce some 2,500 cases with a majority of the fruit sourced from the estate. Frankel is also one of the founding members of “His Healing Hands,” a medical missionary group that sends medical professionals on short-term missions throughout the world to help those most in need. Art, wine and medical missions, that’s Sculpterra Winery in Paso Robles. The tasting room is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Kiamie Wine Cellars – Paso Robles Th-Mo 1111 Riverside Ave, Ste 102; 805 226-8333 11-6 Kukkula – Templeton 9525 Chimney Rock Rd; 805 227-0111

By Appt

L’Aventure Winery – Paso Robles 2815 Live Oak Rd; 805-227-1588

Th-Su 11-4 or By Appt

Le Cuvier – Paso Robles 9750 Adelaida Rd; 805-238-5706

Fr-Su 12-5

Linne Calodo – Paso Robles 3030 Vineyard Dr; 805-227-0797

Fr-Su 11-5

Lion’s Peak – Cambria 4044 Burton Ave; 805-927-1450

Daily 11-6:30

Locatelli Winery – San Miguel 8585 Cross Canyons Rd; 805-467-0067

Fr-Su 1l-4

Lone Madrone – Paso Robles 2485 Hwy 46 West; 805-238-0845

Daily 10:30-5

Madison Cellars – Paso Robles 4540 Hwy 41; 805-238-9831

By Appt

Maloy O’Neill – Paso Robles 5725 Union Rd; 805-238-7320

Fr-Sa 10-5; Su 12-5 Or By Appt

Martin & Weyrich – Paso Robles 2610 Buena Vista Dr; 805-238-2520

Su-Th 10-5 Fr-Sa 10-6

McClean Vineyards – Templeton 4491 S. El Pomar Dr; 805-237-2441

By Appt

Meridian Vineyards – Paso Robles 7000 Hwy 46 E; 805-226-7133

Daily 10-5

Midnight Cellars – Paso Robles 2925 Anderson Rd; 805-239-8904 Minassian-Young – Paso Robles 4045 Peachy Canyon Rd; 805-238-7571

Daily 10-5:30 Fr-Su 11-5

Mitchella Vineyard – Paso Robles Fr-Su 12-5 2525 Mitchella Ranch Way; 805 239-8555 or by appt Mondo Cellars – Paso Robles Sum 11-6 3260 Nacimiento Lake Dr; 805 226-2925 Win 11-5 X Moonstone Cellars – Cambria 801 Main St, Suite C; 805-927-9466

Th-Mo 11-5

NadeauFamilyVintners – Paso Robles 3860 Peachy Canyon Rd; 805-239-3574

Fr-Su 12-5

Norman Vineyards – Paso Robles 7450 Vineyard Dr; 805-237-0138

Daily 11-5

« Opolo Vineyards – Paso Robles 7110 Vineyard Dr; 805-238-9593

« Orchid Hill Vineyard – Paso Robles 1140 Pine St; 805-237-7525

Daily 10-5 Daily 12-6

Ortman Family Vnyds – Paso Robles Daily 12-5 1317 Park Street; 805-237-9009 Fr-Sat 12-7 Oso Libre Winery – Paso Robles 7383 Vineyard Dr; 805 238-3378

Thu-Mon 11-5

X

X

X

Daily 11-5

X

X

Penman Springs – Paso Robles 1985 Penman Springs Dr; 805-237-7959

Fr-Su 11-5

X

X

Per Cazo Cellars – Paso Robles 5325 Vineyard Dr; 805 227-4949

By Appt

X X

X

X

Pipestone – Paso Robles 2040 Niderer Rd; 805-227-6385

Th-Mo 11-5

X

X

X

Poalillo Vineyards – Paso Robles 18888 Willow Creek Rd; 805-238-0600

By Appt

X

Pomar Junction – Templeton 5036 S. El Pomar Dr; 805-238-9940

Fr-Su 11-5

X

X

X

Pretty-Smith – San Miguel 13350 River Rd; 805-467-3104

Fr-Su 11-5

X

X

X

Rabbit Ridge – Paso Robles 1172 San Marcos Rd; 805-467-3331

We-Su 11-5

X

X

X

Ranchita Canyon – San Miguel Fr-Mo 11-5 3439 Ranchita Canyon Road; 805 467-9448

X

X

X

Red Soles – Paso Robles 3230 Oakdale Rd; 805-226-9898

Mo-Sa 11-5 Su 12-5

X

X

Rio Seco – Paso Robles 4295 Union Rd; 805-237-8884

Daily 11-5

X

X

X

RiverStar Vineyards – San Miguel 7450 Estrella Rd; 805 467-0086

Fr-Mo 12-5

X

X

X

RN Estate Winery – Paso Robles 7986 North River Rd; 805 610-9802

By Appt

X

X

829 13th St; 805-226-4005 X X X X X X X

X X X

X

« Robert Hall – Paso Robles 3443 Mill Rd; 805-239-1616

X X X X X X

X X X X X X

Rockin’ R Wine – Paso Robles 8500 Union Road; 805 835-8529

Fri-Sun 11-5

Rocky Creek Cellars – Templeton 8687 Apple Rd; 805-238-1919

Daily 10:30-5

Rotta Winery – Paso Robles 3750 Hwy 46 West; 805-237-0510

Daily 11-5

X

X

X

X X X X

X X X X

« San Marcos Creek Vineyard – Paso Robles

T IN G LE S

X

X

Still Waters Vineyards – Paso Robles 2750 Old Grove Ln; 805-237-9231

Th-Mo 11-5

X

X

Summerwood – Paso Robles 2175 Arbor Rd; 805-227-1365

Daily 10-5:30

X

X

Sum 11-6 Win 11-5 X

X

X

X

X

Fr-Su 11-5 & By Appt

X

X

Thunderbolt Junction – Paso Robles Fr-Su 11-5 2740 Hidden Mountain Rd; 805-226-9907 & By Appt

X

X

Tobin James Cellars – Paso Robles 8950 Union Rd; 805-239-2204

Daily 10-6

X

X

Tolo Cellars – Paso Robles 9750 Adelaida Rd; 805-226-2282

Fr-Mo 11-5

X

X

Treana Winery – Paso Robles 1585 Live Oak Rd; 805 238-4112

Fr-Sa 10-4

X

X

Turley Wine Cellars – Templeton 2900 Vineyard Dr; 805-434-1030

Daily 9-5

X

X

Venteux Vineyards – Templeton 1795 Las Tablas Rd; 805-369-0127

Fr-Su 10-5

X

X

Victor Hugo Winery – Templeton 2850 El Pomar Dr; 805-434-1128

By Appt

X

X

X

X

X

X

Villa Creek Cellars – Paso Robles Fr-Su 12-4 5995 Peachy Canyon Rd; 805 238-7145 & By Appt

X

X

Villa San-Juliette – San Miguel 6385 Cross Canyon Rd; 805 550-0522

By Appt

X

X

Daily 10-5

X

X

X

X

Fr-Su 11-5

X

X

Su 11-5 By Appt

X

X

Tablas Creek – Paso Robles 9339 Adelaida Rd; 805-237-1231

Daily 10-5

Tackitt Family – San Miguel 6640 Von Dollen Rd; 805 467-9490

We-Su 11-5

Terry Hoage – Paso Robles 870 Arbor Rd; 805-238-2083

By Appt

Thacher Winery – Paso Robles 8355 Vineyard Dr; 805-237-0087

Vihuela Winery – Paso Robles 840 11th St, Ste 104; 805-886-5400 Villicana Winery – Paso Robles 2725 Adelaida Rd; 805-239-9456

Th-Su 11-5

X

7750 North Hwy; 805-467-9260

Daily 11-5

X

X

Vina Robles – Paso Robles 3700 Mill Rd; 805-227-4812

Sarzotti Winery – Templeton 180 Bella Rancy Rd; 805 226-2022

Sa-Sun 11-5 or By Appt

X

X

Vines on the Marycrest – Paso Robles Fr-Su 11-5 5050 Mustard Creek Rd; 805 237-0378 & By Appt

Fr-Su 10-5 or By Appt

X

X

X

X

Vista Del Rey – Paso Robles 7340 Drake Rd; 805-467-2138

X

X

Whalebone Vineyard – Paso Robles 8325 Vineyard Dr; 805-239-9020

Daily 11-5

X

X

Wild Coyote Winery – Paso Robles 3775 Adelaida Rd; 805-610-1311

Daily 11-5

X

X

Daily 1484 Wild Horse Winery Ct; 805-434-2541 11-5

X

X

Windward Vineyard – Paso Robles 1380 Live Oak Rd; 805-239-2565

X

X

« Sculpterra – Paso Robles 5015 Linne Road, 888-302-8881

X

Daily Win 10-5 Sum 10-6 X

SA

Appt

5115 Buena Vista Dr; 805-227-4000

Su-Mo-Th: 12-6pm Fr-Sa 11-7 X

TA S

7575 York Mountain Rd; 805-238-2412

« Sylvester Vineyards – Paso Robles « Pianetta – Paso Robles

TO UR S

WINERY - LOCATION

HO UR S

T IN G LE S SA

Pear Valley – Paso Robles 4900 Union Road; 805 237-2861

Sextant Wines – Templeton By Appt Crnr of Almond & S. El Pomar; 866-833-WINE

« Silver Horse – San Miguel 2995 Pleasant Rd; 805-467-WINE

Fr-Mo 11-5 By Appt

X

X

Parkfield Vineyards – San Miguel By 70502 Vineyard Canyon Rd; 805-463-2316 Appt

Skyhawk Lane – San Miguel 1605 Commerce Way; 213-200-4661

X

X

Pasoport Wine Co – Paso Robles Fri-Sun 11-5 6996 Peachy Canyon Rd; 805 239-2229 or by appt

Stacked Stone Cellars – Paso Robles Fr-Sa 11-5 1525 Peachy Canyon Rd; 805-238-7872 Su 12-5

X

X

Peachy Canyon Winery – Paso Robles Daily 1480 N. Bethel Rd; 805-239-1918 11-5

X

X

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WINERY - LOCATION

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T IN G LE S

X

SA

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WINERY - LOCATION

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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK : CENTRAL COAST

Stanger Vineyards – Paso Robles 5225 Hwy 41; 805 238-4777 Stephen’s Cellar – Templeton

Fr-Su 11-5 & By Appt By

X X

X X

« VinFuzion – Paso Robles 2485 Hwy 46 West; 805-238-0208

« Wild Horse Winery – Templeton

Daily 10:30-5

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Zenaida Cellars – Paso Robles 1550 Hwy 46 West; 805-227-0382

Daily 11-5

ZinAlley – Templeton 3730 Hwy 46 West; 805-238-0959

Fr-Su 11-5

Zoller Wine Styling – Paso Robles 525A Pine St; 805 226-9707

X

Mo-Th 12-8 Fr-Sa 12-5

2200 El Camino Real; 805-286-7172

X

Tangent Vineyards – San Luis Obispo Daily 5828 Orcutt Rd; 805-269-8200 10-5

Tantara Vineyard – Santa Maria 4747 Ontiveros Lane; 805-938-5051

By Appt

Tres Hermanas Winery – Santa Maria 9660 Foxen Canyon Rd; 805-937-8451

Daily 10-5

X

X

Zaca Mesa – Los Olivos 6905 Foxen Canyon Rd; 805-688-9339

Daily 10-4

X

X

Alexander & Wayne – Los Olivos 2922 Grand Ave; 805-688-9665

Daily 11-6

X

X

Daily 10-5

Alapay Cellars – Avila Beach 415 First St; 805-595-2632

Aron Hill Vineyards – Morro Bay Daily 11-6 845 Embarcadero Rd, Suite F; 805-610-5751 Win Th-Mo Daily 10-5

Barnwood Winery – Arroyo Grande 453 Laetitia Vineyard Dr; 888-809-VINE

Daily 11-5

X

X

Taste – San Luis Obispo 1003 Osos St; 805-269-TASTE

Mo-Sa 11-9 Su 11-5

X

X

X

X

X

X

« Tolosa Winery – San Luis Obispo « Wood Winery – Avila Beach 480 Front St; 805-595-9663

X

X

X

New tasting room opening this month

X

X

Andrew Murray – Los Olivos 2901 Grand Ave; 805-693-9644

Daily 11-6

X

X

X

X

Arthur Earl – Los Olivos 2922 Grand Ave; 805-693-1771

Daily 11-6

X

X

Beckmen Vineyards – Los Olivos 2670 Ontiveros ; 805-688-8664

Daily 11-5

X

X

Sum 10-5 Win 11-4

X

X

Brophy Clark Cellars – at Los Olivos Wine Tasting Room 2905 Grand Ave; 805-929-4830 Daily 11-6

X

X

Carhartt Vineyard – Los Olivos 2990A Grand Ave; 805-688-0685

Sum We-Mo 11-5 Win Th-Mo 11-5

X

X

2900 Grand Ave; 805-688-2459

Daily 11-5

X

X

Daily 11-5

X

X

Su-Th 11-5 Fr 11-6, Sa 10-6

X

X

4910 Edna Rd; 805-782-0500

X

Wolff Vineyards – San Luis Obispo 6238 Orcutt Rd; 805-781-0448

Daily 11-5

X

X

Addamo Estate Vineyards – Old Orcutt Tu-Su 400 East Clark Ave. Suite A; 805-937-6400 11-7

Cerro Caliente – San Luis Obispo 831 A Via Esteban; 805-544-2842

X

X

Bedford Thompson – Los Alamos 448 Bell St; 805-344-2107

Daily 11-5

X

X

Byron Vineyard – Santa Maria 5250 Tepusquet Rd; 805 938-7365

By Appt

X

Cambria Winery – Santa Maria 5475 Chardonnay Lane; 805 938-7318

Daily 10-5

Fr-Su 11-5 Daily

Daily 2649 Carpenter Canyon Rd; 805-544-4066 11-5

X

Daily 10-5

Kynsi Winery – Arroyo Grande Th-Mo 2212 Corbett Canyon Rd; 805-544-8461 11-5

« Laetitia Vineyard – Arroyo Grande 453 Laetitia Vineyard Dr; 805-481-1772

Daily 11-5

Morovino – Avila Beach 550 1st St; 805-627-1443

Th-Mo 12-5

« Per Bacco Cellars – San Luis Obispo 1850 Calle Joaquin Rd; 805-787-0485

Daily 11-5

X

« Costa de Oro – Santa Maria

Core Wine – Orcutt We-Su 145 S. Gray Street, Ste 103; 805 937-1600 11-6

X

X

Coquelicot – Los Olivos 2884 Grand Ave; 805-688-1500

X

Cottonwood Canyon – Santa Maria 3940 Dominion Rd; 805-937-VINE

Daily 10-5:30

X

X

Curtis Winery – Los Olivos 5249 Foxen Canyon Rd; 805-686-8999

Daily 10-5

X

X

X

Curtis Winery – Los Olivos 5249 Foxen Canyon Rd; 805-686-8999

Daily 10-5

X

X

Daniel Gehrs Winery – Los Olivos 2939 Grand Ave; 800-275-8138

Daily 11-6

X

X

X

Fess Parker – Los Olivos 6200 Foxen Canyon Rd; 805-688-1545

Daily 10-5

X

X

Epiphany Cellars – Los Olivos 2963 Grand Ave; 866-354-9463

Daily 11:30- 5:30

X

X

X

X

Fess Parker – Los Olivos 6200 Foxen Canyon Rd; 805-688-1545

Daily 10-5

X

X

X

X

X

Enjoy exceptional hand crafted wines that showcase the best fruit from Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties.

« FirestoneVineyards – Los Olivos

Daily 12-5

5000 Zaca Station Rd; 805-688-3940

Daily 10-5

Foxen Vineyard – Santa Maria 7200 Foxen Canyon Rd; 805-937-4251

Daily 11-4

X

X

IO Vineyards – The Bench in Los Olivos Th-Mo 2367 Alamo Pintado Rd; 805 938-7365 11-5

X

X

Great Oaks Ranch – at Wine Country in Los Olivos 2445 Alamo Pintado Ave; 805-686-9699 Daily 11-5

X

X

X

X

J Wilkes Wine – at Wine Country in Los Olivos 2445 Alamo Pintado Ave; 805-686-9699 Daily 11-5

X

X

X

X

John Kerr Wines – at Los Olivos Wine Tasting Room 2905 Grand Ave; 805-688-7406 Daily 11-6

X

X

X

X

Koehler – Los Olivos 5360 Foxen Canyon Rd; 805-693-8384

X

X

5230 Tepusquet Rd; 805-938-7896 Koehler – Los Olivos 5360 Foxen Canyon Rd; 805-693-8384

X

X

X

X

« Kenneth Volk Vineyards – Santa Maria Daily

Piedra Creek Winery – San Luis Obispo 6425 Mira Cielo Dr; 805-541-1281 By Appt 271 B Five Cities; 805-773-WINE

« Carina Cellars – Los Olivos

X

NOW OPEN IN THE VILLAGE OF ARROYO GRANDE 211 East Branch Street Sun-Mon, Thu 11-5 • Fri-Sat 11-7 805-481-WINE (9463)

« Pismo Beach Winery – Pismo Beach

X X

X

X

X

X

Brander Vineyard – Los Olivos 2401 Refugio Rd; 805- 688-2455

X

X

X

X

X

Consilience – Los Olivos 2933 Grand Ave; 805-691-1020

X

X

X

Th-Su 11-6 1331 S. Nicholson Ave; 805-922-1468 Closed Mo-We

X

« Kelsey See Canyon – San Luis Obispo Daily X

X

S A N TA M A R I A / F OX E N C A N YO N

« Claiborne & Churchill – San Luis Obispo

11-5:30

X

Daily 11-5

Bishop’s Peak Wines – Arroyo Grande Daily 3031 Lopez Dr; 805-489-0446 10-4:30

1947 See Canyon Rd; 805-595-9700

X

Daily 10:30-4:30

X

Edna Valley Vnyd – San Luis Obispo 2585 Biddle Ranch Rd; 805-544-5855

X

3031 Lopez Dr; 805-489-0446

X

Chamisal/Domaine Alfred – San Luis Obispo 7525 Orcutt Rd; 805-541-9463 10-5

X

Daily 11-6

LOS OLIVOS

Daily 10:30-6

Baileyana Estate– San Luis Obispo 5828 Orcutt Rd; 805-269-8200

X

McKeon-Philips – Santa Maria 2115 S Blosser Rd; 805-928-3025

X

SAN LUIS OBISPO

T IN G LE S

X

X

Saucelito Canyon – San Luis Obispo 3080 Biddle Ranch Rd; 805-543-2111

X

TO UR S

Stephen Ross Wine Cellars – San Luis Obispo Sa-Su 11-5 By Apt 178 Suburban Rd; 805-594-1318 X X X

Daily 11-6

X

HO UR S

X

Daily 10-4

Salisbury Vineyards – Avila Valley 6985 Ontario Rd; 805-595-WINE

X

Fr-Su 12-6

T IN G

X

Riverbench Vineyards – Santa Maria 6020 Foxen Canyon Rd; 805-937-8340

X

X

LE S

X

Daily 10-4

SA

X

Rancho Sisquoc Winery – Santa Maria 6600 Foxen Canyon Rd; 805-934-4332

TA S

Ovene Winery – Santa Maria (Tasting Room: See Solvang) 2717 Aviation Way; 714-420-2525 By Appt X

X

« Talley Vineyards – Arroyo Grande « Pozo Valley – Santa Margarita

TO UR S

T IN G

LE S

SA

TA S

X

Rancho Arroyo Grande – Arroyo Grande 591 Hi Mountain Rd; 805-474-0220 1st Saturday of the month 11-5

X

Th-Mo 11-5:30

X

X

S A N TA M A R G A R I TA Ancient Peaks – Santa Margarita 22720 El Camino Real; 805-365-7045

X

X

X

WINERY - LOCATION

SA

Daily 11-4

WINERY - LOCATION

TA S

York Mountain – Templeton 7505 York Mountain Rd; 805-238-3925

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WINERY - LOCATION

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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK | WINERY LISTINGS

Especially recommended by Wine Country This Week HO UR S

«

X

www.WineCountryThisWeek.com

10:30-4:30 X Daily 10-5

Labyrinth – at Old Mission Wine Company in Solvang 2717 Aviation Way; 805-268-4155 Daily 10-5

« Firestone Vineyard – Los Olivos 5000 Zaca Station Rd; 805-688-3940

Daily 10-5

Daily 10-5

X

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CENTRAL COAST | WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK

Winemaker Profile: Judd Family Winery

STEVE ANGLIM by Dave Wilcox Describing Steve Anglim as a self-taught winemaker doesn’t quite do him justice. Sure, his training includes a home winemaking kit given to him as a Father’s Day gift years ago and several vintages produced in his garage. But that was just the start. Anglim is a voracious reader who devoured information about winemaking and bolstered his talent with a number of UC Davis courses, including an intense immersion program. That knowledge, combined with a passion for winemaking and attention to detail, help explain why Jim Judd hired him earlier this year to produce the wine for Judd Family Vineyards. Anglim brings with him a reputation earned crafting award-winning wines for his own Anglim Winery, which he and his wife launched in 2002. There he focuses primarily on Rhône-style varietals and Pinot Noir, using fruit sourced from boutique vineyards throughout the Central Coast. Judd Family Vineyards grow

34

mostly Bordeaux and Spanish varieties. “That was one of the appealing aspects” of accepting the offer to work for Judd, said Anglim. “The fruit is very different,” he said. “I try to accommodate what I do as a winemaker based on what the fruit gives me.” At Judd, that fruit is grown on the family’s approximately 100 acres of vineyards in San Miguel and Shandon. Additionally, the Judd family recently constructed a new winemaking facility and tasting room after years of making its wine at custom crush operations. “The idea of being able to come into an allnew facility and put your fingerprint on it is a little irresistible for my personality type,” said Anglim. When Anglim entered the wine business, he and his wife still held corporate jobs in Southern California. Part of the appeal of starting his own winery was he’d have to answer only to himself. But when he spoke with Jim Judd about working for the family winery, said Anglim, “all my fears about working for someone

else went away.” Judd, a successful businessman, “gives you direction without getting in the way,” said Anglim. And Anglim said the Judd vineyards produce wonderful fruit. At his own winery, Anglim seeks to craft complex, elegant wines that pair easily with food. While the varieties are different, his goals will remain similar at Judd. Anglim said Judd’s 2009 vintage wines will be “very drinkable, very approachable.” The barrel program at Judd, said Anglim, combines American, Hungarian and French oak, with about a quarter of it new. “There is very bright fruit with a lot of character, medium palate weight, and low alcohol,” he summarized. The Judd tasting room is located on 2850 Ranchito Canyon Road in San Miguel, about five miles off Highway 46 East. It’s open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, or you can call (805) 467-2891 for an appointment any day of the week. Directions to the tasting room can be found on the winery’s website at juddfamilywines.com.

www.WineCountryThisWeek.com

Lane Tanner Wines – at Los Olivos Tasting Room 2905 Grand Ave; 805-688-7406 Daily 11-6

X

Ken Brown Wines – Buellton 70 Industrial Way; 805-448-3791

By Appt

X

Lafond Vineyard – Buellton 6855 Santa Rosa Rd; 805-688-7921

Daily 10-5

X

X

Oak Savanna – at Andrew Murray Tasting Room in Los Olivos 2901 Grand Ave; 805-693-9644 Daily 11-6 X

X

Melville Vineyard – Lompoc 5185 East Hwy 246; 805-735-7030

Daily 11-4

X

X

Qupé Wine – at Wine Country in Los Olivos 2445 Alamo Pintado Ave; 805-968-9699 Daily 11-5

X

X

Mosby Winery – Buellton 9496 Santa Rosa Rd; 805-688-2415

Daily 10-4

X

X

Saarloos & Sons – Los Olivos 2971 Grand Ave; 805 688-1200

X

X

Palmina – Lompoc 1520 East Chestnut Ct; 805-735-2030

Th-Su 11-4

X

X

X

X

Sanford Winery – Lompoc 5010 Santa Rosa Rd; 805-735-5900

Daily 11-4

X

X

X

Sort This Out Cellars – Buellton 593 Avenue of the Flags; 805-688-1717

Daily 10-5:30

X

X

Longoria Wines – Los Olivos 2935 Grand Ave; 866-759-4637

Daily 11-4:30

Daily 11-5

Silver Wines – at Wine Country in Los Olivos 2445 Alamo Pintado Ave; 805-963-3052 Daily 11-5 Scott Cellars – Los Olivos Th-Mo 2933 San Marcos Ave, Ste 101; 805-570-0048 12-5 Star Lane – at Wine Country in Los Olivos 2445 Alamo Pintado Rd; 805-686-9699 Daily 11-5

« Stolpman Vineyard – Los Olivos 2434 Alamo Pintado Ave; 805-688-0400

Daily 11-4

X X

X

X

X

Au Bon Climat – at Taste of the Valleys Su-Th 12-8 1672 Mission Drive; 805 688-7111 Fr-Sa 12-10

X

Blackjack Ranch – Solvang 2205 Alamo Pintado Rd; 805-455-1412

Th-Mo 11-5

X

X

Gainey Vineyard – Santa Ynez 3950 East Hwy 246; 805-688-0558

Daily 10-5

X

X

Imagine Wine – Santa Ynez 3563 Numancia #103; 805-688-1767

Daily 10-5

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Kalyra Winery – Santa Ynez 343 North Refugio Rd; 805-693-8864

Mo-Fr 11-5 Sa-Su 10-5

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Roblar Winery – Santa Ynez 3010 Roblar Ave; 805-686-2603

Sa-Su 10-5 Mo-Fr 11-5

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Sunstone – Santa Ynez 125 Refugio Rd; 800-313-9463

Daily 10-4

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Daily 11-5

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Daily 11-7+ in sum

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Fr-Su 11-5

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Mo-Th 12-7 Fr 12-7:30 Sa-Sun 11-8

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D’Alfonso Curran – Solvang Win Su-Th 11-5, Fr-Sa 11-6 1557 Mission Dr; 805 688-3494 Sum Su-Th 11-6, Fr-Sa 11-7 X

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Verdad Wines – at Wine Country in Los Olivos 2445 Alamo Pintado Ave; 805-686-9699 Daily 11-5

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East Valley - at The Olive House in Solvang 1661 Mission Dr; 805 686-5159 Daily 10-5

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Wild Heart Winery – Los Olivos 2933-C Grand Ave; 805-688-7386

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Alma Rosa – Buellton 7250 Santa Rosa; 805-688-9090

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Daily 11-5

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Buttonwood Farm – Santa Ynez 1500 Alamo Pintado Rd; 800-715-1404

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Daily 10-5

Tre Anelli – Los Olivos 2923 Grand Ave; 805-686-3000

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Bridlewood Estate – Santa Ynez 3555 Roblar Ave; 805-688-9000

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Daily 10-4

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Daily 11-5

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Zaca Mesa – Los Olivos 6905 Foxen Canyon Rd; 805-688-9339

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Artiste – Santa Ynez 3569 Sagunto St; 805-686-2626

Blair Fox Cellars – at Cabana Tasting Room in Solvang 1539 Mission Dr; 805-686-9126 Daily 11-8

Th-Mo 12-6 Sa 11-7

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S A N TA YN E Z

Three Saints – at Wine Country in Los Olivos 2445 Alamo Pintado Ave; 805-686-9699 Daily 11-5 Daily 11-5

WINERY - LOCATION

Wandering Dog Wine Bar – Solvang Daily 1539 Mission Dr; 805-686-9126 11-8ish

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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK | WINERY LISTINGS

Especially recommended by Wine Country This Week HO UR S

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S A N TA BA R BA R A

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Carr Vineyards – Santa Barbara 414 N. Salsipuedes St; 805-965-7985 Coastal Winery – Santa Barbara End of State St; 805-962-2100 Jaffurs – Santa Barbara 819 East Montectio St; 805-962-7003

Honeywood/Olde Mission Wine Co. Tasting room for Honeywood, Michael Grace and Ovene Winery 1539 Mission Dr, #Unit B, Solvang Daily 805-686-9323 9:30-5:30 X

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Giessinger – Santa Barbara 212 State St; 805-568-0820

Lincourt Vineyards – Solvang 1711 Alamo Pintado Rd; 805-688-8554

Daily 10-5

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Kalyra by the Sea – Santa Barbara 212 State St; 805-695-8606

Mo-Th 12-7 Fr-Su 12-8

Daily 11-4:30

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Lions Peak Vineyards – Solvang 1659 Copenhagen Dr; 805-693-5466

Daily 11-6:30

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Kunin & Westerly – Santa Barbara 28 Anacapa St; 805-963-9696

Daily 11-6

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Ampelos Cellars – Lompoc Sat 11-4 1633 West Central Avenue, 805-736-9957 By Appt

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Lucas & Lewellen – Solvang 1645 Copenhagen Dr; 805-686-9336

Daily 11-5:30

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Santa Barbara Winery – Santa Barbara Daily 202 Anacapa St; 805-963-3633 10 - 5

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Babcock Winery – Lompoc 5175 E. Hwy 246; 805-736-1455

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Mandolina Wines – Solvang 1665 Copenhagen Dr; 805-686-5506

Daily 11-5:30

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Summerland – Summerland 2330 Lillie Ave; 805-565-WINE

Tue-Sun 11-6

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Margerum – at Taste of the Valleys 1672 Mission Drive; 805 688-7111

Su-Th 12-8 Fr-Sa 12-10

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Oreana Winery – Santa Barbara 205 Anacapa St; 805-962-5857

Daily 11-5

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Michael Grace – at Old Mission Wine Company in Solvang 1539 Mission; 805-686-9323 Daily 9:30-5:30 X

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Whitcraft Winery – Santa Barbara Daily 36A S. Calle Cesar Chavez; 805-730-1680 12-4

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Ovene Winery – at Old Mission Tasting Company in Solvang 1539 Mission; 714-420-2525 Daily 9:30-5:30 X

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Daily 11-6

Bella Victorian Vineyard – Camarillo We-Th 11:30-7 2135 E. Ventura Blvd; 805-383-8800 Fr-Sat11:30-8,Su11:30-4

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Presidio Vineyard – Solvang 1603 Copenhagen Dr, 805-693-8585

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Daily 11-4

Camarillo Custom Crush – Camarillo 300 S. Lewis Rd, Ste C; 805-484-0597

By Apt

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Rideau Vineyard – Solvang 1562 Alamo Pintado Rd; 805-688-0717

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Weekends 11-5

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Daily 10:30-4

Casa Cassara – Buellton Mo,We,Th 12-6:30 291 Valley Station Dr; 805-688-8691 Fr-Su 11-6:30 Clos Pepe – Lompoc 4777 East Hwy 246; 805-735-2196

By Appt

Dierberg Estate/Star Lane/Three Saints – Lompoc 1280 Drum Canyon Rd; 866-652-8430 Daily 11-5 Fiddlehead Cellars – Lompoc 1597 E. Chestnut Ave; 805 742-0204

Fr-Sa 11-4

Flying Goat Cellars – Lompoc Th-Sa 1520A East Chestnut Court; 805 736-9032 11-4

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VENTURA COUNTY

« Cantara Cellars– Camarillo

Foley Estates – Lompoc 6121 East Hwy 246; 805-737-6222

Daily 10-5

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Royal Oaks – Solvang Tu-Sa 11-7 1651 Copenhagen Dr; 805-693-1740 Su-Mo By Appt

Harrison-Clarke – Lompoc 805-686-0850

By Appt

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Rusack Vineyard – Solvang 1819 Ballard Canyon Rd; 805-688-1278

Daily 11-5

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208 E. Ojai Ave; 805-640-1255

Wed-Sun 12-6

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Hitching Post Wines – at Hitching Post Restaurant in Buellton 406 East Hwy 246; 805-688-0676 Daily from 4pm X

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Shoestring Winery – Solvang 800 East Hwy 246; 800-693-8612

Fr-Su 11-4

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Herzog Wine Cellars – Oxnard 3201 Camino Del Sol; 805-938-1560

Sun-Fri Call for hours

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Huber Vineyards – Lompoc 4892 Hapgood Rd; 805-736-3854

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Uncorked/Monsoon Cellars Fr-Sa 12-9pm 467 Alisal Rd Ste 2; 805-693-8000; Solvang Su 12-6

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Sa-Sun 11-4 & By Appt

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126 Wood Rd, Ste 104; 805-484-9600

« Casa Barranca – Ojai

« Old Creek Ranch Winery – Ojai Valley Daily 10024 Old Creek Rd; 805-649-4132

11-5