Central Coast Edition - May 30,2007

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C E N T R A L C O A S T:

SERVING SAN LUIS OBISPO & S A N TA B A R B A R A C O U N T I E S

YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA CENTRAL COAST WINE, GETAWAYS, THINGS TO DO & EVENTS

winecountrythisweek.com

E ASY-TO - FO L LOW W I N E RY M A P S M AY 3 1 , 20 07

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CARHARTT VINEYARD PAGE 10

OPOLO ADELAIDA CELLARS: TASTING ROOM: SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK VINEYARD’S STEWARDS OF STOLPMAN AT SALISBURY WINEMAKERS THE LAND VINEYARD VINEYARDS PAGE 12

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SAN FRANCISCO 112 204 215 231 247 267 292 290 294 298 337 MONTEREY 116 127 144 160 176 204 202 207 210 250 PASO ROBLES 11 28 44 60 88 86 91 94 134 ATASCADERO 17 33 49 77 75 80 83 123 SAN LUIS OBISPO 16 33 61 59 64 67 106 ARROYO GRANDE 17 45 43 48 51 90 SANTA MARIA 30 25 32 36 75 LOS OLIVOS 27 9 5 34 LOMPOC 18 21 54 BUELLTON 4 43 SOLVANG 46 SANTA BARBARA LOS ANGELES

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San Luis Obispo & Santa Barbara Counties

Los SANTA Olivos YNEZ SANTA VALLEY RITA 246 Buellton Solvang Santa Ynez HILLS

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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK ATTRACTIONS

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C E N T R A L C O A S T:

Claiborne & Churchill Vineyard

SERVING SAN LUIS OBISPO & S A N TA B A R B A R A C O U N T I E S

P U B L I S H I N G E V E R Y OT H E R W E E K ! M AY 3 1 , 20 07 • I S S U E 8 – VO L U M E 1

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ON THE COVER

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TABLE OF CONTENTS WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK

WINE COUNTRY NEWS

ON THE COVER Claiborne & Churchill Vineyards

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PASO ROBLES WINERIES MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Carhartt Vineyard

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F E AT U R E STORY

Wine Country Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7

SAN LUIS OBISPO WINERIES MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 SANTA MARIA VALLEY WINERIES MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

WINEMAKER PROFILE

SOLVANG, LOS OLIVOS, SANTA YNEZ WINERIES MAP . . . . . . . . 24 SANTA BARBARA WINERIES MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 LISTINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27-30 5266 Hollister Ave. Suite 108 • Santa Barbara, CA 93111 • 805-252-5440

PUBLISHER

Dan Zimmerman Direct (707) 938-3734 [email protected]

MANAGING EDITOR

Chandra Grant Phone 707-938-1783 / Fax 707-938-3674 [email protected]

CALENDAR EDITOR

Maria Olascoaga Phone 707-938-1783 / Fax707-938-3674 [email protected]

GENERAL SALES

805-252-5440 [email protected]

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Stolpman Vineyards

Phone 805-252-5440 / Fax 251-252-5440 [email protected]

OFFICE MANAGER

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

PREMIER WINE CLUB

PREFERRED TA ST I N G R O O M

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GENERAL MANAGER

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS

Len Napolitano, Mark Storer, David Wilcox

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Going to Northern California Wine Country? Gold Medal Wine Club

Look for WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK at wineries, hotels, concierge desks, car rentals, restaurants, high-end grocery stories and more! www.winecountrythisweek.com

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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK ATTRACTIONS

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY PASO ROBLES ONGOING Concerts at Castoro Cellars 888-DAM-FINE, Templeton www.castorocellars.com • June 17: Martin Paris & Tim Pacheco • June 23: Baguette Quartette • July 21: Los Pingous • July 29: Up in the Air • Aug 18: Peppino d’Agostino WEDNESDAYS THROUGH JULY 27 Twilight Concerts in the Park Music at the Bandstand, wine & hors d’oeuvres 805-238-4103, Paso Robles www.pasoroblesdowntown.org ONGOING FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH Artist’s Reception at Sylvester Winery Each month a new local artist will be featured 4-7pm, 805-227-4000, Paso Robles ONGOING Winery Music Awards 2007 Tour Enjoy hours of music, wine tours, tastings and overnight stays in wine country 9am, $350, 818-597-9463, Paso Robles www.winerymusicawards.com ONGOING WEDNESDAYS Wine Tasting at Vinoteca Wine Bar Local winemaker featured each week 5:30-8pm, 805-227-7154, Paso Robles www.vinotecawinebar.com ONGOING SATURDAYS Templeton Farmers’ Market Fresh fruit, flowers & vegetables 9am-12:30pm, 805-239-6535, Templeton ONGOING SATURDAYS Paso Robles Farmers’ Market Country farm and craft market 8am-12:30pm, 805-237-9254, Paso Robles ONGOING Art Exhibits at Castoro Cellars 10am-5pm, 888-DAM-FINE, Templeton www.castorocellars.com • June: Paso Robles Art Association-Mixed Media • July: Artist Gregory Simmons – Watercolors • August: Pat Cairn- Watercolors JUNE 1 An Afternoon with Dining with Andre at Meridian Vineyards Sample gourmet delights from restaurant Dining with Andre paired with fine wine 12-5pm, 805-226-7133, Paso Robles www.meridianvineyards.com ★ ★ JUNE 4-7 Justin Vineyards & Winery Culinary Journey Culinary journey of the Central Coast with accomodations, cooking classes, sensory evaluation, gourmet dinners, & day trips $1875pp, 805-238-6932, Paso Robles www.justinwine.com JUNE 5 Annual "Taste of the South Bay” Enjoy great food & wine from local wineries 6-9pm, 805-528-4884, Los Osos www.losososbaywoodpark.org JUNE 9 Round One – Winery Music Awards at Maloy O’Neil Vineyards Five artists are selected in an Elimination Round 4pm, $40, Paso Robles www.winerymusicawards.com

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★ JUNE 9 ★ Rio Seco Texas Hold ’em VII $25 buy-in, food fun and prizes 7pm, 805-237-8884, Paso Robles www.rioseco.com ★ JUNE 10 ★ 4TH Annual Pinot & Paella Cook Off Sip Paso Robles Pinot & enjoy creative & delicious interpretations of paella, $60 12 Paso Pinot Noirs along with 16 chefs presented by Windward Vineyard 2-5pm, Templeton Community Park, Templeton www.pinotandpaella.com, 805-239-2565 ★ JUNE 22 ★ Adelaida’s Summer Solstice Winemaker Dinner 5 course winemaker’s dinner in the caves 6:30pm, $130, 800-676-1232 www.adelaida.com, Paso Robles ★ JUNE 22 - AUGUST 24 ★ Friday Fun Nights at Rio Seco Local music, BBQ and great wine 6-9pm, 805-237-8884, Paso Robles www.rioseco.com JUNE 23 Sunset Jazz at Robert Hall Jazz by Pat Cormick Group, 6:30pm 805-238-2660, www.roberthallwinery.com JUNE 29 Singing in the Rain Great American film starring Gene Kelly 7:30pm, $10 includes popcorn & a drink 805-283-4103, Paso Robles www.pasoroblesdowntown.org JUNE 30 Annual Great Americana Festival Small town fun with games, booths & orchestra 10am-3pm, 805-238-4103, Paso Robles www.pasoroblesdowntown.org JULY 4 4th of July at Meridian Vineyards Fabulous fireworks, live music, great food, ice cream, fine wine and more! 6pm, 805-226-7131, Paso Robles www.meridianvineyards.com JULY 6 An Afternoon with Miss Oddette Oddette’s delicious BBQ perfectly paired with fine Meridian Wines at the vineyard 12-5pm, 805-226-7131, Paso Robles www.meridianvineyards.com ★ ★ JULY 4 All American Pot Luck Get-Together At Rio Seco Winery Food, fireworks and fun! Bring a low chiar, picnic and something to share. 6pm, 805-237-8884, Paso Robles www.rioseco.com ★ ★ JULY 13 Friday Night Wine and Cheese Event Highway 46 West Wineries “Taste Out” award winning wines held at Doce Robles Winery, $15, 888-8-WINERY www.paso46westwineries.com ★ ★ JULY 13 Central Coast Wine Classic Winemaker Dinner at Eberle Winery Guest Chef dinner in the caves $110pp, 805-238-9607, Paso Robles www.eberlewinery.com

★ JULY 13 ★ Central Coast Wine Classic – Guest Chef Dinner at Justin Vineyards French influenced dishes based on field fresh ingredients, 6:30pm $150/$120 Wine Society, 805-238-6932 Paso Robles, www.justinwine.com ★ JULY 21 ★ 9th Annual Vineyard Tour & Blending Seminar at EOS Estate Winery Walk in the vineyard with the winemaker, enjoy hot luncheon and embark on a blending session $40, 805-239-2562, www.eosvintage.com ★ AUGUST 10 ★ Justin Vineyards Annual Wine Society Gala Guest Chef Dinner Featuring Chef Paul Kahan of Blackbird 6:30pm, $150/$120 Wine Society, Paso Robles 805-238-6932, www.justinwine.com ★ ★ AUGUST 18 FOW at Eberle Winery Once a year party for Eberle Winery’s Far Out Wine members, Paso Robles 805-238-9607, www.eberlewinery.com ARROYO GRANDE ONGOING Visit Historic Buildings in Arroyo Grande Sat 12-3pm, Sun 1-4pm 805-473-5077, Arroyo Grande ONGOING JUNE - SEPTEMBER Arroyo Grande Village Summer Concerts Concerts at the Rotary Bandstand, bring picnic baskets & enjoy a variety of music 1pm, 805-473-2250, Arroyo Grande www.arroyograndevillage.org ONGOING SATURDAYS Arroyo Grande Farmers’ Market Farm fresh produce, music, & arts & crafts 12-2:30pm, 805-473-2250 www.arroyograndevillage.org ONGOING WEDNESDAYS Learn How to Make Ice Cream Enjoy a 30 minute skit about ice cream where you help create new flavors. 7pm, Arroyo Grande 805-474-4068, www.docburnsteins.com JUNE 3 Annual Fun Run at Talley Vineyards Walk & run benefit for college bound athletes All events are held on vineyard roads & trails 7am, 805-489-0446, Arroyo Grande www.talleyvineyards.com JULY 4 Forth of July Celebration in the Village Enjoy the Village Band Concert with hot dogs, lemonade and ice cream, 11:30am-1pm 805-473-2250, Arroyo Grande SAN LUIS OBISPO ONGOING Christopher Cohan Center Performing Arts Center – San Luis Obispo 805-756-2787, www.pacslo.org • June 1: Cal Poly Jazz Band’s Jazz Night • June 2: Atascadero Choral Depart • June 5: CP Symphony: National Roots • June 7: RSVP XII Ligatures • June 11: Spring Choral Concert • June 13: Forbes Pipe Organ Concert • June 29: Choral Festival Welcoming Concert • July 6: East Village Opera Company • July 7: Kathy Griffin • July 14: Mozart Festival • July 22: Mozart Festival

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ONGOING THROUGH OCTOBER 31 Hearst Castle Garden Tour Enjoy a special tour of the Hearst Castle focusing on the gardens including Neptune’s pool & wine cellar, San Simeon 800-444-4445, www.hearscastle.com ONGOING FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH Art Gallery Events “Art After Dark” Various art galleries stay open late & host artist receptions with wine & cheese 5-9pm, 805-544-9251 San Luis Obispo, www.sloartcouncil.org ONGOING FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH Art in the Park at Dinosaur Caves Art, crafts, children’s activities, music & more on beautiful bluffs over looking the ocean 10am-4pm, 805-704-8128, Pismo Beach www.pismochamber.com ONGOING Art Demonstrations by Fine Artists Non-profit art gallery exhibit of local artists 7pm, 805-772-2504, Morro Bay www.morrobayartassociation.org ONGOING San Luis Obispo Art Center Show Constantly rotating exhibits in all media 11am-5pm, 805-481-3991, San Luis Obispo www.sloartcenter.org ★ ONGOING TUESDAYS ★ 2-oz. Tuesdays at Taste Weekly drink specials 10am-9pm, 805-269-TASTE San Luis Obispo, www.taste.com ★ ★ ONGOING TUESDAYS Wine Down Wednesdays at Taste Featured weekly winery 10am-9pm, 805-269-TASTE San Luis Obispo, www.taste.com ONGOING THROUGH SEPTEMBER Garden Tours at Hearst Castle Featuring Neptune pool, cabana, and more $30, 800-444-4445, San Simeon www.hearstcastle.com ONGOING Adventures with Nature Docent guided walks Morro Bay State Park Museum of Natural History, 805-772-2694 www.ccnha.org Various hikes throughout the summer including; Chumash Bloody Nose Trail, Fast Hike to Valencia Peak, Hazard Reef, Rookery Wonders, exploring Oceano Lagoon and Morro Rock hikes ONGOING SUNDAYS Art on the Beach at Avila Beach Artists paint & present their work 10am, 805-238-4103, Avila Beach Pier ONGOING Morro Bay Art Association Classes, demostrations and workshops 12-3:30pm, 805-772-2504, Morro Bay ONGOING Central Coast Outdoor Day Hikes Sat/Sun, 888-873-5610, Morro Bay www.centralcoastoutdoors.com ONGOING Art Center Collection Rotating exhibits of works by popular artists 10am-5pm, 805-543-8562, San Luis Obispo www.sloartcenter.org

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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK CALENDAR OF EVENTS ONGOING Champagne Sunday Brunch on a Cruise Ship 11am-12:30pm, $30, 805-772-2257, Morro Bay ONGOING MONDAYS Wine Tasting at Wine Cottage Bistro Featuring regional & varietal tastings 5-6pm, $20, 805-934-4546, Orcutt ONGOING SECOND FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH Morro Bay Embarcadero Art Walk Art galleries’ open house receptions 5-8pm, 805-772-1068, Morro Bay ONGOING FRIDAYS Wine Tasting at The Loading Dock Live music, wine and food 7-10pm, $5, 805-934-3471, San Luis Obispo ONGOING SATURDAYS Fishermen & Farmers’ Market in Morro Bay Fresh seasonal fruit, crafts & musicians 3-6pm, 800-231-0592, Morro Bay ONGOING A Murder Mystery Dinner Enjoy parody of the Sopranos with dinner 5pm, 805-489-3875, Spyglass Restaurant Shell Beach, www.murderinmind.com ONGOING “Slo Folks” Folk Music 7pm, 805-772-2880, Morro Bay Coalesce Bookstore, www.slofolks.org 7pm, 805-528-8963 • June 1: Over the Edge • July 6: Sligo Rags • Aug 17: Peppino D’Agostino JUNE 2 Vocal Arts Ensembe Spring Concert Music from Renaissance to the present in the beautiful San Luis Obispo Mission 8pm, $15, 805-541-6797, Grace Church San Luis Obispo, www.vocalarts.org JUNE 5 AIDS Lifecycle Benefit Watch or ride as bikers cycle along Hwy 1 866-245-3424, San Luis Obispo www.aidslifecycle.org JUNE 15-17 The Pismo Beach Classic Car Show 3 day fun filled event throughout Pismo Beach hundreds of classic restorations & street rods 866-450-7469, www.pismobeachclassic.com

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★ JUNE 23 ★ Laetitia Summer Fete for SLO LEAF Laetitia Vineyard’s premier wine dinner sent on a knoll over looking the Pacific Ocean. Delicious food, fine wine and dancing! Benefit for SLO law enforcement 6pm, $250, 805-474-7650, Arroyo Grande www.laetitiawine.com JUNE 23 Atascadero Wine Festival Enjoy wines from local winemakers arts, crafts, music & more. 11:30am-5pm, $20 805-466-2044, Lake Park, Atascadero JULY 12-15 Wine Country Classic Exciting events throughout the area including new releases, cooking demonstrations, auctions, winemaker dinners and more. Various times & locations, 805-544-1285, San Luis Obispo, www.centralcostclassic.org JULY 14-AUGUST 12 Central Coast Shakespeare Festival Classics performed in outdoor theater 805-546-4224, San Luis Obispo www.ccshakes.org

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SANTA MARIA/FOXEN CANYON ONGOING Santa Maria Valley Railroad 805-922-7941, Santa Maria, www.smvrr.com Elegant excursions featuring five star gourmet meals ONGOING MONDAYS Wine Tasting at Wine Cottage Bistro Featuring regional & varietal tastings 5-6pm, $20, 805-934-4546, Santa Maria LOS OLIVOS ONGOING FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH Wildling Art Museum - Free Friday Flicks Free movie & snacks with discussion afterwards 7pm, 805-688-1082, Los Olivos www.wildlingmuseum.org ONGOING WEDNESDAYS Los Olivos Café - Wine Teaser Wednesdays Taste 5 selected wine with appetizers 6:30pm, $15, 805-688-7265, Los Olivos www.losolivoscafe.com June 6: Que Sera Syrah June 13: Rhônes on the Range June 20: Colossal Cabernets June 27: Sparkling Stars July 11: Vive La France (in honor of Bastille Day) July 18: Vivacious Viogniers July 25: Decadent Dessert Wines August 1: Spanish Sensations (Viva la Fiesta!) August 8: Seductive Sauvignon Blancs August 15: Whites Around the World August 22: Chardonnay Classics August 29: Local Italian Stallions September 5: Zany Zinfandels ★ ★ ONGOING THROUGH JUNE 30 Art Exhibit at Carina Cellars Enjoy local artist at the tasting room exhibit 11am-5pm, 805-688-2459, Los Olivos www.carinacellars.com SOLVANG ONGOING LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH Lucas & Lewellen Summer Fridays Enjoy wine and cheese pairings with live jazz band "The Buzz" 6-8pm, $10, free to wine club members 888-777-6663, Solvang, www.llwine.com ONGOING Quicksilver Miniature Horse Farm Visit Solvang horse farm with beautiful vistas 10am–3pm, 805-686-4002, Solvang ONGOING Solvang Farmers’ Market Fresh produce, flowers and foods 2:30-6pm, 805-962-5354, Solvang www.sbfarmersmarket.org ONGOING THROUGH AUGUST 12 A Body of Work Art work from the Seyburn Zothian Studio 4pm, 805-686-1211, Elverhoj Museum Solvang, www.elverhoj.org JUNE 3 A Body of Work Reception Reception for artists from the Syeburn Zothian Studio Sponsored by Buttonwood Farm Winery 4pm, 805-686-1211, Elverhoj Museum Solvang, www.elverhoj.org

SANTA YNEZ ONGOING WEEKENDS Cachuma Lake Wildlife Cruise Guided 2 hour cruise with wildlife and geology $15, 805-686-505, Cachuma Lake www.cachuma.com ONGOING MONDAYS Maverick Saloon Blind Draw Darts Santa Barbara Darts Association Enjoy BBQ and Darts, 7pm, 805-686-4785 Santa Ynez, www.mavericksaloon.org ONGOING Chumash Casino Concerts 800-585-3737, Santa Ynez www.chumashcasino.com • June 1: ShoBox Boxing • June 7: Chayanne • June 21: Paulina Rubio • July 5: Creedence Clearwater Revisted • July 12: Lynyrd Skynyrd ONGOING Cachuma Lake Nature Walk Naturalists lead walk on the Oak Canyon Trail 10-11:30am, $6, 805-688-4515, Santa Ynez www.cachuma.com JUNE 23 Great Aussie BBQ at Kalyra Exotic BBQ, live music, great wines 1–5pm, $45, 805-693-8864, Santa Ynez www.kalyrawinery.com JUNE 30 Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country Association Presents – Stripes & Syrah Includes tastings at 15 member wineries 11am-4pm, 800-563-3183, Santa Ynez Valley www.santaynezwinecountry.com JUNE 30 Red, White & Blues Concert with Longoria Winery & Buttonwood Vineyard Annual concert at the Buttonwood Pond 805-688-3032, Santa Ynez Valley JULY 1-31 Buttonwood Celebrates Peaches A month long celebration including pies, ice-cream, preserves and much more 11am-5pm, 805-688-3032, Santa Ynez Valley

JUNE 9 Caribbean Festival Celebration of all things Carribbean 805-687-4701, Oak Park, Santa Barbara www.caribbean.santabarbara.com JUNE 9-10 Big Dog Parade & Canine Festival Largest dog parade in the country! 9:30am, 805-963-8727, Old Chase Palm Park Santa Barbara, www.bigdogs.com www.familypet.com JUNE 16 Ojai Lavender Festival 10am-6pm,Libbey Park 805-798-1231, www.lavenderfestival.net JUNE 16 CBVA Volley Ball Tournament California beach volleyball in the sun 805-564-5422, Santa Barbara East Beach www.santabarbaraca.gov JUNE 23 Summer Solstice 2007 Festival Fun festival with live music, crafts & more 12-9pm, 805-965-3396, Alameda Park Santa Barbara, www.solsticeparade.com JUNE 24 A Taste for Justice Wine tasting event featuring many local wineries benefitting Legal Aid with delicious food & wine and live music, 1-4pm 805-963-6754, The Loading Dock, Santa Barbara JUNE 26 2005 Release Party at Edna Valley Vineyards Enjoy new releases & light appetizers & meet the winemaker, 6-8pm, San Luis Obispo 805-544-5855, www.ednavalleyvineyard.com JUNE 28–29 Kern River Rafting and Wine Dinner 800-323-4234, Kern River JULY 4 Santa Barbara Foresters Local 4th of July baseball game 11am, Pershing Park, Santa Barbara 805-684-0657

SANTA BARBARA

JULY 4 4th of July at the Santa Barbara Court House Fireworks sponsored by the City of Santa Barbara 8pm, 805-564-5418 www.sbparksandrecreation.com

ONGOING Touristorica – Historic Downtown Walking Tour Guided stroll - experience Santa Barbara’s past 10am-12pm, 805-965-6307, Santa Barbara

JULY 7 Yard Sale at Nature Center Benefit for the Cachuma Lake Nature Center $6, 805-693-0691, Lake Cachuma

ONGOING Ty Warner Sea Center Explore creatures of the sea 805-962-2526, Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara www.sbnature.org/seacenter

JULY 14 4th Annual Beer Festival & Classic Car Show Great brews & many collector cars 11am, $20, Santa Barbara 805-569-5611 , www.elingspark.org

JUNE 1-24 "This is How It Goes" Comedy/Drama by Neil LaBute 8pm, $25, 805-962-8606, Santa Barbara Alhecama Theatre, www.ensembletheatre.com

JULY 14-15 Santa Barbara French Festival A fabulous French celebration of cuisine & culture including a fun poodle parade 11am, Santa Barbara 805-564-PARIS, www.frenchfestival.com

JUNE 2 3rd Annual Santa Barbara Bicycle Festival Great music, food & fun 8:30am-6pm, 805-569-5611, Elings Park www.santabarbarabikefest.com JUNE 9 Santa Barbara Jr Tennis Tournament Huge event for 8 to 18 year olds 805-965-9510, Pershing Park www.santabarbaraca.gov

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JULY 12-15 US Jr. Olympics Sailing Festival SB Yacht Club host Junior Olympics sailing event 805-965-8112, West Beach, Santa Barbara JULY 20-21 California Wine Festival Santa Barbara Over 70 wineries will pour 200 different wines Various events and tastings around the area 800-850-4370, Santa Barbara

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ON THE COVER WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK

CLAIBORNE & CHURCHILL Twenty-four Years and Counting t seems like only yesterday,” muses Clay Thompson, “that Fredericka and I left our academic careers behind in Michigan and moved to California, with the dream of starting a winery.” Clay is the “Claiborne” and Fredericka the “Churchill” of Claiborne & Churchill, a small, highlyrespected winery located in the Edna Valley, just outside San Luis Obispo, California. Claiborne & Churchill’s first harvest, a mere 565 cases, took place in 1983. This coming fall’s crush (over 10,000 cases) will be their twenty-fifth, and among the wines of that harvest will be a special blend to celebrate the winery’s silver anniversary in 2008. “Fortunately, we didn’t have any idea how hard it would be to start a winery from scratch; otherwise, we would have been afraid to take the plunge,” says the couple. In order to re-tool himself from Professor to Winemaker, Clay took a job as a “Cellar Rat” at a local Edna Valley winery. “I made six

“I

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Clay and Fredericka Thompson

dollars an hour that first year,” he remarks, “but it was a great education, really an apprenticeship.” Clay counts as his first mentor the late Richard Graff (founder of Chalone), who encouraged the couple to “go for it,” and offered them some space to make

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their first vintages. There was never any doubt what kinds of wines the couple would make. From their extensive travels in Europe, they had developed a love of the crisp, firm and dry white wines of the French Alsace region. In the summer of 1983 the couple back-packed along the famous “Route du Vin” of Alsace, visiting the wineries and talking to the vintners. Upon their return they purchased 30 barrels and eight tons of grapes (Riesling and Gewürztraminer), and (as they say) “the rest is history.” That history boasts several major landmarks. Working out of a “warehouse winery” in a San Luis Obispo industrial park, Claiborne & Churchill produced its first red wine (the elusive and precious Pinot Noir) in 1988, and in 1990 Clay and Fredericka were able to purchase some acreage in the Edna Valley. In 1995 they built their winery, an eco-friendly “strawbale” building, the first of its kind.

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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK ON THE COVER

Clay and Fredericka barrel-sampling the 1983 vintage.

LL Although their case production has increased, and the number of different wines in the Claiborne & Churchill portfolio has grown, their focus remains the same. Over two-thirds of their production is devoted to Pinot Noir and to the four “noble” grapes of Alsace: Dry Riesling, Dry Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Dry Muscat. A staff of three full-time and five part-time employees now help the Thompsons, and in April their daughter Elizabeth turned 21, permitting her to work in the Tasting Room. It seems at last that Clay and Fredericka get a little time to enjoy the fruits of their labor. “How does that saying go?” asks Clay, “Oh, yes: ‘after twenty-five years of hard work, we’re an overnight success’!” Clay and Fredericka look forward to their twenty-fifth crush and to the new Anniversary Wine they will make. “In 1993 we celebrated our tenth with a special blend we called Decennium (‘ten years’),” says Fredericka, “and in 2003 we marked our winery’s twentieth anniversary with a new blend we named Jubiläum (‘Jubilee’).” Now they’re pondering what they might call the twenty-fifth anniversary blend. Any suggestions? The Claiborne & Churchill winery and tasting room is located at 2649 Carpenter Canyon Road (Hwy 227), San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The telephone number is (805) 544-4066, and their website is www.claibornechurchill.com.

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WINERY FEATURE WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK

CARHARTT VINEYARD A Legacy in the Making by Mark Storer

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hase Carhartt may not be aware of it, but he is about to continue a legacy. Living on the ranch that his grandfather started lo these many years ago, 18year-old Chase is the next generation to realize the dream started by his father and mother, Mike and Brooke, on the Carhartt ranch in Santa Ynez. Carhartt Vineyard officially began when the Carhartts planted grapes on the family ranch in 1996. Acting on the early advice of mentor winemakers Bill Wathen and Ken Brown, the Carhartts began to make their wine. Eleven years later, they are making a name for themselves in the crowded field of Santa Barbara County wines. Chase is off to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the fall to major in oenology and one day, come back to run – and grow the Carhartt family business. It wasn’t always thus. “Dad bought 2000 acres up here when I was very young. But we’re now down to a paltry 50,” laughs Mike Carhartt. “It was always a ranch but we raised cattle and other things. We never had a vineyard until 1996.” Only ten of the leftover 50

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Mike and Brooke Carhartt

acres are under vines, five are Merlot and five are Syrah. The first vintage was in ’98 and the couple made one barrel of each varietal. Choosing to grow slowly and with purpose, Carhartt Vineyard still only produces about 2000 cases of wine a year, and it is not all just Syrah or Merlot. “We buy grapes from various vineyards – Sangiovese from Faith Vineyard in Los Olivos and Zinfandel from Paso Robles’ Westside vineyards and some others. That’s all we originally planned to do with our own.” The tide turned when Wathen and Brown www.winecountrythisweek.com

stepped in having bought some of the Carhartt fruit. They were blown away by how good it was. Leaving careers behind them, the Carhartts set out to grow wine full time at that point. Neither Mike nor Brooke possesses the formal wine education that their son is about to begin. That hasn’t stopped them, however, from making great wine. “I was always taught that if you don’t try it, you’ll never know,” Mike says. In that spirit, the Carhartts set out to make wine, learning as they went along. “I don’t give us the credit. It’s not us winemakers – it’s the fruit. We’re lucky to have the site we have.” Even with just the ten acres under vines, a full 50% of the grapes the Carhartts use in their wines are estate grown. “Every year, the fruit gets better and every year, we’re able to make some beautiful wines.” The Merlot vineyard is all Clone 3 fruit at Carhartt while the Syrah actually has five different clones growing including Clone 6, 470, 174, 877 and the Estrella clone. “We do a lot of blending of these clones and we’re able to get some unique results with them,” Carhartt says.

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Chase, Mike and Brooke Carhartt

Being a boutique winery on the Central Coast means that about 85% of sales are from the tasting room. Mike Carhartt says that part of what his son wants to do is learn about the marketing and sales end of the business and bring that back here. “He’s the one who chose this – and chose to run with it. He saw the opportunity here and while I’m not ready to move into the twilight just yet, there’s only so far I am willing to go,” he says admitting that the days are long. The slowgrowth plan that Carhartt has adopted has worked well, but as the wines get more popular, so does the need to do more, talk to more people and be in more places. The ’07 vintage is looking good so far, as well and Carhartt hopes to grow the winery to the next level, “around 2500 cases,” he says. “That’s where we’ll stay for a while. It’s a good level for us.” In the meantime, Chase will be off this summer to Europe traveling through Italy, France and Spain where his own wine education will grow and expand. From there, it’s on to Cal Poly for the younger Carhartt. “He’ll have the energy and the expertise to grow the business,” says his proud father. “He’s had a good start working with us here through all the phases of growing and processing – even in the tasting room and he loves it.” Growing up in the farming and ranching business has helped the Carhartts put a perspective on winemaking that many don’t have. Sharing that knowledge and that life with their son has been a joy that even he couldn’t have imagined when he stood with his father on this ranch some 40 years ago. Now, though, Carhartt’s focus is squarely on what that ranch has become. He knows that the focus now is in the vineyard and he knows that without a strong growing program, their 100% French Oak barrels, their attention to yeasts and racking, their focus on blending – mean nothing. “We go where the fruit takes us,” he says. And if son Chase’s decision to join the family business in such a formal way is any indication – the fruit has taken them far indeed. The Carhartt Vineyard tasting room is located at 2990A Grand Avenue in Los Olivos and is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Monday. www.winecountrythisweek.com

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Winemaker Profile:

OPOLO VINEYARDS group of winemakers with decades of experience between them – including owners Rick Quinn and Dave Nichols – share in the oversight of production at Opolo. “Winemaking by committee is unique,” acknowledged Scott Welcher, general manager of winery operations and viticulture. “It works well,” said Welcher, who came to Opolo after more than 18 years at Wild Horse Vineyards. “It’s pretty democratic. We can agree pretty quickly on most decisions.” Among those also participating in that decision-making process is Robert Nadeau (Nadeau Family Vintners and Norman Vineyards), who was elected “Winemaker of the Year” in 2004 by his peers. Opolo got its start in the mid-1990s, when Quinn purchased vineyards on Paso Robles’ east side. Quinn had long been an amateur winemaker and sourced grapes from the Paso Robles area. In 1995, he decided to buy his own vineyard. Nichols, who is Quinn’s neighbor in Camarillo (where both own other businesses) followed suit and bought vine-

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yard property adjoining Quinn’s. Now they own about 270 acres, including about 70 on the west side of Paso Robles, where the winery and tasting room are located. Welcher said while he was still at Wild Horse he routinely purchased grapes from Opolo. The first vintage bottled under the Opolo label came in 1999 and production has steadily increased to about 40,000 cases annually. Among several varietals produced, Opolo’s Zinfandel is its star. A pair of blends are quite popular, said Welcher. “Rhapsody” is a Meritage blend the includes Cabernet Sauvignon from Opolo’s east side vineyards, and Cabernet Franc and Merlot from the west side plantings. “Fusion” is produced using 50 percent Syrah, with the balance made up of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. All the fruit comes from Opolo’s vineyards on Paso Robles’ east side. Although a small amount of fruit is sourced from a handful of other nearby vineyards, Opolo’s wines are primarily made with estate-grown grapes. More than anything www.winecountrythisweek.com

else, said Welcher, that allows the “winemaking committee” to ensure across-theboard quality. “A lot of it comes back to being able to control the fruit source from vineyard to bottle,” said Welcher. “We want to make great wines,” said Nichols, “and the more information we can get, the more we can control the viticultural process and find out what we’re doing right.” Opolo’s stable of varietals includes a 2005 Petite Verdot, a bold, complex wine that would be right at home with a grilled T-bone at a summer barbecue. Unfortunately, the wine has proved quite popular and few bottles remain. Welcher, though, said Opolo plans to continue producing Petite Verdot. Opolo offers serene views of its vineyards, along with nearby walnut groves and coast live oaks. The winery is on Vineyard Drive, just under five miles north from Highway 46 West. The tasting room is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 7110 Vineyard Drive. Call (805) 238-9593 for more information, or visit www.opolo.com.

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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK WINE COUNTRY NEWS

The fact that all 133 acres of its estate vineyards are located in the Santa Lucia Mountains is just one reason for Adelaida Cellars to practice sustainable viticulture. The lean calcareous mountain soils would slowly wash away if not protected from the formidability of winter rains. Furthermore, sustainability and the inherent use of cover crops, manifest healthy soils and provide the means for safer pest control. The goal of sustainable viticulture is to indefinitely produce grapes without causing damage to the ecosystem. It is a comprehensive approach to vineyard management that encompasses soil conservation, vine hydration, non-till practices, and pest and weed control. It has everything to do with being good stewards of the land. Sustainability counters the forces of monoculture by replicating the biodiversity found in a natural environment, resulting in greater resistance to disease and decreased loss of soil nutrients. The basis of sustainable grape growing is good soil nutrition. Adelaida uses cover crops such as wild flower blends (reaching a height of 18-20 inches) and native grasses (fescues and bromes) to build organic matter and biomass in the soil. After mowing and decomposition, cover crop cuttings fortify soil fertility and help balance the nutritional life cycle. Cover crops can also be applied to address specific needs. For example, Adelaida uses cover crops to devigorize soils (pull moisture and nutrients in high vigor areas) when needed while the roots of some plant materials induce soil aeration in certain applications. In addition to controlling erosion and enhancing nutrition, an effective cover crop zone creates a welcoming habitat for beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings. These natural predators feed on unwanted vineyard pests before they are able to spread disease or ingest leaves and shoots. Adelaida Cellars has not used restricted pesticides (those that require a permit) since 2001. It typically uses organic products such as sulfur (mildew and rot control), Stylet-Oil (a biodegradable fungicide and insecticide), Kaligreen (fungicide) and Copper Nordox (disease control). In general, it uses the minimal amount of any product. Lastly, discing (tractor tilling), a farming practice that often causes soil compaction, has been eliminated from all but one vineyard. Tilling the cover crop on its dry-farmed Zinfandel planting forms a protective layer that helps the soils retain moisture throughout the long growing season. The old adage, “feed the soil and the soil will feed the vines,” certainly applies to sustainable viticulture. The process can be as complex as understanding soil chemistry or as simple as avoiding soil compaction by deciding not to drive through a muddy vineyard row.

Spin Creative Designs

Stewards of the Land: Sustainable Grape Growing and Cover Crops at Adelaida Cellars

Whatever the choice, sustainability provides the opportunity to make better wine and promotes a healthy environment for generations to come. Adelaida Cellars is located at 3805 Adelaida Road in Paso Robles, open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (805) 239-8980 or visit

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Preferred Tasting Room:

STOLPMAN VINEYARDS By Mark Storer

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hen Tom and Marilyn Stolpman planted vineyards near Ballard Canyon in 1992, the main focus was on farming the grapes and selling them to local wineries. To this day, Stolpman’s 140 acres continue to grow varietals that are in high demand across the California wine industry. But there’s more to the Stolpman story and that has culminated in the Stolpman tasting room located in the heart of Central Coast tourist country, Solvang, California. Creating “vineyard crafted wines,” Stolpman now makes wines that are focused on the quality vineyards they have grown for the past 15 years. A long, clean and polished wood bar invites tasters in and an exceedingly knowledgeable staff keeps them there. There’s no question that Stolpman wines are popular. The grapes they farm are among the most meticulously maintained on the Central Coast and their reputation is spotless among the many winemakers who purchase the fruit.

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Varietals include Syrah, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Sauvignon Blanc, Rousanne, Grenache, Cinsault, and Merlot but there are also countless blends and then there’s a Stolpman tradition called La Cuadrilla. Translated as “the team,” this wine is made by the 13-member Stolpman vineyard crew. They are given a choice of vineyard rows and allowed to farm it in any way they wish. The fruit is then processed and bottled by the winemakers and each member of the crew gets to take home about two cases of wine that they created. This unique wine helps www.winecountrythisweek.com

Stolpman stay focused on what really counts – making sure they always are aware that their wine is first rate. Wine isn’t the only thing available at Stolpman’s tasting room. On the weekends, the tasting room crew breaks out the estate grown and produced olive oil and samples are available for tasting. With gourmet food items, stemware and other wine assorted merchandise, Stolpman’s tasting room offers everything for the Central Coast wine tasting public. “We definitely pride ourselves on our employees’ knowledge of our product,” says Katie McGaughy of Stolpman Vineyards. “But there is also a warmth and ease they bring to the table.” It is that warmth and ease that ultimately provide the lasting touch for great Central Coast Estate Wines. The Stolpman Vineyards tasting room is located at 1659 Copenhagen Drive, Suite C in downtown Solvang. They are open daily from 11 a.m. with hours varying by season. Tasting cost is $8 per glass, sharing is allowed and tasters can keep the glass.

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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK ATTRACTIONS

Music, Art, BBQ & Trolley Tours at Salisbury Vineyards Salisbury Vineyards recently announced the start of “Schoolhouse Rock 2007” at the tasting room in the Old Schoolhouse in Avila Valley. The place will be rocking with House Red Band on the patio from 1 to 4 p.m. Barbecue fare will be available for purchase and a trolley tour of Avila Vineyards takes place at 4 p.m. Join them for a Sunday afternoon of wine tasting, music, art and wine education! Schoolhouse Rock is every other Sunday through October. The Salisbury Vineyards’ tasting room is in the Old Schoolhouse located at 6985 Ontario Road between the two Avila exits. Call (805) 595-9463 for more information.

About Salisbury Vineyards John Salisbury – a farmer and wine-grape grower whose roots go all the way up to the Sacramento Delta area where the Salisbury family has been farming in Walnut Grove, CA

since 1850 – began growing grapes in the Paso Robles area in 1997. In 2000, he began renovation on the old Santa Fe schoolhouse, an area landmark and a multiple-use facility for many years. “My father, John, is a great visionary,” says Jennifer Rucks, “and could see the schoolhouse as an ideal location far before anyone else! His role has been the most instrumental to this ‘dream.’” In May of 2005, the work completed, Salisbury opened up the facility under the Salisbury Vineyards name. Now, the old schoolhouse is open for tasting

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of Salisbury’s wine seven days a week. Jennifer and her husband, Kevin (also a professional skateboarder) work with John Salisbury in maintaining all operations. With their two children and a past filled with varied and diverse career interests like skatepark owners, artists, and now vintners, the two have made a home here in SLO County in this unique facility. The tasting room also has a gallery, Salisbury Fine Art, owned by her mother, Maridel Salisbury and represents more than 150 recognized artists nationally and even internationally. The wines of Salisbury are as varied and diverse as is the family and the tasting room features the family’s Pinot Noir, cool-climate Syrah, Paso Robles Zinfandel, Chardonnay and even some Cabernet. There are some truly unique wines as well, like Pinot Naturale – not quite a rosé of Pinot Noir, but definitely a nice warm-weather sipper.

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The Best Wines Are Yet to Come at Grey Wolf Cellars by Dave Wilcox

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ehind a 60-year-old farmhouse that’s been converted to a tasting room, a white lab named Bailey gnaws on a bone that’s as pale as the dog’s fur. A few steps away lounges a plump cat. Joe Barton, the owner and winemaker at Grey Wolf Vineyards and Cellars, is chatting with a friend about beer – self-brewed, of course. Spend a few minutes with Barton and it’s like talking with an old college buddy – okay, an old college buddy who knows a heck of a lot about making wine. Pretension is generally in short supply within the Paso Robles wine-making region. It is non-existent at Grey Wolf, where Barton lives in a refurbished bunkhouse and an old blacksmith shed now serves as the winery’s barrel room. Barton, 33, is a self-schooled vintner thrust into the role of winemaker at Grey Wolf when his father, Joe Barton, Sr., died in 1998. The younger Barton was 24 at the time and studying fruit science at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. His parents had opened the winery in 1994 after a career in the construction business in the San Joaquin Valley. His mother, Shirlene, remains his partner in the business. Indeed, the winery’s name reflects the symbolic link between wolf packs and family. With the help of local winemakers, his own tenacity and “a really good memory,” Barton learned the craft. Teaching himself “slowed the learning curve a little bit,” acknowledged Barton, but “what it did offer me was the ability to experiment … to expand my palate.” That early experimentation fostered an adventurous style that has led Barton to become respected by customers and colleagues alike. “I was never making wines for the marketplace,” he said. “My stuff changes every year. People expect it, they appreciate it, and it’s fun.” Zinfandel is among the specialties bottled

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Owner/ Winemaker, Joe Barton

at Grey Wolf. Barton spoke of the versatility of his wine, commenting that customers can find both vintages that are approachable and ready to drink now, as well as “age-worthy wines.” He mentioned the 2004 Zinfandel – The Jackal in the former category, while in the latter he touted the 2004 Barton Family Reserve Zinfandel as “jammy” with French oak notes that showcase the wine. Grey Wolf Cellars, which produces about 4,000 cases annually, has gained notice for a number of bottlings. Among those are Barton’s 2004 Soulmate, a red Rhône blend aged 18 months in French and American oak, which Barton said will benefit from aging, but has immediate drinkability. A 2003 Meritage – Lineage Blend also earned a review as a “dense, lush” wine with “layers of wonderful spices...” Barton said he envisions increasing production gradually to about 5,000 cases, but added he’s in no hurry to ramp up. Making wine is a business, sure, but it’s also a lifestyle. There’s a camaraderie among fellow winemakers, he notes, that will become more elusive as the Paso Robles region continues developing. “I hope it stays like this. Maybe Napa was like this 20, 30 years ago.” But, he added, “we’re about to take off.” Grey Wolf’s initial releases were produced www.winecountrythisweek.com

from fruit purchased from vineyards in the Paso Robles area and Barton continues to source some of the best grapes in the region to supplement his own vines and create quality wines. While Barton is proud of the wines he’s produced so far, he’s confident the best is yet to come. “I’m excited about the wines I’ve got coming out in the next couple of years.” Pausing a moment, he smiled and added, “The proof’s in the pudding.” Grey Wolf Cellars is located on Highway 46 West, 2.5 miles off of Highway 101 in Paso Robles. Family owned and operated, the winery facility and tasting room lie on approximately 12 acres of land overlooking rolling hills, pastures and oak studded meadows, formerly known as Green Valley. The tasting room is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information, call (805) 237-0771 or visit www.greywolfcellars.com.

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2007 Winery Music Awards Summer Concert Series One of the Central Coast’s most successful music events ever among local artists will be returning this year. Held on the grounds of select Paso Robles wineries, the Winery Music Awards competition (www.winerymusicawards.com) showcases the best original, unsigned music artists in California and beyond with a backdrop of grapevines, stacks of wine barrels and the smell of fermenting wine in the air. The artists compete for significant prizes contributed by a variety of sponsor companies within and outside the music industry. A panel of notable judges influential in the music, entertainment and wine industries votes its choices for best artists of the competition. Artists are judged in the categories of originality, musicianship and, most importantly, marketability to the wine-consuming market. The competition is open to the music genres of: jazz, rock, blues, new age, acoustic, country, folk, soft rock, reggae and adult contemporary. The Grand Prize winner of the previous Winery Music Awards competition, held in 2005, was Arroyo Grande’s rock group, Threes and Nines, who is releasing their first CD this year after winning a recording contract with RNB Music (www.rnbtunes.com), a Los Angeles-based record label. The group’s self-titled CD, will be distributed worldwide by Fontana Distribution, a division of Universal Music. A second CD, titled Blend, featuring a compilation of many of the 2005 artists complete with artist bios and liner notes on the Paso Robles Wine Region, will also be released by RNB Music this summer and will be available for sale at all Winery Music Awards concerts and the website. The Winery Music Awards qualifying concerts are held on one Saturday each month from June to September, with the Final competition and Awards show on Saturday, October 6. Confirmed hosting wineries include Maloy-O’Neill Winery (www.maloyoneill.com) and Silver Horse Winery (www.silverhorse.com). “I had the opportunity to be a part of the 2005 Winery Music Awards by pouring my wine for some of the judges at a private tasting. I am excited to be a host winery for this year’s Winery Music Awards. Music and wine are a perfect pairing and this event celebrates that pairing perfectly,” says Shannon O’Neill of Maloy-O’Neill Winery. Stephen Kroener of Silver Horse Winery adds, “We’re thrilled to be a host venue for the 2007 Winery Music Awards. We just finished building our event center and hosting the Winery Music Awards is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our new facility.” Additional select wineries will host the other 3 concerts. Those wineries will be announced once the arrangements are completed. The Winery Music Awards competition, founded and produced by Kathy Kelly Productions, Inc., (www.kellyprods.com) was created out of the growing popularity of quality musical performances at many wineries throughout California. “Some wineries offer fine music, others offer award-winning wines. We’re offering award-winning music at the region’s finest wineries,“ says Kathy Kelly, creator of the event and 17-year veteran in television direct response marketing.

“Wine and music is the ultimate marriage of the senses,” adds Kathy. “The atmosphere is both relaxed and filled with excitement at the same time. Hearing relatively unknown artists perform wonderful music is like tasting a new wine for the first time and absolutely loving it--both moments are experiences to be savored. When you take everything into account—the music, the wine, the winery atmosphere, and the chance to see and hear possibly the next Platinum seller, this truly is a unique and exciting event,” adds Kelly. Information about purchasing tickets, venue locations and concert times, as well as entry information and submission details for interested artists, can be found on the Winery Music Awards website at www.WineryMusicAwards.com.

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In Wine Country

by Mary Babbitt

Destination: Paso Robles

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Mary Babbitt is the host of NBC11’s In Wine Country which airs on Sundays at 6:30 p.m. For more information about Mary, or about the products and people featured in her column, visit www.inwinecountry.com.

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Some people are saying Paso Robles is fast becoming the next Napa Valley. Since it’s about three hours south of the Bay Area, Paso Robles is a great destination for a weekend getaway. You won’t find the crowds or the traffic but you will find fine wine, plenty of tasting rooms and lots to do. We’ve made several trips to Paso Robles on “In Wine Country” shoots and are amazed each time by the transformation of cattle grazing land to vineyards. I used to be a news anchor near Paso Robles in the 1980s, when Paso was considered more of a cow town than a wine town. Back then the Mid-State Fair was Paso’s biggest draw. Fortunately for us, Paso Robles has managed to hang on to its small-town charm while emerging as a force to be reckoned with on the wine scene. Paso is known for sizzling hot summers and cool nights. The closer you get to the coast, the milder the temperatures, but inland, the heat and cold can be quite dramatic. If you tend to wilt in the heat, spring is a great time to visit because temperatures are quite comfortable and the scenery is stunning. By July, almost all but the hills have turned a golden brown, but right now there are plenty of rolling green hills to enjoy. Justin Winery Justin Winery is among the brightest stars in Paso Robles. Their Isosceles meritage is one of the most acclaimed Bordeaux blends in California. But owners Justin and Deborah Baldwin offer the full Wine Country experience with a restaurant, Deborah’s Room, and a small inn tucked away among the vines, appropriately called the Just Inn. With only three rooms, you’ll feel as if you’re staying in your own private Wine Country. Another must-stop along the Paso Robles wine trail is Eberle Winery. Gary Eberle is a pioneer on this wine scene. He co-founded the Paso Robles appellation in 1980 and is considered the Johnny Appleseed of Syrah because he introduced the first 100% varietal planting of Syrah grapes in California. Eberle was also the first winery on the Central Coast to put in underground caves, and with 17 thousand square feet of underground tunnels, they remain among the biggest. Despite his contribution to Paso Wine Country, Gary is about as laid-back as they come. When I visited Eberle, he challenged me to a game of bocce, wine glass in hand, claiming they play “strip-bocce” at Eberle. He was kidding, but Gary’s fun-loving personality definitely sets the tone. In fact, it’s one of the few big wineries left that still pours wine without a tasting fee. Make sure to rub the nose of the bronze boar when you visit; it is good luck. From wild boars to wild coyotes, another side of Paso Robles can be found at Wild Coyote Winery. Wild Coyote is one of the newer wineries to make its appearance on the Paso Robles wine scene and it’s unlike any other winery we’ve been to before. For one thing, it’s styled after the adobe pueblos of New Mexico and for another, there’s a genuine teepee on site. It’s all part of the vision of its owner and winemaker, Gianni Manucci. Gianni is passionate about Native American culture and its connection with the earth. That passion is reflected in his winemaking style, but also in the winery itself. You’ll find Native American artifacts alongside Gianni’s stone sculptures in the tasting room, and if Gianni isn’t pouring some of his Zinfandel, Syrah or Merlot, he may well be out in the teepee, playing his flute. Gianni also recently opened a five-room, New Mexico-style retreat on site that’s part bed and breakwww.winecountrythisweek.com

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Image courtesy of Ron Bez Photography www.ronbez.com

fast and part spiritual hideaway. These are just a few of the wineries we’ve featured on “In Wine Country” but there are dozens more worth checking out. In fact, Paso Robles offers a wealth of fun places to explore including Windrose Farm, famous for organic heirloom tomatoes, Willow Creek Olive Ranch, makers of the acclaimed Pasolivo olive oil and gourmet restaurants such as Bistro Laurent and Villa Creek. It’s not Napa, yet, and that’s part of the charm. Paso Robles is definitely up and coming but it hasn’t abandoned its small town roots. There’s still a Mayberry-ish vibe to the town and you can’t help but hope it stays that way. When you visit, leave your Gucci shoes at home and pack the Timberland boots instead; and if you go during the summer, don’t miss the 4H livestock competition at the Mid State Fair. Speaking of favorite Wine Country places, a quick reminder to cast your votes in the third annual Golden Grape Awards. Each year, we ask our viewers to tell us their favorite places from Wine Country gardens, to yummiest bargain bites and best Wine Country adventures. Go to www.inwinecountry.com to vote. Voting ends June 15 and winners will be announced on “In Wine Country,” Saturday, September 22 at 6:30 p.m. during a special episode kicking off the show’s seventh season.

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DOWNTOWN PASO ROBLES

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HALTER RANCH ADELAIDA CELLARS

Sylvester

R LAKE

AIDA

ADELAIDA

Tab s laCr ke niV darey

ny Harmo

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Tol o sralCe

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EL AD

JUSTIN

SILVER HORSE

WELLSONA

A

NACI M

Y NE IM CH

Rabbit Ridge San Marcos WELL Creek SON

Caparone

CK RO

RiverStar

RIVE

PARK

Hice Cellars Anglim Winery

ES TR EL LA

LU PIN E

STREET

OAK STREET

Vista del Rey

M S AN

Carmody McNight

MISSION LANE

San Miguel

9TH STREET

8TH STREET

Locatelli Pretty-Smith

BUENA

Orchid Hill

10TH STREET

S CANYO N CROS

RIVER

CITY PARK

RIVERSIDE AVENUE

PINE STREET

SPRING STREET

12TH STREET

RAILROAD STREET

Christian Lazo Edward Sellars

ARROYO ROBLES

NEAL

MIDLIFE CRISIS WINERY

13TH STREET

MISSION

Silver Stone

Bear Cave Cellars

To Monterey (108 miles)/ San Jose (150 miles)/ San Francisco (195 miles)

PASO ROBLES STREET

OAK STREET

15TH STREET

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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK PASO ROBLES

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SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK

12th Annual Atascadero Wine Festival, June 22-23 The 12th Annual Atascadero Wine Festival on Friday and Saturday, June 22-23, promises to be a very special weekend. Friday morning, you can tee it up at the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament at Chalk Mountain Golf Course. Your $90 entry fee includes greens fee, cart, lunch, drinks, and goody bag, and benefits the Chamber of Commerce. On Friday evening, the Wine Festival starts its celebration at Atascadero’s scenic Pavilion on the Lake. Enjoy an exclusive live auction benefiting the Charles Paddock Zoo, as well as a unique gourmet winemaker dinner created by several acclaimed local chefs and paired with wonderful Central Coast wines. Cost for the Friday evening event, which starts at 6 p.m. is $100. The Lakeside Wine Tasting and Fine Arts Festival held Saturday afternoon at Atascadero Lake Park from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. will feature the wines of over 100 Central Coast wineries. The ticket price – $30 in advance, $35 at the door – includes a commemorative wine glass, ten tasting tickets, and live music from noon to 4 p.m. Food will be available for purchase1 from a variety of local restaurants. Held in

conjunction with the Atascadero Art Association, the Saturday event will also feature the works of several local artists, and this year’s event will also feature a number of local crafts people as well. For more information log onto www.atascaderowinefestival.com. Tickets for the events are now available online.

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San Luis Obispo

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Windemere/Cathy MacGregor Winery VACHELL

TANK FARM

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Kelsey See Canyon

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Per Bacco Cellars

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Tolosa Winery

Saucelito Canyon & Ortman Family Vineyard

BUCKLEY RD

BIDDLE RANCH

Edna Valley Winery RD

Domaine Alfred

RD

Kynsi Vineyards

SALISBURY VINEYARDS RD EC

AN Y

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AV ILA BE AC H

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Alapay

Rancho Arroyo Grande

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Find your perfect wine club

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Arroyo Grande

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Go online to PREMIER WINE CLUBS

NYO R CA

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Talley Vineyards

NYON RD

CA

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Wolff Vineyards

CA

Pismo Beach

101

CLAIBORNE & CHRUCHILL

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according to: varietal price • color preference winery name • special events discounts • tours • and more!

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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

Secrets of Santa Maria Style Barbecue Revealed taste experience, including fine dining, fresh local produce and Santa Maria-grown food products.” Santa Maria Style Barbecue is a regional dining experience distinguished by locally grown methods, cuts, seasonings and native ingredients. The origins of Santa Maria Style Barbecue date back to the mid 1800s, when local rancheros, or ranchers, would host Spanishstyle barbecues each spring for their cowboys. Today, it is enjoyed across the region at local restaurants, events and celebrations. The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor & Convention Bureau offers a complimentary brochure describing the traditions, methods and recipes of Santa Maria Style Barbecue, as well as listings of local restaurants that specialize in the region’s signature barbecue. Call 1-800-331-3779 or write to [email protected] to request a copy. A downloadable version is also available online at www.santamaria.com/visit/section_visitor/barbecue.html. Wine tourists aren’t the only ones taking note of Santa Maria Style Barbecue. The Hitching Post, a local restaurant, figured heavily in the hit film “Sideways,” and the Minetti-Righetti family, owners of the Far Western Tavern, were recently featured on a segment of the Food Network’s “BBQ With Bobby Flay.”

Brochure Shares Regional Culinary Tradition Offered by Local Restaurants, Including Recipes, Tips & Tricks The 150-year-old tradition of Santa Maria Style Barbecue is set to shine in 2007 as the food and wine scene on California’s Central Coast continues to gain momentum. “The growth of our local wine industry is helping write a new chapter for Santa Maria Style Barbecue,” said Gina Keough, manager of the Santa Maria Valley Visitor & Convention Bureau. “More and more people are coming to enjoy Santa Maria Valley wines within the entire regional

To San Luis Obispo (32 miles, see page 25) 135

1

COSTA DE ORO STO

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101 To Solvang (17 miles, see page 22)

To Los Olivos (11 miles, see page 22)

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SANTA BARBARA COUNTY WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK

5th Annual Pinot Noir Summit Explores Gender Preferences The Pinot Noir Shootout, the most comprehensive and focused tasting of Pinot Noir in the US, has an incredibly diverse tasting panel that is comprised of wine industry professionals from varying disciplines, and judges the wines with and without food. At the completion of the Pinot Noir Shootout, 40 of the top-rated wines participated in the Pinot Noir Summit, a blind tasting of the award-winning Pinot Noirs, an event attended by 300 lucky Pinot Noir lovers. The delegates to the Pinot Noir Summit, seduced by Pinot Noir, indulged their passion. The wines were tasted totally blind and were assigned random colors for identification purposes. The wines could be tasted in any order to avoid undue advantage to a particular wine or group of wines. The delegates pitted their palates against the expert panel’s findings. The results as ranked by the wine judges, and the Pinot Noir Lovers are detailed on the Affairs of the Vine website at www.affairsofthevine.com/pn_results _2007.php. As in last year’s Pinot Noir Shootout, there weren’t huge differences in scores or impressions among the female and male panelists.

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To Santa Maria, Paso Robles

But then the delegates at The Pinot Noir Summit were polled by gender. The Pinot Noir Summit delegates agreed with the panel … the wines tasted were fantastic! The Summit delegates however, did not rank the wines in the same order. The male Pinot Noir lovers’ first choice at The Pinot Summit was Sojourn Cellars 2005 Sangiacomo Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast. The female Pinot Noir lovers’ first choice at The Pinot Summit was Sonnet 2004 Tondre’s Grapefield Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands. There was a definitive gender split. Men and women didn’t agree with each other or the panel on numerous wines. When there were large discrepancies, the female delegates chose wines that were more elegant and balanced, where the male delegates chose wines that were a bit more bold. All of these wines are winners – all received and cumulative scores of 90 or above by the judging panel. All scores are on the website.

To Hwy. 101 Santa Maria (29 miles, see page 24)/ Paso Robles (88 miles, see page 18)

RD CA NY ON

Beckmen

Blackjack

Cabana Shoestring Hitching Post

Presidio CO PE

QU

STOLPMAN

LLE

Morovino

A

154

Gainey Chumash Casino

Santa Ynez

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Kalyra Lion’s Peak/Mission Meadow Winery Mandolina Alisal Cellars Sunstone Bellissima

NH AG EN

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ATT ERD AG

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101

To Santa Barbara (43 miles, see page 23)

24

ARTISTE

Casa Casara Lucas & Lewellen Royal Oaks RK

Sanford Mosby

To Santa Barbara (29 miles, see page 23)

Santa Ynez Inn Wine Cellar

SANTA ROSA AVE

To HWY 1

Buttonwood

DOWVALE MEA

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Alma Rosa

Lafond

Solvang LL

To Lompoc (18 miles)

ON NY

Rideau

HI

246

INDUST RIAL

Buellton

Lincourt

LK CHA

Foley Estates Winery

CA

Ballard

BASELINE

EDISON

To Santa Barbara

MORA

Foley Estates Winery

Bridlewood ROBLAR AVE EDISON

Rusack

Brander & Domaine Santa Barbara

REFUGIO

1

154

ALAMO PINTADO RD

Lompoc

ALAMO PINTADO AVE

BA LLA RD

7TH

Palmina Lompoc “Wine Ghetto” To D’Vine Babcock Hwy. 101 Wine 246 Tasting Melville

GRAND AVE

Los Olivos

To Santa Maria

1

Epiphany CARHARTT Daniel Gehrs WINERY Longoria Consilience WILD HEART Alexander & Wayne Arthur Earl CARINA Wine Los Olivos Tasting Room CELLARS Country Andrew Murray

REFUGIO

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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

ces • 3rd Place – With Food: - La Rochelle 2004 Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands (93) - Lucas & Lewellen 2005 Queen of Hearts Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County (93.5)

Margerum 101 To Solvang (34 miles, see page 22)

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• Judge’s Choice - Wine Only: - Sojourn 2005 Pinot Noir Sangiacomo Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast (93) - TR Elliott 2004 Three Plumes Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley (95) • Judge’s Choice – With Food: - Bogle Vineyards 2004 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley (94) - Phillips Hill 2005 Oppenlander Vineyard Pinot Noir, Mendocino (94.5) • 2nd Place – Wine Only: - David Bruce 2004 Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains (92) - Sonoma Coast Vineyards 2004 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast (94) • 2nd Place With Food: - Ortman 2004 Fiddlestix Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills (93.5) - Woodenhead 2004 Morning Dew Ranch Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley Coral (94) • 3rd Place – Wine Only: - D’Argenzio 2004 Klopp Thorn Ridge Ranch Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley (94) - Phillips Hill 2005 Oppenlander Vineyard Pinot Noir, Mendocino (94.5)

Summerland Winery Jaffurs Wine Cellars 101

Cellar 205

Whitcraft

Santa Barbara Winery

Stearns Wharf Vintners ic Pacif

n Ocea

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WINE COUNTRY NEWS WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK

46 West Wineries Host Wine and Cheese Night O CALIF RNIA

46 WEST

July 13th Friday Night Wine and Cheese The Highway 46 West Wineries Group is having another great Friday night Wine and Cheese Event. The group of 13 wineries will be tasting will taste award-winning wines. Great cheese and breads will be available for tasting to complement the wine. The event will be held at Doce Robles Winery on Friday, July 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. The admission for the event is $15 per person and $25 per couple, tickets sold at the door. The Grapeline will be taking reservations for transportation to and from the event. For more information, call 1-888-8-WINERY.

About Highway 46 West Wineries Group In 2004, thirteen wineries on Highway 46 West formed the Highway 46 West Wineries Group. This group was formed to promote the tasting rooms of the beautiful west side and to make people aware of the uniqueness of 46 West and the wines produced there. Paso Robles Wine Country is as unique and inviting as the people who have dedicated themselves to nurturing the vineyards and crafting fine wines. Visitors to Highway 46 West find the road less traveled is often marked by the thrill of discovery in this uncongested region. It’s an area where hospitality is first among a long list of qualities … where being friends and neighbors is as important as producing stellar wines. Highway 46 West is one thread that weaves among the vineyards and wineries connecting longtime estates with exciting new producers. Rolling hills, majestic oaks and lush vineyards await the wine lover at every turn. The tasting rooms of Highway 46 West invite you to enjoy our neighborhood, relax under the spell of our friendly environment and savor life while sipping our spectacular wines. The participating wineries consist of Brian Benson Cellars, Castoro Cellars, Dark Star Cellars, Doce Robles, Eagle Castle, Fratelli Perata, Grey Wolf, Hunt Cellars, JanKris Winery, Midnight Cellars, Peachy Canyon, Windward Vineyard and Rotta Winery and are all included on the 46 West Passport. The passport is your map to the Westside, including descriptions and hours for each winery. Just like a travel passport you will get a unique stamp from each winery. Once you get 7 stamps you will receive a beautifully designed poster of all the participating wineries labels. When your passport is full with all thirteen stamps, your gift is another poster signed by all of the winemakers and entry into a quarterly drawing for prizes from a weekend stay at one of the groups hotel sponsors to a guided tasting tour. Throughout the year the group puts on other events such as Tax Revolt Weekend and West Fest. West Fest is the big event of the year. All thirteen wineries come together to pour great wines while guests listen to blues music and enjoy delicious food from local caterers. For more information, check out the 46 West Wineries website at www.paso46westwineries.com.

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WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK WINERY LISTINGS

PAS O R O B L ES A R E A ★ Adelaida Cellars – Paso Robles Daily 11-5 5805 Adelaida Rd; 805-239-8980, 1-800-676-1232 X AJB Vineyards – Paso Robles 3280 Township Rd; 805-239-9432 Anglim Winery – Paso Robles 750 Pine St; 805-227-6813 ★ Arroyo Robles – Paso Robles 739 12th St; 877 759-WINE B & E Winery – Paso Robles 10,000 Creston Rd; 805-238-4815

Weekends 12-5

X

X

X

X

TA ST IN G SA LE S

WINERY - LOCATION

TO UR S

HO UR S

TA ST IN G SA LE S

TO UR S

WINERY - LOCATION

HO UR S

★ Especially recommended by Wine Country This Week

WINERY - LOCATION

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

X

X

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

Sa-Su 12-6

X

X

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

Daily 11-5

X

X

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

Sa-Su 10-5

X

X

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

Daily 11-5

X

X

Chumeia Vineyards – Paso Robles Daily 8331 Hwy 46 E; 805-226-0102 10-5

X

X

Carmody McKnight Estate Wines – Paso Robles 11240 Chimney Rock Rd; 805-238-9392 Daily 10-5 X

X

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

Daily 12-5

X

X

X

X

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

Fr-Su 10:30-5

X

X

Daily 11-6

X

X

Denner Vineyards & Winery – Paso Robles 5414 Vineyard Dr; 805-239-4287 Sa-Su 12-4

X

X

X

X

X

Th-Mo 11-5:30

X

X

Closed Tu Daily 11-7

X

X

X

X

Cass Winery – Paso Robles 7350 Linne Rd; 805-239-1730

X

X

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

Daily 10-5:30

X

X

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

Daily 10-5:30

We-Su 11-5:30 Closed Tu

X

X

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

Sa-Su 12-5 Or By Appt

Sa 11:30-5 By Su 12-4 Appt X

X

Dover Canyon Winery – Paso Robles Th-Su 4520 Vineyard Dr; 805-237-0101 11-5

X

Dunning Vineyards Estate Winery – Paso Robles 1953 Niderer Rd; 805-238-4763 Daily 10-5:30

Fr-Su 10-5

By Appt

Bear Cave Cellars – Paso Robles By Appt. & 1227 Park St; 805-238-4329 Some Weekends

TA ST IN G SA LE S

9:10 AM

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★ Casa de Caballos Vineyard – Templeton 2225 Raymond Avenue; 805-434-1687 Daily 11-5

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

Fr-Su 10-5

X

X

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

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

Daily 10-5

X

X

Changala Winery – Templeton 422 Main St; 805-238-0421

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

By Appt.

X

X

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

Daily 9-5

www.winecountrythisweek.com

X

X X X

X

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Eagle Castle Winery – Paso Robles Daily 3090 Anderson Rd; 805-227-1428 10:30-5:30 X ★ Eberle Winery – Paso Robles 3810 Hwy 46 E; 805-238-9607

Daily 10-5

Edward Sellers – Paso Robles 1220 Park St; 805-239-8915

Th-Mo 12-7

★ EOS Estate Winery – Paso Robles 5625 Hwy 46 East; 805-239-2562 Falcon Nest – Paso Robles 5185 Union Rd; 805-226-0227 Firestone Vineyard – Paso Robles Hwy 46 East; 805-688-3940

Daily 10-5

X

X

Daily 10-7:30

By Appt

Four Vines Winery – Templeton 3750 Hwy 46 West; 805-237-0055

Daily 11-5

By Appt

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

By Appt

X

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

By Appt, Wine Club Only

X

X

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

Fr-Su 11-5

X

X

X

Locatelli Winery – Paso Robles 8585 Cross Canyons Rd; 805-467-0067

Fr-Su 11-4

Lone Madrone – Paso Robles 2485 Hwy 46 West; 805-238-0845 Madison Cellars – Paso Robles 4540 Hwy 41; 805-238-9831

X

X X

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

Th-Mo 11-5

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

Daily 10-5:30

X

Harmony Cellars – Harmony 3255 Harmony Valley Rd; 805-927-1625

Daily 10-5

X

Hice Cellars – Paso Robles 821 Pine St Unit D; 805-237-8888 Hug Cellars – Paso Robles 2323 Tuley Ct Ste. 120 D; 805-828-5906

X

X

X

Mastantuono – Templeton 2720 Oak View Rd; 805-238-0676

X

Pianetta – Paso Robles 2040 Niderer Rd; 805-227-6385 By Appt X X X Tasting Room: 829 13th St; 805-226-4005 Mo, Th, Fr 12-6; Sa-Su 11-6 Pipestone – Paso Robles 2040 Niderer Rd; 805-227-6385

Th-Mo 11-5

X

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

By Appt

X

X

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

Daily 10:30-5

X

X

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

By Appt

X

X

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

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

X

WINERY - LOCATION

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

Mc Clean 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

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Fr-Su 10-5

X

X

Daily 11-5

X

X

Rainbows End Winery – San Miguel By 8535 Mission Ln; 805-467-3345 Appt

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

San Marcos Creek Vineyard – Paso Robles 7750 North Hwy; 805-467-9260 Daily 11-5

X

X

Scott Aaron – Templeton 422 South Main; 888-611-9463

Sa-Su 11-5

X

X

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

Th-Mo & Holidays 11-5:30

RiverStar Vineyards – Cayucos 36 N Ocean Ave; 805-995-3741

Fr-Su 11-4

RN Estate Winery – Paso Robles 7986 North River Rd; 805-467-3106

By Appt

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

Daily 10-6

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

Daily 11-5

X

★ Midlife Crises – Paso Robles 1244 Pine St, Suite A; 805-237-8730

Th-Mo 10:30-6

X

Midnight Cellars – Paso Robles 2925 Anderson Rd; 805-239-8904

Daily 10-5:30

X

X

Sextant Wines – Templeton 45 Main St; 866-833-9463

By Appt

X

★ Minassian-Young – Paso Robles 4045 Peachy Canyon Rd; 805-238-7571

Fr-Su 11-5

X

X

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

Fr-Mo 11-5

X

X

Th-Mo 12 -5

NadeauFamilyVintners – Paso Robles Fr-Su 3860 Peachy Canyon Rd; 805-239-3574 12-5

X

X

Silver Stone – Paso Robles 827 13th St; 805-226-2788

Fr-Sa 12-7 Su 12-4

X

X

Th-Mo 11-5

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

X

X

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

X

X

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

X

X

X

X

Stephen’s Cellar – Templeton 7575 York Mountain Rd; 805-238-2412

By Appt

X

X

X

X

Still Waters Vineyards – Paso Robles Th-Mo 11-5 2750 Old Grove Ln; 805-237-9231

X

X

X

X

X

X

★ Hunt Cellars – Paso Robles 2875 Oakdale Rd; 805-237-1600

Daily 10:30-5:30

X

X

J Lohr – Paso Robles 6169 Airport Rd; 805-239-8900

Daily 10-5

X

X

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

By Appt

X

X

Daily 11-5 Daily 10-5

X X

X X

X X

By Appt

L’Aventure Winery – Paso Robles Th-Su 11-4 or By Appt 2815 Live Oak Rd; 805-227-1588

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TA ST IN G SA LE S

X

★ Halter Ranch Vnyd – Paso Robles 8910 Adelaida Rd; 805-226-9455

Kukkula – Templeton 9525 Chimney Rock Rd; 805-434-5475

TO UR S

Daily 10-5

Daily 11-5:30

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

HO UR S

★ Laura’s Vineyard – Paso Robles 5620 Hwy 46 East; 805-238-6300

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

JanKris Winery – Templeton 1266 Bethel Rd; 805-434-0319

WINERY - LOCATION

X

Fralich Vineyard & Winery – Templeton By Appt 805-434-1526 – Private tastings at Paso Robles Wine Services; 805-434-1526 Fratelli Perata – Paso Robles 1595 Arbor Rd; 805-238-2809

★ Especially recommended by Wine Country This Week

X

X

Daily 10-5

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

TA ST IN G SA LE S

TO UR S

WINERY - LOCATION

HO UR S

WINERY LISTINGS WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK

TA ST IN G SA LE S

9:10 AM

TO UR S

6/5/07

HO UR S

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X

X

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

Daily 11-5 Daily 10-5

Orchid Hill Vineyard – Paso Robles By Appt X Tasting Room: (Opens in March) Daily 11-5:30 1140 Pine St; 805-237-7525

X

X

By Appt

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

X

X

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

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

X

X

Sylvester Vineyards – Paso Robles Daily 5115 Buena Vista Dr; 805-227-4000 11-5

X

X

X

★ Peachy Canyon Winery Too – Paso Robles 2020 Nacimiento Lake Dr; 805-237-7848 Fr-Su 11-5

X

X

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

Daily 10-5

X

X

X

Fr-Su Penman Springs – Paso Robles 1985 Penman Springs Dr; 805-237-7959 11-5:30

X

X

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

By Appt

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Daily 10-5:30

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

X

X

Kelsey See Canyon – San Luis Obispo Daily 1947 See Canyon Rd; 805-595-9700 11-5

X

X

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

Daily 10-5

X

X

Tobin James Cellars – Paso Robles Daily 8950 Union Rd; 805-239-2204 10-6

X

X

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

X

X

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

Daily 10-5

X

X

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

Fr-Mo 11-5

X

X

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

Daily 11-5

X

X

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

Daily 10-5

X

X

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

Daily 9-5

X

X

Ortman Family – San Luis Obispo 3080 Biddle Ranch Rd; 805-473-9463

Th-Mo 10-5

X

X

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

Daily 11-4

X

X

Venteaux – Templeton 1795 Las Tablas Rd; 805-610-3310

By Appt

X

X

Per Bacco Cellars – San Luis Obispo Th-Mo 1850 Calle Joaquin Rd; 805-787-0485 11-5

X

X

IO Vineyards – Santa Maria 5250 Tepusquet Rd; 805-934-4770

By Appt

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

By Appt

X

X

Piedra Creek Winery – San Luis Obispo By Appt 6425 Mira Cielo Dr; 805-541-1281

Vihuela Winery – Templeton 2850 El Pomar Dr; 805-423-8423

Sa-Su 11-5

X

X

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

Villicana Winery – Templeton 2725 Adelaida Rd; 805-239-9456

Fr-Su 11-5

X

X

Vina Robles – San Miguel 3000 Pleasant Rd; 805-227-4812

By Appt

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

Su 11-5

X

X

Whalebone Winery – Paso Robles By 8325 Vineyard Ranch Way; 805-239-8590 Appt Wild Coyote Winery – Paso Robles 3775 Adelaida Rd; 805-610-1311

X

X

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

X

X

Daily 11-5

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

Daily 11-5

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

X X X

X X

Daily 10:30-6

★ Baileyana Vineyard – San Luis ObispoDaily 5828 Orcutt Rd; 805-269-8200 10-5

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

Daily 10-5

X

X

Daily 11-6

X

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

X

X

Saucelito Canyon – San Luis Obispo Th-Mo 10-5 3080 Biddle Ranch Rd; 805-543-2111

X

X

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

X

X

Rancho Sisquoc Winery – Santa Maria Daily 6600 Foxen Canyon Rd; 805-934-4332 10-4

X

X

X

X

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

By Appt

X

X

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

Daily 10-4

X

X

Mo-We 10-9, Th-Sa 10-6 Su 11-6 X

X

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

Daily 11-6

X

X

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

Daily 11-6

X

X

Arthur Earl – Los Olivos 2921 Grand Ave; 805-693-1771

Daily 11-6

X

X

Beckmen Vineyards – Los Olivos 2905 Grand Ave; 805-688-8664

Daily 11-5

X

X

Bernat – at Los Olivos Café 2879 Grand Ave; 805-688-7265

Daily 11-9

X

X

Stephen Ross Wine Cellars – San Luis Obispo 2330 Johnson Ave; 805-594-1318 By Appt

Talley Vineyards – San Luis Obispo Daily 3031 Lopez Dr; 805-489-0446 10:30-4:30 ★ Taste – San Luis Obispo 1003 Osos St; 805-269-TASTE

X X

Wild Wood Winery – San Luis Obispo By 555 El Camino Real; 805-546-1088 Appt

X

Windemere/Cathy MacGregor Wines – San Luis Obispo Sa-Su 12-5 3526 S. Higuera Rd; 805-542-0133

X

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

Daily 11-5

Th-Su 11-5

X

X

LOS OLIVOS

X

X

S A N TA M A R I A / F O X E N C A N Y O N X

X

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

X

X

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

X

X

X

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

Daily 11-5

X

X

The Brander Vineyard – Los Olivos Daily 2401 Refugio Rd; 805- 688-2455 11-4

X

X

★ Carhartt Vineyard – Los Olivos Th-Mo 11-5 2990A Grand Ave; 805-688-0685 (Closed Tu-We)

X

X

★ Carina Cellars – Los Olivos 2900-A Grand Ave; 805-688-2459

Daily 11-5

X

X

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

Daily 11-5

X

X

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

Daily 11-5

X

X

Byron Vineyard – Santa Maria 5250 Tepusquet Rd; 805-934-4770

By Appt

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

Fr-Su 11-5

X

X

Cambria Winery – Santa Maria 5475 Chardonnay Lane; 888-339-9463

Daily 10-5

★ Claiborne & Churchill – San Luis Obispo Daily 2649 Carpenter Canyon Rd; 805-544-4066 11-5

X

X

Chimere – Santa Maria 217 North Russell; 805-310-1148

By Appt

Daily 10-5

X

X

★ Costa De Oro – Santa Maria 1331 S. Nicholson Ave; 805-922-1468

Daily 11-6

Edna Valley Vnyd – San Luis Obispo Daily 2585 Biddle Ranch Rd; 805-544-5855 10-5

X

X

Domaine Alfred – San Luis Obispo 7525 Orcutt Rd; 805-541-9463

X

X

Tolosa Winery – San Luis Obispo 4910 Edna Rd; 805-782-0500

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

★ KennethVolk Vineyards – Santa Maria Fr-Su 10:30-4:30 X 5230 Tepusquet Rd; 805-938-7896

Daily 11-6

★ Tangent Vineyards – San Luis Obispo Daily 5828 Orcutt Rd; 805-269-8200 11-5

Daily 11-5

★ Windward Vineyard – Paso Robles 138 Live Oak Rd; 805-239-2565

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

X

X

Cottonwood Canyon – Santa Maria Daily 3940 Dominion Rd; 805-937-9063 10-5:30

www.winecountrythisweek.com

X

X

X

X

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

Daily 10-5

X

X

X

X

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

Daily 11-5

X

X

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Dierberg Estate Vineyard – at Wine Country in Los Olivos 2445 Alamo Pintado Ave; 805-686-9699 Daily 11-5 X X

Clos Pepe – Lompoc 4777 East Hwy 246; 805-735-2196

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

Th-Mo 11:30- 5:30

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WINERY - LOCATION

Mission Meadow Winery – Solvang Daily 1659 Copenhagen Dr; 805-693-1344 11-6

By Appt

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Fiddlehead Cellars – at the Lompoc Wine Ghetto 1597 E. Chestnut Ave; 800-251-1225 Th-Sa 11-4

X

X

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

X

John Kerr Wines – at Los Olivos Wine Tasting Room 2905 Grand Ave; 805-688-7406 Daily 11-5:30 X

X

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

Daily 10-5

X

X

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

Daily 11-6

X

X

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

Daily 10-5

X

X

Harrison-Clarke – Lompoc 805-686-0850

By Appt

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

Daily 11-4

X

X

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

Daily 10-5

X

X

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

Royal Oaks – Solvang 1651 Copenhagen Dr; 805-693-1740

Daily 10-5:30

X

X

Flying Goat Cellars – at Wine Country in Los Olivos 2445 Alamo Pintado Ave; 805-686-9699 Daily 11-5

X

X

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

By Appt

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

Daily 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

Ken Brown Wines – Buellton 2025 Still Meadows Rd; 805-448-3791

By Appt

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

Fr-Su 11-4

X

X

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

X

X

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

Daily 10-5

★ Stolpman Vineyard – Solvang 1659 Copenhagen Dr; 805-688-0400

Daily 11-4

X

X

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

Daily 11-4

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

Daily 10-4

Daily 11-5

X

X

Au Bon Climat – Wine Cellar Tasting Room in Santa Ynez 3631 Sagunto St; 805-688-8688 Daily 11-6 X

X

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

Daily 10-5

X

X

Buttonwood Farm – Santa Ynez 1500 Alamo Pintado Rd; 805-688-3032

Daily 11-5

X

X

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

Daily 10-5

X

X

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

Daily 11-5

X

X

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

Daily 10-4

X

X

Cellar 205 – Santa Barbara 205 Anacapa St; 805-962-5857

Daily 11-5

X

X

Jaffurs – Santa Barbara 819 East Montectio St; 805-962-7003

Fr-Su 12-4

X

X

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

Daily 10-5

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

X

X X

Longoria Wines – Los Olivos Fr-Su 11-4:30 2935 Grand Ave; 866-759-4637 Mo-Th 12-4:30, Closed Tu X Oak Savanna – at Andrew Murray Tasting Room in Los Olivos 2901 Grand Ave; 805-693-9644 Daily 11-6 X Qupé Wine – at Wine Country in Los Olivos 2445 Alamo Pintado Ave; 805-968-9699 Daily 11-5 Silver Wines – at Wine Country in Los Olivos 2445 Alamo Pintado Ave; 805-963-3052 Daily 11-5 Star Lane – at Wine Country in Los Olivos 2445 Alamo Pintado Rd; 805-686-9699 Daily 11-5

X X X

X X X X X

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

Th-Sa 11-4

Sanford Winery – Buellton 7250 Santa Rosa Rd; 805-688-3300

Daily 11-4

X

X X

X

X

X

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

X

X

X

X

X

Vandale – at The Ballard Inn in Ballard Fr-Su 2436 Baseline Ave; 805-688-7770 12-5:30

X

X

East Valley – a Cabana Tasting Room in Solvang Daily 11-5 1661 Mission Dr; 805-686-5159

Daily 10-4

X

X

X

Daily 11-5 Closed Wed

X

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

X

X

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

X

Daily 11-5

X

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

S O LVA N G

Casa Cassara – at Olive House in Solvang 1661 Mission Dr; 805-686-5159 Daily 11-5

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

X

S A N TA Y N E Z

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

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

X

S A N TA B A R B A R A

X

X

Jorian Hill – Solvang 1051 Croft Lane; 805-686-8490

By Appt

X

X

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

Daily 10-5

X

X

Margerum Wine Company – at Wine Cask in Santa Barbara X Sa-Su 11-3 813 Anacapa St; 805-966-9463

X

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

Fr-Mo 11-5

X

X

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

X

X

X

X

L O M P O C / B U E L LT O N Alma Rosa – Buellton 201-C Industrial Way; 805-688-9090

Daily 11-4

X

X

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

Daily 11-5:30

X

X

Stearns Wharf Vintners – Santa Barbara 9-9 Summer 9-6 Winter End of State St; 805-966-6624

X

X

Ampelos Cellars – Lompoc 805-736-9957

By Appt

X

X

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

Daily 11-5:30

X

X

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

X

X

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

Daily 10:30-4

X

X

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

X

Fr-Su Whitcraft Winery – Santa Barbara 36A S. Calle Cesar Chavez; 805-965-0956 12-4

X

X

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GOLD MEDAL WINE CLUB hen you join the Gold Medal Wine Club, you enter into a dream that has lasted for 15 years. When the club was started in 1992, their goal was simple: travel the back roads of California’s most famous wine regions to find award-winning, hard-to-find wines – wines that are produced only in very limited quantities. That dream is still very much alive today, and the club still strictly adheres to those lofty goals. They are continually searching for the finest wines there are available. As a member it really is like having a friend – a very knowledgeable friend, with impeccable connections – in the wine trade. One with unlimited access to out-of-the-way, boutique wineries – wineries who produce exceptional wine you may have heard of, but have never been able to find at your local wine shop. The people at Gold Medal Wine Club also publish a full-color publication, The Wine Press, full of information on the wines they have discovered, the history of the featured winery and the selected wines, lots of interesting facts, recipes, interviews and insider’s news of the wine industry. It is all there to enhance the experience. The club is also able to tailor special requests for their members, be it shipping two bottles or up to 12 bottles at a time, selecting “all reds” or “all whites” (or even specific varietals) for your shipments, and sending them once a month, every-other-month or even quarterly. The choice is yours; it is all part of the club’s commitment to really make this your club.

W

Wine Club Details There are four levels of membership at Gold Medal Wine Club; shipping and applicable tax for each shipment is additional:

The Gold Series: • An excellent introduction to the offerings of the club, and a perfect gift as well. Each two-bottle shipment of one red and one white wine is $32.

The Platinum Series: • For $69 to $99 per two-bottle shipment, members receive rare, highly rated, collectible wines from wineries where production is measured in the 100s not the 1000s of cases. Because of the scarcity of these wines, this is a limited-membership program.

The Diamond Series: • This level showcases legendary wines, and those headed toward legendary status. The cost for each two-bottle shipment of these extraordinary wines is $149 to $179 per shipment, and due to the demand for these wines, and the small allotment available, membership in the Diamond Series is extremely limited. This is the club for those interested in the best luxury premium wines available.

The International Series: • Wines available to members of this club receive wines that are hand-picked and imported exclusively by the professionals at Gold Medal Wine Club. Each delivery includes two red wines and one white wine from around the world. Members also receive a unique “Adventure Package” that takes you beyond the wines to experience a delectable selection of imported gourmet treats from the featured country. Each quarterly three-bottle shipment and the “Adventure Package” is $65 to $95 a shipment. In addition to all of these options, there is also an add-on (PLUS!) Program, featuring wines worthy of your attention, but with availability too scarce to share with all members. These are wines in such short supply that they are shipped only to Gold and Platinum Series members six or eight times a year, and once or twice a year to members of the Diamond Series.

GOLD MEDAL WINE CLUB 800-266-8888 • www.goldmedalwine.com

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