With a three-day weekend looming ahead of me, a road trip was definitely in order.  What better way to get a little wine tasting in! So, on Sunday we headed to Santa Barbara, thinking we would've missed all the traffic and everyone would be pretty settled in their weekend vacation spot.  That held true until just about the time we hit the 150, just east/south of Carpinteria.  It was a perfect day to drive along the coast and we weren't the only ones with a great idea!  The traffic backed up, but only for a couple of miles and we were on the go again.  I only had 2 destinations in mind, Jaffurs and Whitcraft.  I've been trying to get to Jaffurs the last couple of visits to SB, but always seem to run out of time.  They're not located in the funk zone, so you have to make a conscious effort to go there, but well worth it.  Steve helped us with our tasting, but to tell the truth, it was the other patrons that really sold the day for me.  I met so many really nice people.  Two couples on their way to Los Olivos for a wine tasting and jazz festival (how did I miss out on that one?!), a super nice lady who recommended Petit Valentin (next visit) and a fun couple from San Diego up for the weekend to celebrate his birthday.  We left with some fantastic wine, too, I might add and a new club membership.  Their viognier is to die for and we even bought a couple of wines we weren't able to taste, which I never do, their wine was that good.  

Sadly we had to leave, so off to Whitcraft we went.  I had higher expectations for this place.  I was not impressed with the wine, although several other patrons were buying a bottle or two or three.    I think, for me, the experience is a huge selling point, and while I didn't have a bad experience there, it fell flat for me.  I wanted to hightail it right back to Jaffurs.

To round out the day, we stopped by Jolly Oyster, located inside Ventura State Beach.  What a perfect day!  We cracked open our already chilled bottle of August Ridge Pinot Gris, ordered up some habanero oysters and oyster tacos.  We were set!  This is a cash only place, so come prepared, and note that there is also a parking fee, assessed by the State Park.  But, you won't mind the fee once you get a taste of the freshly caught oysters and feel that ocean breeze and sunshine on your face.  It's a fantastic place to relax and grab some fresh air.  Just over the dunes, you'll find the ocean beckons you to walk off the oysters and slow down a moment or two.  Wrapping up a perfect day.

So, although it was only a day trip, we packed a lot in, and yet, it didn't really feel that way.  Just like a day trip should be!

A Family Affair

Another new discovery on this last trip to Paso Robles was J Dusi Winery.  A friend of ours suggested we stop by this winery and introduce ourselves to winemaker Janelle Dusi.  It was fairly late in the day and the place was hoppin'!  We slid in to a recently vacated space along the bar and were immediately met with a friendly face and a small wood appetizer plate with some treats on it.  When I mentioned that we hadn't ordered this, I was told, "They're Italian.  They have to feed you!"  Loved that and I was on board for the ride.  Though hectic in the tasting room, Janelle took a few moments to chat with us.  We also met Janell's mother, Jonny, and her grandmother, who was so spritely and fun.  They were all so friendly and made us feel right at home.  I love that these generations of women are working together to support Janell's dream and make some really great wine.  The story is easy to find online, but basically, Janell's grandfather grew grapes that he sold to other wineries.  Janell wanted to learn how to make wine, and after some resistance, her grandfather agreed.  The rest is history, as they say.  I loved the Pinot Gris and would gladly have taken home all the dessert wine I could cram into our car.  Unfortunately, my credit card has a limit.  We took our friends a couple of days later and enjoyed sitting outside under one of the umbrellas, enjoying the fresh air.   Stop by and say hi to the Dusi family, you'll be glad you did!

San Miguel; A Treasure Just North of Paso Robles

Last weekend we took a trip to Paso Robles.  I love it up there.  I guess it's hard not to love someplace when you're on vacation - even if it's only for a long weekend.  We were meeting some friends who couldn't get there until later in the day, but that didn't stop us from heading out early.  So many wines, so little time.  It was the perfect opportunity to hit some more out of the way spots our friends didn't seem as interested in.  I love the thrill of the hunt and the tasty discovery of a new wine.  It's such an adventure and there's so much to see along the way.  Our destination this time, San Miguel, just a short distance north of Paso Robles.  Out of the mainstream, the wineries we visited on this early Friday afternoon were quiet and we had all the attention we could ask for.  We started off at Graveyard Vineyards which captured my interest with their tag line, "wine to die for" and the names of their wines, such as Cold Roses and Tombstone Red.  Take note of the real graveyard at the bottom of the long driveway.  It lets you know you're in the right place.  The tasting room itself overlooks a small pond conveniently stocked with fish and accompanied by geese.  A charming seating area sits under the umbrella of wisteria and also overlooks the pond.  It's a lovely location for a picnic.  Inside the tasting room be prepared for all manner of wine-related merchandise with a graveyard or skull theme.  My favorite was the coffin shaped wine gift box.  Fantastic!  Cabernet Frank poured us tastings from their extensive wine list.  I appreciated the opportunity to taste everything, but for me, it was a little overwhelming for the first stop of the day.  We took home a bottle of their Sweet Illusions - I love a good dessert wine.  Get your hands on a bottle of this and take a good look at the label - and then take a second look - you'll know why it's called Sweet Illusions.

Next stop, Locatelli.  It was mid-afternoon at this point and we didn't want the afternoon getting away from us, but it seemed to be anyway.  We were greeted by Rainy, one of the owners, who opened several bottles for us to taste.  The winery backs two labels, the namesake, Locatelli label, and the Old Mission San Miguel Arcangel label.  Rainy shared the story of how they wanted to give back to the community and partnered with the iconic San Miguel mission, located approximately 2 miles from the winery.  After being closed for six years following an earthquake, the mission was reopened, although not fully restored.  For every bottle of Old Mission wine purchased, Locatelli donates 25% to the restoration efforts.  What a lovely way to ensure the legacy of this mission and winery.  This must be the weekend for sweet wines, because in addition to a bottle of chardonnay, we took home two bottles of muscat cannel.  I enjoyed speaking with Rainy and learning about the wine and the mission.  Thank you Rainy!

Pulchella Winery

I'm no wine expert, but I am discovering what I like and enjoying the journey.  Being a native Californian, it seems like a good place to start on my adventure.  California has long been known for it's superb wines, but for me it's about so much more than that.  For me, it's about the experience.   I thought it might be interesting to document my journey and discoveries and see what happens along the way.

My most recent foray into the world of wine started with a friend and a visit to a fairly new wine tasting room.  We met up at the Pulchella tasting room mostly to catch up over a glass of wine, but it quickly turned into more of an experience.  It really turned into what felt like a visit with new friends.  The atmosphere is classy and cozy without being snobby.  The music provides an upbeat backdrop while ensuring you can hear your conversation.  Megan, the wife of one of the winemakers, was warm and welcoming, and everyone was very attentive.  Although I didn't join their wine club the first visit, I did during my second after an equally warm and welcoming experience delivered at the hands of Joey and Goalie.  Now this is my go-to place.  I regularly meet, and run into, friends and each time I go there, I feel like a welcomed guest.  It's a great place to relax from a crazy day at work and having to deal with LA freeways, and an equally good way to start, or enhance the weekend.  Now, you may be saying, that's all fine and good, but what about the wine?  Well, that's the kicker.  You can go many places where you feel welcomed, but Pulchella also delivers on the wines.  Winemakers Steve and Nate know how to get this right.  You can tell with each glass the time and care of crafting and artistry that they have invested.  The wines are substantial and take you on a journey of the westside of Paso Robles, where they get their fruit.  They are small producers and you can taste the passion in each glass.  They release new wines every 6 months or so which is good and bad.  Good, because it's really exciting to taste what they've been up to, and bad because it means my current favorite is probably in short supply.  It's my cue to stock up and ensure I'll have that special bottle to enjoy later.  Many of their wines are made to be cellared and they provide a "best by" date so you know how long you have to savor these flavors.  Don't worry, though, decanting your favorite bottle means you can have your wine and drink it too!  Pulchella's latest releases include fruit not often experienced alone, but used in blending various wines, so go with your taste buds ready for an adventure.  Two of my favorites right now, their 100% tempranillo called "Watchdog" and their 100% tannat called "Henchman."  Bring in some food, or order from one of the local restaurants, sit back, relax and enjoy a great night out.  You deserve it!  

Cheers!

Join me on a journey of wine experiences - not just wine, but the winery, the people and the journey to get there.  You never know what will happen along the way!