Central Coast
10 Great Wines of Garagiste
Written by shawn on date 16 February 2016 in Central Coast, Happy Canyon, Santa Barbara County, Wine Festivals , Wine Reviews, Winemakers
The Garagiste Festival is one of those great wine events where visitors can discover numerous super small brands. In some cases these winemakers only produce a few barrels of wine. It is also worth mentioning that many of these wines are not found in a tasting room, or store shelves due to such low production.
The Saturday seminar in Solvang (Santa Ynez Valley) kicked off with a much lessor known varietal, Mourvedre. The panelist included (left) Bob Tillman from Alta Colina in Paso Robles, Eric Mohseni (middle) from the long time famed Zaca Mesa of Santa Barbara County, and Mr ...
Read moreWine Trip to Carmel By The Sea and Monterey
Written by shawn on date 30 November 2015 in Central Coast, Food , Wine Dinners, Wine Pairing , Wine Regions, Winemakers
Earth Day Food and Wine Festival
Written by shawn on date 12 April 2015 in Central Coast, Food , Wine Festivals , Winemakers
Earth Day Food & Wine Festival
Located: Paso Robles at Castoro Cellars on Hwy 46 West
When: April 18 is the main event ( however the entire weekend is filled with events 17th-19th)
Time: VIP 1:00 PM $115 and General Admission $75 at 2:00 PM and ends at 5 PM
What: Group of people interested in sustainable practices that are some of the best local chefs, farmers, and wineries all getting together to party.
This just might be the most casual event you will find in the State without an ounce of pretension. These are some amazing people that simply ...
Read moreWine Alcohol Debate
Written by shawn on date 08 April 2015 in Central Coast, Restaurants , Santa Barbara County, Wine Festivals , Winemakers
The Garagiste Festival (Santa Ynez Southern Exposure)continues to shed light on smaller production winemakers. Many of these wine producers cannot be found on a wine map. In some cases, the wines poured cannot even be found in any bar, restaurant, or wine shop. The discoveries can be fun, interesting, and even stellar.
Preceeding the grand tasting in Solvang (Santa Barbara County), a panel of winemakers met to discuss the Great Alcohol Debate, The Elephant In The Bottle. This just might be a more inside or industry debate, but it can be a very hot topic in some circles.
Neither ...
Read moreHappy Canyon of Santa Barbara Ready To Splash Westerly
Written by shawn on date 04 April 2015 in Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast, Happy Canyon, Santa Barbara County, Wine Reviews, Winemakers
World of Pinot Noir
Written by shawn on date 20 February 2015 in Central Coast, Restaurants , Santa Barbara County, Travel, Wine Days, Wine Dinners, Wine Festivals , Wine Geek, Winemakers
Rex Pickett - Sideways Q/A
Written by shawn on date 22 October 2014 in Central Coast, Restaurants , Santa Barbara County
The Sideways novel and film are arguably the most impactful wine entertainment in today's pop culture, and certainly for Santa Barbara County. Talking with Rex Pickett the author of the book, "Sideways" on his view of the impact of the film.
Q - Could you share a bit about the varietals Pinot Noir and Merlot in relation to the characters in your novel Sideways?
"At the time that I wrote Sideways Pinot Noir was a semi-obscure grape variety coveted by wine geeks who spoke of Burgundy and Sonoma’s Russian River in rhapsodic terms. I, who knew little about wine ...
Read moreThe Best of the 805 Wine Panel
Written by shawn on date 21 October 2014 in Central Coast, Restaurants , Santa Barbara County, Wine Dinners, Wine Festivals , Wine Regions, Winemakers
(All photos copyright protected and taken by Shawn Burgert)
The Best of the 805 is taking place this weekend, October 24/25th, at the historic Camarillo Ranch House. It is a loaded weekend event kicking off with a Friday night wine dinner featuring some of the very best local chefs including John Paolone of Cafe Firenze, Tim Kilcoyne of Scratch, Anastashia Chavez from Barrel House 101, and Gabe Garcia of Tierra Sur.
Saturday, October 25th, is the main event held from 1:00-5:00 PM. The event is loaded with live music, over 100 venders that include great wineries, breweries ...
Santa Barbara Restaurant Pays Homage in Wine Country
Written by shawn on date 04 February 2014 in BBQ , Central Coast, Family Trips, Food , Restaurants , Santa Barbara County, Travel
For wine travelers, great wine and dining experiences are often a partnership. That partnership may be dependant on great palettes, pairings, or simply an appreciation for the sensory experience. Nearly any wine traveler will appreciate stepping into hisory at the new Mattei's Tavern located in Los Olivos, just off Highway 154.
Mattei's Tavern partner and chef, Robbie Wilson, may be among the very best in the culinary world, but you would not know it with his humble approach, demeanor, and complete lack of pretense. I had the opportunity to sit down with Chef Robbie and discuss things that ...
Read moreKurt Russell Wine, GoGi Pours In History
Written by shawn on date 26 January 2014 in Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
(Photo above - Courtsey of Cobie Scott)
Kurt Russell, Ampelos Cellars, and History Team Up!
Actor Kurt Russell, along with actress Kate Hudson and Muse singer Matt Bellamy have teamed up with Ampelos Cellars over the past few years to produce local world class wines (in Sta Rita Hills of Santa Barbara County). The relationship began with Russell's GoGi label in 2008 and a beautiful Pinot Noir to be followed by the elegant GoGi 'Goldie' Chardonnay soon after. More recently, the collaboration produced a Rose under the Hudson-Bellamy label. I have yet to taste the Rose; however I have no ...
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