Santa Barbara County
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 ...
Read moreAndrew Murray Vineyards Syrah
Written by shawn on date 16 January 2014 in Santa Barbara County, Wine Reviews
Like it or not, there are certain things in life that are dependable. Alcatraz is a secure prison, the bank will have my money when I ask them for it, politics gets some people emotional, Mc Donald's drive thru will stop all breakfast orders at 10:29 AM, and Andrew Murray will always deliver a quality wine that taste like I paid a lot more.
Not all of these aspects are great, however they are dependable. Andrew Murray continues like clock work to keep the train going of high quality and amazing values.
I must admit, I hit Costco ...
Read moreSanta Barbara's New AVA - Ballard Canyon
Written by shawn on date 15 October 2013 in Central Coast, Santa Barbara County, Wine Regions
For the '805' there has been some big news in the wine world within the past couple of weeks. Ballard Canyon is the newest recognized wine region inside of Santa Barbara County.
What does this mean?
A couple of things, starting with wine labels likely will show off the new AVA name, Ballard Canyon. In my view, on some level there is a science to this, and on the other hand, it becomes marketing.
(Above Single Photo - Taken by Lee Tomkow with my camera)
As Ballard Canyon is noted for producing stellar Rhones (like Viognier,Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache ...
Read moreE11even - Pinot Noir!
Written by shawn on date 08 October 2013 in Santa Barbara County, Wine Reviews
If you are familiar with wine from the Santa Barbara region, no doubt you have some familarity with Mr Rhone, otherwise known as Andrew Murray Vineyards. Andrew Murray has been a posterboy for high quality Syrah and other Rhone varietals for more than 20 years.
(Sample Provided by Andrew Murray Vineyards)
It might be difficult for some outside of the region to talk about Santa Barbara without the mention of Sideways, Merlot, or Pinot Noir. Some may recall a scene in the movie that mentioned the lone Syrah that the Pinot Noir loving Miles was excited about.....if you guessed ...
Read more3CV / Cimarone Sauvignon Blanc
Written by shawn on date 29 August 2013 in Happy Canyon, Santa Barbara County, Wine Reviews
Civil unrest for #CabernetDay
Today is Cabernet day. As I sit in my home currently over 90 degrees and contemplate which bottle to drink for this Summer day, I cannot over come the heat element. Who doesn't love the king of grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon? I dig it, but cannot bear the thought of drinking Cabernet without sitting on a block of ice or at the very least leaning my head inside the refrigerated section of the grocery store.
While many will undoubtedly be sitting poolside basking in the Summer sun sipping Cabernet today in celebration, well, maybe not. So ...
Read moreTop Winery Picnic Spots
Written by shawn on date 08 June 2013 in Central Coast, Food , Santa Barbara County, Travel
(Recently shared in my wine segment on air (1590 News-Talk) with the Tom & Sandy show) (Riverbench mentioned on air, but not listed below)
Visiting wine country in Santa Barbara County and Edna Valley, California, may fulfill wine tasting dreams for any wine fan. One can drive up the sun-filled coast in a convertible or at least lower the windows a bit. Not only is there great diversity in regions and wine, but the Central Coast has some of the most picturesque wineries. While hitting the wine trail can be so much fun, planning the trip can be almost as exciting ...
Read moreBien Nacido Vineyards - J.Wilkes
Written by shawn on date 30 May 2013 in Central Coast, Santa Barbara County, Wine Reviews
If you have had the pleasure of drinking wine from the famed Bien Nacido Vineyards in Santa Maria Valley of Santa Barbara County, then you know the fruit coming out is exceptionally special. Winemakers from all over California are lined up just waiting for the chance to obtain some of the States very best fruit.
Cimarone - Le Clos Secret
Written by shawn on date 21 March 2013 in Happy Canyon, Santa Barbara County, Wine Reviews
Wine reviews seem to be widey prevalent with a variance of metrics as indicators for a wines quality. When a wine is worth buying, good or great, those are the only wines worthy of writing or discussing in my estimation. The other wine's simply should not be seen in my view.
Cimarone 2010 Le Clos Secret is a wine worthy of drinking, buying, discussing, and yes posting here. This Bordeaux style is a seamless blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petit Verdot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 9% Merlot, and 5% Malbec from the Cimarone estate located in Happy Canyon of ...
Read moreHow to Buy Wine Like a Champion!
Written by shawn on date 23 February 2013 in Happy Canyon, Oregon Wine Country , Santa Barbara County, Wine Regions
When visiting the local grocery store, Trader Joes, or COSTCO to shop for wine, I see many people staring into an abyss of wine. I can see the struggle in some of their eyes of not knowing what they should purchase. Most people simply do not want to gamble their money on plonk wine. Research statistics indicate the vast majority select their purchases on price point being the number one contributor.
Of course there are many different circumstances someone might want a bottle, but at the end of the day, everyone wants something that tastes palatable or better for a ...
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