To continue where I left off last week, this is Part Two of my Rhone Rangers LA coverage. Or just have a taste via the photos here: https://www.facebook.com/eve.bushman/posts/10208640076546763?pnref=story
Wineries H-Z (A-F ran last week)
For some of you that think I was nuts to skip a particular winery…it may have been because I “Gave a Positive Review Already” and chose to forage on to other wineries. These wineries will be noted as GPRA and will have a hyperlink to my review…if I can find it. While some others, that may have been equally stellar as those I did visit, suffered my absence (Ha!) due to me suffering a wee bit of palate fatigue, so those are noted as SPF. (Editor’s note: any links for the West Ranch Beacon, aka WRB, are now closed, the webmaster chose not to save the links when he closed up his site. Also note that every article I wrote for the WRB is re-purposed on this site every Tuesday.)
Halter Ranch Vineyard – Always great to see Tony Quealy, Tasting Room Mgr. and all around nice guy, pouring at events. The last I enjoyed Halter Ranch wine I raved about was a Malbec from the Cab Collective event. Before that was a weekend tasting and tour at the ranch that I will never forget: http://www.thescvbeacon.com/category_view.php?catg=5&id=3985 At this event I enjoyed the 2014 CDP Red Blend, 2014 Syrah and a first bottling of their new 2013 Cuvee Alice blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre and Tannat, only 175 cases. (Not even sure of the wine’s spelling as it’s not yet online!)
Hearst Ranch Winery – Had their Cabernet Franc at a Family Winemakers event, which got them on my radar, this time I enjoyed the 2013 Three Sisters Red Blend and the lovely aromas and then the flavors in the 2013 Pergola Petite Sirah.
Jaffurs Wine Cellars – Enjoyed their 2013 Santa Barbara Grenache, 2013 Santa Barbara Syrah, 2012 Bien Nacido Vineyard Syrah and 2014 Thompson Vineyard Petite Sirah. This was not a table I remember being at before so I’m glad to have made the time.
Kaena Wine – SPF
Kale Wines – Michael Perlis was chatting it up with Kale Anderson, the winemaker and owner who had also participated in that day’s seminar, so I got a quick introduction and a taste of his 2013 Kale Home Run Cuvee from the Kick Ranch Vineyard and the 2013 Kale Broken Axle from the Stagecoach Vineyard. Both were grand.
Kaleidos – GPRA http://www.westranchbeacon.com/weekly-column.php?id=5402
Kenneth Volk Vineyards – GPRA http://www.westranchbeacon.com/weekly-column.php?id=5402
Larner Vineyard & Winery – GPRA It was nice to spy Michael Larner and I would’ve loved to just sit and drink his wines – if I wasn’t at this event. He had also been in the seminar so I hope to read Michael’s coverage on that soon. http://evewine101.com/2016/06/03/santa-barbara-road-trip-los-angeles-rhone-varieties/
Leverage – SPF
Lone Madrone – Enjoyed the 2013 Points West White blend, 2013 Mourvedre and the 2014 Oveja Negra Red Blend.
Martian Ranch & Vineyard – GPRA often tasted during previous years at the LA Wine Fest.
Morgan Winery – SPF
Pomar Junction Vineyard & Winery – SPF
Qupe – SPF
Record Family Wines – SPF
Ridge Vineyards – GPRA http://www.westranchbeacon.com/weekly-column.php?id=5402
Rock Wall Wine Company – SPF
Sculpterra Winery – More than one person has shared photos with me of this Paso Robles property but I can’t recall a tasting…so I did them all. Of mention is the 2014 Viognier, 2013 Mourvedre, the spicy aroma of the 2014 Mega Focus GSM Red Blend and the firm tannins in the 2012 Petite Sirah. They are what the rep called a “Cab prominent” winery so I clearly have to visit to try more.
Stolpman Vineyards – GPRA First person I met with on the tasting floor was the owner of Stolpman Vineyards, Tom Stolpman. The last time I tasted with him was just a couple of weeks before, at the Long Beach Grand Cru. And one of the most memorable vineyard tours I ever took was with his son Peter: http://evewine101.com/2013/03/08/eve-and-peter-stolpman-stolpman-vineyards-ballard-canyon-tour-picnic-and-tasting/ I did a quick repeat tasting of the 2013 L’Avion Roussanne, 2014 La Cuadrilla Red Blend that has a picture of Tom hidden under a sombrero on the label, 2014 Estate Syrah and 2014 Angeli 100% Syrah. We had joined the Angeli wine club for that one.
Tablas Creek Vineyard – This Rhone-only Paso producer makes a lot of varieties. During this tasting I thoroughly enjoyed the 2014 Espirit de Tablas Blanc white blend, 2015 Grenache Blanc, 2014 Mourvedre and 2014 Espirit de Tables (red). The white blend was my favorite.
Tercero Wines – GPRA http://evewine101.com/2016/06/03/santa-barbara-road-trip-los-angeles-rhone-varieties/
http://www.westranchbeacon.com/weekly-column.php?id=5402
The Withers Winery – SPF
Treana & Hope Family Wines – SPF
Two Shepherds – GPRA http://www.westranchbeacon.com/weekly-column.php?id=5402
Villa Creek Cellars – GPRA Happy to hear that winemaker Cris Cherry is still at the helm, and can be found at the namesake restaurant in downtown Paso at times as well. We visited a few years back and I was desperate for re-visit! http://evewine101.com/2011/03/18/the-paso-robles-shout-out-photos-are-in-post-below-this-one/ This time it was a killer 2013 Willow Creek Cuvee GSM, 2013 Avenger blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre and the 2013 High Road blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre that got my attention.
Vina Robles – GPRA Tasted SEVERAL times but couldn’t pass up on tasting the latest http://www.westranchbeacon.com/visit-article-archives-view.php?catg=8&id=6287 Another winemaker I’m happy to know is still at the helm, Kevin Willenborg, of Vina Robles. I was delighted with the 2013 RED4 blend, the very big 2012 Estate Petite Sirah and the 2011 Syree Syrah made with 20% Petite Sirah.
Zinke Wines – A new one for me to discover, maybe visit the tasting room in Los Olivos for more of the 2014 Whitehawk Vineyard Viognier, 2013 Central Coast Syrah, 2014 Jack McGinley Vineyard Syrah and 2013 Thompson Vineyard Syrah.
Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.
