Its always wonderful and refreshing to get away from it all – the rain, job, stress, and head off to someplace warm; for me it was a trip to sunny California. I started off in LA driving up the coastal highway through Malibu, Ventura, eventually stopping in the gorgeous town of Santa Barbara. In preparation for my upcoming wine exam, I thought what better way to find out more about the wine than to travel to the Central Coastal region and taste my way through some of the wine regions there. The unique topography allows the inland flow of fog and ocean breezes to cool the vineyard and provides an ideal environment for the cultivation of some classic varietals. The growing season here is longer than many of the other areas and allows for longer “hang time” on the vine which can give a distinctive character to the wines.
I ventured up the steep and winding San Marcos pass away from the splendid view of the Pacific ocean behind me to discover the area where the hit wine movie “Sideways” was filmed. Nestled between the Santa Ynez and Santa Maria Valleys is the charming little town of Los Olivos, picture perfect, surrounded by rolling hills dotted with oak trees, roaming cattle and horse ranches. With over 50 wineries featured here, fantastic restaurants, the beautiful Fess Parker Wine Country Inn and Spa – www.fessparkerinn.com – quaint boutiques, and art galleries this small town has it all. Los Olivos was on the original Overland Stagecoach Line, established in 1861, running from SanFrancisco to Los Angelas and San Diego. The first hotel, now known as Mattei”s Tavern, as well as a few other prairie-style Victorian homes are dotted along the main street making you feel like you just stepped back in time
My first stop was at Qupé vineyards – www.qupe.com – who are well known for their Rhone style-blends. Tasting fees are usually $10 plus dollars depending on the winery and quality levels of the wines. I had 2 options: classic or reserve, so reserve it was. The wines were rich, full bodied, meaty with spice, black fruits, dried herbs and minerals, well balanced and concentrated which are drinking beautifully now but also perfect for cellaring for a few years; if you can wait that long.
2008 Qupé Sawyer Lindquist Vyd Grenache $35.00
2008 Qupé Qlisos Vyd Syrah $35.00
2010 Qupé Sawyer Lindquist Vyd Syrah $35.00
2009 Qupé Bien Nacido Vyd Hillside Syrah $45.00
2010 Qupé Sawyer Lindquist Vyd “Sonnies” Syrah $55.00
Across the road is Carhartt Vineyards – www.carharttvineyard.com – which claim to have “the worlds smallest tasting room,” and it is! I tasted five different wines from various vineyards, some as far away as Pasa Robles. I bought 3 bottles.
2012 Sauvignon Blanc, Vineyards: 47%Carhartt, 18%Curtis, 18% La Pressa, 17% Faith
Vivid aromas of gooseberry, lemongrass, green apple skin with crisp acidity, and a clean mouth watering finish
2012 Pinot Noir Riverbench Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley
A deeper darker Pinot with rich aromas of cherries, black plum, cedar and sweet spice, medium body with subtle tannins and a refined finish.
2011 Cabernet Franc Three Creek Vineyard, Happy Canyon
Aromas of jalepeno pepper, red currant and red plums with bright red fruit flavours, toasted oak and black cherry. The wine is balanced with a silky mouthfeel, soft tannins and given some time will evolve even more.
Richard Longoria Wines, www.longoriawine.com
2011 Chardonnay, Cuvée Dianna, Sta. Rita Hills
A lovely wine that has aromas of toasted brioche, ripe pear, fresh yogurt, with hints of vanilla and spice, the palate seamlessly blends the elegance of the fruit with the full bodied richness of toasted oak, crisp acidity, and a clean mineral-like finish which pays homage to the lean Burgundian-style of Chardonnay that is drinking well now but could benefit from some cellaring to be at its best.
2011 Pinot Noir Fe Ciega Vineyard – Sta Rita Hills
Bright ruby colour with aromas of ripe berries, cherry, spice and hints of cedar and dried herbs. This medium bodied wine had a silky texture with medium acidity, rich and juicy flavours of raspberry, mocha, cherry cola. The tannins are fine-grained tannins and are lifted by the crisp minerality giving way to a lingering finish.
Coquelicot Estate Wines www.coquelicotwines.com
2010 “Sixer”
Deep ruby colour with aromas of violet, blueberry, tobacco and dried fruit. The palate has a richness of ripe fruit flavours, leather, tobacco and spice, full bodied, good acidity, well integrated tannins and a richness of finish. The wine is delicious now but can benefit from a few years in the cellar.
I finished off my afternoon with a lovely lunch at Los Olivos Cafè and Wine Merchant – www.losolivoscafe.com. This beautiful and award winning cafe is set in a heritage building, the room is comfortable and the menu familiar, featuring “farm to table” ingredients that California has practised for so long and with such ease. My first course was a salad of beets and burrata with roasted hazelnuts, fresh horseradish, on a bed of spinach drizzled with a zesty mustard vinaigrette. For the second course I just couldn’t resist the house smoked BBQ’d beef brisket on a fresh focaccia bun, fried onion rings and coleslaw. Both were delicious!
If you love drinking California wine this is the perfect getaway long weekend, best would be 4 days as there are countless properties just a short drive away down beautiful country roads. This is a dreamy little town and one not to be missed.
