Vineyard Night Life

Jogging down the vineyard row at 11 at night I keep hoping I don’t catch my toe on some dirt clod hidden in the dark and I wish that I spent a little more time at the gym so I wouldn’t feel like this light jog was about to kill me. The closer I get to the beast rolling along over the top of the vineyard rows the easier it gets to see. When I reach the ladder I grab onto to steps, swing up and enjoy the rush of warm air that blows from the tractor into my face.
But wait, there’s more!

Taste of SLO has done it again, I thoroughly enjoyed myself last Wednesday night as I wandered, well due to the great turn out, shuffled up and down the Mission Plaza tasting all that San Luis Obispo has to offer. This year’s disco themed event came complete with go go dancers, a giant disco ball, great music, and of course fabulous food and wine. The best of the best of San Luis Obispo restaurants made their appearances with delicious samplers; Tuna tacos from Native Lounge to mushroom soup topped with grated espresso bean from Mother’s Tavern to profiteroles from Mama’s Meatballs, can only begin to explain the range choices that were laid out in front of me. While samplers may sound like child’s play compared to the gigantic meals we are served at some restaurants, with a choice of samplers from over 30 restaurants I found that my graceful walk into the event had turned into a bit more of a waddle as I left the evening.
But wait, there’s more!

As I arrive at Cass Vineyard and Winery at 10 am Friday morning, it occurs to me that it is a bit early to be visiting a tasting room.  I approach the bar and meet a petite, energetic woman with bright eyes and spiky red-brown hair; she is not opening wines, but rather gathering rolled up foam mats.  Yes, I am off to do yoga in the vineyard.
But wait, there’s more!

Had some wine-centric family visit the Central Coast for the first time in June, so of course, a whirlwind wine tasting tour was in order – especially to some wineries in the SIP program.

Our first stop was Robert Hall Winery, which boldly stated its SIP commitment front and center with a big poster that greeted us as we walked in the door. There was also a SIP placard strategically placed amidst all the fun stuff to browse and buy around the wine tasting room, and they are about to launch a refreshed website ”heavily focused on SIP and all of our SIP wines.”

The next day, we found ourselves at Halter Ranch, where they’ve proudly placed the SIP seal right on their bottle labels. As the tasting room attendant explained, they’ve been longtime supporters of sustainability and the SIP program, so they wanted to get it on their label asap.

As it turned out, though these and other Paso wineries are known for their bold red wines, I found great Sauvignon Blancs – one of my favorite varietals – at both Robert Hall and Halter Ranch. Both wineries let the grape be itself by fermenting it in stainless, instead of trying to make it act like a Chardonnay and putting it in oak … thank you!

Winemaker Don Brady puts a nicely balanced touch on the 2007 Robert Hall Sauvignon Blanc, with a touch of Semillon (7%) that gives it just enough floral fruit to make it stand on its own as an aperitif and enough light acid to make it a great food wine. Think Asian food or a summertime salad of heirloom tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. (The 2008 Sauv Blanc was just released in the tasting room, and not only features the SIP info in its tasting notes, but has already garnered three gold medals in three different competitions.)

The Halter Ranch Sauvignon Blanc from Winemaker Bill Sheffer is another refreshing find. A hint of Viognier (4%) helps pop up the citrus profiles on the nose, while the palate delivers notes of stone fruit and spice on its way to a nice finish. This would be a great match with lighter summertime grilled fare such as fish or marinated chicken breasts, or even on its own as you’re tending the grill. As the saying goes: “I often cook with wine … sometimes I even put it in the food.”

One line said it all: “This is SUCH a good idea!”
Of course, this happy person had to be referring to the CCVT’s 3rd Annual Earth Day Food and Wine Festival held at the historic Santa Margarita Ranch on April 18. This year’s sold out event featured over 100 booths offering award-winning wines, tasty food, and information about sustainable businesses. The weather was perfect, Big Daddy’s Blues Band was cookin’ with a solar powered sound system, and a good – no, make that – great time was had by all.
Of special significance was the “festival debut” of SIP certified wines from Ampelos Cellars, Baileyana Winery, Castoro Cellars, D’Anbino Cellars, Hahn Estates, Halter Ranch, Laetitia Winery, Paraiso Vineyards, Pomar Junction Cellars, Saucelito Canyon Vineyard, Tangent Winery, and Wolff Vineyards & Winery. It was great to finally see some wines from the SIP program getting into the marketplace, and more will be emerging with each new vintage.

But wait, there’s more!

My trip to Bel Frites peaked curiousity on the entire subject of food and beer and left me wondering where a Beer novice like myself could find advice on pairings for this well-known, yet mystified beverage. And while I find it way too easy to pass up a Coors Light for a night cap, the Belgian beers at Bel Frites made me feel like a regular beer aficionado.

Chimay Blue Trappistes Ale with Cajun Chili Essence seasoning and smokey chipotle aioli sauce

What I didn’t know, is that my interest in wine pairings already pointed me into the right direction. On my very own bookshelf lies the 2006 Wine Book of the Year, What to Drink With What You Eat, the Bible of food pairing suggestions that provides several wine options for all types of meals including everything from sashimi and sole to the McDonald’s Filet of Fish (They suggest a NZ Sauv Blanc.) Is that awesome or what? Previously, my adventures with this book ran so far as to help me plan meals for family dinners, wine parties, and even to answer questions from wine tourists at the tasting room I work at on random weekends. While the book focuses mainly on wine, other beverages such as coffee, tea, spirits, and beer are featured as well.

But wait, there’s more!