Why Wait

So as mentioned in my intro post I have just returned from my second visit to Sonoma. We flew into Los Angeles on Tuesday, 2-17, where I had business meetings. We then drove north to Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez. Visited a few wineries on Tuesday afternoon and ended at dinner at the Los Olivos Cafe. The next morning we went to a few more wineries in the area before driving north again through the central coast wine region, ending in Oakland for the night. Thursday I had another meeting, followed by our final drive north into Sonoma for the weekend.

The wineries we visited on this trip were as follows and in this order:
Carr -- Santa Barbara
Foley -- Santa Maria
Hitching Post -- Solvang
Kalyra -- Solvang
Rusak -- Buellton
Foxen -- Paso Robles
Rancho Sisquoc -- Paso Robles
Tobin James -- Paso Robles
Tin Barn -- Sonoma
Iron Horse -- Healdsburg
Gary Farrell -- Healdsburg
KAZ -- Kenwood
Schug -- Sonoma
Macrostie -- Sonoma
BR Kohn -- Kenwood
Chateau St Jean -- Kenwood
Family Wineries -- (actually 5 wineries, all in Kenwood)
Eric Ross -- Glen Ellen

Needless to say, we like wine a lot!! This is about 1/3 the number we hit on our first trip...

During our first trip, and actually the first two days, we learned a great trick. Many wineries will give you free tastings, some will charge a small fee, some a not so small fee. I am not a fan of wasting this wonderful beverage, so unless it is really not to your liking, I say swallow!! However, after the first 4 wineries on the first day and 5 on the second day we were both incredibly ill. Think of the worst hangover you have ever had drinking the worst well-mix tequila, now add a stomach full of grape juice and you just start to get the picture. If you want to be able to avoid that image in the mirror try splitting a tasting with your traveling companion. The wineries will actually applaud your level-headed approach and will see it as a sign of wine-maturity as, in addition to not getting the hangover, you will save you taste buds just a little longer and be able to truly appreciate the wine.

As I dont want to overwhelm anyone right out of the gate, I am going to pick one of the list that really stood out to talk about. For this posting I am going to talk about Rancho Sisquoc in Paso Robles.
You really have to want to visit the wineries back on Foxen Canyon Road. A series of twisting paths off of Hwy 101 will get you there, passing some very ominous signs on the way (seems there is a chemical plant of some sort tucked in the mountains). Right as you miss the bend in the road you will skid through the front gate onto the 2+ mile driveway back to the RS tasting room. Once inside, the little room you start to realize that this is truly a hidden gem offering a great variety of both reds and whites to suit any palette. Here is a link to check this winery out: http://www.ranchosisquoc.com/.
While I can say I was impressed with all of their wines, the one that jumped out to me was the bargain of the century, the 2006 Wine Club #5. As the name indicates, this wine was made for the members of the RS wine club and never sold to the public other than in the tasting room. Sad for everyone else!! This 100% Pinot Noir was delicious. It was full of fruit, a mild taste of caramel and cola, followed by a soft finish and just a subtle taste of oak. The depth and body of this Pinot rivalled many of the top Russian River Pinots and the finish was almost as smooth as some of the Carneros varieties. We bought two bottles.... Of course we couldn't possibly have said no when we heard the price. The retail price on this wine was about $30 per bottle. The club members were getting it for $22. The tasting room was discounting the little bit that was left by 50%!! That's right, $11 each!!!

If you are in California, or even in a state that will allow you to order some of this, get on the phone now!! Last we checked, there were only about 5 cases left. If you are not sure you will like it, just invite me over to share and I promise it wont go to waste.