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Sip & Tell Blog

...Wineries, Tasting Rooms, & More

Back to the Tasting Room                                         ...California wineries are beginning to reopen

6/13/2020

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Just this weekend, Monterey, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz,
El Dorado and Amador County wineries and tasting rooms
flung open their doors to tasters!

Yes, exhale with joy!
Winemakers and their staff are as eager to see you as you are to see them.

After almost four months of sheltering in place, California is starting to open up wineries.

Before you plan your customary day of tasting, here are a few tips on what’s happening in the tasting room scene:

  • Most wineries are asking guests to make reservations for their tasting experience, online or via phone call.
  • They will likely be monitoring capacity limits, so go with an open mind. There may be limitations on the length of your stay, seating, food brought in, or on site. (please check with the winery)
  • If you feel sick, stay home. Just like other public venues, no symptoms are allowed.
  • More and more wineries will be reopening as they are able to accommodate the new changes.
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When you arrive for your tasting appointment:

  • Most wineries are asking that you text/call upon your arrival and wait in your car for your appointment. They’ll let you know when you’re set to come in.
  • Expect reduced interactions: Wineries will offer as many contact-less interactions as they can, while still wanting to make guests feel welcomed.
  • Masks, masks, masks: Go ahead and wear it into the tasting room/winery for everyone’s comfort and safety. The staff will let you know when to go mask-free, depending on the distancing, seating, and when your tasting starts.
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Your favorite wineries are anxious to see their tasting fans again!
Contact them if you have any questions about their current—and evolving—tasting practices.

And bringing a note of thanks, a big air hug, or a treat to your best loved winery is always in style.
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A toast to the new ways of sipping!

Shondra Savadkohi


Gain more from your next tasting with Nose & Palate wine traits...
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Puma Road Winery, Soledad & Monterey              ...lovable wines

6/13/2020

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If I had to taste at one winery before home became my new world,
I'm glad it was at Puma Road Winery.


 My husband and I had a few days to get away for our wedding anniversary. It was our last vacation to enjoy each other and some wine outside the confines of our house—just before the shelter-in-place.

Owner, Ray Franscioni, produces Bordeaux varietal wines in the Salinas Valley. The valley's history includes flood rains which washed soil down River Road tearing out row crops of potatoes, beets, and beans. So in the 70's Ray started planting vineyards. That seemed to be the ideal time to plant grapes instead, since the area offers ideal weather “it doesn't get too hot, or too cold.”
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Native to the Salinas Valley, Ray is a business man, wine advocate, and neighbor all rolled into one.
He has an easy, straight forward way about him and grew up on the Puma Road property.

The winery reminds me of a village pub: it's a landing place.
It's a close knit community with family, friends, and neighbors rolling into the
tasting room like clockwork. Around 4:00 pm, people stop in to taste, talk about the day,
then move on down the road to Pessagno Winery, Ray's other winery and tasting room.


Susie, the Puma Road Tasting Room Supervisor, shared “What you see is what you get.
No one is trying to be anything they aren't.” It was refreshing to be in that kind of setting.

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Ray grows his own grapes for his wines.
Since my dad's background is in the nursery business, and my childhood was surrounded by agriculture,
I have a heavy respect and appreciation for growers and farmers.


Ray's hospitality is matched by his fastidious care for his wines. He shared with me that barrels are expensive, but he doesn't want to compromise on quality. A winery can spend as much on barrels as fruit. Olivier Rousset and Rodney Whitlock are Puma's dynamic wine making team.
Puma Road wines go down easy-like.

Not too acidic, tannic, sweet, or sharp, I was tempted to drink the tastings, not sip them.
At home, Puma Road wines are charming on their own as I'm cooking or while reading a book.
And they pair easily with foods; from bread and cheese to grilled meats and veggies.
I felt as if this was what wine should be doing.

  • The tasting room's new wind-screened patio offers picnic tables for foods you may want to bring, and views of the mountains. Heat lamps and easy access to the tasting room and your next tasting are a bonus.
  • Puma Road Winery and Pessagno Winery: both wineries produce and sell the same varietals of wine, and are made in the same process. The difference: the grapes are from different vineyards of Ray's.
  • The fruit for Puma Road and Pessagno wines is all estate grown.
  • Producing 1,600 acres of grapes, 97% of the fruit is sold to other wineries.
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For my tasting...
  • 2016 Pinot Gris, Silvio's Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands. This joyful wine offered jasmine, soft rose and mineral on the nose; with light citrus and soft minerality on the palate. I'm a Sauvignon Blanc fan, and love the wet-stone taste. But this Pinot Gris was a nice alternative—a little more playful and less river stone in flavor.

  • 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, Monterey County Enjoy the citrus, tropical fruit, and acidity that one would expect in a Sauv., but with less emphasis on the minerality. It's Ray's wine of choice when he's at Puma Road. That says something. I always make a point to taste the owner's favorite wine, if I can.
 
  • 2017 Rose', Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard. The color of this Rose' is stunning! A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab. Franc, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot.
 
  • 2015 Pinot Noir, Apex Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands. This is a Pinot that was allowed to grow up. No uber lite body or hunting for flavor here. On the nose: spice, chocolate, and soft hints of earthy eucalyptus. On the palate: cocoa powder, cherry and raspberry with a luscious mouth-feel.
 
  • 2013 Cabernet Franc, Pedregal de Paicines Vineyard. Cab Franc is quickly becoming one of my new favorites! On the nose: soft pepper, leather, pencil shavings (really, that's a good thing) topped with hints of bright berry and pomegranate. Our friend from Tennessee said, “Wow, that's one of the best wines I've tasted here in California.”
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Puma Road and Pessagno Winery offer a myriad of wines to choose from;
Tannat to Chardonnay to Vintage Sparkling Wines. Explore! (Order online.)


Thank you Ray, Susie, and Puma Road staff for the terrific tasting
and overview of your wines and selections.
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With a glass of Puma Road wine in our hands
and a prayer on our lips...


Shondra Savadkohi



For tips on how to store your wines & not waste a drop visit my post on
"Closures, Keeping a Lid on Your Wines".


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Pierce Ranch Vineyards, Monterey                         ...a welcome change

5/8/2020

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Pierce Ranch Vineyards' tasting room is within slingshot distance to Cannery Row and
bucket list hotels right on the Monterey Bay.


I've had the chance to taste there a few times, but was eager to pick up some wines again.
The Iberian varietals are a welcome change from the California rinse-and-repeat varietals you often see. These wines are terrific on their own or with food.
Anticipate personality!


Just before the SIP, I messaged Josh and let him know I was in the area and
hoping to come by for a tasting.
He pinged me, and fast forward, there was a glass of Pierce Ranch wine in my hand
as my husband and I were chatting it up with his amazing staff.


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Owner, Josh Pierce, is often sharing and pouring his wines at
Monterey County Vintners & Growers events, such as: trade tastings, winemaker tastings, and more.

His tasting room is a relaxing place to savor the wines and enjoy a
leisurely chat with a friend.
While I've featured Josh's wines a way back, I do love the chance to taste current vintages.

Here's a look at my tastings.

  • 2018 Albarino. If you crave a change in your white wine line up, then try the Albarino. Soft stone fruit, appealing citrus, and the salinity (which I love) makes this wine refreshing on its own, with fish, or an arugula salad with apples and pecans.

  • 2017 Tinto Cao. This red is lite in body and a great walk-around wine. Ideal for meandering in and out of the house to the yard, or for small bites and visiting with friends. Pairs well with cured meats and hard cheeses or grilled fish.
 
  • 2017 Touriga 100%. Smooth, while offering nice acidity to tannins, the palate of dark berry/floral/spice balance this red wine.

  • 2017 Zinfandel. The cool, coastal growing influence on this Zinfandel fruit makes for a non-jammy wine. This Zin offers the classic flavor profiles of dark berry fruit and spice, but it also offers terrific acidity (yet it's not as acidic or sharp as Italian wines can often be.)
 
  • 2014 Petite Sirah. The nose on this wine makes me so happy! Hints of chocolate and chalk, a smooth mouth-feel, and just enough tannins to leave a slight pucker in the mouth make for a lovely pour. Try something new and enjoy this with seasoned grilled ribs (skip the jar of BBQ sauce) or with baked brie cheese with apricot jam in phyllo dough.
 
  • Also look for: 100% Malbec, GSP, Claret, Graciano, Tempranillo, and a Vinho Doce.

While we're waiting to get back to the tasting rooms, Pierce Ranch Vineyards (Link) can be found online, with available curb-side pick up.
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Health to you and yours!
Shondra Savadkohi


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Do you have wine questions during SIP?
Or do you wish you had your own wine guide?
CalWineJaunt.com offers Personalized Wine Consulting for your shelter-in-place wine needs.

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Covid-19 & Wine                                                  ...How to find Bay Area wines during            Shelter-in-Place

4/13/2020

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Wine is meant to be shared.

It's the liquid for celebrations, community, and for gathering with friends and family.


I want to acknowledge that all of this has come to a screeching halt.
We all are, to some degree, dealing with Covid-19.
Some are instantly without work. Others are on the front line.
And hopefully, all are making efforts to shelter in place for everyone's health and safety.
It's difficult to be separated from our loved ones and experience this much change at once.


For a piece of bright news, Bay Area wines are, thankfully, still available. At this time, wineries are not allowed to be open to the public for purchases in the tasting room or wine tasting on site.

But winemakers are being creative and resourceful in an effort to keep their businesses--
and to keep sharing their wines with tasters.

If you're still in a place to purchase wine and enjoy it, now is the time.
Here's how:


  • Most wineries and tasting rooms are selling their wines online! (we tasters thank you!)

  • Your health is looked after. Order, purchase, and pay for wine online or by phone.

  • Curb-side pickup lets you collect your wine at the winery while keeping distance (even with the kids in tow)

  • Most wineries now offer free or reduced shipping and some even provide free local delivery.
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  • Many wineries are offering tremendous discounts. Everything from 10% off and up, to case specials.

  • Enjoy winemaker-led in home tastings via online streaming, complete with samples kits of multiple wines. (Mark Hoover of Integrity Wines in Watsonville is offering this.)
 
  • Look for take-out food and wine pairings! Wineries and local restaurants are partnering to offer easy wine & food take out, with convenient curbside pickup.
 
  • Note: if you opt to have your wine shipped to your home address, an adult 21 or older will need to be present and sign for it (your teenager schooling remotely at home can't sign for it.)
 
  • Think of those who have to shelter-in-place alone, and brighten their week with a bottle of Bay Area wine. Or, gift a bottle to a neighbor, a mom, or to your friend who lost their job

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For a list of wineries and their current offerings and shipping, visit the following links.
The specials will likely vary and change as needed.


Wineries of Santa Clara Valley
The site currently lists their winery options for delivery, curbside, shipping, and specials.
Visit Santa Clara Wines.



Monterey County Vintners & Growers
Find wineries in Carmel, Soledad, and Monterey. Contact the winery directly for current offerings.
Visit Monterey County Wines.



Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrower Assoc.
Find a listing of pick-up, delivery, and discount options by winery.

Visit Santa Cruz Mountain Wines.
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Health to you and yours in this time, and a few words of comfort...


God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalms 46:1

A Prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the Lord.
'Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you!' Psalms 102:1
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Blessings to you,
Shondra Savadkohi




Travel from the comfort of you home and snag a few ideas from this Home-Tasting of 3 Reds...
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J. Lohr San Jose Wine Center                                    ...wines with a lasting impression

7/27/2019

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I had the pleasure of a private tasting hosted by Kristen Barnhisel at the
J. Lohr Wine Center, near Downtown San Jose.


Kristen's resume reads something like an international wine journal.
Along with a B.A. In Italian Literature, Kristen's winemaking and world experience extends to three continents. Adding to that, she is the ASEV President for 2019-2020.

As J. Lohr's white wine maker, Kristen pours two decades of winemaking into her line of wines.
Her winemaking style is stamped on each of her wines—pleasing mid-palate textures, wines that finish with a lasting impression, and fresh aromatics.

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J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines is quintessential Californian. Founder Jerry Lohr and team have been crafting wines from California fruit for over 50 years. With a focus on sourcing grapes from noteworthy growing regions, wine enthusiasts can enjoy white wines from the Arroyo Seco and Santa Lucia Highlands regions in Monterey County. Or tuck into J. Lohr reds, grown and produced in Paso Robles, as well as Carol's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley.

J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines produce and bottle all of their wines. That control in the vineyard leads to quality wines. And with bottles ranging from $10-60, there are options for everyone. For J. Lohr's reds and additional selections, visit their site at: (Link.)

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For the Wines
  • 2018 Flume Crossing, Sauvignon Blanc, Arroyo Seco. Its inviting acidity is a testimony to the cool afternoon winds of the Arroyo Seco region. I'm partial to Sauvignon Blanc and this could be a staple in my house.

  • 2018 Gesture, Limited Release Grenache Blanc, Paso Robles. Produced in a small hand held press, this white wine offers inviting hints of beeswax, minerality, and floral notes.

  • 2017 Riverstone Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco. This budget friendly Chardonnay offers flavors often found in higher end wines. The grapes for this wine were night harvested. Enjoy soft, golden color, hints of stone fruit and Meyer lemon, with soft lingering creamy notes on the end palate.
  • 2017 October Night Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco. The grapes for this wine were hand picked in the early morning. It's a shade sweeter than some Chardonnays and is perfect for weddings and celebrations. Take in the tropical/floral nose, with hints of gardenia and orange, as it ends with a fresh finish.

  • 2017 Arroyo Vista Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco. Crafted in a Burgundian style with a restrained elegance, Kristen suggests enjoying this wine with halibut or salmon drizzled with a creamy Meyer lemon sauce. Beginning with hand picked grapes, then hand pressed, the juice is aged in select French oak for 14 months.

  • 2018 Bay Mist White Riesling, Arroyo Seco. Riesling is one of the first grapes planed by Jerry in 1972. This white wine is a soft balance of ripeness and acidity. Fermented in all-stainless tanks, the honeysuckle, pear, and lychee fruit flavors pair well with Coastal cuisine.
As with any fine wine tasting, J. Lohr Wines offers a dessert wine.
2017 Late Harvest White Riesling, Arroyo Seco.
Kristen cleverly called this “the noble rot dessert wine.”
Meaning, the influence of Botrytis on the graves gives this dessert wine beautiful textures as it softly coats the mouth. Flavors of honey, apricot, stone fruits, and marmalade would pair seamlessly with a cheese board, Medjool dates, or semi-sweet chocolate.


From J. Lohr's select vineyards to its savvy and knowledgeable wine staff,
the end results are wines that leave a lasting impression.
With a tasting room in San Jose, and one in Paso Robles,
you're bound to find an opportunity to taste J. Lohr Wines.


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Here's to the wines that start & finish well.
Shondra Savadkohi



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