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Sip & Tell Blog

...Wineries, Tasting Rooms, & More

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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