It was our daughters birthday so we decided to take her out and introduce her to wining. Again we ventured out Linne Road and started at Sculpterra. Its close and a good place to start as we decided to have lunch at Cass Winery. Kyle and Tom were there to serve us our tasting after we showed off the garden. Again a great experience with what now feels like old friends.
Just down the road we had a "yummy" lunch at Cass Winery. We have been to this winery before and had lunch. The wine is pretty good and they have a lot of fun events. Lunch includes either a glass of wine or a flight of tastings. We had the chicken salad, tri tip sandwich and crab cakes. It was all good but we are anxious to maybe try the cheese plate next time, it looked very interesting. I suggest if you are in this area mid-day you might want to eat here, it is both reasonable and very good. We met the owner who was celebrating his class reunion (1971 Paso) with many of his classmates.
We went further on Linne, turned left on Gennesso Road and left again on Union. We had been to Penman Springs before and needed to replace our bottle of Merlot we had purchased earlier. Originally Roger from Opollo had recommended us trying this winery knowing how good the wine was and special the people serving where. Beth the owner was there, last time mom joined her for a smoke outside and they had a nice visit. Rosie was pouring, again the wine was great and we purchased a bottle of their Zin this time. They also have a great little gift shop. Along with the tasting they have good cheese and snacks while you enjoy their wine. Our daughter fell in love with the dog who like so many winery dog loves being petted, scratched and appreciated by visitors. This dog was unique because it was a Kenyan Hunting Dog, and really spoiled.
Our daughter had noticed the day before a sign advertising a new winery at the site of the old Arciero Winery on Hwy 46. Broken Earth Winery had just opened the weekend before so we decided to check it out. In the room beside the tasting room the Boys and Girls Club was having a fund raiser, selling a lot of older winery goodies. Well what the heck, there was neat glasses, shirts, seasonal stuff and so much more -- I had a good time donating. It was the last day and all was 75% off. Back to the tasting, the wine was okay, not great but okay. Winery itself was beautiful and things were pretty unsettled, not all setup. We will try again to get a better idea.
It was a great day we had with our daughter. Time to get out, talk, eat, wine and enjoy what a beautiful daughter we have. Hope we get to do this again soon with her.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Pioneer Day
Today is Pioneer Day. This is the biggest community event in town. This year marks the 81st year of the parade. How can you go wrong? Friends, tractors, floats and free beans. Yesterday ten of us (eight Paso High Alums) hit the downtown for some lunch, shopping, and only a little wining. We ate lunch at Pappy MacGregors (formerly known as the Crooked Kilt). Their calamari and cioppino are better than you can get in Morro Bay. Who would would think you could get that in an Irish Pub?
Afterwards we shopped and shopped. After dropping some cash at the many boutiques, we hit up We Olive tasted olive oils and balsamic vinegars. I bought a Blue Cheese Dijon mustard that doubles as an amazing dipping sauce.
Finally we got to the wine. We it only made to one tasting bar,. Arroyo Robles on the corner of 12th and park. One of the owners served us and we had such a good time and bought so much wine that tasting ended up free.
Today was the parade and the weather was beautiful. We picnicked in the park with old classmates like we do every year and watched the parade go by. Afterward we went out to Sculpterra to show of the statues to our friends from Arizona and even the locals that hadn't been there. Our tasting were poured by the owner's son, the vintner and Cal Poly grad. Always worth the trip. Take a lunch and taste the wine.
Now we are getting ready to go to dinner at Robert's. We know it will be good since it's one of our favorites. Tomorrow, more wine tasting.
Afterwards we shopped and shopped. After dropping some cash at the many boutiques, we hit up We Olive tasted olive oils and balsamic vinegars. I bought a Blue Cheese Dijon mustard that doubles as an amazing dipping sauce.
Finally we got to the wine. We it only made to one tasting bar,. Arroyo Robles on the corner of 12th and park. One of the owners served us and we had such a good time and bought so much wine that tasting ended up free.
Today was the parade and the weather was beautiful. We picnicked in the park with old classmates like we do every year and watched the parade go by. Afterward we went out to Sculpterra to show of the statues to our friends from Arizona and even the locals that hadn't been there. Our tasting were poured by the owner's son, the vintner and Cal Poly grad. Always worth the trip. Take a lunch and taste the wine.
Now we are getting ready to go to dinner at Robert's. We know it will be good since it's one of our favorites. Tomorrow, more wine tasting.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Monday's winery visits.
We went out of Paso on Airport Road toward the Pleasant Valley wineries. Our first tasting was at Graveyard Vineyards, located on Estrella Road, just up the dirt road from (of course) the Graveyard. The tasting room is new and very nice. The grounds will be awesome when they finish landscaping. Two ladies were serving and went our of their way to make sure my 91 year old mother was comfortable. The wine was good and reasonably priced. Sounded like they have some fun pick-up parties
We were hoping to pick-up our wine at Tackett Winery but they are very small and only open on weekends. So we'll have to go back, oh darn.
J & J Cellars on Ranchita Canyon was open and so we ventured in. Cindy was our server and she was great. We both felt their all the red wine was really good and very inexpensive. We actually plan to go back and purchase a case of their Zin that was on sale at an unbelievable price. The tasting room is really nice and roomy. The grounds are beautiful, a nice place for a picnic. We will be joining this club as they were so friendly and have many fun events and pick-up parties.
Our last stop was Vina Robles. The winery was huge and beautiful. There was an Art Gallery at this facility which was very nice. The tasting room was roomy and busy. Wine tasting was $7 and you got to keep the glass. Wine was okay .
We learned today from Cindy at J & J the area known as the Pleasant Valley Wine Trail has a neat thing. You can purchase a tasting fee deal that allows you to taste in all the wineries on the trail and keep the glass.
We were hoping to pick-up our wine at Tackett Winery but they are very small and only open on weekends. So we'll have to go back, oh darn.
J & J Cellars on Ranchita Canyon was open and so we ventured in. Cindy was our server and she was great. We both felt their all the red wine was really good and very inexpensive. We actually plan to go back and purchase a case of their Zin that was on sale at an unbelievable price. The tasting room is really nice and roomy. The grounds are beautiful, a nice place for a picnic. We will be joining this club as they were so friendly and have many fun events and pick-up parties.
Our last stop was Vina Robles. The winery was huge and beautiful. There was an Art Gallery at this facility which was very nice. The tasting room was roomy and busy. Wine tasting was $7 and you got to keep the glass. Wine was okay .
We learned today from Cindy at J & J the area known as the Pleasant Valley Wine Trail has a neat thing. You can purchase a tasting fee deal that allows you to taste in all the wineries on the trail and keep the glass.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Wine Pick Up Party at Sculpterra
WOW! The party was the best.
Sculpterra grounds are beautifully landscaped and have wonderful big sculptures. Also in the tasting room there is some local artists work on display. We plan to take our grandchildren to appreciate the fantastic art. Many people when they visit bring a picnic, its a perfect spot to eat. So be sure to stop by and see all as well as taste the great wine.
The food at the party was great. We had mushroom sliders, duck carne asada tacos and many salads. There wine was very good, we really enjoyed the cabernet.
The two men behind serving inside we recognized from previous visits, Kyle and dad Tom. They are really personable and Tom looks like the hippy-dippy weatherman. All the staff was helpful and friendly as were all the guests.
The music was good. Now the best part came last, we were lead by Kyle to each statue where different musicians were playing different instruments. Started with a bag piper coming to the first down the hill and ending with a group singing. Awesome entertainment and a great ending to a fun evening
Sculpterra grounds are beautifully landscaped and have wonderful big sculptures. Also in the tasting room there is some local artists work on display. We plan to take our grandchildren to appreciate the fantastic art. Many people when they visit bring a picnic, its a perfect spot to eat. So be sure to stop by and see all as well as taste the great wine.
The food at the party was great. We had mushroom sliders, duck carne asada tacos and many salads. There wine was very good, we really enjoyed the cabernet.
The two men behind serving inside we recognized from previous visits, Kyle and dad Tom. They are really personable and Tom looks like the hippy-dippy weatherman. All the staff was helpful and friendly as were all the guests.
The music was good. Now the best part came last, we were lead by Kyle to each statue where different musicians were playing different instruments. Started with a bag piper coming to the first down the hill and ending with a group singing. Awesome entertainment and a great ending to a fun evening
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Friday pick up party Opolo.
We had our pick up party at Opolo last night and it was a great time had by all on this beautiful warm evening.. The food (pizza, sandwiches, shrimp, etc) was really good. We met a lot of friendly people enjoying the wine, weather and company. The wine what can I say was great, especially the Mountain Zin and the Rhapsody.
Opolo is located in a beautiful vineyard, not only is there a tasting room but also a great Bed and Breakfast. There is an area on the top of a ridge where they have most of big their big events. The view from there is beautiful. They also the hiking trails through the vineyard.
Opolo can be quite busy because it's popular for locals, good wine, great atmosphere and great events. The tasting fee is only $5.00 and the wine cost is very reasonable. The servers are very friendly and helpful to us winers..
Opolo is located in a beautiful vineyard, not only is there a tasting room but also a great Bed and Breakfast. There is an area on the top of a ridge where they have most of big their big events. The view from there is beautiful. They also the hiking trails through the vineyard.
Opolo can be quite busy because it's popular for locals, good wine, great atmosphere and great events. The tasting fee is only $5.00 and the wine cost is very reasonable. The servers are very friendly and helpful to us winers..
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Sunday Driving down Peachy Canyon and Adelaide
Today we took Grandma out down Peachy Canyon Road (take 6th street west out of Paso to Pacific Avenue which becomes Peachy Canyon) and visited five wineries. No deer today but lots oak trees. It's a curvy road that make for a nice scenic drive.
Our first stop was Stacked Stones Winery. This was our first visit there.. The turn was a little tricky to find and they are working on better signage. Our server was Tom and he was friendly but the dog, Layla, stole the show .Tasting was $5. The red wines were good and we picked up a bottle of 2007 Zin Stone for $30. The average cost of a bottle was about $25, Although they have no wine pick-up parties, they have lots of events on various weekends. On October the 16th they have a concert and BBQ for $10. We highly recommend this winery. The tasting room was quite small but interesting, The grounds had a country look.
We made a return trip then to Minassian-Young Vineyard to see if it was as good as the first trip. Again, a little tricky to find, but it was worth it. The red wine was excellent. Dave and Ampro, the owners, served us again and were very friendly and tasting was free This is a dry-farmed wine which is not common and tasted excellent. The number of different wines they have is limited as this is a very small winery. They had sold out the last vintage we had purchased. We bought a bottle of 2008 Black Saint Peter (a Zin-blend) for $22. Their wines are all very reasonable and very, very good.
Next we hit Nadeau. This is a small winery on top a hill that has a nice collection of wine memorabilia. Old Thunderbird, Strawberry Hill, etc... bottles let us remember our younger days. Tasting were free. Wine was good with average price of $25. The owner served us and was very personable.
Turning right onto Vineyard, we hit Norman Winery. This is a larger winery that is commonly available in the retail market. The tasting fee is $5 for up to 8 tasting. Most were very good. We picked up a large bottle of 2004 Cabernet for $20. The average price of wine was $20. Wine club membership includes pick-up parties.
Our last stop was Villicana on Adelaide Road. Another winery was upstairs, but we felt five stops was enough for the day (someone has to drive). Our server was a cute blond who just graduated from Cal Poly. Tastings were $5 for 5 tasting. The wine was OK. The wine club has pick-up parties. Link to their web site and view the great "wine video", its really neat.
Rating:
Our first stop was Stacked Stones Winery. This was our first visit there.. The turn was a little tricky to find and they are working on better signage. Our server was Tom and he was friendly but the dog, Layla, stole the show .Tasting was $5. The red wines were good and we picked up a bottle of 2007 Zin Stone for $30. The average cost of a bottle was about $25, Although they have no wine pick-up parties, they have lots of events on various weekends. On October the 16th they have a concert and BBQ for $10. We highly recommend this winery. The tasting room was quite small but interesting, The grounds had a country look.
We made a return trip then to Minassian-Young Vineyard to see if it was as good as the first trip. Again, a little tricky to find, but it was worth it. The red wine was excellent. Dave and Ampro, the owners, served us again and were very friendly and tasting was free This is a dry-farmed wine which is not common and tasted excellent. The number of different wines they have is limited as this is a very small winery. They had sold out the last vintage we had purchased. We bought a bottle of 2008 Black Saint Peter (a Zin-blend) for $22. Their wines are all very reasonable and very, very good.
Next we hit Nadeau. This is a small winery on top a hill that has a nice collection of wine memorabilia. Old Thunderbird, Strawberry Hill, etc... bottles let us remember our younger days. Tasting were free. Wine was good with average price of $25. The owner served us and was very personable.
Turning right onto Vineyard, we hit Norman Winery. This is a larger winery that is commonly available in the retail market. The tasting fee is $5 for up to 8 tasting. Most were very good. We picked up a large bottle of 2004 Cabernet for $20. The average price of wine was $20. Wine club membership includes pick-up parties.
Our last stop was Villicana on Adelaide Road. Another winery was upstairs, but we felt five stops was enough for the day (someone has to drive). Our server was a cute blond who just graduated from Cal Poly. Tastings were $5 for 5 tasting. The wine was OK. The wine club has pick-up parties. Link to their web site and view the great "wine video", its really neat.
Rating:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)