On the road in California wine country

Sally and I recently took a weeklong road trip through several of California’s wine regions, including Paso Robles, Mendocino, Sonoma, and Napa. We’ve assembled this short guide in case you’re thinking of embarking on a similar adventure.

Paso Robles

We stayed at La Bellaserra, which is one freeway exit south of downtown. The upscale accommodations are about half the cost of the one or two similar hotels in Paso Robles, and La Bellaserra has the added advantage of being right off both the 101 Freeway and Highway 46, giving you easy access to area wineries.

We dined at Artisan on our first night, which is an excellent farm-to-table style bistro. Habaneros was perfect for a casual Mexican dinner while the French cuisine at Bistro Laurent hit the spot one day at lunch. 

Unfortunately, our wine choices on this trip were much less exciting that our 2011 visit. It could be due to the individual wineries we visited or a particularly challenging 2010 vintage that most wineries were pouring. Whatever the case, the only one that truly stood out was Herman Story, which was already one of our favorite wineries and one of only two wineries where we’re club members.

Enjoying a good time at Herman Story

Mendocino

The Albion River Inn, located approximately 10 miles south of the town of Mendocino, is paradise for those seeking unvarnished relaxation. Perched on the cliff above the Albion River, you can view the ocean from your private deck or retreat inside your room to warm up by your fireplace.

Dining options in this area are a bit limited, so we had dinner two out of three nights at the Albion River Inn’s outstanding restaurant. A great lunch spot is the Little River Market & Deli, which doesn’t look like much from the outside, but serves up an outstanding variety of deli options for take-out or dine in.

Our last visit to this wine region was a bit disappointing because many of the wineries’ current releases were of very poor quality due to a 2008 fire that caused a lot of the wine to taste like smoke. The wine was better this time around, with favorites including the unusual varietals and spectacular view from the seaside Pacific Star Winery and the fantastic sparkling wine at Scharffenberger Cellars.

Enjoying sun, ocean views, and wine at Pacific Star Winery

Sonoma

We were just passing through, so no suggestions for accommodations, but we did enjoy some nice sandwiches from the Dry Creek General Store in Healdsburg.

Winery stops included Raymond Burr Vineyards, a limited-production winery named after the late actor that keeps their lineup of varietals focused and tasty. We also dropped by Ridge Vineyards, an old favorite that is responsible for our oft-used phrase, “You can’t go wrong with a Ridge Zin.”

Napa

The Napa River Inn is one of our favorite hotels and their location in downtown Napa provides ready access to a number of restaurants within easy walking distance. Walking to dinner is always a great idea after a day of wine tasting.

Except for a small indulgence at Cole’s Chop House, our dining in Napa was casual. The Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin’ BBQ is a great place to soak up the local vibe and enjoy some tasty and unpretentious barbeque. If you want to go really casual, try the Oxbow Public Market, where you can eat your way through the food stands. Of course, no trip to Napa would be complete without a lunch stop at the iconic Oakville Grocery's deli counter.

A few of our favorite wineries from this trip were several small-production wineries off the crowded, limo-trodden Napa trail including Beneserre Vineyards, Robert Biale Vineyards, and Elyse. Of course, no trip to Napa would be complete without sampling the incredible wines at Cuvaison Estate Wines.

Black Chicken the name of is Biale's famous Zinfandel

Chef’s Table Dinner at La Villa (in San Diego!)

Sally and I enjoyed an unforgettable chef’s table dinner in late 2011 that may have been one of our best meals ever. So it was no wonder that we were excited when we heard about a chef’s table at La Villa San Diego.

La Villa is an Italian farm to table restaurant in San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood. It’s part of the Buon Appetito Restaurant Group, whose Buon Appetito restaurant is no stranger to this blog. Don’t bother searching for the chef’s table on their website. Just know that it’s there and call to make your reservation.

Our five course dinner was paired with wine and was simply outstanding. 

First Course
Beef carpaccio with parmesan, capers, and chianti mustard served over a bed of lettuce. Paired with NV Gruet Demi-sec (sparkling wine).

Sally and Jeff's Mom, Kathy

Second Course
Burrata with oven roasted tomatoes, artichoke, frisée, wild arugula, balsamic, olive oil, and pesto. Paired with a 2010 Stolpman L’Avion Roussanne.

Jeff and Jeff's Dad, Bob (Jeff is on the right)

Third Course
Ravioli with poached egg and mushroom. Paired with a 2010 Windy Oaks Estate Pinot Noir.

We're all enjoying course #3

Fourth Course
Prime rib-eye paired with potatoes, carrots, and sweet peas. Paired with a 2010 Storybook Mountain Zinfandel.

Mmmm!

Fifth Course
Dessert two ways (a polenta cake and ice cream). Paired with a Canadian ice wine (apple) and a South African late harvest Chenin Blanc.

Dessert two ways paired with dessert wine two ways

Pure Oregon Pinot - Cameron Arley's Leap

One of the things we love about wine is it is rarely just a bottle or a glass. There's almost always a story that involves some cool people, some good food, and a little bit of adventure.

Take our delicious wine from Saturday night for example. Sally and I enjoyed a bottle of 2009 Cameron "Arley's Leap" Pinot Noir at Eddie V's in La Jolla. You can't taste the wine or the food by reading this post, but I can at least show you the view:

If you love Oregon Pinot Noir, or are interested in getting to know Oregon Pinot Noir, pick yourself up a bottle of Cameron Arley's Leap. It has the perfect blend of strong earthiness and bright fruit that are hallmarks of the region's Pinot Noir.

I first discovered Cameron at Oregon Wines on Broadway while on a business trip in Portland, Oregon. I've been known to frequent the establishment while traveling because they really know their stuff. This wine continues to be one of my favorites.

Sally fell in love with it too when we tried some on a business/wine tasting trip last summer. A bottle or two made it home in our luggage and here we are a few months later. 

2013 Oscar Wine Party Results

Sally and I are always up for having some friends over to the house, opening up some good wine, and doing a blind tasting. We're also big movie fans, so the Academy Awards make a great excuse to throw an Oscar party with wine and wagering.

Wagering

We keep things simple - everyone chips in $5 and picks the winner for each award. This year's pool was a three-way tie between me, Sally, and our friend Paul. We each correctly picked 18 out of 24 awards. Not to shabby!

Wine

Just like last year's party, we served four wines blind at pairing stations and had our guests vote on their favorites. They all sold for less than $20 at San Diego Wine Co and were either current favorites or had been recommended by friends.

4th Place: 2010 Klinker Brick Zinfandel
This was a good wine, but it wasn't nearly as amazing as it was the first time we tried it when we thought it was almost too good to be true. It was paired with beef meatballs in a cranberry chili sauce.

3rd Place: NV Roederer Estate Brut
Surprise! Last year's winner came back to defend it's crown and wound up in third place. It was still tasty, but our friends weren't as much in a bubbly mood. We paired it with Mediterranean pinwheels that contained prosciutto, feta, and basil.

2nd Place: 2011 Conundrum
Yum. This is one of our house table wines, and it was a hit with our friends too. It was paired with puff pastries stuffed with chicken salad (chicken, apples, raisins, mayo, and curry). 

1st Place: 2010 Smith & Hook Cabernet Sauvignon
Recommended by our friend Robin, we went into this one blind. It was on sale at San Diego Wine Company for $12.95, which was quite a steal considering how smooth and drinkable this wine was. We paired it with mini sandwiches made with marinated London broil, arugula, and mustard.

 

Sparkling Wine for the Red Carpet without the Celebrity Prices

I love everything about the Oscars ~ judging what people say and where as they walk the red carpet, being entertained by the host (can’t wait for Seth MacFarlane!), anticipation of who will win, acceptance speeches…and of course, the glass of sparkling wine in my hand!

While tonight is an evening of glitz and glamor, not everything has to be at the cost of Oscar fashion.  Whether you are joining friends to watch the show, or cozying up on your couch, grab a bottle of one of these great sparkling wines ~ all for under $20!

Piper Sonoma Brut Select Cuvee ($11.99-$12.99)

Crisp and creamy, with floral and citrus aromas, flavors of green apple and anise with a zesty finish

La Marca Prosecco ($11.50-$14.99)

Delicate, well balanced prosecco, with a good blend of baked apple, sour lemon and grapefruit, light creamy mineral texture – discovered this one from our friend Terri, at A Girl In The South (thank you!)

Domaine Ste Michelle Extra Dry ($10.99-$11.50)

This is one of our house sparklings – slightly sweet bubbly, frothy and smooth, and pleases many in a crowd, easy drinker.

Gloria Ferrera Blanc de Noirs ($15.99-$17.25)

Rose sparkler aged 18 months, 100% Pinot Noir – good red cherry berry fruit with notes of citrus, and earth undertones.  Heavy enough to pair very well with food – even some with a little spice.