DESTINATION VINE...READY TO ROLL!

          So excited we're almost ready to launch this baby...We've taken all of "2015" researching and scouring the California's Central Coast from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles to bring you the creme de la creme of Wine Country!! From the best wineries, winemakers, lodging and epicurean delights it's all at our fingertips....we can curate a remarkable journey customized just for you!

LADIES OF DESTINATION VINE HARD AT WORK...

If you want adventure with your wine tasting we can take you up, up and away...while you relax and float over Wine Country! Or going for a wonderful horseback ride through the vineyards with a fabulous sunset picnic at the end of your journey....We take the guesswork out of where to stay, taste wine, etc and we create your exclusive one of a kind experience! 

UP, UP AND AWAY...SOARING ACROSS THE VINEYARD!

JUST WAITING FOR YOU, THESE BEAUTIFUL HORSES

EPICUREAN DELIGHTS AWAIT YOU

     LIQUID GOLD...PERFECT RHONE VARIETALS!

IMAGINE YOURSELF HERE....

AFTER YOU...

We will open the door for you to new and exciting adventures, not just wine tours but the real inside track of Wine Country!!

WE AT DESTINATION VINE WANT TO WISH YOU HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

CELEBRATING US!

CHEERS FROM DIANE...

SALUTE FROM MELANIE...

WHAT'S BETTER THAN A SANTA WHO BRINGS WINE & CHEESE????

    SEE YOU IN "2016"
                                             THE WINE CONTESSA                
                                                   

HARVEST TIME ….FROM VINE TO BOTTLE!!

LUSH VINES READY FOR HARVEST

Happy weekend and its good to be back….I was away on a much needed vacation and had a great time with close friends and family! And of course I always ship my case of wine with me, kind of like a security blanket for Winos…Lol.. But what I really want to talk about today is Harvest Time, that hectic and crazy season when the grapes are picked at their peak and begin their journey from vine to bottle!! Being an especially warm and dry year, harvest got under way as early as July this year for sparkling wines…Veraison(the changing color of grapes) marks the beginning of Harvest Season and then over a period of 6-8 weeks the grapes are either picked by hand or by mechanical harvesting…Many winemakers prefer to have their grapes handpicked because there is more control over the quality! Hooray for Humans…they can see if the grapes are spoiled or moldy as well as lend a gentler handling by not bruising or tearing the skin...

GRAPES ARE READY TO HARVEST WHEN THEY START CHANGING COLOR..VERAISON!!

Now we go to the winemaking process which is called Maceration where the phenolic materials of the grapes-tannins, coloring agents and flavor compounds are leached from the grape skins, seeds and stems into a must or mixture! To Macerate is to soften the grapes by soaking and this is the process that gives red wine it's color, because 99% of all grape juice is a clear grayish tone! Look you learn something new everyday, you'll actually think about that red wine before you drink it now...when producing white wines, Maceration is typically avoided or allowed in a limited manner leading to a small amount of skin contact with the juice prior to pressing...there is a short amount of maceration with Rose`between the skin and must to create the blush wine!

NOTHING MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN WINE BARRELS LINED UP AND FILLED WITH WINE!

The Maceration process begins when the skins are broken and exposed to some heat, temperature is the guiding force here and higher temps encourage more breakdown extraction of phenols from skins and other grape materials...this process continues during the fermentation period, and can last past the point when the yeast has converted all sugars into alcohol! Now we are getting to the good stuff....
Throughout the fermentation process, carbon monoxide is released as a by product of the conversion of sugar into alcohol...the carbon dioxide seeks to escape from the must/juice by rising to the top of the mixture, pushing the the grape skins and other materials to the top as well, creating what is known as a Cap...At this point a very limited amount comes into contact with the skins and winemakers seek to correct this by pushing down the cap either with equipment or the traditional method a la I LOVE LUCY with the stomp(feet)!! I've always wanted to do that, maybe next season..with everything that is going on these winemakers are always trying to get that perfect bottle of wine!  This process of maceration can help bring out the flavors and nuances, it can enhance the body and complexity of the tannins as well strengthening the color....Once the wine is ready to transfer into stainless steel vats or oak barrels where it goes to rest until it's deemed worthy to bottle! White wine can typically be ready in 3-6 months where reds usually go from 18-24 months until they are bottled and set sail for the wine market...Fabulous can't wait for these new releases!!

NATURE AT IT'S BEST!

WINE WAITING PATIENTLY FOR IT'S RELEASE

What really makes the wine world go around is the talented and hard working people behind every bottle you open and every sip you take....I've been lucky to have met some of the top wine makers in California and I can tell you how passionate and dedicated they are about their industry...this is not a business for the faint of heart, it's farming basically with all the pitfalls..whether it be climate, soil or drought, they deal with it and are constantly gambling with their crop every year! I salute you all...

100 BOTTLES OF WINE ON THE WALL...MUST BE HEAVEN!!

WISHING YOU ALL A WONDERFUL AUTUMN FILLED WITH GREAT WINE!!

                                                                 
CHEERS......
                                                   
                                    THE WINE CONTESSA

                    THE BEAUTY OF THE VINES IT CALLS TO ME

                                        WHAT A PUMPKIN AND NO WINE?

SANTA RITA HILLS….PRODUCING SOME OF THE BEST PINOTS IN THE WORLD!!

THE LOVELY GROUNDS AT HILLIARD BRUCE 

"TERROIR" THE FRENCH TERM FOR THE EARTH OR SOIL

     Cheers and Salute, I feel like I've abandoned you in my whirlwind of life… This is an incredibly busy time of year for me plus we are starting up our new DestinationVine business!! Very exciting and challenging, my partner and I have been combing the Central Coast to bring you the "best of the best" in Wine Country! Today I want to focus on a premier part of Santa Barbara Wine Country, the Santa Rita Hills AVA.. (American Viticulture Area) 

AN EARLY HARVEST THIS YEAR!

The first vineyard to call this area home was Sanford and Benedict, planted in 1971….fast forward to 1997 when the very young and knowledgeable Wes Hagen of Clos Pepe and his fellow winemakers started taking soil samples and studying the different elements of growing potential for the Santa Rita Hills! Just like the Knights of the round table this band of pioneers, headed up by Richard Sanford, Bryan Babcock, Rick Longoria, Ken Brown and others, wanted to have their own distinctive appellation for their premium wines!! They received their AVA status in 2001 becoming SRH(Santa Rita Hills) Appellation.

I CAN'T RESIST A GREAT SYRAH!

It was discovered that this region contained the perfect storm for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay….the microclimate of warm days and the Pacific's cooling fog and wind as well as the elevated calcium in the soil all come together to create these luscious wines..although Pinot is clearly the STAR in this AVA, it is also home to fabulous Syrahs, Sauvignon Blancs, Viogners as well as many other cool climate wines! Although this area & Pinot Noir were put on the map by the movie
"SIDEWAYS''in 2004, the locals and people in the know already knew it was destined for greatness!! I don't think the average wine drinker even knew what Pinot was, remember this was the heyday of Merlot which died a noble death soon after, C'est dommage!            

ONE OF THE GREAT ORIGINALS…RICHARD SANFORD

           THE WONDERFUL CLOS PEPE PINOT NOIR                    

As this area grew and became part of the Wine World, so did the winemakers…If you build it they will come, bringing more vineyards to the area and producing Top rated wines…there are so many fantastic places to drink and taste here,  it's Disneyland for adults! Some of my favorites include Hilliard Bruce, Babcock, Melville & Clos Pepe…It does help to know the winemakers and to have that insider experience…I often say my job is so hard but someone has to do it!!!!
I prefer a Pinot with body, I've nick named the lighter variety "Ghost Pinot's"…not my favorite…Oh, but those full bodied ones that are spicy with notes of dark cherry, amazing, from start to finish. Is it too early to drink yet I know it's 5 o'clock in London? Salute to everyone and have a great weekend!!

THE WONDERFUL PINOT'S FROM HILLIARD BRUCE

A "CLONE" VINEYARD AT MELVILLE 

OUT DOING FIELD WORK @ MELVILLE WINERY

CHEERS….

THE WINE CONTESSA

9/11 NEVER FORGET 

SOME OF THE LOCAL COLOR @ PENSE WINERY

TURKEY MASCOT @ HILLIARD BRUCE VINEYARDS
HE DOESN'T DO THANKSGIVING…...

THINK PINK….ROSE IS ALL THE RAGE!!!

LET THE PINK PARTY BEGIN

Well, I'll be the first person"to eat my words!"I was Very skeptical of Rose when it first burst on the wine scene in California a few years ago….Although it's always been a staple in France and they do know how to make a fabulous rose, it had yet to sink into the minds of wine drinkers in America! There was always White Zinfandel, but did anyone ever take that kool-aid seriously?? I must say with all my wine travels I've been privy to some amazing Rose recently, and have slowly become a convert!! Oh, it will never replace my love of Syrahs, Cabs, Bourdeaux Blends, but it has found a little niche in my wine heart….

A CORK BY ANY OTHER NAME

Some of the best ones I've had are all from California, not bragging but damn we make really fine WINES in this state!! Now I don't know the availability of wines in different parts of the country but we have access to even the small boutique wineries who don't typically sell in stores…Among some of the top Rose is
Andrew Murray, Beckman, Demetria, Hilliard/Bruce,Windward, Shale Oak, & Halter Ranch…these are all CENTRAL COAST of California…you can go on their websites and order it directly and they'll ship it to you…if you join their wine club, there is a discount, typically 20% off! I know maybe a lot of you are asking just how is Rose made and how two they achieve that beautiful color…Typically Rose from California can be slightly sweet or fruity with a dry finish which can taste wonderful on the palate…especially on a hot summer day! The most common process for making ROSE is Limited Maceration, the red grapes skins are left in contact with the juice, then the winemaker decides when he/she is pleased with the color and the juice sans skins is transferred to a different tank to finish it's glorious journey(fermentation)! Some of the red wines used in the Rose process are typically Syrah,

Cabernert, Pinot Noir and Merlot…the lower alcohol content makes Rose a perfect daytime wine!
 There's also Rose champagne and Sparkling wine, which are made from white grapes(Chardonnay) or white varietals(blends), these have been around for ages and are always a good choice!

ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVES

SOOOO FRENCH

SOME OF NAPA'S FINEST

Some of my favorite Rose Champagnes are Laurent Perrier and Taittinger and for more reasonably priced Sparkling wines Mumm Napa and Chandon are a good choice! Actually, these wines are very festive and perfect for weddings, bridal showers and of course welcoming a baby girl into the world!! It seems that most wineries have gotten on the "Rose bandwagon," which is great because they've created a wonderful competitive market..Even celebrities like Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie have come up with a French Rose from their Chateau in Provence called Miraval! This came highly rated by Wine Spectator……. Whispering Angel is a lovely French Rose that's very crisp and light with a beautiful salmon pink hue!!

FRENCH IN EVERY WAY

    Well, quite frankly if anyone had told me when I started this blog last year that I would do a whole post on Rose I would have laughed and called them Crazy…..But here I am, and as I always tell my daughter never say never, because the words may come back to haunt you! You know if you live long enough you see the cycles go around and around, everything old is new again .… so I guess I'll just kick back and eat a little "crow" and wash it down with a great Rose!
                           Salute to the days of Summer!

                                                 THE WINE CONTESSA

CHEERS!!

SUMMERTIME…AND THE LIVING IS EASY WITH GREAT FOOD AND WINE!!!

THE BEAUTY AND TRANQUILITY OF THE SEA, PERFECT FOR A GLASS OF ROSE!

Well, it's officially Summer….and everyone is trying to create a memorable time whether it's at the sea shore or by the lake, the sun and fun beckons us to get out there and enjoy!! I for one am blessed to live near a beautiful lake as well as the shores of Malibu and Santa Barbara…tough life but somebody has to do it…hahaha..

A bottle of wine and a nap…The perfect setting

 Having spent the 4th of July in Santa Barbara's wine country, I can't help but notice a wonderful trend towards a wine weekend getaway for our nation's Birthday…here's to the Red, White, and Rose…Cheers!!

At the base of the Foxen Canyon Trail is the fabulous ANDREW MURRAY VINEYARDS…they specialize in wonderful Rhone style wines…Decisions, Decisions, they are all Great, I'll have one of each…

A SPLENDID LIGHT SHOW ON THE 4TH

THE WINE CONTESSA AND ANDREW MURRAY ONE OF MY FAVORITE WINEMAKERS...

Out doing field work in at Andrew Murray Vineyards….

 

CHOICES, CHOICES, CHOICES

These are the Wines of Summer, light & crisp, with a wonderful minerality! Fabulous with all the great, fresh salads and grilled fare! I for one have sampled all of these delicious additions to Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blanc….the new winemakers are pushing the boundaries and giving us more and more choices instead of "the same old, same old!!" Bravo to them, like the Granache Blanc/ Rousanne blends…Outstanding…Don't get me wrong I still love a great Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris respectfully, but it's nice to have these "new kids on the block"….Daytime outings and picnic's always scream for lighter wines but I'm a die hard even in the summer at night, I want my RED WINE!!!! A good alternative from the heavier reds is the GMS blends which are Grenache, Mouverdre and Syrah, full bodied yet bright on the palate! Also don't forget our Red cousins from Spain the awesome Tempranillo and Rioja's for their distinctive and refreshing tastes..Take advantage of the bounty of summer foods in the stores to make some really easy and memorable meals! Heirloom tomatoes at their peak as well as fresh figs, melons, stone fruits and bright and delicious berries!! YUMMY…Don't forget to pair these glorious fruits with fresh goat cheese or gorgonzola, always an easy and wonderful appetizer or dessert..And by all means use that Grill…fresh sweet corn is even sweeter, no butter needed and any fresh vegetable becomes caramelized and tasty when grilled…use a grill pan that fits rich over the racks, this will keep everything perfectly together and give you easy sautéing ability!

FRESH FIGS MAKE ANY CHEESE PLATE SPECIAL...

 

HEIRLOOM TOMATOES, MOZZARELLA, ARUGULA & BASIL

THE BEAUTY OF A FRESH SUMMER SALAD

A SUMMER MAGNOLIA WITH NATURE'S OWN BEES

ABSOLUTELY!!

ENJOY YOUR SUMMER…WHEREVER YOU MAY BE!!!
SALUTE…
THE WINE CONTESSA….2015