Archive for March, 2008

Upcoming Events

Published
by
joanie
on March 30, 2008
in Joanie Hudson and Wine News
. 0 Comments

There are only a few spots left for our Chardonnay Barrel Tasting that will be held here at the winery on May 10.  If you are a wine club member make sure to sign up for this fun and educational event hosted by our winemaker Bruce McGuire. 

Another upcoming event open to all is the Vegetarian Wine Pairing Dinner that will be held April 22 at the Pierre Lafond Bistro (516 State Street).  The six course meal begins at 7:00 and includes wine to match each dish.  The menu, which was carefully crafted with input from our winemakers, really looks great!  See below for each course description followed by the wine that will accompany it.

Spinach and Watercress Salad with Cilantro, Mandarine Orange, Red Endive, and Bean Sprouts in our Ponzu Vinaigrette

2006 Stainless Steel Sauvignon Blanc

Crispy Asian Risotto Wonton with Wasabi honey and Siracha dipping sauce

2007 Riesling (1.7% Residual Sugar)

Roasted Portabello Ravioli in a Tahitian vanilla cream sauce

2006 Reserve Chardonnay

Blackberry Pomegranite Goat Cheese Terrine in a puff pastry with grilled asparagus, walnuts and berries

2005 Primitivo

Eggplant Canaloni stuffed with organic spinach, caramelized onions, roasted potatoes and garlic served with a black walnut, feta cheese, and oregano salad topped with a fresh carrot emulsification and Sangiovese reduction

2004 Sangiovese

Wine Cake a lusciously elegant and rich sherry wine cake served with Creme Anglaise

2000 Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc Spritzer

55.00 inclusive

For more information call the Bistro 962-1455.

Hope to see you all there!

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery

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Seagrass Restaurant

Published
by
joanie
on March 24, 2008
in Joanie Hudson, Restaurant News and Wine News
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If you are searching for the ultimate fine dining experience in Santa Barbara, there is a new contender on the scene that should not be missed.  Mitchel Sjerven, owner of Bouchon, recently opened the doors to Seagrass Restaurant, where the focus is beautifully prepared fresh local fish.  

Taking advantage of the bountiful availability of the freshest ingredients Chef Josh Brown has successfully transferred the Bouchon mentality to a new venue on the corner of Ortega and Anacapa.  

Last night the menu featured Seared Giant Sea Scallop, which you can choose one of three preparations as a starter or get all three as a main course.  Our waiter recommended the coconut black rice, green curry, and spiced apricot chutney preparation as the favorite of the three.  

Don’t be deceived by the small size of the dish when it comes out because with all of the different flavors and textures of the dish, I found myself eating very slowly, taking tiny little bites and enjoying it with a glass of Qupe Marsanne.  

Another menu highlight can be found under the main courses, which features four fresh fish to choose from.  Santa Barbara Ling Cod was my choice and though sometimes I find myself with “menu remorse” (always wishing I had gotten what somebody else got), I barely even commented on how good it was until my plate was clean.   

The two white wines that we had were California expressions of Rhone whites, a Qupe Marsanne and a Sine Qua Non white Rhone blend.  My Dad handed my brother a glass of the Qupe and said, “Here, taste this” then he handed him a glass of the Sine Qua Non and said, “Now taste this.  It’s like the first one on steroids.” 

He was right, a fantastic wine, but one which we all agreed was a little bit overpowering (15.8% alcohol for a white wine!), but definitely better with food.  The Rhone whites are my favorite and they were perfect with my meal.  We all split a glass of ‘03 Santa Barbara Winery Zinfandel Essence, which was great by itself and with the Molten Chocolate Lava Cake.   Don’t miss a dining experience at Seagrass… 

www.seagrassrestaurant.com

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery 

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Pinot Noir at Lafond Vineyards

Published
by
Pierre Lafond
on March 21, 2008
in Pinot Noir
. 1 Comment

The Pinot Noir is now beginning to leaf and exposing its nascent clusters. This is a delicate time — we had frost last Sunday which damaged most of our Grenache — and a good time to take out the worry beads. Right now frost is the enemy — last year we had an early frost which damaged the Pinot Noir and substantially reduced the crop. Unfortunately there is not much we can do about it – the worry beads get a lot of action. The image is of  a Pinot Noir Vine taken Friday March 21, 2008.

 Click the image to enlarge:

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Staking out the New Block at Lafond Vineyards

Published
by
Pierre Lafond
on March 19, 2008
in Articles on Wine and Vineyards, Chardonnay and Vineyard
. 0 Comments

Images of the workers staking out our new Chardonnay block at Lafond Vineyards and the beauty of the surrounding Santa Rita Hills. The hills are green and in a few short weeks they will be brown again. We enjoy them now, but we also enjoy them when the rains have gone and they revert to their natural state — It means summer is here.

Click images to enlarge:


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Lafond Winery SRH Wine Club

Published
by
Pierre Lafond
on March 17, 2008
in SRH Wine Club, SRH Wines, Wine Club and Wine News
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 (click image to enlarge)

The SRH Wine Club will provide the same benefits as our regular Lafond Wine Club, but without limiting membership.
20% discount — low 6.50 shipping — complementary tasting when visiting the winery — a way to keep your wine cellar stocked at great savings.
Membership can be terminated or changed anytime with a call or email.The program is meant to be flexible — you choose the months — the wine — the quantity. With a minimum of 3 bottles prices start under 60.00 which includes shipping but not sales tax. Sales tax is added where applicable.
Wine shipments are limited to the states listed in the drop down State box.

To learn more:

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New Release Santa Barbara Winery

Published
by
Pierre Lafond
on March 17, 2008
in Articles on Wine and Vineyards, Negrette and New Releases
. 0 Comments

Santa Barbara Winery 2005 Negrette
The 2005 vintage Negrette from Andrew Joughin’s vineyard near Los Olivos is a welcome sight after growing conditions precluded a 2004 vintage from Mr. Joughin’s central Santa Ynez Valley vineyard. A very uncommon varietal in California; we have yet to see another winery bottle this varietal. Negrette traces its origins to the warm climate area north of Toulouse in southwestern France where it is known for its dark color and fragrant berry aroma and flavor.

The warmer climate around Los Olivos combined with a relatively long growing season yields a Negrette with interesting flavor and a touch more complexity than one usually finds with this grape. Winemaker Bruce McGuire sums up this wine with a two word description, “very berry”. Bruce made 12 barrels of this wine utilzing a mix of American and Hungarian oak of which 30% were new barrels.

The barrel aging added a little spice and body to further compliment food. Another easy wine to pair with washed rind cheeses; it would also be a good choice for hearty Mexican cuisine or Bistro style fare. Paring with food is highly recommended to cut the firm acid, bottle aging will probably be rewarded in 2010.

The wine sells for 22.00/750ml. To Order:

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Growth Tubes and Chardonnay

Published
by
Pierre Lafond
on March 16, 2008
in Articles on Wine and Vineyards and Chardonnay
. 0 Comments

An interesting view inside a growth tube. This is Chardonnay planted in 2007 and pruned back to two buds. The tube protects the new vine from the strong winds that blow in the Santa Rita Hills. Once the vine has grown stronger and reached the first wire the tube is removed and can be used again.

Click image to enlarge:

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