A California Winery Blog

Assistant winemaker Ryan Ralston was the speaker at Spiritland Bistro’s Wine & Dine event on Monday evening. The second Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir-themed tasting and dinner in the past month was sold out just like the first, which took place on September 24. Ryan spoke about his past winemaker experience, the transition from his beginnings in Paso Robles, and SRH pinot characteristics. The dinner menu was full of classic pinot pairings from a mushroom tart to salmon and a delicious berry crumble.

One of the three cheeses paired with the stand up tasting course in the beginning of the meal was different from the last dinner, Cypress Grove Midnight Moon. This was definitely my favorite cheese of the night and its semi soft texture went really nicely with the pinots. Midnight Moon is a pasteurized 100% goat’s milk (Chevre) cheese (Chevre = goat in French) that is aged for at least 6 months. During the aging period, it develops a caramel nuttiness. This cheese is made by Cypress Grove Creamery up in Humboldt County and would be great served with Fig preserves or used in grilled cheese.

Spiritland’s next dinner is West Coast Cabernet on October 29.

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery