Tag Archive for ‘Sangiovese’ at A California Winery Blog

Tag Archive for 'Sangiovese'

New Release - 2007 Chardonnay

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on September 3, 2008

in Chardonnay, Joanie Hudson and Tasting Room

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We have a new release in the tasting room, the 2007 Santa Barbara County Chardonnay (color label). We transitioned from the 2006 to 2007 yesterday, and put it on the tasting list along with a few other changes. The 2004 Nebbiolo is on the list, which is an interesting one to taste as it is unlike any of our other wines, and a very unique grape. We also have the 2007 Pinot Gris on the list, as well as the 2007 ZCS. The 2007 Rose and 2005 Sangiovese will stay put for now.

Our color label Chardonnay is one of our most popular wines, our signature wine I guess you could say. It makes up about a third of our total production. It is relatively consistent through the years, but this year we had a different assistant winemaker, Ryan Ralston, than previous vintages. Always interesting to see what a different winemaker brings to the mix… Come try the new tasting list, which is offered daily from 10-5.

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery

Moms In Motion at Santa Barbara Winery

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joanie

on August 15, 2008

in Joanie Hudson, Santa Barbara Winery and Special Events

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Last night Santa Barbara Winery hosted a benefit for Heal the Ocean put on by Mom’s In Motion, which is a social network connecting Moms through fitness and philanthropy. What began in 1999 as a group of Moms training together to complete a local triathalon is now a global network with members all over the world. Each MIM team supports a local philanthropy in their community.

A $30 ticket helped to raise funds for Heal the Ocean, but the real money raiser was the silent auction held at white linen tablecloth covered tables in the barrel room. Heal the Ocean is a very relevant charity for those of us Santa Barbara locals as its main concern is keeping the ocean clean. The organization focuses on wastewater infrastructure - sewers and septic systems (ie. reduction in use of septics and elimination of ocean dumping).

Trips to Mexico, Jaqua bath product gift baskets, and personalized initial necklaces made by our neighbor and owner of the Italian Pottery Outlet (19 Helena Ave.), were auctioned off while guests nibbled on hors d’oeuvres and sipped wine from our tasting list. Wines poured included our 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, 2006 Chardonnay, 2007 Rose of Syrah, 2005 Sangiovese, 2006 Syrah, and 2005 Lagrein. The Sauvignon Blanc and the Sangiovese were most popular among guests.

With harvest coming up in September we will not have access to the barrel room for events as the grapes are top priority, but these summertime events are fun to do while we can. If you are interested in hosting private events in our facility call the tasting room to schedule (805-963-3633).

Moms in Motion

Heal the Ocean

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery.

Pinot Noir Pairings

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joanie

on August 2, 2008

in Joanie Hudson, Pinot Noir and Wine and Food Pairing

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I know that it is difficult to imagine that summer will be over before we know it. September and Harvest 2008 are right around the corner. I usually try to put the end of summer and the end of long days out of my head until it actually comes that time. But I got thinking about it because I was recently asked to think about ideas for a Pinot Noir wine dinner in October. My brainstorming left me with a few ideas that got me looking forward to harvest flavors.

I recently came across a recipe in one of my favorite cookbooks, Mario Batali’s Italian Grill, that is totally unique and a really nice pair with light red wines such as Pinot Noir and Sangiovese. The recipe is a Grilled Polenta Verde (or Green Polenta). The rustic polenta turns a rich green color when you blend in a puree of parsley, spinach, and olive oil. This is an extremely versatile dish that can be served as a side or a main course.

Other flavors that pair well with the berry and floral aromatics characteristic of Pinot Noir are:

Morel or Porcini Mushrooms with Parsley

Root Vegetables such as Butternut Squash, Parsnip, and Beetroot

Green Lentil Soup with Sausage

Butternut Squash Polenta or Butternut Squash Lasagna (pinot noir will cut through the richness)

Pumpkin-based dishes

Small Butterflied Leg of Lamp

Roast Duck Legs

Quail

Grilled Pacific Salmon

Pinot Noir is an extremely versatile food wine primarily because it is light with soft tannins (the texture is pillowy on your tongue). You don’t have to start planning for your October dinners just yet, but I’m just giving you some ‘food for thought’ (literally). What is your favorite pinot pairing?

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery

Old Spanish Days Menu at The Bistro

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joanie

on July 25, 2008

in Articles on Wine and Vineyards, Chardonnay, Joanie Hudson, Lafond Winery, Pinot Gris, Restaurant News, Riesling, Santa Barbara Winery, Sauvignon Blanc and Wine and Food Pairing

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In celebration of the 84th Old Spanish Days Fiesta, The Bistro will have a special Spanish-themed menu next weekend (Wednesday, July 30- Sunday, August 3). I just took a peek at it, and it looks delicious! One of the best things about the menu is the wide selection of dishes that will be available. It is not just two or three specials, but rather an entire menu.

Traditional recipes cover a lot of bases in terms of Spanish cuisine - from chilled Gazpacho Verde, Ceviche, Chicken Pasole, Shrimp Tamales, Sea Bass Tacos, Pulled Chicken Tortas, and Filet Mignon Enchiladas. Chorizo, cilantro, and queso are scattered like confetti as reappearing ingredients in menu descriptions.

The full wine list of Santa Barbara Winery and Lafond Winery will be available. Spanish dishes call for a little bit of caution when selecting a wine pairing, but the right choice can enhance both the wine and food (like any good pairing should). Spicy foods call for slightly sweet or fruity wines with little to no tannin. I would pair any of our white wines with most of the featured items, but would be selective if leaning towards a red.

Thinking back to The Bistro’s Solstice Wine Pairing dinner, the 2007 Santa Barbara Winery Pinot Gris with the Shrimp Ceviche was my favorite pairing of the night, as well as the most successful in terms of balance. Three wines that would be consistently good with most of the dishes would be the 2007 Santa Barbara Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling 1.7, and Pinot Gris.

All are light, refreshing, and fruity. The Riesling is nice with spicier dishes because of the small amount of residual sugar. Filet Mignon Enchiladas would be good with either the Riesling or 2005 Santa Barbara Winery Sangiovese. Cesar’s Chicken Salad would be good with either of the 2006 Santa Barbara Winery Chardonnays (Reserve or Color Label).

Tacos Al Pastor (Marinated Shaved Pork tacos with Pineapple, Cilantro and Onions Served with Black Beans and Corn Rice with Pasilla Chiles and Queso Anejo) would go well with the Riesling because of the sweetness of the marinated pork and the pineapple.

The Fiesta Breakfast menu features similar bright flavors. Huevos Con Chorizo, Chile Verde (Slow Roasted Pork in Green Salsa with Poached Eggs, Avocado, and Black Beans), and Calixto’s Thick Cut French Toast with Fresh Strawberries are a few highlights. Omelet lovers can order the Oaxacan Vegetable Omelet (Mushrooms, Calabasas Squash, Spinach, Pasilla Peppers and melted Queso).

See the full menu at pierrelafond.com.

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery

Old Spanish Days 3rd Annual Wine Tasting

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joanie

on July 14, 2008

in Joanie Hudson, Lafond Winery, Other News, Sangiovese and Santa Barbara Winery

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On Saturday, Elements Restaurant and Catering hosted the Old Spanish Days 3rd Annual Wine Tasting in the Sunken Gardens at the Courthouse. Over 40 local wineries poured over 100 wines under white tents on the grass while live music played. There was a special reserve tasting and cooking demonstration from 2-4 for those who wanted to shell out a little bit more for a ticket. The main tasting followed from 4:00-7:00.

Bacon wrapped scallops, jumbo chilled shrimp, an assortment of cheese and a variety of mini cupcakes and chocolate truffled paired with the wines. Mirella Ramirez, Lafond’s tasting room manager, poured both Santa Barbara Winery and Lafond wines, which included 2007 Santa Barbara Winery Sauvignon Blanc, 2005 Santa Barbara Winery Sangiovese, and 2005 Lafond Pinot Noir Lafond Vineyard. The beautiful grounds of lush landscape and grass carpeting is a beautiful place to hold a tasting event on a warm summer evening.

It seemed deceivingly smaller than the event last year, but that was because of the different set up of tables. Instead of one large tent, two tents were set up, one for the reserve tasting and the other for the main tasting. Guests were able to walk across the street to Elements when the event ended to continue their evening. Sitting outside you could watch the quick breakdown of tables, which by 7:30 the Sunken Gardens looked as if there had not been a huge event there only a half an hour before.

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery

New Release Santa Barbara Winery 2005 Sangiovese

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Pierre

on May 20, 2008

in New Releases, Sangiovese and Wine News

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Santa Barbara Winery Stolpman Vineyard 2005 Sangiovese
The Stolpman Vineyard is located in Ballard Canyon about 9.5 miles east of our Lafond Vineyard. The warmer climate in Ballard Canyon is nicely suited for Sangiovese, historically the primary grape of the Chianti region of Italy.

Known for its dense cherry fruit, Sangiovese’s popularity has been on the increase as winemakers around the world discover the structure and full-bodied nature of the wine along with its affinity for blending with other varietals. Winemaker Bruce McGuire continues to be pleased with this newer block of Sangiovese; 2005 is the fourth harvest from this section.

Bruce notes, “In 2005, the crop size was close to normal and made a rich, concentrated wine. I aged the wine in 500 liter puncheons to preserve aromatic freshness which compliments the firm, bright fruit.”

This wine is always a champion in summer especially with dishes utilizing fresh vine-ripened tomatoes. Enjoy between the summer of 2008 and 2010.
Price: 24.00/750ml
To order:

Bottling at Santa Barbara Winery

Published

Pierre

on May 17, 2008

in Bottling, Santa Barbara Winery and Wine News

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Bottling is no one’s favorite part of winemaking - but it could be the most satisfying. Getting the wine into bottles safely is a sort of accomplishment. It is not the end of the road — it still needs to get into the hands of the consumer.

Winemaker Bruce MaGuire this week bottled the last of our 2006 red wines. These were all bottled in the classical high shoulder Bordeaux bottle. Six wines, five of Italian origin and one, Cabernet Sauvignon, of French origin. They have all spent 16 to 18 months in 60 liter barrels and are being bottled without filtration.

2006 Joughin Vineyard Negrette
2006 Joughin Vineyard Primitivo
2006 Stolpman Vineyard Sangiovese
2006 Grassini Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
2006 Joughin Vineyard Lagrein
2006 Stolpman Vineyard Nebbiolo

The smallest bottling 260 cases and the largest 405 cases. Except for the Cabernet Sauvignon these are not produced widely in California. All the vineyards that Bruce has selected are in the Santa Ynez Valley in micro climates suitable for these varieties.
Click image to enlarge:

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