| Detailed maps, list of wineries, places to stay and the club hopping that entails can excite any wine lover to plan the next trip through this beautiful, scenic area any time of the year.
This is a world-class growing region that sprawls between Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz counties. The writer, Gregory Wilcox and his wife sample it in all four seasons, savouring its 'top-notch' wines, friendly people and stunning scenery. Here are excerpts from their account of some of the possibilities:
'On the only sunny day (in winter) we swing through the Edna Valley in southern San Luis Obispo County , stopping at Tolosa Winery and Edna Valley Vineyard. We eat that night at Jocko's Steakhouse in Nipomo, splitting a petite filet and sharing a bottle of Edna Valley Pinot Noir ($20) - and taking one with us.'
'A few weeks later we check into the Days Inn Buellton, the base camp of Jack and Miles in the movie (called the Windmill in the story).We hit most of the wineries, starting with Sanford on Santa Rosa Road and ending at Foxen on Foxen Canyon Road. The latter is packed with hip young people on a sunny Sunday afternoon. We stand outside at a tasting bar and chuckle as our pourer, sipping at a half-full glass, talks smack about Fess Parker Winery ( Frass Canyon in the movie), a few miles down the road.'
'Wineries have wine clubs. Membership is free, and you usually get four shipments of two to three bottles a year at a member discount. I notice that the shipping charge cancels out the discount. Seems to make more sense just to drive here and pick up all the wine at once. The clubs, and the parties, tend to take on the personality of the winery owners. Some are low-key and mellow, others more formal, still others loud and festive.'
'Winemaking is an art. And we've found a place where wine literally becomes art. It's the Fourth of July, and we've ventured off the "Sideways" trail for a week of summer vacation. Cruising through Santa Ynez, our attention is captured by the Artiste Impressionist Winery & Tasting Studio. Owner Bion Rice, another second-generation winemaker, designed the tasting room after the Hotel Baudy in Giverny , France , and set it up as a working artist's studio.'
'It's in keeping with Rice's philosophy. He studied art history in college and planned on being an elementary school teacher. But his father had started Sunstone Vineyards and Winery in 1994 (it's the setting for the 1995 movie "A Walk in the Clouds"), and Bion followed him into the business in 2002. Rice started Artiste two years later.'
Harvest time is also party time, and there are several. In mid-October there is a valley-wide Vintners' Festival, along with special events at most wineries. (There is also a Vintners' Festival in the spring; it is set for April 21.)
The authors take you through various wineries in winter, spring, summer and fall. The Article and the Region are well worth a visit. Details at
http://www.insidebayarea.com
This is a new Feature which we shall be publishing frequently to showcase exciting and interesting wine regions throughout the world. Any suggestions, comments, requests are welcome - Editor
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