As promised, I returned to Wine in the Pines this year and it didn’t disappoint. Once again, the wine quality was fantastic and only slightly more intoxicating than the highly engaging mountainous pine-scented atmosphere. This year was also cooler and less crowded. In this article I’d like to share a bit about the adventure and my favorite wineries/wines.
The Setting Honestly, this year was better than last year and the weather was mild compared to last year's scorcher. To say you get a fabulous smorgasbord of California’s best is an understatement. The food was incredible this year too. Everything from refreshing salads to delicious sliders to BBQ. No wonder it sells out!
Classy and comfortable from top to bottom, yet you won't find the wine snob factor here. By all means, if you have the opportunity to go then please do. Even if you’re a seasoned wine festival fanatic, give the crew and the wineries at Pine Mountain Village a go. You can't go wrong with unlimited food and wine samples, being surrounded by a picturesque landscape, and breathing fresh mountain air. So, now to the really juicy details: the wine!
The Wineries I Especially Enjoyed I could literally go on and on…I was going to. But I decided to limit myself and name the top 4. Here they are in order:
1: Tobin James Cellars: www.TobinJames.com
The smooth and calm evervescence of their wine seems timeless but they’ve only really been in business roughly 20 years, although their respective histories with wine-making go much further back in time. I tasted a little bit of everything, from their Chardonnay to their Cabernet Sauvignon that works especially well with subtly fatty foods. A real crowd pleaser.
2: Coruce Vineyards and Winery: www.CoruceVineyardsandWinery.com
Because of my experience with the Ojai Valley Wine Festival and Wine in the Pines last year, I find myself attracted to wineries with a smaller, more select menu. My favorite is easily the Coruce Syrah. A memorable aroma with full flavor but with a light sweetness that lingers on your palate.
3: Pear Valley: www.PearValley.com
I can tell you that I was very excitd to try their 2009 Charbono. I'm actually a member of their wine club and haven't had a bottle that I've disliked yet. The Charbono was delicious, as was the Distraction. Both of these red wines were incredible.
4: Gen 7 Wines: www.Gen7Wines.com
Normally, I don't like wines from the San Diego area but this winery was certainly an exception. I absolutely adore not only their wine, but their wine culture, their philosophy, and the standards at which they presented themselves at the festival. It probably helps that some of their wines are made from grapes grown in Santa Barbara.
And there you have it! While I thoroughly enjoyed my time here and at the previously mentioned Ojai Valley Wine Festival, I am always on the lookout for the next exceptional experience where nature and wine meet. Have any suggestions?
The Setting Honestly, this year was better than last year and the weather was mild compared to last year's scorcher. To say you get a fabulous smorgasbord of California’s best is an understatement. The food was incredible this year too. Everything from refreshing salads to delicious sliders to BBQ. No wonder it sells out!
Classy and comfortable from top to bottom, yet you won't find the wine snob factor here. By all means, if you have the opportunity to go then please do. Even if you’re a seasoned wine festival fanatic, give the crew and the wineries at Pine Mountain Village a go. You can't go wrong with unlimited food and wine samples, being surrounded by a picturesque landscape, and breathing fresh mountain air. So, now to the really juicy details: the wine!
The Wineries I Especially Enjoyed I could literally go on and on…I was going to. But I decided to limit myself and name the top 4. Here they are in order:
1: Tobin James Cellars: www.TobinJames.com
The smooth and calm evervescence of their wine seems timeless but they’ve only really been in business roughly 20 years, although their respective histories with wine-making go much further back in time. I tasted a little bit of everything, from their Chardonnay to their Cabernet Sauvignon that works especially well with subtly fatty foods. A real crowd pleaser.
2: Coruce Vineyards and Winery: www.CoruceVineyardsandWinery.com
Because of my experience with the Ojai Valley Wine Festival and Wine in the Pines last year, I find myself attracted to wineries with a smaller, more select menu. My favorite is easily the Coruce Syrah. A memorable aroma with full flavor but with a light sweetness that lingers on your palate.
3: Pear Valley: www.PearValley.com
I can tell you that I was very excitd to try their 2009 Charbono. I'm actually a member of their wine club and haven't had a bottle that I've disliked yet. The Charbono was delicious, as was the Distraction. Both of these red wines were incredible.
4: Gen 7 Wines: www.Gen7Wines.com
Normally, I don't like wines from the San Diego area but this winery was certainly an exception. I absolutely adore not only their wine, but their wine culture, their philosophy, and the standards at which they presented themselves at the festival. It probably helps that some of their wines are made from grapes grown in Santa Barbara.
And there you have it! While I thoroughly enjoyed my time here and at the previously mentioned Ojai Valley Wine Festival, I am always on the lookout for the next exceptional experience where nature and wine meet. Have any suggestions?
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