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Northern California
Our Story and Mission- Ever since we were old enough to drink wine, we have been frequenting winery tasting rooms throughout California. Our trips in the late 70’s involved stops at 6-8 wineries (or maybe more) in a day. My first date with my wife was a day of wine tasting in Sonoma 31 years ago. So we are experienced with this stuff. I think there are several ingredients to a satisfying Tasting Room experience. The wine has to be good for starters and generally the known wineries all put out pretty decent wine. But there are other key factors in making the experience memorable. Sometimes a classy tasting room works for us, but sometimes standing around a barrel outside does the trick. At other times it is just good service that pleases us. Certainly one of the keys is the person serving the wine. So there are a whole bunch of things that make visiting a Tasting Room a positive experience. The point of this blog is to talk about and recommend Winery Tasting Rooms where we have had good experiences.The blog was conceived after spending a weekend with my sisters who normally do not frequent wineries and running into a couple of disappointing stops.

Friday, July 6, 2012


Pinot Days- 2012
San Francisco, CA

Since many of us now place Pinot Noir at nearly the same level as Cabernet Sauvignon, the annual Pinot Days is nearly an event not to be missed.  The event takes place at San Francisco’s Fort Mason (SF’s shrine to big time wine events).  Approximately 125-150 wineries were represented pouring from one to five or six different wines.  We went into this event without a specific plan other than a time limit.  I mentioned previously that we are not spitters so the time limit is essential.  We have seen people hammered at these events and it is not pretty.  The first wine tasted was a MacRostie from Carneros/Sonoma.  It was excellent.

It seems like the Santa Lucia Highlands (Monterey County) is where a growing and growing number of wineries are sourcing their Pinot grapes.  Several wineries were pouring either a Gary’s or Rosella Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot, a couple of the more popular Santa Lucia vineyards.  Certainly though, the Russian River, Carneros and Anderson valleys were all well represented at the event.


Some of the highlights for me were:  Both Pinots being poured at Goldeneye (Duckhorn), one from the Russian River and one from Anderson Valley were excellent.  I also liked the wine being poured by August West, Bernardus, Furthermore, Gypsy Canyon, John Tyler (a vertical), Miner, Rex Hill (from Oregon), Robert Sinskey, the Anderson Valley from Roessler (the new Hall Winery sister Pinot brand), Stomping Girl, Thomas George and Tolosa (especially the 1772).  Many of these wineries have tasting rooms and some of them are very good.  The Goldeneye tasting room and back yard are beautiful and at $5.00 a real bargain.  We have also been to Bernardus (Carmel Valley), Thomas George (Russian River) and Tolosa in the Edna Valley and have had good tasting room experiences at all.

A treat at the Pinot event is that since Pinot Noir is the main grape in a lot of Sparkling wines there were a few wineries pouring bubbly including Domaine Chandon and Gloria Ferrer.  A treat was the real French Champagne being poured by JCB (Jean-Charles Boisset).

I think Pinot Days is a great way to spend the day.  Although the event is held as much or more for the trade, those that buy wine in bulk and get in an hour early, it works well for the casual or experienced wine taster also.  I think one of the keys is to be in line when the event opens.  Some wineries, especially newer wineries may only bring in a case of wine that may run out before too long.  I think any plan can work.  One could have started just with the Oregon wineries or you could start with new wineries and ones you are not familiar with or you could just do the ones you are familiar with and know you like already.  Its fun any way you do it.

Vitals:
Pinot Days
Ft. Mason, San Francisco
Every Year- Mid June
www.pinotdays.com












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