The 2nd Annual Garagiste Festival will be held November 10, 2012. This unique wine festival is the first and only festival dedicated to small lot production wineries, (under 1200 cases annually), from the Central Coast wine regions of California. These passionate winemakers are producing some of the most exciting hand-crafted wines and the festival showcases the wines and the winemakers at this festival held in Paso Robles at the stunning Windfall Farms.
As they did last year, the festival producers are holding a series of small “sneak peak” events leading up to the festival and today one such small tasting was held on the back patio of Wood and Vine in the heart of Hollywood. Warmly greeted by members of the Garagiste team, Doug Minnick and Lisa and Dave Dinsmore, I got my glass and off I went ……
First up a quick stop at the Les Deux Chat table to start the tasting off with their 2012 Roussanne, a perennial favorite of mine. Chris Connolly who owns Les Deux Chat with his wife, Patty, was also pouring their 2010 Viognier and 2010 Dante Dusi Zinfandel.
Next up was a lovely unfiltered Rhone white, 2010 La Marjorie, a blend of 75% Roussanne and 25 % Grenache Blanc. Winemaker and proprietor of Thomas Alexander Wines, Thomas Pitchon, was on hand to talk about his Chateauneuf du Pape style wines including his 2009 Le Tigre (50% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre) and 2009 Les Origines (50% Syrah, 43% Grenache, 8% Mourvedre). Looking forward to tasting these wines again in November.
I was especially happy to finally meet Aaron Jackson of Aaron Wines, whom I had been corresponding with over the years via e-mail. I had been following this young winemaker, whose motto is, “Life should be outrageous. Go Big or go home.”, and was intrigued with his creative approach to his grape of choice, Petite Sirah. His offerings this day were a clear reflection of that creativity. Tasted first his 2010 Rosé of Petite Sirah, which I really enjoyed, and am wishing I had a bottle of it to carry me through another hot LA evening. His 2009 Petite Sirah was luscious as was his unique 2010 Red Blend, pretty much a 50/50 blend of Petite Sirah and Zinfandel with a splash of Viognier added for an elevation of aromatics.
After hearing good things about the next winery, Westberg Cellars, I spent some time chatting with owner/winemaker Donald Burns. For you Chardonnay lovers who have a hard time finding much of it in Paso Robles, Don creates his 2010 Simply Chardonnay just for you. Fruit is from the Santa Lucia Highlands and sees no oak and no malolactic fermentation. Another crisp white, 2010 Willow White, boasts a blend of Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc. Oh so good in this summer heat. Bottled under his other label, Turtle Rock, his 2008 GSM is a winner, but I really loved the 2009 Red Blend, a unique blend of 48% Tempranillo, 29% Syrah and 23% Zinfandel. Wouldn’t mind having a few of those in my cellar!
Did you know there are Riesling vineyards in Cambria, California? Well there are and Cutruzzola Vineyards is making two different wines from them. I preferred the drier 2009 which would be great paired with Asian food or anything with a hot spicy kick. The only Pinot Noir of the day , their 2009 Gloria from their Cambria estate vineyards, was elegant and lovely.
Clearly the word is out that fantastic handcrafted wines are being produced up and down the Central Coast and the great turnout at today’s event is testament to that. But if you still need convincing, get your tickets for the Garagiste Festival including their winemakers seminars and special social events here. These winemakers are looking forward to sharing their wines with you!
I’LL DRINK TO THAT!
