I’ll Drink to That!

Very often the most charming of surprises wait for us off “the beaten path”. Such is the case with Bedford Winery. Located in the small historic town of Los Alamos, California, Bedford Winery is just a short 15 minute drive north of Buellton on the 101 freeway. A little over a mile or so down Bell St. past historic buildings housing the town’s small businesses you’ll find the tasting room with it’s large patio next to a building called The General Store, although I think it’s now an art/antiques dealer. Bedford is a small family operated winery helmed by winemaker/owner Stephan Bedford. Turns out Stephan also loves to cook and regularly turns the patio into a gathering place where he cooks up lavish barbeque feasts for special occasions and holidays.

Over the Labor Day weekend Bedford presented their annual W.I.N.O. Radio Dinner Show to a sold out, hungry and appreciative crowd. Helen, the tasting room manager, greeted us with an invitation to taste some of the wines from Bedford’s large array of varietal offerings. I gladly accepted a glass of  their 2009 Santa Barbara County Chardonnay, a rich, full-bodied wine with some soft oaky nuances. Just what I needed after the drive up from LA. We wandered around the tasting room and patio, nibbling on appetizers of freshly baked flatbread pizza, baked brie, caprese skewers, salty olives, and fresh garden gazpacho. We were introduced to all the family members, most of whom were busy either at the food prep area, pouring wine or passing the hors. Once the dinner bell was rung, literally, everyone queued up and  grabbed a cowboy style enamelware plate which was heaped with spit roasted pork loin with two side-by-side sauces, cast iron pot cooked beans, colorful and crunchy chow chow and chunks of hearty wheat bread. With dinner, I opted for a glass of  2008 Santa Barbara County Tempranillo. This Spanish red varietal, quickly gaining popularity in the Central Coast, is a wine of depth and spice, making it very food friendly and was delicious with the roasted pork. Old-fashioned peach cobbler made for the perfect dessert ending.

The show, loosely fashioned after the Home Prairie Companion radio show, was a collection of cleverly created wine related comedy skits, blue grass style music, readings and commercials taking you back to a time when radio shows were the primary source of home entertainment. The show was hosted by Garrison Sanders, and featured the music of  Susie Glaze and the HiLonesome Band. Also included was an installment of “The Pinot Noir Wine Detective series performed by the Bedford Winery Players, all professionals in the entertainment industry.  What a pleasant change from our high-tech lives to sit outside on a beautiful summer night and enjoy some good old-fashioned, creative, somewhat silly and amusing entertainment in the middle of this little town that seems frozen in time.

So on your next drive to the Santa Barbara or San Luis Obispo County wine regions, I strongly urge you to make the little detour in time and go visit the folks at the Bedford Winery tasting room. Chances are if you visit on a Sunday, Stephan himself will be there to engage you in lively conversation about wine, food, history, gardening or even baseball. Los Alamos also boasts a popular restaurant,  Flatbread Pizza, and a historic Victorian B&B, The Victorian Mansion.

I’LL DRINK TO THAT!

Last Friday night, being as our regular Friday night dining companions were out of town, we decided to try something different. We’d heard that Truxton’s American Bistro in Westchester has monthly wine tastings featuring the wines of a specific winery and paired with their food. I’d been to lunch there a couple of times, so I knew the food was good, but really, why in the world would we get in our car at 6:00pm on a Friday night and take the 405 anywhere, let alone to Westchester from the Valley?Well…wine was involved…it’s summer…and we didn’t want to be whiners…so we went! And no traffic! I know, shocking.

About 30 guests had gathered in the private dining room at Truxton’s for the event and within a few minutes the guest of honor arrived. Peter Huwiler is the driving force behind Napa Station Wines. The winery is a family endeavor, with his son Peter working closely by his side. Peter Sr, a native of Switzerland, lived in Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand before landing in Seattle where he spent many years in the restaurant business. It wasn’t long before the wine industry beckoned and he went to work for what was to become Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, later for Kendall Jackson and finally Merryvale in Napa. With his passion for all aspects of the wine making business, it was inevitable that he would end up owning his own winery. It is here at Napa Station wines that Peter truly shines. And it was at this tasting that Peter Huwiler shared his boundless knowledge and passion with his captive audience. While most winery owners/winemakers like to talk primarily about the wine, Peter regaled us with stories about Napa soil structures, (there are 110), tannin management, the density of woods used to make the barrels, cork taint and NASA images taken to determine micro climates in the vineyard. He talked about racking and fining, the astringency of grape seeds, acidity and sugars and how the Carneros AVA straddles both Napa and Sonoma counties. I hung on every word.

The wines of Napa Station

His first wine of the evening was a 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, (with 2% Semillon). This wine was complex with good acidity and a long finish. (Bought 2 bottles) 27% of his 08 Chardonnay is  fermented in 2 yr old oak while the rest goes into stainless. I didn’t think the food brought out the best in this wine, but the Shrimp Po Boy Sliders with Cajun Remoulade were really tasty.

Shrimp Po Boy Sliders

The 07 Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic blend of 88% Cab, 9% Merlot, 2% Malbec and 1% Petite Verdot. Paired nicely with Chef Greg’s Chanterelle Flatbread Pizza with Yukon Gold Potatoes, Fontina Cheese, Arugula and Truffle Oil. The arugula complemented the anise notes in the wine. (Love that)

Chanterelle Flatbread Pizza w/Yukon Gold Potatoes, Fontina Cheese, Arugula & Truffle Oil

Of the two Merlots poured, 07 and 08, I preferred the latter. A smooth, elegant wine, the 08 Merlot displays notes of black fruit and bittersweet chocolate, with more complexity and character than the 07. (I bought one bottle of that as well)

Needless to say, I really enjoyed meeting Mr. Huwiler, chatting with my table mates, the food and an evening out.

Me with Peter Huwiler

I’LL DRINK TO THAT!

We feared the worst and got the best! It was a deja vu of the 1984 Olympics with LA stepping up and staying off the roads and freeways. The only heavy traffic was seen by local businesses as Angelenos strove to keep their driving to a minimum. The other benefit - great excuse for a party and we did lots of that this weekend.

Friday, we welcomed home friends that had been abroad with a home cooked steak dinner and a yummy wine picked up at the local BevMo 5 cent sale. Ceibo is a 70% Malbec/30% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Mendoza area of Argentina. This 2010 vintage was good to go - full bodied, soft tannins and good structure. We spent the evening listening to their stories of visits to exotic locales in Greece and Turkey and finished our meal with Sette Erbe del Monte Fileremo, a liqueur from Greece that they had brought home for us to try. This bright green libation tasted of Rosemary and smelled like eucalyptus and mouthwash.  We tried - just couldn’t wrap our palates around that one.

Saturday, while demolition crews were running ahead of schedule and with the biggest “incident” being some guy who thought it would be cool to skateboard on the closed 405, our friends gathered for a “car-meggedon” pot luck. Tri tip on the grill, asian noodle salad, Caprese stacks, scalloped corn casserole and plenty of wine.

Tri tip

Asian Peanut Noodle Salad and Caprese Stacks

Scalloped Corn Casserole

We started with what is now my new favorite chardonnay from Lioco. The 2009 Sonoma Coast is a blend of fruit from vineyards in the Alexander Valley, Carneros, Dry Creek and Mendocino areas. Totally fermented in stainless steel, this full bodied, well balanced wine features lemon in the nose and palate. Creamy mouthfeel and lingering finish make this a wine I’m going to want to get more of.

Lioco 2009 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

The best of the reds on this night was a standout from Rosenthal - the Malibu Estate. The 2006 “Block” M single vineyard Cabernet from Malibu Newton Canyon is a knock out wine! Deeply colored, the wine has aromas of oak and cedar, with cassis, black fruit, anise and spice on the palate. Beautifully balanced with soft tannins, this was a great way to end the evening.

Rosenthal 2006 "M" Block Cabernet Sauvignon

Today, the 405 opened at 11am, 17 hours ahead of schedule! And tomorrow traffic will revert  to its prior madness. We spent the morning watching the Womens’ World Cup, drowning our disappointment in the US loss in Bloody Mary’s. Here’s to car-meggedon! Can we do it again next month?

I’ll Drink to That!

Tomorrow Prince William and his new bride Catherine Middleton, the future of the English Monarchy,  will arrive in California with stops in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. And once again the stately Victorian homes perched atop a hill in Angelino Heights will bear witness to another historical moment in time. These ornate homes, modeled after the architectural styles popular in England during Queen Victoria’s reign and based largely on Baroque and Gothic styles,  were located about a mile northwest of the city center, offering stunning views and convenient transportation. Only a few of these precious homes remain and are burdened with the responsibility of telling their story…..

Because of streetcar transportation to the nearby downtown business district, “The Hill” quickly became an affluent neighborhood of bankers, merchants and real estate developers in the late 1880’s. Many of these new residents from the East coast brought with them their taste for the Victorian and began to build their massive Queen Anne and Eastlake style homes . Exemplified by lavish ornamentation, vibrant colors, multiple stories, wraparound porches, bay windows and towers or turrets, these homes embraced eclecticism and grandeur at the same time. Detail and nuance were the focus of great labor with features such as intricate woodwork, colored art glass, lace curtains, and ornate lighting fixtures.

While so many of these beautiful homes were destroyed in the name of progress and expansion, the 1300 block of Carroll Avenue formed the Carroll Avenue Restoration Foundation to help preserve and restore these precious gems and today boasts the highest concentration of Victorian homes in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Conservancy offers a 2 hour walking tour where you are guided back in time to visit this historical area, view the homes, step inside and experience the splendor of an era gone by. An era where craftsmanship and beauty prevailed…where the creak of a floorboard was comforting - where the hydrangeas bloomed beneath the shade of  massive fig trees, and where the soft glow of the 3-globe Llewellyns lit your way home….

The Phillips House - Built in 1887

This home’s first owner was Aaron Phillips, an Iowa hardware merchant who came to LA in 1887 with his wife and daughter, Grace. She lived in the home until 1942 when it was subsequently sold to the Morales family, members of which still live there today.

3 globe Llewellyn street light

An interior balustrade

The Foy House

Dating from 1872, this house is the oldest in Angelino Heights. Originally located downtown at the corner of Seventh and Figueroa Streets, this was home to Mary Foy, Los Angeles’ first female chief librarian, a founder of the Native Daughters of the Golden West, and a leader in the women’s suffrage movement. This home was the design of Ezra Kysor, architect of the former Cathedral of St Vibiana, today being used as an event venue. (Also a beautiful place to visit)

The Haskins House

Constructed in 1894 for real estate developer Charles C. Haskins, this was the last Victorian built on Carroll Avenue. Notice the unusual balustrade used on the porch and the very ornate spindle columns.

After our walk and as our minds were still mired in the cobwebs of the past, we headed downtown, just a 5 minute drive to an area nicknamed “the nickel” by the skid row residents near Main and 5th Streets. On Main, just a couple of blocks from the Vibiana is a new restaurant paying homage to the past. “The Nickel Diner”, offers delicious versions of diner food including fresh baked goods including their famous bacon crumble dipped glazed doughnuts. You really just need to try this - it’s crazy different. Even though the line outside looks like the line outside Dupar’s on a Sunday morning, the wait was just a few minutes, prices are right, and the food is homey and inventive with a lean towards the south with bacon and cornmeal showing up in multiple forms. All good!

Wall mural inside the Nickel Diner

New twists on old favorites from the Nickel Diner

Red Velvet Cake with a Chocolate crunch filling, S’Mores Cake, Peanut Butter Crunch Cake - just to name of few of the incredible dessert offerings at the Nickel Diner.

As luck would have it I had lunch with rock stars today! It may have been in the heart of Beverly Hills, but the celebs I was with weren’t J Lo or Steven Tyler or Lady Gaga. No these “stars” were  some of the stars of Paso Robles!  Living my whole life in Hollywood means I have seen many superstars of film, television and music. But meeting a winemaker or other wine persona is always a much bigger thrill. Now I don’t usually admit that to anyone but my husband, but when Ian Blackburn of Learn About Wine said the same thing at lunch today I knew I was in good company.

Today’s winemaker lunch was  the preamble to yet another of Ian’s wonderful” Stars of…” events with Paso Robles taking center stage. “The Stars of Paso Robles Wine” tasting event was a two day event held one day in Orange County and one day at Two Rodeo on the famous Rodeo Dr in Beverly Hills, showcasing  over 25 of the top wine producers from the area.  Now as many of you know, my favorite wine region is Paso and over the years I have met so many wonderful winery owners, winemakers, B&B proprietors and restauranteurs. But today I met three wine personalities for the first time.

Michael Mooney is the owner and winemaker at Chateau Margene,  a boutique micro winery specializing in the production of small lots of premium Cabernet Sauvignon. His other label, Mooney Family Wines produces Rhone blends from the Paso Robles AVA  and Pinot Noir made with fruit from the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. Their wines are sold only direct from either their estate winery set amidst the gorgeous rolling hills of Creston, or from their Westside tasting room located at the intersection of Vineyard Dr and Peachy Canyon Road, just West of the 101 freeway. I have a very close friend who has been a club member of Chateau Margene for a couple of years and has shared with me some of their delicious wines. She is constantly talking about her visit to the estate winery, before the tasting room was opened, so I was thrilled to finally meet Michael and taste some more of his wine. His first offering was his Mooney Family 2009 Pinot Noir, made with fruit sourced from the Vigna Monte Nero Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands. This wine, released in April of this year, is a classic, elegant Pinot exhibiting lots of cherry in the nose, anise and tobacco in the palate with a long finish. This was poured with a dish of sea bass on a corn chowder/succotash like sauce with crisp edamames, and topped with micro greens.

Michael’s second wine was served with our last course, which was piquillo peppers stuffed with shredded beef in a robust tomato based ragu.

He explained that his 2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon was made from 60% estate fruit and that it was comprised of 90% Cab and 10% Merlot. He further explained the extended lees aging, (no racking for 16 months), and that the case production on this wine was 500 cases. He described this intense full bodied wine as having aromas of  black fruit, cassis, cedar, mocha and eucalyptus. I describe it as just plain delicious, and as it opened up in my glass it just kept getting better!

Chateau Margene Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

The second wine celeb is probably better described as part of wine royalty. Christina Turley of Turley Wine Cellars is the daughter of Larry Turley, an ex ER doc who co-founded Frog’s Leap, and the niece of winemaker extraordinaire, Helen Turley. Turley has established itself an an ultra-premium Zinfandel producer and in 2000 purchased the old Pesenti Vineyard in Templeton, where they dry farm 85 year old zin vines. They also have a winery in St Helena and produce Petite Sirah, white Rhone blends and Charbono. The Turleys recently planted 5 acres of what Larry calls “truffle trees” in hopes of producing domestic truffles on their Templeton property.

The first Turley wine we tasted was 100% Rousanne, Rattlesnake Ridge from Howell Mtn in Napa, 2008. This slightly opaque wine had a figgy  nose with good minerality, full mouthfeel and a long, full finish.  This was poured with a salad of arugula, roasted red beets, candied walnuts, pink grapefruit and goat cheese.

Christina poured her 2008 Pesenti Vineyard Zinfandel with seared tuna wrapped in seaweed, batter fried and topped with lotus root chips. This deep garnet wine had a slightly odd nose, but the depth and spice of this full bodied wine made it a delicious choice for the entree.

The third member of the panel, although not a winemaker or winery owner, is a huge celeb in the wine industry for what he has contributed in the way of industry focused social media marketing.  Dare I gush and say that he is my version  of an American Idol, wine/social media style? Yes. I have followed his work and was just thrilled to finally meet him in person. Joel has worked for many prestigious wineries, but for the last 6 years has been at Hope Family Wines in Paso as their Director of Communications. Last year, with the help of Dina Mande of Juice Marketing, he created the video, “What is Wine”, winning first place in the 2010 Wine Spectator video contest. This video just makes me smile every time I watch it and everyone in it is a star of Paso Robles. And as long as you’re going to YouTube, you should have a look at the video introducing  the new wine being released by Hope Family Wines under the label of “Troublemaker”.

Joel’s first wine, also poured with the salad, was the Treana (another Hope Family label and symbolizing the trinity of elements, sun,sea and soil) White 2008, a blend of 55% Marsanne and 45% Viognier. For those of you still not acquainted with white Rhone varietals, grab a bottle of this wine  - drink it as an aperitif or pair it with summer salads, sushi and really any kind of spicy food. The wine has a floral nose and flavors of stone fruits with honey. Very full mouthfeel. Just delicious! His second wine was the Treana Red, a blend of 70% Cabernet and 30% Syrah, all sourced from Paso fruit. Joel told us that this 2008 is the 12th vintage of this wine.This full bodied  wine  had an initial licorice component that I really liked, but the flavor profile continued to evolve as it opened up in the glass. Also great paired with the beef dish.

Michael Mooney, Christina Turley and Joel Peterson

The food was delicious, the wine was amazing and the company was stellar. I should say also that I really enjoyed meeting the other lunch attendees from the media who provided lively conversation about our common passions…food, wine and writing.

After lunch I popped in at the tasting upstairs and said hi to a couple of my favorite wine people from Paso. Aram Deirmenjian of Kiamie Wine Cellars was uncorking his White Kuvée, one of my favorite white Rhone blends. He was truly looking like a rockstar with his new longer hair!

Aram Deirmenjian of Kiamie Wine Cellars

Ted Plemons of Cass Winery was doing what he does best - smiling and pouring wine. I had the pleasure of working with Ted and his wife, Lisa, during the Viognier harvest in 2009. They are just some of the nicest people I have met in Paso and perfect Paso wine ambassadors.

Ted Plemons of Cass Winery

Cass wines being poured at the Stars of Paso Robles - 2011

So if you haven’t visited Paso Robles yet…what are you waiting for? Great people, restaurants, B&B’s, wineries, parks, farmer’s markets, beautiful rolling hills and back roads and some of the most beautiful sunsets ever! And don’t forget the oaks…Paso Robles means “pass of the oaks”, and they dot the vineyards and frame the views everywhere you look. Paso has lots of annual events so check the website, Paso Robles Wine County Alliance, for updates and plenty of info.

I’LL DRINK TO THAT!