Rick Longoria has been involved with local wine production since 1976. He and Diana Longoria established Longoria Wines in 1982. In 1998 they opened their tasting room in a very charming and historic building on Grand Ave. in downtown Los Olivos, Santa Barbara County.
Elizabeth was pouring the following wines:
2009 Pinot Grigio - Santa Barbara County. Refreshing, clean Italian-style.
2007 Chardonnay, "Cuvee Diana" - Santa Rita Hills viticultural appellation near Lompoc.
2008 Pinot Noir, "Lovely Rita" - Produced from acclaimed vineyards including Bien Nacido, Rancho Santa Rosa, and their own estate, Fe Ciega located in the Santa Rita Hills viticultural appellation.
2007 Pinot Noir - Fe Ciega Vineyard. Estate wine.
2007 Blues Cuvee - Santa Ynez Valley and Los Alamos area. Blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec.
2007 Tempranillo - Clover Creek Vineyard. Spanish varietal.
2006 Syrah - Los Alamos and Santa Ynez. Alisos Vineyard.
I felt special kinship to the Longoria family simply because we share a love for Blues music. The small gift shop featured some original art and lithographs of their Blues Cuvee labels. There is a small patio just outside, on the other side of a white picket fence where you can enjoy a little picnic with their wines.
I had a really great time chatting with Elizabeth and other tasters at the bar. Elizabeth discovered just how small the world is when it turned out that she and another taster attended the same school in Germany of all places! We all bantered about name suggestions for the baby girl that is due to Elizabeth and her husband in mid-October.
I have to give Elizabeth credit, it was her last day before going on maternity leave, she had been on her feet several hours, but you would never know it. By the way she talks about Longoria and the history of the winemaker it is obvious that she is proud to work at Longoria Wines.
I want to thank Elizabeth and wish her all the best with her new arrival!
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