Longoria Wines, Los Olivos

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!

Arthur Earl Wines, Los Olivos

Arthur Earl Wines were founded in 1996, 1st vintage in 1997. They produce about 2,500 cases a year, focusing on grape varietals native to Rhone Valley, N. Italy, aned Zinfandel. They are located in a very quaint and historic building on Grand Ave. in downtown Los Olivos, Santa Barbara County.

The tasting room is very spacious with two very large murals of vineyards painted on the back wall. The wine bar can easily accomodate 20 people or so. Natasha was pouring wine and she suggested the following:

2008 Malvasia Bianca - Santa Barbara County. Frity, off-dry wine native to Italy. Pair with spicy Thai, or India.

2006 A Genoux Silver Label - Central Coast. A cote du Rhone style bland. Grenache 20%, Counoise 30%, Cinsaut 20% Mourvedre 10%, Syrah 20%. Food friendy. I'm thinking fresh baked bread with cheeses.

2005 Nebbiolo - Santa Ynez Valley. Piedmont region of Italy. Pair with thin crust pizza.

2006 Barbera - Santa Ynez Valley. Plum, dark fruit, velvet. Pair with lamb, steak, red pasta dishes.

2006 Asevala Silver Label - Central Coast. A spanish Rioja style blend of Tempranillo and Grenache. Very big, intense, full-bodied. Pair with steak, red pasta dishes.

It was a quiet afternoon. Natasha and I talked about the current state of the California wines business, food pairings, life in general, and I had a very nice time.

I want to thank Natasha for her time and hospitality and I wish her all the best with her studies.

Daniel Gehrs Wines, Los Olivos

In 1990, Daniel and Robin Gehrs ventured into the wine business. Daniel Gehrs Wines is located on Grand Ave. in downtown Los Olivos, Santa Barbara County. Los Olivos was made famous in the Sideways movie, but it has been around since 1887! Daniel Gehrs Wines just celebrated their 10th anniversary at the Heather Cottage, built in 1904. The cottage is adorable, actually the whole town is adorable. It's like walking through the old wild, wild west!

I walked up the plank steps onto the cottage porch, swung open the screen door, and walked up to the bar. Mary was pouring wine and she suggested the following:

2005 Cabernet Franc - Santa Barbara County. Rich and ripe with blackberry, blueberry, ripe plum, black pepper, and fig aromas and flavors. Pair with Salmon with cilantro salsa.

2006 Sangiovese - Santa Ynez Valley. Hints of wild strawberries, raspberries, dried grasses, sweet moist earth and spicy oak. Pair with Mediterranean, Greek foods.

2008 Bandolero - Paso Robles. 60% Tempranillo, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. Black cherries, black currants, purple plums, black pepper. Pair with steak.

2007 Fireside Port - Amador County. Traditional Ruby-style port made from all Portuguese varieties. Pair with dark chocolate.

I had a blast hanging out with Mary at Daniel Gehrs Wines. I hadn't laughed like that in quite awhile. It really felt good. I learned that Mary spent many years in the corporate environment prior to working at Daniel Gehrs Wines where she has been for 2 plus years. She loves wine so much she is taking the Viticulture and Enology Program at Allan Hancock College. I think Mary and I have a few things in common other than a love for wine, one of which is clumsiness!

I want to thank Mary for her time and hospitality, I look forward to hanging out with her again some day soon!