The Southwest Voice

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I am repeatedly asked, especially at this time of year, for my recommendations of wineries to visit on trips to the Central Coast. I’m always happy to oblige because Bakersfield residents seem to be treated so well in this our big neighboring vineyard! We all seem to enjoy going west to the beach and stopping by the friendly tasting rooms at wineries along and off of highways 46 and 101.

I myself have just returned from one of the most delightful and rewarding tours I’ve ever experienced — including world-wide tours I’ve taken in famous wine areas. Our party was royally treated at 13 wineries over a three-day period and after many well spent hours with gracious and hospitable winemakers, owners, and tasting room personnel, I came away well satisfied and very eager to share my finds with you! What great finds they are — stick with me over the next several columns and I will tell you of important happenings in the wine world that are occurring right here in our own backyard.

First, where did we go? In order of visits: Minassian-Young, Villa Creek, Saxum, Booker Vineyards, Sinor-LaVallee, Lone Madrone, Halter Ranch, Tablas Creek, Linne Calodo, Four Vines, Jack Creek, Denner, and Tensley. All were friendly, enjoyable visits and, most importantly, all were making wine you need to know about if you’re serious about wine.

The last I visited, Tensley, is in the Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County and is the brainchild of Bakersfield’s own Joey Tensley, West High graduate ... drum roll please! I always wanted a kid in the wine business and Joey sure has made his old principal proud! I’ll loudly toot his horn later.

Sinor-LaVallee in the San Luis Obispo area is the winery of Mike Sinor, famed former winemaker at Domaine Alfred. We visited with him and tasted his wines through the courtesy of a new wineshop, 15degreesC Wine Shop in the new Trader Joe’s retail area just south of Paso Robles off of Highway 101 and Vineyard Drive. Try this place, you’ll like it and the two knowledgeable young ladies who run it.

The other 11 wineries that I mentioned are all in the area west of Highway 101 and the city of Paso Robles, and can all be reached off of Highway 46. Not all are open to the public, but you may be able to make an appointment by phoning ahead. Get yourself one of the very good and useful winery maps that are available at tasting rooms just as soon as you hit the first wineries on 46 after leaving Bakersfield. Phone numbers and winery information are in them.

Now you know which wineries I’m recommending, and where they are located, so let’s get to the why. There are some truly great, world-class wines now coming out of our beloved Central Coast.

Most of them are varietals from the southern Rhone area of France. Most of them are blends of Syrah, Mourvedre, and Grenache — red wines — and white wines such as Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne, and an exciting new find for me, Grenache Blanc. You’ll want to try them all at each winery, but I’ll devote more space in coming columns to telling you which I liked best.

And speaking of best, good old Ann is not the only one telling you how great these wines are, especially compared to the Napa and Russian River Big Boy Cabs, Pinots, and Chards, but have you seen the ratings of world famous critics such as Robert Parker? He’s given our Joey Tensley 27 scores over 90 in the last few years! That has to be a record for any Bakersfield wine guy!

Questions or comments? Send Ann e-mail at: acierley@etcrier.net