Visit to Chalone and Central Coast

Kiara, my wife, and I took a quick day trip to the Pinnacles State Park, near Soledad. We stopped at Chalone on the way in, and then drove down Foothill and then River Road which is full of vineyards.

At Chalone, we tasted their various whites, pinot noir, Gavilan Red (Syrah, Grenache, and Viognier blend), and their new Syrah. Honorio, the wine tasting coordinator, gave us a tour of the barrel room. Recently, they filled bottles from each barrel to compare how each barrel was imparting the flavor and how each wine was evolving. From the barrel samples we tasted, we were impressed how incredibly evolved they were. Overall, an impressive place and nice wines.

Budbreak is well under way. Some of the older vines and vines at higher elevations are lagging a little behind.

We drove to the valley's western side. Most of those vineyards (Garys', Rosella's, Pisoni, etc) appeared to be on the bench out of sight from Foothill road. I wished for the vineyard map I saw at the Pisoni table during Family Winemakers'. Shafts of light peaked thru ominous storm clouds. (I called Gary F. before we left, so I could pick up my ROAR wines. We didn't hook up because unfortunately, he's shipping them out of a warehouse.

Every time I visit a winemaking region, I always want to make wine from that region. So many great vineyards, so little time, and even less money....