Several Tasting Rooms Together #joycevineyards

One day we took a little time out to go to Point Lobos and walk along the coast. It is so much fun and absolutely breathtaking!

Still my favorite drink in the whole world!

The Pacific Ocean

We stopped at a place where there were six tasting rooms all in a row and loads of people in cars, buses, horse and cart, etc! Not kidding! Joyce Vineyards was the first tasting room we walked into.



We did a tasting of these reasonably priced wines! They were very nice!



As I recall, we ended up buying two glasses and a bottle of the 2011 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon for a Christmas gift! Lucky Dave!



Very yummy! Enjoy!

Time Out in Big Sur! Ventana Inn and Spa #ventanainn

Don and I took a day to explore the Big Sur region. I had never been there and kept looking for a "town" somewhere to eat, maybe do a little shopping for something special! We kept driving and driving through these beautiful wooded highways along the coast. At times we would see the ocean and at times there were just trees with many places to stop your car and take off through the wooded trails.

I had researched this Inn to maybe stay one night! Haha! Rooms begin at $975 and go up! Oh it's gorgeous and maybe for a honeymoon, but already been there, done that (in Santa Barbara that is)!

So we had a beautiful lunch on the patio! This photo is from the table at which we sat. The first is behind me, the second/third in front of me!

That's the Pacific behind the glass of Rosé.

That's better! Two happy wine lovers!

Boekenoogen Vineyards and Winery #HollyBoekenogen

Another great tasting room we came across (I researched this place before putting it on my list) was Boekenoogen! Being that this area is known as one of the finest wine regions in California for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, and its cool climate, I had to visit this winery.

Here's what we tasted that was amazing!

2013 Bell Ranch Viognier $35 (2014 vintage price) 

2013 Estate Chardonnay $40

2012 Estate Petite Sirah, Bell Ranch $35 

2013 Bell Ranch Estate Cabernet Sauvignon $48

2013 Estate Pinot Noir 3 Clone $68 (2014 vintage price)

Amazing wines we will purchase again the next time we are there!

Georis Wine in Carmel Valley! #Georiswine

We first became acquainted with this wine at Casanova Restaurant in Carmel by the Sea before ever hearing of the wine. Turns out that this restaurant was the catalyst for Walter Georis and the pleasure of fine wines. One must visit this restaurant while in Carmel. The Cabernet Sauvignon we had in 2010 was amazing! I kept the bottle for years! Here's our experiences at their tasting room in Carmel.

Sweaters and wine in November!

2014 Chardonnay $36

2014 Sauvignon Blanc $27

A "Grand" Tasting!

2012 Cabernet Franc $ 29 (2013)
2012 Merlot $29
2012 Petites Vignes Cabernet Sauvignon $34
2012 Estate "La Chapelle" $49

Please visit Georis when you are in Carmel! You won't be disappointed at all!
Their wines are amazing and the tasting room is beautiful!
Enjoy!

Talbotts Vineyards in Carmel by the Sea! #talbottvineyard

This was our next stop that day, not too far from any other tasting room on Carmel Valley Road. We had tasted this wine before, but not this year's vintage from the tasting room. They had quite a lot to taste. There were so many Chardonnays, you had to be very careful as you tasted as to which ones you liked the best. So here they are:

2014 Logan Sleepy Hollow Chardonnays $27
2013 Kali Hart Chardonnay $20

2013 and 2012 Sleepy Hollow Chardonnays
The 2013 is $42. No price on the 2012. 

2012 Sarah Case Chardonnay $52 (2013)

2013 and 2012 Diamond T Chardonnays ($52 for the 2013)

2013 Kali Hart Pinor $21and 2014 Logan Pinot Noir $27

2013 Sarah Case Pinot Noir $75 and 2013 Sleepy Hollow Pinot Noir  $42

2013 RFT Diamond T Vineyard Pinot Noir $75 and 2013 Diamond T Vineyard Pinot Noir $52

Very nice wines, but a lot to take in at one time! We did purchase though! Some of their wines can be located in our area. Check them out! Enjoy!

#hellerestate

Before we left for Carmel Valley, I did my homework searching for wines that Don and I would both want to taste. Heller Estate Organic Vineyards was that I found on Carmel Valley Road, a little over eight miles out of town.

Created by Toby Heller

We went for a long walk that morning into town to eat breakfast and then head out for our first tasting a little later that day. Our first stop was Heller Estate!
We met some folks from Dallas and visited with them and tasted these wines! All captions will lead you to their tasting notes.

2012 Chenin Blanc $27

2011 Cabernet Sauvignon (?)

2102 Petit Verdot ($50 2013)

2013 Petite Sirah ($52)

Best wine in the region! Friendly tasting room and even shipped our other wine along with the wine we bought from them. Lovely people working there!



Enjoy Heller Estate Wines when you can find them in our area!

National Rosé Day-June 11, 2016 But We Can Have Them Everyday!!!!!

I hope everyone enjoys a great Rosé especially on a day like today in hot and muggy Dallas! Those ballet slipper pink cold drinks that I love! I have so many to share with you so here goes! These are not in any specific order, but how I found them in my photos!

2014 Gris Blanc by Gérard Bertrand (under $20) from the South of France

 2015 Julia's Dazzling Rosé $15 from Walla Walla, Washington

Gérard Bertrand Coté de Rosés $18-the most beautiful bottle in the world with a rose bottom and a glass cork!

2014 Domaine La Colombe Rosé $12 France

Gérard Bertrand Crémant De Limoux Rosé $18 from France

2015 AIX Rosé $20 from France

Can you tell I love French rosés?

Carmel Valley Trip Nov. 2015 Continued! #galantewine

This tasting room needed a blog of its own! We love this place and their wines. This tasting was especially one to remember because we met the owner, Jack Galante! (Just a little tidbit of info-is great grandfather was the founder of Carmel.) While we were there, they were shooting pics of the wine and the owners. Don and I tasted these wines.

2010 Double M $36 (?)

2012 Ace High Malbec $32

2011 Rancho Galante Red Wine $30

2013 Cowboy Cuvée $40

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Blackjack Pasture $60

2012 Grand Champion $75

This last bottle is a 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Malbec, and 26% Petite Sirah. I cannot described how wonderful their wines are. You must experience them  yourself! Enjoy, if you can find them! :)