Lodi - Wine tasting

Hi friends!

Over the weekend my husband and I went to Lodi for a little tasting. I had never been there, but have have several wines from the area. I wanted to quickly blog about the places we went to. There are several wineries in the area. We were only able to make it to 3. There are so many and look forward to visiting Lodi again in the future!

We went to the following wineries:
Berhold

Berghold Vineyards & Winery
17343 N. Cherry Road
Lodi, CA 95240
(209) 333-9291

Tasting Hours: Thur – Sun 11am – 5pm

I recommend:

2007 Footstomp Zinfandel

Foot Stomp is handcrafted "The Old Way" from 100% Berghold Estate Lodi, California Zinfandel grapes and aged in American oak barrels. $22.99

St. Jorge

St. Jorge
22769 North Bender Road
Acampo, California 95220
(209) 365-0202

Tasting Hours: Friday – Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Additional times by appointment.

I recommend:

2007 ZINFANDEL

Their bio:
When we started producing our wines we wanted a good Zinfandel that could maintain all of Lodi areas qualities, berry and cherry flavors yet keep our Portuguese light tradition with no high alcohol and dark red color. We chose Stonum Vineyards for their style of growing Zinfandel. The vines are grown on a quad (four main vertical trunks) and trellised outward at 6’-0 high. This allowed the sun to enter from the top. They thinned the fruit to 3 ton per acre allowing only the finest bunches to develop.
We have aged this wine 18 months in our French Oak Barrels. We believe this wine will double its value in two years.
We like our Zin with a good steak. Remember this wine is food and part of a great meal. !Saúde!

The Lucas Winery

The Lucas Winery
18196 North Davis Road
Lodi, California 95242
(209) 368-2006

Tasting Hours: Thursday – Sunday: 12 noon – 4:30 p.m.

I recommend:
Their Zins in general. They give wine tours and are VERY friendly. Even with our little ones talking and making noises, they were patient. Family friendly environment. The family we went with even joined their wine club.

We were up in the area visiting friends and we decided to do a little wine tasting in a new region. If you are in the area... you must go and try the Zins. When I'm looking for Zinfandel I usually get them in the Paso Robles area... however, I recommend trying them from Lodi as well.

Here is a map of the region:

A picture of our wine tasting crew (including our little ones):

Cheers,
Winegirl15

Santa Barbara wine tasting

Ever been to Santa Barbara? How about Santa Maria?

I feel fortunate that I live in California and am able to drive to wonderful wineries to taste and then pick the wine I most enjoy. I cant imagine living where I have to go to the grocery store for all my wine. Again, I'm fortunate to live here.

The Santa Barbara region is known for it's pinot noir and chardonnay. Two of my favorite varietals. ;)

The first winery I joined about 4 years ago was Cottonwood Canyon Vineyard. Wonderful winery in Santa Maria. Santa Maria is about 30 minutes north of Santa Barbara and is the home to my favorite local wineries.

If you go to Cottonwood Canyon, you MUST go on a cave tour! Go online and find what time they are hosting them. They have amazing Chardonnay and very good pinot!

On Sunday, my family and I went to the following wineries... 2 more wineries my husband and I belong to as well.

Kenneth Volk Vineyards
Here are a list of my favorites:
2007 PINOT NOIR, SANTA MARIA CUVEE, SANTA MARIA VALLEY
2006 PINOT NOIR, SIERRA MADRE VINEYARD, SANTA MARIA VALLEY


Cambria Estate Winery
List of favorites:

2008 CLONE 667

Pinot Noir

Clone 667 Pinot Noir consistently yields a wine that is dramatic, perfumed, lavish and silky.

$48.00

2007 CLONE 23

Pinot Noir

The color of this 2007 is deep, dark and purple. The nose unites ripe blueberry fruit, subtle earth and rich oak aromas. The mouth feel is silky and smooth with firm underlying tannins. The finish lingers with oak spice, earth and dark fruit. 

$48.00

My father in law, his wife, my husband, baby, and I.
(Jake's 1st wine tasting experience)

Stylish Blogger

WINEGIRL15 was nominated...

"Stylish Blogger"

Thank you Chasing Davies for nominating me as a stylish blogger! I love a good deal and will be checking out your blog frequently!

Now here are the rules:

1. Thank the person that nominated you.
2. List 7 things about you.
3. Nominate 15 more blogger's you deem "Stylish"

1. I turned 30 on September 13th.
2. I haven't had much time to blog about wine and food (obvious reasons). I will be doing much more in the future!
3. I figure skated for 15 years, and trained with the world famous coach John Nicks.
4. I love to spin (bicycling).
5. I used to model for a sportswear company in college.
6. My favorite song is Billie Jean by Michael Jackson.
7. God and family are everything to me.

Nominating the following blogger's:
Amanda Bowman
Elizabeth Reyes
Terra Schultheis
Jamie Bengard
Rachel Reeves
Allison Jack
Beth Petrashek
Danielle Massari
Darshelle Lapworth
Dawn Jan
Heather Myers
Lindsey Hughes
Meggan Colombo
Summer Dabalack
Vanessa Wheat

xo
WINEGIRL15

Haute Red - Pinot Nior

Hi friends! 

I'm back and blogging about my wine journey... just a new direction with it... I will be blogging about the wine I drink and restaurants I enjoy going to. Not just about wine anymore! I do a lot more eating these days... and I'm finally able to enjoy my wine again!

A few days ago Grant went to our local grocery store and picked up this bottle of wine. He went there strictly for groceries but when he saw the name of this bottle he thought of me. I started an event planning company named "Haute Affairs" so he said he had to buy it. The bottle was only $10 so it was hard to pass up. Grant and I both enjoy pinots so why not! 

I didn't have any expectations for this bottle. I had never heard about this winery/ bottling company so I didn't really know what to think. We opened the bottle and took a sip. I was pleasantly surprised. The wine was pretty tasty! And for $10... I will definitely buy it again! 

HAUTE WINES  Website states the following:

Grape Composition: 82% Pinot Noir, 18% mixed varieties including Syrah

Appellation/Source: California cool climate vineyards

Aromas & Flavors: Ripe berry, bing cherry and plum aromas with a hint of bay leaf and toast. Flavors of bright, racy berries carry through to a bright, clean finish

Oak treatment: Light touch of oak

Alcohol: 12.5%

Food pairing: Ribs, chicken, steak, pork,
grilled fish, burgers

Shoe pairing: Simple pumps, high heels,
extremely high heels, tall boots

My friends and my shoe choices

Cheers,
Winegirl15

It's been awhile since I've blogged about wine...

But, it was totally worth it...

He's finally here!

Jake 9.1.2010

Get ready for more blogging... WINE and FOOD... coming soon!
Cheers,
Winegirl15

Coffee Cup Cafe

3734 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814

562.433.3292

Love Love Love this place for breakfast! I go here at least once a week! I've only been there for breakfast, but I've heard the lunch is just as good. 

I generally get a flavored coffee (last flavor tasted was a chocolate macadamia nut). I get the honey apple sausage scramble, with potatoes. Toast? Nope... This is CA people... I get the corn tortillas! 

If your in the area or come down... expect a pretty long wait. The earlier the better! 

Cheers,

winegirl15

Naples Rib Company

I have been so busy... I haven't had much of a chance to blog about restaurants that I have been to. And being 8 months pregnant... There have been LOTS of restaurants.

Naples Rib Co.
562-439-7427 - 5800 E 2nd St, Long Beach, CA 90803

I would like to take a moment and talk about a local restaurant my husband and I dine at least once a month. Not only is the food great, but the owner, and all employees are all friendly. It's a family restaurant just down the street from where my husband and I live. Grant and I had this for our anniversary dinner, and we celebrated Grant's 31st birthday there this year.

They have amazing ribs! I'm an eater, and eat out a lot! There ribs are fantastic! Grilled artichoke, or the onion brick by far are the best appetizers. If you are in the mood for ribs and good company... GO!

Enjoy and cheers,
Winegirl15