Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. – Ecclesiastes 9:7.
By Lynne Thrope
SAN DIEGO–Life is full of coincidences. Just this past Shabbat, I was chatting during the oneg with a fellow congregant about the wine tour he had taken recently to Paso Robles. Usually droll and indifferent about places his wife shleps him, this guy was quite animated about the vineyards he toured and the wines he tasted in this invigorating wine country.
Anglim, J Lohr, and Sextant Vineyards were the top three favorites that he quickly rattled off in answer to my question. I shared that I have, coincidentally, several bottles of the Anglim Rhone-type varietals including their Pinot Noir and Cabernet Savignon as this family-owned, quaint winery is also one my favorites in this Central California Coast region off the 101. Paso Robles is the fastest growing wine region encompassing nearly 26,000 vineyard acres and more than 180 wineries within a 40-mile territory.
The nearby and ever popular J Lohr Vineyard is one that I prefer to patronize because their wines don’t finish with the taste of too much oak or tannins and because the family has an earth-conscious farming philosophy. “For many years,” offers Jeffrey Lohr, “we have been working to establish a comprehensive, sustainable approach to farming our vineyards and producing wines that are good for our environment, our employees and our communities.” Amen to that.
When Sextant Winery was introduced to me a few years ago, a love affair began between their superior grapes and me. If you were to read the wine notes about the 2007 Sextant Central Coast Zinfandel, you would learn that it “has an intense garnet hue which is a visual precursor to its aroma and flavor. The enticing nose possesses a sharpness of tart wild strawberries, the sweetness of grape jelly and the complexity of baking spice. Ripe cherry, pomegranate & luscious blueberry flavors fill the mouth. Soft pliable tannins balance the abundance of fruit & complete this wine with a nice long finish. This Zinfandel is bold, unmitigated, and simply audacious.”
These three wineries are but a dot on the magnificent landscape of California’s “newest Napa Valley” located between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Now, we San Diegans have the unique opportunity to meet 40 premier winemakers from Paso Robles’s Wine Country and to sample their varietals at The Grand Tasting Tour February 23-25. Nine wine and culinary events are scheduled at various times and locations in San Diego.
For specific event information and to purchase tickets, visit www.pasowine.com
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B’Tayavon
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Lynne Thrope can be contacted at Lab4Us@gmail.com