On my last trip through Paso, I stopped by Zenaida Cellars, a winery I had come across when they kindly sent me a few bottles to sample. While their Syrah was outstanding, I truly fell in love with their Fire Sign red blend. But for some reason I held on to their GSM waiting for the opportune moment to pop the cork (or, this this case, twist the cap). And, honestly, I think it’s because of the name. I’m an itchy-twitchy girl who can’t hold still for more than a moment and wanderlust is something that’s truly in my heart. Well, I’ve come to a point in my life where I’m traveling — like, a lot. Admittedly, my recent travels are primarily taking me to various California wine regions, but in so doing I feel like I’m traveling to world as I learn and taste through each grape’s heritage, each winemaker’s journey. And so, now is the time to twist off the cap of Zenaida Cellars 2014 Wanderlust.
If you couldn’t tell by now, I’m a fan of Nagy Wines. She packs a respectable amount of depth and complexity into varietals I thought I knew so well. And yet, for all of the intricacy, each wine maintains a well-rounded refinement, simply celebrating the fruit and opening its ability to pair with a variety of cuisine.
Well, Nagy Wines 2013 Pinot Blanc has a slightly different approach. A well-rounded celebration of the fruit is is. Deep and complex, it is not. Not every wine has to have layers and layers of diverse tastes and textures to be “good.” Sometimes it’s about a few good flavors, a consistent texture — sometimes it’s just about drinking wine for fun. Well winemaker Clarissa Nagy has crafted a wine that says, sometimes, girls really do just want to have fun. So let’s have some fun!
Only slightly off the beaten path of Highway 46 in the Adelaida district of Paso Robles is a quaint little family operation, Alta Colina. Here, upon a hilltop, the Tillman family has set up shop on their 130 acre ranch, 31 of which are planted to 15 blocks of vineyard. They have a unique plot of land, with sturdier soils (containing a high percentage of fractured shale amongst the loam) than even some of their closest neighboring vineyards. And being just out of reach of the cool, foggy air of the Templeton Gap, the vines are blessed with a moderately warm climate that can, in the summer, get down right hot.
It’s no secret that I like my wine, but when drinking hard liquor or making a cocktail, vodka is my spirit of choice. I was introduced to Re:Find Distillery when co-owner Monica Villicana kindly sent me a sample of her Re:Find Barrel Finished Vodka. (Click the link to read the full review. SPOILER ALERT: It’s awesome). So, when I made my pass through Paso Robles, home to Re:Find Distillery, I had to pop in and see this operation from the inside.
Monica and Alex Villicana, co-owners of Re:Find Distillery
Four-legged friendly, fabulous wines, and food. When traveling through wine country, that last bit is pure gold. Well, you can get all three with a stop at Barton Family Wines & Grey Wolf Cellars, conveniently located right off of Highway 46 in Paso Robles.
The super casual tasting room is owned and operated by Joe Barton who’s carrying on the Grey Wolf Cellars family business, one his father, Joe Sr., started back in 1994. Today Joe (Jr.) has turned that family business into a family legacy, offering more wine types in his humble farmhouse-turned-tasting room than many major players in the area. To accommodate, he’s even created a secondary label, Barton Family Wines, which include wines of personal interest to Joe and are, admittedly, for the more discerning palates.
Barton Family Wines and Grey Wolf Cellars remains a boutique operation, producing just around 5,000 cases annually. That boutique feeling translates to the visit — there’s enough space at the bar to get one-on-one attention with your host, and enough seating, inside and out, to just hang out on your own. And with such a large library of wines, there’s something suitable to every tastebud.
The variety and quality of the wines are a testament to Joe’s winemaking philosophy. He’s a winemaker first — though he does have 7 acres of vines planted around his 15 acre property, he sources a most of his fruit from vineyards throughout the AVA. This way, he says, he can offer the full “Paso Robles expression.”
Joe Barton conducts a wine tasting at Barton Family Wines & Grey Wolf Cellars in Paso Robles
Whether a Barton Family Wines exclusive or a Grey Wolf Cellars daily drinker, each of Joe’s wine have a clear sense of time and place.
WHAT TO TRY:
Unlike many winemakers you’ll meet in the area, Joe’s palate much prefers white wine. And, as a self-proclaimed foodie, he has a solid line of white wines with enough form and structure to stand alongside a hardy meal. Be sure to try the uncommonly planted Chenin Blanc (under the Barton Family Wines label) — smooth in texture, yet light and lofty on the tongue, there’s a thing line of acidity that culminates into a lively, tart, and tangy finish. For something with a little more body (or for red wine drinkers who think they don’t like whites), the classic Rhone blend of Marsanne, Rousanne, and Viognier (called “Sentinel” under the Grey Wolf Cellars “Grey” label) will provide a funky, nutty aroma with a cool, but creamy palate, and a solid finish that speaks of dusty earth and brambly branches.
Classic Rhone blends are all over Paso Robles, but very few wineries offer single varietal bottlings of each ingredient. Joe’s got them all. If available, ask to try some of the more “obscure,” “blending” varietals like his 100% Counoise and his 100% Tannat (both under the Barton Family Wines label) — it’s a great way to appreciate those often “secret” ingredients in Rhone and Bordeaux-style blends.
INSIDE INFO: Remember that food I was talking about? Barton Family Wines has a full menu (read: you can show up here hungry and expect more than a cheese platter), courtesy of Barton’s Kitchen Window run by local chef and family friend Jeff Weisinger. All meats — from the tri-tip to the tuna is slow-smoked to perfection. Enjoy paninis, quesadillas, or the house specialty, Paso Mac & Cheesesteak. Me and Joe? We like the simple Baby Spinach Salad complete with toasted almonds, dried cranberries, blue cheese crumbles topped with succulent smoked chicken.
Thank you to Joe for hosting me on my visit to Barton Family Wines & Grey Wolf Cellars. For more information about the winery, the wines (and food), to plan your visit or purchase wines online, please visit the Barton Family Wines website.
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