Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon

Costa De Oro Winery

Winery sign

Costa de Oro Winery's mission is to craft the finest wines from the Central Coast by blending the artistry of Old-World winemaking with New-World grape growing practices.

In 1989, Ron Burk and Bob Espinola, owners of Gold Coast Farms, planted the Gold Coast Vineyard. This 30-acre vineyard, featuring Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, is situated on a stunning bluff at Fuglar's Point in the esteemed Santa Maria Valley AVA of Santa Barbara County.

The vineyard began yielding fruit in the early 1990s, with grapes sold to local wineries including Au Bon Climat, Foxen, Lane Tanner, and The Hitching Post. During this period, Gary Burk, Ron Burk's son, formed a friendship with Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat. In 1994, Clendenen offered Gary a harvest position at the renowned Au Bon Climat/Qupé Winery, where Gary eventually accepted a full-time role and remained until 2002.

While at Au Bon Climat/Qupé in 1994, Gary produced the first Costa de Oro wines—one barrel each of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Costa de Oro continued to expand each year, reaching 2,500 cases by 2002, when Gary chose to dedicate himself entirely to the winery. Today, Costa de Oro produces 6,500 cases annually and also creates special private labels for clients such as James Beard Award Winner Roy Yamaguchi of Roy’s Restaurants, the Halekulani Hotel on Waikiki Beach, and CF Pinot Noir for Master Sommelier Chuck Furuya of the Sansei Restaurant Group.

The Costa de Oro Tasting Room opened in 2006 at the original location of the Gold Coast Farms' strawberry stand off the 101 Freeway in Santa Maria. Gary and his wife, Teresa Gasca-Burk, manage the tasting room, where visitors can enjoy local live music on weekends. Occasionally, they can even be seen performing with the bands. Guests are invited to savor wine, music, and the relaxed ambiance at Costa de Oro.

Brochelle Vineyards

grape clusters

Brochelle Vineyards is located in Paso Robles and has some really nice wines. Their flagship is Zinfandel but their Petite Sirah and Chardonnay speak for themselves as well. The tasting room is very nice, a great find! Two locations for your tasting pleasure:

1. Westside Location: 6996 Peachy Canyon Rd, Paso Robles, CA 93446
2. Eastside location: 2323 Tuley Rd #130, Paso Robles, CA 93446

Kenneth Volk Vineyards

Grape cluster - art - Pixabay

Ken Volk has been making Santa Barbara and Central Coast wines for more than a quarter century. Perhaps best known as the founder of Wild Horse Winery, Ken has earned a reputation for crafting world-class wines, particularly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Santa Maria Valley.

Pillar Rock Vineyards

wine tasting and small bites - Pixabay

Jean Phillips, the visionary behind the renowned Screaming Eagle Cabernet from Napa, is returning to the wine scene after a five-year break. She has recently acquired the Pillar Rock vineyard in Napa's Stags Leap District. Phillips has purchased the 114-acre parcel of land but has not acquired the winery or its brand. The financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed.

Pillar Rock, established by Ron and Teri Kuhn, first released a wine from the 1999 vintage. The winery primarily produces Cabernet Sauvignon from its 22-acre estate vineyard, which also includes some Merlot. Despite early acclaim, the winery faced issues with TCA taint in its 2003 Cabernet, a problem caused by trace amounts of a compound that imparts musty flavors and aromas to corked wine.

Industry insiders suggest that the vineyard had been on the market for some time before Phillips made her purchase. Although Phillips has not revealed her plans for the property, it is unlikely she will use it for commercial wine production. She mentioned to Wine Spectator that her interest in the vineyard stemmed from its potential for growing grapes in a "wild, wonderful" setting, with a focus on the long-term future. The fate of the Pillar Rock winery and brand remains uncertain, and Ron Kuhn declined to comment on the sale.

Phillips, who started her career as a real estate agent, bought a 57-acre vineyard in Napa’s Oakville district in 1986. Initially selling grapes, she ventured into winemaking in 1992 with her first Cabernet Sauvignon, Screaming Eagle. The wine quickly gained acclaim, becoming one of Napa's most celebrated and priciest offerings. In 2006, Phillips sold the winery for an estimated $70 million to investors Charles Banks and Stanley Kroenke. Three years later, Banks departed, leaving Kroenke as the sole owner.

Jeriko Estate

wine barrel and glass of wine - Pixabay

The grounds are gorgeous, as is the tasting room. Very elegant and spacious. Our wine Diva was Linda, who was one of the most informative and fun wine pros we had met. She schooled us in such a fun and creative way we almost didn't want to leave!

RN Estate Vineyard

grape cluster

High on the west ridge of the Estrella River valley, the hilltop estate offers a breathtaking view and a unique terroir. Specializing in estate-grown red Bordeaux varietals and Pinot Noir sourced from the renowned vineyards of Santa Rita Hills, the estate is dedicated to crafting wines that embody balance, finesse, and elegance.

Roger Nicolas, a native of Brittany, France, and a former restaurateur, has channeled his passion and energy into grape growing. In 2003, he crafted his first vintage, and since then, he has been producing these sought-after wines with unwavering commitment and artistry.

Retzlaff Vineyards

wine swirling in a glass - Saman Teher - Pixabay

Much of the beauty of Retzlaff Vineyards lies in its commitment to organic practices. As a pioneer in organic grape growing, Retzlaff stands out as the only California Certified Organic vineyard in the greater San Francisco Bay region, making it a must-visit for wine lovers.

The vineyard’s dedication to organic methods, along with meticulous canopy management and vineyard health, results in wines of exceptional quality. Visitors can savor the authenticity and complexity of wines crafted from grapes that are free from chemical residues.

The clean, bright, and evenly ripened fruit translates into fresh, delightful wines that showcase the true nature of each grape varietal. The winemaker often likens their approach to savoring an organic, sun-kissed peach plucked directly from the tree, striving to ensure that each berry in the vineyard embodies that perfect peach experience. For California wine enthusiasts, a visit to Retzlaff Vineyards promises not only exquisite wines but also a deep appreciation for the beauty of organic viticulture.

Image  - Saman Teher - Pixabay

Marston Family Vineyards

cluster of grapes - Pixabay

The vineyard has an interesting history that includes Clark Gable spending his honeymoon there. The Marston family purchased the vineyard in 1969 and use to sell their grapes to other wineries but began offering their own first commercial release in 1998. But an interesting history, warm hospitality and lovely setting are only part of the attraction. Marston Family Vineyard makes very limited releases of some outstanding, handcrafted wines.

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