A new year in our local wine country brings us bright green hillsides, cooler temperatures and less crowded tasting rooms. The rush of the most recent harvest is but a memory. The wines have finished their fermentations and our resting and waiting. If they are white they may be bottled this spring or summer, and if red they may sit for a year or two before they see glass.
Visiting the wine country now is a more relaxed affair. Few big wine events take place this time of year so wineries are eager for visitors and look forward to sharing their wines. The local wine region is close and easy to visit and considered one of the friendliest where you have a good chance to share a glass with the winemaker or owner.
Recently I had the chance to taste and admire some special wines at Taste of the Valleys on Price Street in Pismo. They have over 70 wineries represented at their tasting bar and a very cool wine dispensing systems that keep dozens of wines fresh and perky. By far they have the most wines available by the glass – 260 and counting! They offer regular wine events with regional winemakers pouring their new releases. Owner Ash Mehta is the perfect host and can share his knowledge of the area and make some great wine recommendations.
Winery Advisor Wine Blog
By Barrie Cleveland
January 2011
