Saturday, August 15, 2015

TRUCKIN' GRAPES, HARVEST WINE WEEKEND & DERBY


            I didn't mean to take July off but it flew bye and suddenly it is August and I've started seeing loads of early ripening whites being hauled to wineries near and far. More than half the grapes grown in Paso's AVA are sold to wineries outside SLO County. This is similar in all Central Coast growing regions. There is a sea of vines in south Monterey County on the Lockwood mesa as you drive the 101to or from King City. Pretty impressive and primarily headed for major labels outside that county. North Santa Barbara County is much the same.

First up, the annual Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance's final major event of 2015. Though always held the 3rd weekend of October, it is an early date this year, the 16th-18th. So not too early to make plans. Rather than a big central tasting event, Wine Weekend's focus is on special activities at the wineries. A wide range of options are available, throughout the now 11 sub AVA designations of Paso Robles. The PRWCA publishes a full listing of participating locations and what they have planned for your visit. This can be picked up at local wineries but should also be available electronically soon at www.pasowine.com.

I'm often asked about favorite wineries to visit. Like my children, I love them all the same. Perhaps since I don't have any. Seriously, from large production labels to those where a hobby got out of hand and is now a vocation, there are styles to fit what you are looking to see. Perhaps you want to concentrate on a varietal. The options cover such grapes as Zinfandel, Cabernet or Bordeaux blends, Syrah or Rhone blends and those that offer Pinot Noir. Even Italian specialists are found here. And the same is true of white varieties, including several wineries now making Albarino for example.

Maybe you want to know more about the Templeton Gap wines or those from the Willow Creek or Creston districts. And there are eight others to choose from! But the other question I get on a regular basis is from those with limited time. They have to be somewhere later but would like to do a tasting close to the hotel or where they stopped for lunch. There are several tasting rooms within walking distance, or a short ride, from City Park. The map in the PRWCA "Grow Wild" brochure has a detail of downtown Paso and includes restaurants and more. The booklet is readily available, including at the Association's office.

An option you might enjoy, is visiting the actual winery and tasting room of Derby Wine Estates. It is easily seen from many parts of town, located on Riverside just west of the railroad track. Look for the big square tower above the trees toward the south. Since some streets don't go through, the easy access is to take 10th west from Spring (main drag) St., cross the tracks to the dead end and go right (south) for a few blocks. Derby is a large grower operation with three distinct vineyards from the east side to the west side of the coastal range. They use only about 10% of what they grow for their own label. There are blends as well as an excellent Cabernet and several other varietals and a knowledgeable and friendly group in the tasting room. And it is all brand new.

The owners undertook a major project in purchasing the abandoned and fast fading Almond Growers co-op warehouse and processing facility. Though it may have been cheaper and less hassle to build new on their property along E46, a welcome sense of community committed them to a multi-year project to restore the landmark structure. It has been open for about a year now and they included an outside lounge area with a smoker. That is now a casual Friday site for smoked foods, wine of course and some music. Whether for a quick sample of local wine or an evening out, you'll enjoy yourself. More about the wines and events can be found on the web at www.derbywineestates.com.