Thinking about a wine trip

Planning a good wine trip is something that gets me going. Deliberation of AVA's and interesting producers to visit are just part of the process. There's also the networking to get good appointments, then letting the logistics fall into place from there. Like any great vacation, the planning is a part of the process and can really extend the excitement and anticipation.

My wine tasting companions Justin and Jon are also a key part of the process. We've taken several trips over the last few years, and our three-man comedy show has become as much of a part of things as the wine itself. From grape-stomping competition strategies, to making fun of stupid questions at the wineries, to challenging Jon to spend too much of his money - these are memories to rival the great wines and scenery.

Fortunately it looks like my crew is available this Spring to tour the Santa Cruz Mountains, Napa, Sonoma and maybe Mendocino. I look forward to writing about it later this year.

Chateau Champoux 2011 Grape Stomping Champions

I recently recommended some wine touring stops in Santa Barbara County to Mike of the 10milewine.com blog. The visit was late December and the results were mixed. It looks like in December many producers are sold out or have not yet released their single vineyard wines.  If you're coming to Santa Barbara County and want to taste specific wines, i.e. the higher-end Pinot Noir and Syrah, I recommend contacting specific producers of interest to verify what they're pouring. Places like Melville or Foxen don't always have their smaller production wines available in the tasting rooms. And a must-visit place like the Lompoc Wine Ghetto, with it's amazing list of producers, is mostly closed through the week; so plan accordingly there as well. As non-wine country as the vaunted industrial park behind the Home Depot is, it may be the best concentration of Santa Barbara County wines available for tasting.

What also makes Santa Barbara County a challenge is that there are still many of the newest and most dynamic producers who do not offer tastings. Hopefully producers like Tyler, Paul Lato and Chanin will in the future add to the depth of what the area has to offer. Areas in the North Coast have such a depth of great wine that you think more about where you can taste rather than where you can't. In Santa Barbara County a few misses may leave you wanting.

If you're planning your own wine trip this year, drop me a line. I enjoy getting new tips for my future endeavors!