Sunday, March 1, 2015

OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE---THE EDNA VALLEY!!!

OK.....I have to be honest here.  As you all know by now, I am an unabashed PASOfile!  So, having been asked to write an article on Edna Valley Vineyards for Wine Country This Week Magazine (Central Coast edition), I knew I would be moving out of my normal wine comfort zone.
   
                                                       
A link to the article follows, I hope you enjoy it:

                                                   
                              The impressive TR as seen on your approach



http://www.winecountrythisweek.com/issue/central-coast-edition-march-1-2014-0

(please click on the above link, scroll to the bottom of the page, and fill in "38" then hit enter in order to access the article--this will take you to the proper page).  YOU MAY HAVE TO COPY AND PASTE THE ABOVE URL into your browser in order to access. Then scroll down, fill in 38 and hit enter to bring up the article.

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                                    A demonstration vineyard greets you

But now, a few other personal observations and comments about EVV and the Edna Valley!
                                   
                                    A picture is worth a thousand words
                                          As you sip their selections
                                          
Being used to the small, boutique Paso producers, and doing some research before my trip up to Edna Valley Vineyards, I wasn't quite sure what to expect of this larger producer.

Driving into their parking lot and pulling up right in front of the Demonstration Vineyard, overlooking the expanse of vineyards, Santa Lucia Mountain range and inviting tasting room, my first thought was:  WOW!  There is something special here.   And, so there was.

Walking in we were greeted by Lindsey Jessup, TR manager.   Talk about a smile and twinkle in her eyes and unbridled enthusiasm and passion
that was immediately evident.  As she greeted us, we already knew this would be a very special day.

Standing at the tasting bar, Lindsey started out by giving us not only a historical perspective of the winery and area, but also a quick education of the geology as we gazed out at the vista and Islay Peak, one of 7 inactive volcano domes in the region.  I had NO idea at one time this was a volcanic area.  Suffice to say, the view from the tasting room was mesmerizing.

Then....the wine pouring began.   The first several wines were their nationally distributed wines:  A Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, being the wineries flagship wine.

Following the initial flight, we then settled in for the next 90 minutes or so, as we moved through the assortment of their small lot production wines, 12 in all.

Talking to Lindsey, my friend Paul and I were struck by the way the entire staff related to visitors.  Enthusiastic, fun, educational, passionate.

Edna Valley Vineyard leaves no stone, or vine un-turned in their commitment to quality, and respecting the earth, the vine and what evolves from that.

If there was just ONE major take-away I had from my visit, it is the commitment to education of staff, that is then passed onto the guests.  So important is education, that each harvest two tasting room hosts are selected to work the harvest, and when they are back in the tasting room pouring, it is their responsibility to impart information about that particular vintage to the rest of the staff.

I love Paso.   But the much different, cooler climate wines coming out of the Edna Valley are tantalizing, and so interesting to compare to what my pallet is used to.  A visit to Edna Valley Vineyards, and the Edna Valley is a must!

Move out of your comfort zone and explore the delightful, different wines of The Edna Valley!

Cheers, and thank you EVV and staff for such a gracious, educational, fun visit.  I hope you have enjoyed my latest blog, and the article on EVV.
ds

(feel free to post, share, forward, comment on my remarks or email me at:  askinut2@socal.rr.com).


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