Wine Tasting in Ojai
While we were in Ventura, CA last week we managed to make the 25 minute drive to Ojai to taste some wine. The first winery tasting room that we visited was The Ojai Vinyard (read that blog here) and the second tasting room was the Casa Barranca Organic Winery.
Casa Barranca Winery
The winery is located in the Ojai Valley region of California in the Pratt House, a National Historic Landmark. Designed in 1909 Casa Barranca is the first certified organic winery in the Ojai Valley and the Santa Barbara region. However due to some land by-laws wine tasting is not permitted on site at the winery. The winery has a tasting room located on the main drag right in downtown Ojai.
Wines From the Casa Barranca Organic Winery
On this day we tasted a total of five wines, one white and four red.
First up was the 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Evergreen Vineyard – Santa Barbara County ($20.00). We quite liked this white wine as a great sipper with rich melon tastes and a hint of pear. At the price this wine could be enjoyed often.
Next up was the 2010 Pinot Noir, Arroyo Grande Valley Clone 115 ($35.00). Rich raspberry taste and a nice bright red colour made this one a favourite as well.
The third taste was the 2010 Merlot, Harmon Vineyard – Santa Barbara County ($20.00). It was dark red in colour with hints of apple in the taste. Didn’t love it, but didn’t hate it.
For the fourth wine we tasted the 2010 Estate Red, Ventura County ($15.00/375ml). This wine was only available in the 375ml bottle and is a blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache grapes. Going in I didn’t think we would like this wine as it was discribed as a “house” type wine. But with a medium red colour and hints of plum and blueberries we really enjoyed the flavours.
Finally we tasted the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, French Camp Vineyard – Paso Robles ($25.00). Cherry flavours with rich tannin colours made this wine a nice taste, but we felt it was a bit young and could stay in the bottle longer before tasting it again.
Our Purchases
So after our tasting we ended up purchasing the Pinot Noir and the Estate Red. Now to get them home to Canada to enjoy another time.
Jeff & Tara Ciecko of CK Golf Solutions write two blogs on their website, one is their 19th Hole Blog where they share personal experiences and the Biz Blog where they share business best practices and golf industry related opinions. They have owned CK Golf Solutions for 5 years and provide marketing, social media and business services to the golf and other industries.
Tara & Jeff
Great to see you on the road again and taking the time to smell the roses. Enjoying your California experiences and your usual interesting food & wine reports.
Just back myself from a road trip to Florida and Donald Cooper’s excellent 1 1/2 day NGCOA golf business boot camp at the fabulous World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine.
Went on to Orlando for my first ever PGA Merchandising show (never a buyer). Enjoyed a couple of days browsing all that is golf.
Just a quick story reminiscent of your Super Bowl experience: Second day of driving brought me to the beautiful, historic thriving metropolis of Savannah, Georgia (Paula Dean’s was lined up on a Saturday night).
After a long day on the road I fancied a really good burger & wine and after walking about the bustling downtown dining area, stumbled upon B&D Burgers – rated in the top 10 in America (?). With over 18 burger selections, the choice was not easy but the burger was excellent complimented by fresh cut fries and an in-house baked bun.
But that’s not what made this a most memorable experience. Rembmer, I’m in Savannah – it’s a chilly night on their humongous patio complete with copious gas heaters and innumerable big screen TV’s showing sporting event from all over.
If you can imagine, there is a building on the far side of the patio onto which they’re projecting a giant image of —- Saturday night HOCKEY!
Not only that, but it’s the Leafs vs. Habs – larger than life. Leafs win! I’m in heaven with a great burger, good wine and not missing the opening night of hockey for the 2013 season.
Enjoy the rest of your trip and look forward to more blogs on the road.
Regards
Vince