One to add for sure. I do think Joe’s suggestion was a good one so may need to reminder my itinerary or (gasp) add an extra day to my vacation!
Not sure if you can get in all of these but…
Alban, Epoch, Qupe, Tablas Creek & Villa Creek.
On your way to Paso from SBC you can stop in Los Olivos and taste at Stolpman or swing the other way through Lompoc and taste at Arcadian.
You can’t get into Saxum but you might be able to pick up a bottle at dinner someplace in town. If you’re lucky.
Nothing is can’t miss.
That being said, I do think you should check out one of places that make sparkling wine. Perhaps Schramsberg???That’s a more unique experience than going to “another” winery , and has a somewhat unique place in American (wine) history .
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I thought Arcadian was shut down except for selling library wines via email. Is there still a place one can taste?
I can’t say for certain. Last time I tasted there was right before the pandemic hit. So they might be shut down at this point.
You’re going to find more of the Southern Rhone style wines (and Cabs) and Paso and more of the Northern Rhone style Syrahs in Santa Barbara (or at wineries in SLO County that source from Santa Barbara County vineyards).
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I couldnt agree with Alan more. Peay is my all time favorite winery to visit. It takes effort but is well worth it. It is stunningly beautiful and spending a few hours with Nick is an amazing experience. Ive been twice and would love to go back some day.
You need to be on the list to visit but its not hard to get on and everything they make is very good and fairly priced. You will have no issue leaving with a case of wine.
Here is my perfect itinerary.
Drive up the 1 the afternoon before and stay in either Sea Ranch or Gualala. Get there early enough to enjoy the sunset.
Wake up early and take a walk on the beach down by the river
Head over to Peay for 10 am tour/tasting. I think he opened 4 bottles and we could drink as much as we dared. Also provided a really nice cheese/charcuterie board.
Head back towards Dry Creek/Healdsburg on the Skaggs Springs Rd. Its a twisty turny crazy ride but take your time and enjoy it. You can stop and do another tasting or two in Dry Creek in the afternoon and be back to Healdsburg for dinner. Its one of the cutest towns in America
As Alan said it would probably be the highlight of your trip
Stolpman was the one I thought would be a really nice addition, too. Great Rhone varieties. Not sure if you are going to confuse it for Northern Rhone but distinct and well-made syrahs. (Good prices, too.)
Tommy,
Congratulations on your anniversary, sounds like a great way to celebrate it. I think 2 wineries a day with a travel and rest day sound perfectly fine.
I think the term “restrained” can be very subjective, and think the stylistic range between DDLC, Brewer Clifton and The Hilt is reasonably broad. That said, looking at your comments and winery choices, I guess I might paraphrase that you and your wife enjoy fruit forward wines (it is California sunshine after all) but that have some degree of “balance” and avoid going to rich and syrupy. Again, paraphrasing!
Given that, a few you are missing that I would have as “must” visits (agree nothing is must visit in the end), are:
Littoral - already mentioned. Fantastic chardonnay and Pinot Noir that hit the “balanced” sweet spot. Also gives you a good overview of some of the Anderson Valleys best site (plus allowing you to compare to Sonoma Coast). Probably the best experience of what Biodynamics is about that I have experienced. At least when I last checked, it was fairly easy to get a reservation, but quite expensive.
Williams Selyem - an iconic producer. Mostly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but other varieties these days. Source from a lot of regions and from top sites in each. On Westside Road, which is one of my favorite wine country drives.
Rivers Marie - also mentioned above. Personal project of Thomas Rivers Brown who helms a lot of cult Napa wineries. Chardonay and Pinot (mostly from the Sonoma Coast) and Cabernet from Napa. Winery and tasting room now in Napa.
The last 2, I think may only be for list members, but I suspect if you explain your situation, intent to buy (if you like the wines) and/or intent to join the list (if you like the wines), they may well accommodate. I suspect you will both love these wineries.
If it was me, I’d stick with one day in Paso. Admittedly I haven’t been. But I have tried the wines broadly and they’re nothing like Northern Rhone. They tend to be very bog, very rich wines. Booker is an icon winery for the region, and will give you a good sense of what it’s about… I’ve found their wines too over the top for me. My favorites have been wineries that focus on Mediterranean varieties, and exhibit some restraint, Thacher, Giornata and Tablas Creek would be top of my list.
I do think Northern California is quite capable of Northern Rhone style of Syrah. Best areas seem to be the Petaluma Wind Gap, Sonoma Coast, Yorkville Highlands and Medocino Ridge. Look to producers like Arnot Roberts, Pax, Peay, Drew etc.
Thanks, much. This was very helpful. I’ll reach out to those and see if they are available if I can’t get Peay. Spot on in describing our preferences as well!
I believe Peay does not do vineyard tastings during the Harvest season and starts up again in November. Not sure when the trip is planned for. One of our all time favorites though.