We attended the Celebration of Harvest on Saturday, October 10 at Rancho Sisquoc. Weather was perfect. It took more than a half hour to get into the parking lot and get a space, and the rough grass lot was like riding a bucking bronco!
Once inside, there was a crowd, but very manageable. Rarely were there more than five people in a line, with the only exception being Root 246, with a 20 person line (5 minutes or so) to get a great lamb chop with an oyster shooter on the side.
Overall, the wines were very good. We hit as many tasting booths as our palate would handle, and took no notes. I will highlight those that were most memorable:
Tercero: Larry’s wines really shined yesterday, including a new Grenache from Watch Hill Vineyard. While his Camp 4 is good, this was WOW! His Larner Vineyard Syrah was also very good;
Margerum: Doug is now making a Grenache which was also very good. He was pouring the Uber Syrah which was also good.
Blair Fox: Pouring some vintage Syrah. All good!
Foley: 2007 Pinot was great!
Thorne: I had not heard of this one before, but they had several vintages of Pinot which were very good;
Vogelsang: I knew the name from Syrah they sell to Margerum, but did not know they also made wines. The Pinot was good, but IMO, not $62 good. Cab was good for the region, which is not really known for Cab;
Sea Smoke: DID NOT BOTHER TO SHOW UP I guess they’re too good to give it away, and although I am a fan, there are many other small producers who managed to bring a few bottles to spread the good word about SB wines.
Rideau: Their Tempranillo has always been great.
Andrew Murray: I did not taste at the festival as we attended the open house before hand. His Oak Savanna, Kingsley, and Three Creek were all stellar for the price; the Terra Bella was bigger, but the tannins needed some time as the finish was too hot!
Ampelos: The Lambda Pinot was all we tried - good as usual;
Au Bon Climat: Only had the budget Pinot open, and a Petite Verdot. Did not care for the Petite Verdot but the Pinot was just okay;
Core: Dave is making some eclectic blends, but they worked!
Whitcraft: Always making some good Pinot, and no exception on Saturday. Even the entry level Pinots are stellar.
Demetria: Pinot was very good;
Fiddlehead: The Seven Twenty Eight Pinot was good, but perhaps too old world for my taste. The Lollapalooza was very good.
The most memorable “MISS” was someone’s Syrah/Sangiovese blend. Did not work.
Overall was a great experience.
Bruce