Vineyard Life: The Vines of Edna Valley
Living that VINO life! This week’s adventures include checking out new-to-me wineries and visiting my fave.
STOP NUMERO UNO: CLAIBORNE & CHURCHILL
This cute family owned winery is home to some fabulous wines, and good natured people. This trip was my first every visit to the infamous C&C winery that I had heard about from my mom, but we had yet to make it there during any of my previous trips.
So this weekend we opted for a girls wine tasting weekend. We started off by packing crackers, cheeses, and other snacks to pair with our wines. Of course we didn’t start out on our own items because Claiborne & Churchill offers some pretty yummy snacks that are paired to your wine. The ladies I went with opted for the meat & cheese platters. I didn’t take part, largely because I don’t eat any pork… and I try not to consume cheeses.
Instead I opted to explore the winery. The wine tasting room is also home to an extensive collection of barrels that will later be bottled into the wines filling out glasses. I believe the staff said that we were sharing the space with 300 barrels of wine! I will take her word for it… but my gosh that is a LOT of wine… and wood.
I am less fancy with my wine, but the barrel, and the materials of the barrel matter. While these are gorgeous to look at, they also hold a purpose. The wine makers select the fruit, and barrels seriously when making a wine that is going to stand the test of not only time…. but also taste. This wine maker definitely knows what he is doing because the wine we tasted was delicious.
My favorite part of the winery was the very cute outdoor decor. Unfortunately the weekend of our trip was rainy, cloudy and far too cold to sip wine on the patios. But I will have to return when the weather is better outside. Here’s to hoping a trip in the spring will happen! Because I’d love to see this area brighten up with greenery and flowers!
The view from the street was just as breath taking as I could imagine. So of course I had to snap a quick picture of the blue blue skies, and the rolling hills. They may not be as green as they could be. But the sight is still something to see, breathe in, and enjoy.
STOP NUMERO DOS: BAILEYANA
wine tasting trips always have to include a stop at my favorite place to be. While the winery has grown in popularity… and therefore in business… I still enjoy the wine. It’s harder to get a spot at the counter, and even harder to find a place to sit, but still worth the stop if you’re in the area… OR if you have never been.. start planning that central coast trip! And include this gem on your must see list!
Having had a membership (between my mom & I) for a while now…. it’s fair to say I’ve tried pretty much every wine they have made since I started wine tasting in 2013.
That being said, I have not liked every wine i’ve tasted. I’m still not a Chard fan… but their last one has potential. The first wine I ever LOVED was a Baileyana (specifically their Tangent line) Pinot Gris. I used to drink that ALL. THE. TIME. Well I drank PG all the time. Shortly after falling for this little winery I moved to the SOGGY state of Tennessee… which at the time did not allow shipping of wine. I think they still don’t.
Now I’m thoroughly enjoying a wide variety of wines, including reds. From the Baileyana & Tanget lines I still enjoy the Ecclestone, Albarino, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, etc. I’m less of a Chard person, but the latest Chardonnay wasn’t horrible. Just still not my type.
Since 2013 I’ve extended my taste buds. Largely thanks to this winery and my love for this paradise. From the grounds of this vineyard you can see rolling hills in – literally – all directions. You have wide open spaces that you wouldn’t have otherwise seen just 2 hours south. You also have CLEAN AIR. Especially after the recent rain storm. And why not sip on wine while taking it all in??
Baileyana, being in Edna Valley, has a variety of Pinot Noir wines that vary in accent tastes, but still hold the punch of a Pinot. At one time I was able to drink these. But thanks to memories soured, I’m less up for a PN type taste. Their Syrah… now that one memories will never ruin. I think my mom and & I bought them out of all of their syrah after we first tasted it. Man was that good.
I still have a bottle waiting for me to pop open in celebration. Being that it’s a decent priced bottle, and a wine to savor I’m holding out for a big celebration before just uncorking it. Partly because I live alone and this is a wine to share.
Baileyana is one of those wineries that just lets your soul escape the chaos of real life. You can come in, be welcomed by the friendly and interactive staff, and enjoy the vino life. I go to just savor the flavor and unwind while the wine is poured. If you hit up this winery, then I hope you tell Nicole hello from Laure & Natalie! Because she’s great and so much fun!
Cheers to a fun wine tasting weekend! Remember that wine tasting is still a LOT of alcohol. So 1. PACE YOURSELVES. and 2. When possible consider a DD to prevent any problems with getting home later!
