We headed up to Arroyo Grande for Easter weekend.  I grew up in the area and still have family there so it is nice to get away to the coast for a weekend trip.  On Saturday we decided to head to a winery to pick out a nice bottle for our dinner that night.  I was actually amazed at how many wineries are so close to where I grew up, although yes I realize they weren’t there years ago, but I am thinking now this is really cool!

 We stepped out the car and the air was warm and the view was amazing. The tasting room was a large open room with glass directly behind the bar and the view of the vineyards was awesome.  I was also amazed at how clean the glass was on the windows and wondering to myself if that had to be an almost daily job.  I personally was happy to be able to enjoy the view with my wine – that is huge for me!

There were two tastings a $5 tasting and a $10 tasting.  We went for the $10 tasting because most of the wines are ones that are sold at the winery only.  That is starting to be a big thing for us, if we can walk into a store and buy it then I don’t need to drive to the winery to taste it.  I have scanned in the wine notes and information for viewing pleasure.  The wines that are shaded are ones that can only be purchased at the winery.

We tasted 6 wines including one that was not on the tasting menu but they had open.  That is another thing we have been bolder about, if they list something for sale it never hurts to ask if it is open to taste.  Partly because we always ask about wines we are interested in and will most likely buy if we like them.  My favorite wine was the 2005 Grenache which was a light fruity wine that was very yummy. In fact this was the wine we opened for our Ham dinner that night and it was a perfect match! This wine is a 5 out of 5.

 So I talked a bit about the wines, how was the winery staff? Overall I think they were nice and friendly, I think it would have been cool to have them talk a little about the wines as they poured them.  We did ask a few questions though and they were friendly and answered all of them. 

 The wine we tried not on the tasting was the 2006 Petite Syrah.  It was very heavy and very big but great.  A little funny side note is my husband smelled it and laughed.  I said what is so funny? He said the wine smelled like potato salad.  I stuck my nose in the glass for another smell and said, hmm maybe it is Dill? – which I never would have thought I would smell in wine.  This wine for me was a 3 out of 5.

 Overall we had a great experience there and would love to go back. Next time we are hoping they have a 2006 Reserve Syrah open for tasting!

Me enjoying my wine! :)