So when my Dad suggested that we take a road trip up to Santa Ynez, CA (about an hour north of Santa Barbara, CA) to the wine country for some wine tasting over Labor Day weekend, the Mr. and I answered with a resounding "of course!"
We started off our wine tour at Tantera with a private barrel tasting with the wine maker. It was amazing!
If you've never done a barrel tasting, go sign up for one now! We learned so much about wine grapes, wine aging, and wine making in general. We got to taste 10 different kinds of Pinot Nior all grown and aged in different ways, straight out of the barrel. So cool!
Here's a look at some of the barrels at Tantera.
After spending over an hour and some serious dough at Tantera, we headed down to Foxen.
You may recognize this winery from the movie "Sideways". In fact, they have a picture of Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church in the Foxen scene of the movie on a shelf in the tasting "room".
Foxen is a fun and funky winery that sells an amazing blend that they make annually called "Range 30 West." We're currently aging a few Range 30s in our cellar.
Here's the Mr. and I after we bought this year's Range 30 West. Can you tell we are happy!
I tried to take a picture of the Mr. and my Dad at Foxen, but they kept acting silly. Boys will be boys at any age I guess. Ha!
{Click to enlarge to see the "Foxen Photo Booth" shoot}
After Foxen we stopped off at Zaca Mesa where we purchased some delicious viognier. Here is my Dad and me in the tasting room at Zaca.
Our next stop was Fess Parker. Fess Parker, who owns the winery, played Davy Crockett on TV when our parents were little. There's a giant picture of Fess as Davy hanging in the tasting lodge.
The Fess Parker logo is coonskin "Davy Crockett"cap and they even have coonskin caps for sale there. Check me out! Ha!
We tasted some delicious wines at the Fess Parker Lodge.
And ended up buying a case of the "Frontier Red."
We finished off the day with dinner in the town of Los Olivos and a final tasting at the Daniel Gehrs Los Olivos tasting room.
"Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy." - Benjamin Franklin
24 comments:
Me and a friend loved Zaca Mesa and Fess Parker. Dee-lish!
Ah love all the pics. Glad you had such a good time and the funny thing is I know where all those bottles are chllin in the cellar! :) Best part of your place! :)
Looks like you had a super time! I love Foxen - one of my favorite places to visit up there. Enjoy the wine!
Sounds like SO Much fun! I love wine tasting! I should convince the Mr. to take me there!
Most of my memories involving wineries are from when I was little and my parents used to stop on them on vacation. Of course, me and my brother hated this since half of the time we weren't even allowed in the tasting room and had to waste outside. Now that I'm actually allowed to taste myself, I do find them quite a bit more enjoyable!
I love wine tasting!! Looks like ya'll had an amazing time!
What a fun day! {your hair has been looking amazing lately. loving it!}
It looks like you three had a great time!
Looks like you guys had so much fun!
Looks like you guys had a wonderful weekend. Remember, don't drink all the wine too fast or else you will run out! :)
mmmm... wine is my weakness. you likes you guys had a great weekend. and i love that yellow dress!
Love that quote :) You look fantastic!!
So glad you had a great time! Looks like so much fun :)
Looks like a lovely time!
Seriously, I have a hat like that!! My dad gave it to me...with the tail and all! Not only a racoon hat, but a red fox one too...He thinks they are practical for cold winters...UM, I have to remind him wearing an animal's tail is NEVER practical! :)
I LOVE the quote at the end. Perfect!
I love that quote (have it up in my kitchen!) and Santa Ynez!
What a fun trip. That photoshoot looks pretty funny!
My running buddy and I did the Wine Country half marathon last may in Santa Inez! It was gorgeous, and the wine tasting was super fun after too. I'm surprised we didn't hit up any of the same places! Next time you go, you have to visit Kalyra, it's a small winery with Australian wines, and has the coolest atmosphere EVER, with dogs running around and just the nicest people. Glad you guys had fun!
This post makes me super anxious for my ITALY trip!!
Lucky girl - that area is just gorgeous! Glad you had such a fun time.
Love that drive through Santa Barbara up to Santa Ynez. I've spent a good amount of time in SB, but have only been through SY; it's on my wine tasting list.
You're so gorgeous! I love reading your blog :)
HOW FUN!!!!!!!!!!!! I would love love love to do this!!! Love your yellow dress and all the pics!
Your have a wonderful blog with great pictures! Look forward to read more. Take care! towe.
Love the pics, looks like a great trip! I just went to Paso Robles & am dying to take a trip to Santa Ynez. What was your favorite winery?
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Hi, I'm stopping by from Kelly's Korner. I'm dying to head to Northern Cali to do some wine tasting.I was going to ask if you have ever been to Temecula, but then I looked at your TTD photos. I was married at a winery in Temecula! I love heading up there often to do some wine tasting. I highly recommend the sangria at Ponte!
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