Dave Phinney returned for a second year to share his 2023 vintage from Our Lady of Guadalupe vineyard, including the OLG Estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and the inaugural release of the OLG Reserve Pinot Noir. His flight also included Acolytes Chardonnay from Santa Barbara County (whose label was designed by his daughter) AND 2 gems from his vineyard in France:  Department 66 2022 Painted Scars Grenache-Syrah and Manqué 2018 Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru Burgundy. Dave was full of stories from his 29 vintages (and counting), but his humility as a winemaker is evident. Having worked his way up from the very bottom, one quote he shared from his father rang true: "Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want."

Matt Dees of Mail Road Wines snuck away in the midst of crush to make it to this tasting event! Not only did he share his Sparkling, Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, but also shared a day in the life of a winemaker during harvest season. His authenticity and passion for his craft were evident in his speech and with each taste. As quickly as he arrived, he was gone back to crush, so understandably (but unfortunately for us) we didn't get a picture with Matt!   

Paul Lato probably has one of the most diversified portfolios of Central Coast winemakers, and his flight of wines was proof of that. Today, he poured through a Malvasia, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and late harvest Viognier dessert wine.  We congratulated Paul as a group for his highest rated Pinot Noir ever -- his 2023 Drum Canyon Pinot received 99 points from critic Jeb Dunnuck. 

Wes Hagen was (and always is) equal parts entertaining and educational as an ambassador of the Ranchos de Ontiveros family of wines, and quite remarkably of  Santa Barbara County viticulture. Guests tasted 2015 and 2019 Chardonnay from Rancho Vinedo, 2016 and 2022 Pinot Noir from Native9 and a 2021 Canada de los Pinos Cabernet Sauvignon from Los Olivos District. 

Ryan Deovlet joined us for the first time in April to pour his Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from local vineyards, as well as a sparkling brut wine in collaboration with McPrice Meyers from Paso Robles. Ryan discovered his love of winemaking after an injury put a stop to his minor league baseball career. He studied winemaking in Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and the Central Coast before launching Deovlet Wines out of San Luis Obispo with 2 tons of Pinot Noir from La Encantada vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills.

We were honored to host Chef de Cave Brian Sieve from Domaine de Montille (Burgundy, France) and Ryan Hannaford from Racines (Sta. Rita Hills). Both labels are the creation of Etienne de Montille and Rodolphe Peters of famed Champagne house Pierre Peters. These French wine masters have stamped their approval on this wine region, having planted their own vineyard on the north side of the Sta. Rita Hills. Guests tasted through a lineup of both local Racines Sparkling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as well as Domaine de Montille wines.

Dave Phinney poured a special treat for guests this month – not only his newly released 2022 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from his Our Lady of Guadalupe vineyard, but a Grenache Gris and Syrah-Grenache blend from his vineyard in France. The creativity behind his labels was talked about just as much as the distinct wines.