Wineries I've been to, and a little info about how to SIP

This blog may be incomplete when my writing time this morning is over. I give myself an hour to write every morning, if I choose to write. So this is it this morning. 9:30-10:30 a.m. If unfinished, I'll find time to update it later.

I have had a slight obsession with visiting wineries. Well, maybe its a big obsession. Today, I decided (since I'm asked all the time now by a few friends and family members) to just list the wineries I've been to. They will not be in any order, except for the term "GO" in parenthesis by some of them. It doesn't mean not to go to the others; it means that I had such a great experience, or their wines were excellent, and probably it mostly means that the experience AND wine were great. 

Second, I'll give you my take on the sip method for wine tasting. There are clear opinions on how a wine should be sipped and even a little acronym/backronym-like wording for it. I can't truly remember what to call when you use the letters of a word or all the same letter to describe something. Anyway, I'll give you my version later.

WINERIES (CA)

(Note: these are the wineries I've actually visited; but I've tasted other wines like Caymus, Williams Selyem, Saxum, Niner, Sterling, The Prisoner, Far Niente, Nickel and Nickel, etc. One day, I hope to get to all of them)

NAPA/CALISTOGA/ST. HELENA REGION

Hall (Go)

Walt (Go)

Duckhorn (Go)

Paraduxx (Go)

Luna

Black Stallion (Go)

Miner Family (Go)

Robert Sinskey (Go)

Odette

Turnbull (Go)

Cakebread Cellars (Go)

Tamber Bey

Summer Estate

Envy

Sutter Home

Robert Mondavi

Beringer

V. Sattui

Vincent Arroyo (Go)

Madrigal (Go)

Rutherford Hill

Mumm Napa (Go)

Frog's Leap (Go)

Frank Family (Go)

Paradigm

Grgich Hills

Chateau Montelena

Consentino

Girard

JAM

The Wine Thief (Kale, Purileau) (Go)

Clos Pegase

Von Strasser

Storybook Mountain

Anarchist 

Peju (Go).....36

John Anthony (updated 7.18.21)

Alpha Omega Collective (9.7.21)

SONOMA REGION

Navarro (Go)

Brutocao (Go)...2

LIVERMORE AREA

Retzlaff

Concannon

Wente

McGrail

Page Mill (Go)

Dante Robere

Big White House/John Evans Cellars (Go)

Darcie Kent

Las Positas

Garre

Rodrigue Molyneaux (Go...for the super cute tasting area)

Longevity

Mitchell Katz

Ruby Hill

Rubino

Cedar Mountain (Go)

McKahn Family Cellars

Occasio.....18

Tenuta (go)

Elliston

SAN JOSE AREA

Coterie

J. Lohr

House Family

Byington (Go)

Cooper-Garrod

Flying Suitcase

Russian River

Vidovich (Go)

Ridge

Picchetti (Go)

Testarossa

Left Bend

Loma Prieta

Savannah-Chanelle

Regale

Wright's Station (Go)

Black Ridge (Go)

Burrell School

Thomas Fogarty (Go)

Cinnabar

David Bruce

MJA Vineyards

Lexington/Mindego Ridge

Beauregard

Bonny Doon........25

Alamitos (9.7.21)

MORGAN HILL/GILROY/HOLLISTER AREA

Fortino (Go)

Sarah's 

Solis

Hecker Pass

Dorcich

Aver Family (Go)

Morgan Hill Cellars

Castillo's Hillside Shire 

Guglielmo

Lightpost (Go)

EmmaLily (Go)

Satori

La Vie Dansante 

MoHi Wines (Leal)

Clos LaChance

Lion Ranch

Miramar

Church Creek

Kirigin

Martin Ranch

Calerrain

Alara (Go)

Jason Stephens

Stefania

Calera (Go)

Leal (Go)

De Rose.....27

P & V Winery (updated 7.18.21)

J Winston (go)

Tank House (go)

Windy Oaks (9.7.21)

CARMEL/CARMEL VALLEY/MONTEREY/SOLEDAD area

Folktale (Go)

Albatross Ridge (Go)

Boekeenoogen (Go)

Georis

Dawn's Dream

Wrath (Go...try to go to the actual winery in Soledad)

Caraccioli Cellars (Go)

Scheid

De Tierra

Manzoni

Galante

Hahn (Go....try to go to the Soledad winery, its beautiful)

Carmel Ridge

Massa Estate Organic

Holman Ranch

Pierce Ranch

Carmel Road

Bargetto

A Taste of Monterey

The Wine Experience

Puma Road

Passagno

Heller Estates.....23

SAN JUAQUIN VALLEY AREA (incomplete)

Cardella (Go)

Cru......2

LODI AREA 

Klinker Brick

Prie (Go)

Harney Lane....3

PASO ROBLES

Justin (Go)

Daou

Sculpterra

Caliza (Go).....4

L'Aventure

Thacher (Go)

Tablas Creek (Go)

Linne Calodo

Eberle 

Calcareous

(updated 7.31.21)

(I've tasted more wines from here than I've actually visited; also, I love Justin so every time I'm there, I go there mostly)

SAN DIEGO/TEMECULA AREA 

Hart (Go)

Miramonte 

Oak Mountain ....3

NEW JERSEY/PENNSYLVANIA AREA 

Sharrott....1

INDIANA AREA 

Oliver (Go)

Brown County

Butler Winery

Cedar Creek......4

OREGON AREA (updated 7/31/21)

Kriselle

Clif Creek Cellars

Rellik

Daisy Creek (4)

THE 5 S's METHOD, WELL, MAKE IT 7!

The 5 S's method is this: See, Swirl, Sniff, Sip, Savor. However, I've found that there should be one more before See, and one more before Savor - another Sniff, and a Big Sip! 

When you taste a wine, sometimes what we smell doesn't exactly go with what we taste. There have been many times I've absolutely adored the smell of a wine but not the taste so much; or vice versa, I didn't really like the smell but the taste was great. What I have realized through all this is that I can't tell if I'm going to like a wine without really understanding what the wine is about. 

Because of this, I try to Sniff the wine first. What does it smell like before I Swirl it - because even if I lift the glass to See the color, I'm going to disturb it before I even swirl. I try to lift it to my nose (get it in there, don't be shy) and smell it right out of the bottle. What do I smell if anything? Make a note of it to compare to the second Sniff.

Next, See the wine color. Take a look at what the coloring is to make a note of it later. I'm not very knowledgeable in this yet, I'll be honest. I do know though that the color of a wine is reflective partly of the grape that is represented. Some can even tell a wine just by seeing its color! I'd love to be able to do that but I'm not there yet.

Now, Swirl it. Get that oxygen in there and let it tell you more! Because it will most times. Swirling it will bring out the fragrance of the wine more and get it really moving in it's natural taste. Swirling will also show you the "legs" on it (so See again...I guess there's 8!) which I've learned has to do sometimes with how mature the wine is, how much alcohol, or even how much sugar. What I do know, is that more legs that run slower and are thicker are ones that I like more. 

Finally, it's time to do the real Sniff. This one should be much more bright or reminiscent of the wine grape itself. However, as I've said before the smell can fool you sometimes. I remember a Zinfandel at Flying Suitcase wines just north of San Jose. I will never forget that gorgeous smell! It was more than 3 years ago and I still remember it! But not a Zinfandel fan, I wasn't excited about the wine. But I brought home a bottle and enjoyed it (it did open up a bit and became a Zin I'd buy again) mostly for the smell. 

At last, you finally get to Sip. And yes, sip. Just put a tiny on the tip of your tongue between your lips/teeth and mouth. Almost gargle it upfront there for a few seconds, then swallow. You will taste the wine better. It may take some practice, as it did me, but I prefer to do this type of sip then take a normal sip afterwards. You will appreciate even wines you aren't usually fond of more. Just trust me, and practice this. 

Now take a normal Sip, like you would when just drinking a glass of wine. Don't swallow fast though. Keep in your mouth for a second or two and then swallow slowly. The reason why so many people get into wine is that it really has so many characteristics if you let yourself really experience it. I was first only a "sweet" wine person. Most of us starting out are. But now my palate is more open and I appreciate the wine of different grapes, and different levels of sweetness. I still have grapes that I like more than others, but I can enjoy well-made wines of all grapes; no discrimination here!

Now if it's a wine that you like, it's Savoring time! Enjoy that sample! But if you don't - or if you are driving by yourself - dump it! Ask for a dump bucket if you need to pour out. Don't feel weird about it. Tell the people there. I've learned that being upfront is respected; and the fact that everyone's palate is different should guide all tastings. The wineries that frown upon this I tend to not go back to even if I liked the wine. No one should force you to like their wines if you don't; and it is unsafe to drive even with a few samples in you. Be upfront and enjoy your tasting!

Do you have to do all this? No! Not at all! But if you are with me wine tasting, you'll see me do this almost all the time - unless I've been there before. This is only a suggestion. And let me tell you, there are many suggested ways by different Sommelier's, Winemakers, and industry professionals. This is just my version.

Okay, so this blog may is incomplete. I'll go back later tonight and update with my "GO's" so you can see which wineries I would suggest going to first, or that you make sure to visit - no matter what kind of wines you like.

Have a lovely day, everyone!

Lot's of love,

Tiffany 💋

P.S.  At count here, I'm at 167 (updated 9.7.21). I think there are one or two I'm forgetting but this is close enough.

P.S.S. I will be honest and tell you that V. Sattui is a winery I will not go back to - it will at least take another few years at the very least. I had a very bad experience. I was honest and said that I was the designated driver and had to pour out the samples but if he wanted to give me smaller pours that would work, too. He slammed the bucket in front of me, and by the time I got to the final pour he offered me juice only! He gave my friend the port and me sparking juice because "I didn't deserve to try the port." Let's just say he made a huge mistake. He thought my friend was going to buy something and tried to convince her - but she wasn't in a position to (he was also flirting with her the entire time). I was, however, and I was going to buy a bottle for her to enjoy. We walked out not buying anything. Later, I left a comment. I actually got called a week later by someone at the winery. The employee had been there for sometime and had exhibited that behavior before. They said he wanted to call and apologize. I told them no. It wasn't just him - the others around him saw what was going on and didn't step in. One said he was sorry for how he was treating us when the guy serving us walked away for a moment, but he didn't actually do anything about it. So I told them that it was a reflection of all who they hired. No one did a thing. So I won't be going back for awhile.