wine Archives - Page 3 of 10 - Jen is on a Journey

Visit Paso Robles: Margarita Adventures and Ancient Peaks Winery

July 20, 2014 by The Mom Jen 10 Comments

I remember the first time I ziplined on Catalina Island and thought to myself, “I must be crazy!” Especially when that second zip was about 300 feet above the canyon floor and the line about 1100 feet long! Now after about a handful more times zipping, I have to say I’m addicted to the feeling! Soaring through the air at speeds up to 40 miles per hour doesn’t get old, it’s a mix of feeling like a bird and a super hero at the same time!

Margarita Adventures
Whenever the adventure is presented, I agree immediately and that was the case on my recent visit to Paso Robles. Margarita Adventures, located amid the Santa Lucia Mountains on the historic Santa Margarita Ranch offers epic zips through grassy valleys, oak forests, and culminating over a gorgeous Pinot Noir vineyard.

Adventure seekers meet at the tour office on El Camino Real in Santa Margarita and board the shuttle. We had the added benefit of being guided by one of the co-owners who also co-owns Ancient Peaks Winery, Karl Wittstrom, he also zipped with us! The guides will fill the tour by educating you on the ranch’s natural environment, the adjacent vineyard’s sustainable practices and the area’s historic role as part of California’s famed Mission Trail. The guides are great and are really patient if you’re a beginner. Once you’re suited up and locked in, you step off each of the five platforms and feeling that wind on your face is just the best. Due to timing and the size of our group, we did two of the five zips, with the best and longest one for last. The view you see of the Pinot Noir vineyard is stunning and just makes the experience that more special knowing we were going to taste wines from this very same spot following our adventure!

The zipline tour includes transportation, tour guides, and 5 zips and lasts about 2.5 hours. The price is $99 per adult and $79 for children (ages 4-17) and worth every penny. Bring a group of friends (8 or more) and you can get a discounted rate. Pair your adventure with a visit to Ancient Peaks and save 20% on wine purchases.

Ancient Peaks Winery
Ancient Peaks resides among the estate Margarita Vineyard, the southernmost vineyard in the Paso Robles AVA (American Viticultural Area). Wine grapes grown here are in one of the coolest growing environments in the region just 14 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Among the area’s uniqueness is it’s complex geology with five distinct soil types: ancient sea bed, rocky alluvium, shale, volcanic, and granitic and the terroir’s shale outcroppings and fields of petrified oyster shells. Together these conditions produce balanced fruit with rich flavors.

Three longtime local winegrowing and ranching families operate the vineyard and winery along with Mike Sinor, one of the highest-rated winemakers on the Central Coast. After our zipline adventure we were welcomed with Ancient Peaks Sauvignon Blanc and a meat and cheese platter. The Sauvignon Blanc was fruity like I love with a crispness and hints of pear and peach. Our palates moistened we sat down and began a fun exploration of red wines that included a foursome of 2013 varietals: Zinfandel, Syrah, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Our goal here was to create our favorite blend from these 4 wines into something magical, it was be a wine-maker for an hour day and I was so excited.

As I’ve said on numerous occasions, I’m still a red wine novice. Preferring my wine cold and crisp, I am still learning to adapt to a more complex and room temperature drink. That being said, I’ve found some great reds in the past few years but always open to new experiences and blending my own red to meet my specific tastes is really special.

I already know I enjoy a spicy Zinfandel and am not huge on Cabs, so I focused on the Syrah and Petit Verdot a little more looking for the right combination. The whole experimenting made me feel like a chemist, and I appreciate winemaker’s work even more. I loved the Petit Verdot’s smoothness and you may not be surprised to hear I’ve never heard of the varietal until that day. The Syrah spoke to me with a chocolate taste that I loved so putting those two together was natural. What I ended up with was a rich blend of 50% Petit Verdot and 50% Syrah, and sent it to bottling. We ended the afternoon sipping a Bordeaux-style 2011 Renegade.

It’s funny, I’ve only been drinking wines for about 7 years now with my first purchases being on the aesthetics of the label alone. I find myself learning more and more about the special qualities and flavors of wine but ultimately wine drinking is more about the whole experience. Having visited Ancient Peaks and hearing the passion and love the owners exude, I tend to enjoy the wine that much more. The memory of how and where it’s made, the stories told, and their commitment to protecting the land are added bonuses!

The Ancient Peaks tasting room is located in downtown Santa Margarita, while the vineyard, ranch, and zipline tours are all a shuttle away and can be arranged by reservation. For more information visit, http://www.ancientpeaks.com/ and http://www.margarita-adventures.com/.

My experience was part of a Paso Robles FAM tour, all opinions are 100% my own.

Brancott Estate Flight Song Wines are 20% Lighter in Calories! #MC #Sponsored #FlightSong

April 21, 2014 by The Mom Jen 3 Comments

I participated in an Ambassador Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Brancott Estate Wines. I received product samples to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

I’ve been traveling a lot in the last two months, places like Vancouver, B.C., the Monterey Peninsula, and the Pacific Northwest (Oregon and Washington). Needless to say I’ve seen many a cloud, much rain, and not enough sun. Back home in central California, I’ve enjoyed the past few days of high 70’s weather and the vitamin D from the sun that I’ve been craving. This weather prompts me to open up a cool bottle of wine and sit outside, luckily I had some new Brancott Estate white wines to try out as a bonus!

Last year I tried Brancott Estate for the first time, so I was eager to try their new 2013 Flight Song wines that add a bonus to wine lovers everywhere, they’re 20% lighter in calories!

My favorite wines to drink are whites. It’s something about drinking a cold refreshing drink that I love about white wine with a sweet Pinot Grigio being my favorite. Brancott Estate Flight Song wines come in both Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc, naturally I tried the Pinot Grigio first. I loved it, it’s floral on the nose, it’s very fruit forward, sweet but not overly so and has a nice acidity to it. The Sauvignon Blanc presents with a pink grapefruit and passionfruit notes on the nose with a ripe lemon acidity on the palate. In comparison of the two I would enjoy the Pinot Grigio alone like I often do and would prefer to pair the Sauvignon Blanc with seafood or green salad.

Brancott Estate Flight Song is made using grapes harvested earlier in the season when their sugar levels are naturally lower, leading to the a wine that is 20% lighter in calories* than a typical wine of the same varietal. My taste buds don’t notice a difference in flavor and that’s exactly what Brancott Estate Brand Director Matt Foley was hoping for, nothing compromised with the decrease in calories!

Brancott Estate Flight Song is offered at a great price point of $14.99, very reasonable for a New Zealand wine and not out of the range that I typically buy. My mom also tried the Pinot Grigio and was impressed, looks like our summer is going to be filled with many bottles of Brancott Estate Flight Song for family gatherings, pool parties, and warm nights!

Learn more about Flight Song Wines by visiting the website and social media channels below.

• Brancott Estate Flight Song Wines Website
• Brancott Eastate on Facebook
• Brancott Estate Twitter

*Compared with Brancott Estate Pinto Grigio 2012, Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2012.

Twisted Roots Wine Tasting Room in Carmel Valley

January 27, 2014 by The Mom Jen 8 Comments

Located in the lovely Carmel Valley, the Twisted Roots wine tasting room is a great spot to stop into and enjoy some of California’s great wines. Not only does the wine room offer their delicious reds and whites, but you can enjoy a glass as you stroll in the adjacent LyonsHead art gallery or outside on the charming patio while listening to the calming fountains.

We were welcomed by owner and winemaker Josh Ruiz and he gave us the history of Twisted Roots. Married into the Schmied family, Josh tells us that they’ve been grape growers since 1918 in the center of the Lodi appellation it wasn’t until 2005 when they began making their own wine in neutral barrels, a nod to sustainable wine making. As “Green Growers” they use sustainable farming practices throughout the entire wine making process including attention to soil nutrient balance in the vineyard, to their barrel-fermentation, and small production each year.A farmer bred in nearby Salinas, California, we appreciated Josh’s passion and pride in his family’s wine and bringing it to the Carmel Valley. He’s partnered with the Vendange Carmel Inn and Suites in their unique wine themed rooms where his sponsored and decorated room includes photographs of the vineyard, a photo book for guests to enjoy, as well as all of their wines available for purchase during the guest’s stay. Also if you become a member of the Twisted Roots wine club, your stay at Vendange Carmel is discounted!

We started off our tasting with the 2012 Chardonnay. A clean and simple chablis-style, not buttery, not oakey due to the natural barrels, nice with a great $20 price point! Josh mentioned that they’ll be introducing a sparkling Chardonnay in 2014, giving us good reason to return this year!

The next two reds were the 2010 Cabernet and the 2010 Petite Syrah. The Cabernet was nice, not too heavy, lighter than a typical Cab you’d find in Napa with a nice body like a Pinot Noir that I enjoy! The Petite Syrah was bolder and would pair nicely with BBQ steak or burgers! Both are $25 each per bottle.

The first varietal planted on the ranch was the 1918 Old Vine Zin. I think this is possibly my favorite red wine I’ve ever tasted! Fruity with a touch of spice, this wine started the Twisted Roots story and I immediately asked Josh to pack one of these for me! The 1918 Old Vine Zin has a price point of $35. (My birthday is next month, I’ve got plans for that one!)

Lastly, because I mentioned my love for sweet whites, we were treated to a bonus glass of their limited release of 2012 Albarino! Tropical of melons and apricot, it’s crisp cool sip was just like dessert on my tongue! Delighted he had one for me to add to my purchase (only $20!).

If you are in Carmel Valley you should make one of your stops the Twisted Roots wine room! Once you enjoy the great art, fall in love with their wines, and join the wine club, then head over and stay at Vendange Carmel with their discount! See, sounds like the perfect weekend! To learn more, visit http://www.twistedrootsvineyard.com/.

We were treated to a complimentary wine tasting for two, purchases were made on our own.

Dead Bolt Winemaker’s Red and White Blend, from Napa Valley

January 13, 2014 by The Mom Jen 1 Comment

Both my writers, Merrie and Bridgette had the opportunity to work with me and review Dead Bolt Winemakers Red and White wines. See what they have to say!

Merrie tried the red. Whenever I try a new wine, I find that I try to learn as much about the wine itself before tasting it. My first choice is always to go to a tasting room and talk to the wine makers themselves if possible. At the very least, the people that work with and for them will typically know their stuff as well, giving you insight to the grapes and the blend and the aging. All of that information makes the wine more interesting to me, making me want to find the unique flavors and feelings that went into it, and hopefully appreciate and like it, as well.

But you can’t always taste in a tasting room, so I was happy that a bottle that came my way came with fantastic notes from the wine maker of Dead Bolt. I had the opportunity to taste their Winemaker’s Blend, and after reading the notes, I was enthusiastic to give it a swirl and taste. Here first is what they have to say.

*VISION: “Blending is the art of combining individual wines that complement each other in order to create a complete wine that’s better, more attractive, more complex.” – The vision of winemakers Leon Deans and Philip Laffer

There are no rules, no recipes, no boundaries. Only a winemaker’s philosophy and experience. And vision.

BLEND: California appellation.

The elegance, length and viscosity of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot masterfully blended with the strength and varietal power of Zinfandel, Petit Syrah and Shiraz. A proprietary Winemaker’s Blend that’s kept under lock and key.

SEE: Deep ruby with a glint of purple.

SMELL: Rich ripe plum. Lots of spice and dark berries.

TASTE: Dark fruit, brown spice, chocolate. All you’d want in a glass of red.

FEEL: Smooth. Full. Satisfying.

Full and round with rich fruit flavors and a velvety clean-cut finish, DEAD BOLT showcases what California winemaking is all about: POWERFUL SATISFACTION*

It’s hard to compete with that, but I’ll try. To begin with, I really like the packaging of the bottle. The design is eye catching and unique, and I love that the logo is prominent above the cork, too. After I opened it, the “bouquet” was not strong or overwhelming. Very subtle and fruity. When poured into the glass the winemakers promise of “deep ruby with a glint of purple” was right — fantastic color!

Based on some of the description of taste, I was expecting a bit of a kick with the first sip, but Dead Bolt’s Winemaker’s Blend is a very easy going wine. None of the flavor is so strong that it overpowers the other flavors, making it a lovely blend that is easygoing on the palate and goes with just about anything. We tried it alone and then with a marinated flank steak, and both ways it was delicious. I did find that the steak overpowered the wine a bit, so we enjoyed a second glass the next night, but this time we paired it with bread and cheese. It was perfect! Just the right amount of flavor and fruit to go well with the soft gouda and aged white cheddar that we were enjoying. I couldn’t have been happier.

Their website appears to be under construction, but I’ve got it bookmarked and plan to see what else they offer. According to some wine websites you can pick up a bottle for around the $14 range, which is reasonable to me for a nice red that you can be pretty sure even the most sensitive palate will enjoy. I’m looking forward to serving it the next chance I get. Thank you, Dead Bolt!

Bridgette tried the white. Let me start by saying I’m not a HUGE wine drinker. I will occasionally have a glass while out to dinner or at a party, but I’m not the one carrying the 6 pack of wine out of the grocery store! ;o)

I had an opportunity to try Dead Bolt Winemaker’s Blend a week or so ago while heading out for a birthday celebration with some great friends. We wanted to have a birthday toast at home before heading out. I won’t lie…I was also hoping for some feedback since I don’t consider myself a wine expert.

It wasn’t chilled quite as much as I like my white wines (due to an hour travel time to in the car), so I was a little nervous, but it turned out to be fine. At first I recognized a spicy taste and then it mellowed into a light sweet flavor. But it wasn’t too sweet or too dry. It was just right. (I feel like Little Red Riding Hood) We were saving room for our 4-course meal so didn’t get to pair it with any specific flavors. I enjoyed just being able to sip a good glass of wine!!

The Birthday Girl’s first impression was that is was kind of tropical. Probably from the hint of pineapple which is one of her favorite flavors. My husband picked out the peach and vanilla in the aroma. We all agreed it was a great complex flavor. A little different for each of us. It definitely left you wanting a second glass (which we did partake in…). I haven’t seen it at my local shopping spot yet but, keeping my fingers crossed. It will be a great wine to serve with my next girl’s crafting night!

Merrie is a writer for the Jen is on a Journey and you can also find her at her blog, Sleepless Mornings: “I’m the mother of two beautiful children, newly engaged, a scrapbooker, a baker, and sometimes I’m even fun to be around!”

Bridgette writes for Jen is on a Journey–I’m a mom with 3 kids (translated…a husband and 2 boys – 10 and 12 ) who’s reached that 35-47 age bracket. I love music, coffee, crafting, and devouring a good book! I currently work as the Office Administrator at a preschool. I’ve also worked as an HR Assistant, 911 Communications Operator, and Golf Course Starter. Our family loves animals, camping and fishing, baseball, hockey, and going to the movies. We have 4 cats and 1 amazing dog, Buster. When the kids aren’t playing baseball, we love spending time with our friends and family.

Products sent to facilitate review, all opinions their own.

Portuguese Wine Review: Casa Santos Lima Sousao

September 9, 2013 by The Mom Jen 6 Comments

Always able and willing to try a new wine, I was happy to open and enjoy Casa Santos Lima’s Sousao. It was wonderful! To start with, the color was bold. A very deep red that made me want to dive right in, but I held off and let it breathe a bit and swirled for a deeper scent. It smelled wonderful, making good on its promise of “black fruit, plums and mulberry aromas, combined with chocolate and oak notes.” I can’t always smell every part of the description, but I think every wine lover gets something different out of every wine. From this one I got a rich fruit without being too strong or too acidic. The aftertaste is a good one, with it having a perfect balance between sweet and dry.

I always like to taste a wine alone, first, and then pair it up with a few flavors. This wine was delicious with the cheese that I ate before dinner, and then went wonderfully with the chicken dish I cooked for my family. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a subtle red with good but not overwhelming flavor. Casa Santos Lima’s website boasts a great deal of other Portuguese wines that they offer, all of which sound wonderful to me. If this Sousao is any inkling of their quality of wines, I will be doing some shopping!