Wine Along The 101
  • Home
  • Articles
    • 2023 Articles >
      • Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour 2022, A Brief Look at the Complex World of Italian Wine
      • A Night of Sicilian Wine, Spotlighting Cambria and Madaudo Wineries
      • Yealands Wines, “Think Boldly, Tread Lightly”, Leading the World Toward Sustainable Winemaking
    • 2022 Articles >
      • Further Defining the Single Vineyard Cru Wines of Barolo and Barbaresco, the Rise of the MGA
      • The Barolo Cru Wines of Beni di Batasiolo
      • Pyros Wines Sparks World-Class Malbec
      • AlloraVino Imports, a Love Affair with Italian Wine
      • Maisons Marques & Domaines Wine Portfolio: Prestige, Glamour and Good Taste for the Holidays
      • The Original Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI, a Condiment and a Culture
      • Rocca delle Macìe, Taking Chianti Classico to New Heights
      • Alluring and Iconic, The World of Chianti Wines
      • Paso Robles Weaves a Thrilling Tapestry of World-Class Wine
      • LXV Wines, The Spice of Paso Robles
      • The Mouthwatering Sauvignon Blancs of Chile
      • The Wines of Portugal, Discover a World of Difference
      • Domaines Albert Bichot, An Exceptional Approach to Burgundian Wine
      • The Wines of Abruzzo Undergo a Renaissance of Quality
      • Ketcham Estate, Exceptional Wines From The Heart of the Russian River Valley
      • La Rioja Alta, S.A., Innovation and Tradition That Stands the Test of Time
      • Vega Sicilia Celebrates 40 Years of Winemaking Excellence
      • Planeta of Sicily Embraces the Past While Reaching For the Future
      • The Spirit of Renaissance is Alive and Well in “South of Somewhere”
      • Gambero Rosso Returns to LA, With the Best of Italian Wines
      • Falanghina and Aglianico del Taburno, Sannio's Ancient Wine Stars
      • Tablas Creek Vineyard Embraces Regenerative Organic Farming
    • 2021 Articles >
      • Make Merry With Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Wines
      • Discover These Enchanting Italian Wines, From the Fog of Piedmont to the Island Breezes of Sardinia
      • Rodney Strong Vineyards and Winery, Revitalizing an Iconic Brand
      • Thanksgiving Tips for the Best Wine and Food Pairing
      • Escape to Paso Robles, a Wine Country Oasis
      • Escape to Paso Robles, a Wonderland of Wine
      • Smith-Madrone Wines, a Napa Valley Pioneer Celebrates Fifty Years of Excellence
      • Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the Land of Pinot Noir
      • Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, Exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Southern Oregon
      • BARRA of Mendocino Wines, an Original Organic Wine Play
      • The Opulent and Thrilling Wines of Denner Vineyards
      • L’Ecole No. 41, Expressive Wines That Pass the Test of Time With Flying Colors
      • France's Loire Valley, a Fairytale Land of Storybook Castles and Magical Wines
      • Craft Wine, Shining the Spotlight on America’s Small Wine Producers
    • 2020 Articles >
      • Margerum Wine Company, the Nexus of Sublime Santa Barbara County Wines
      • Catena Zapata, Malbec on High
      • Long Meadow Ranch, the Circle of Life in a Glass of Wine
      • Fontanafredda Barolo Forges a New Future
      • Bordeaux Wine 2017, Surprises in a Challenging Vintage
    • 2019 Articles >
      • The Rising Wine Country of Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley
      • Discover Ashland and the Rogue Valley, Southern Oregon's Serenade to the Good Life
      • Napa Valley Grille, New Fall Menu Paired with European Wines
      • Embrace Your Wine Geek with PRIE Winery & Vineyards
      • Castello di Albola, Chianti Classico on High
      • Nicolas-Jay Wines, the Journey of a Lifetime
      • The Expanding Complexity of New Zealand Wine
      • Prosecco DOC, Splendor in the Glass
      • On the Oregon Wine Trail
      • Albariño and Rioja Star in Spain’s Great Match
      • Exciting and Eclectic, the Wines of Alentejo
      • Blaufränkisch Propels the Red Wines of Austria Into the Spotlight
      • Fascinating Greek Wines of the Cava Spiliadis Collection
      • Revolution In Rioja Wine
    • 2018 Articles >
      • Temecula Valley Celebrates 50 Years of Winemaking
      • The Stellar Wines of Sardinia
      • Italian Wines Prescribed by Doctor Wine
      • The Alluring Wines of Tunisia
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2018
      • Velenosi Wines, From Le Marche to the World
      • Sauvignon Blanc, a Rising Star in Napa Valley
      • Frank Family Vineyards Celebrates 25 Years
      • Markus Wine Co., Sleek New Red Wines Up the Ante for Lodi Reds
      • Lodi Wine, Over 100 Varieties Strong
      • Ramona Valley Wine Country, an Up and Coming Wine Region
      • Hertelendy Vineyards, the Pursuit of Excellence
      • Napa Valley Wine, Nirvana in a Bottle
      • Wine Stroll: Explore Downtown Paso Robles Wineries
      • The Beautiful Shades of Lodi Rosé Wines
      • Doubling Down on Gold Medal Wines: The San Francisco International Wine Competition
      • The Exotic Wines of Lebanon
      • Australian Wines, Rediscover the New Frontier
      • New Zealand Wines, Expanding beyond Sauvignon Blanc
      • Visit France in 2018, a Feast of Food, Wine, Culture and History
      • Bordeaux Wine 2015, A Very Good Year
      • Portugal's Treasure Chest of Wines
      • Livermore Valley, California’s Original Wine Country Reborn
      • Concannon and Wente Vineyards, California’s Pioneers of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
      • Livermore Valley Wine Country, the Future Looks Bright
    • 2017 Articles >
      • Viña Ardanza Rioja Turns 75, an Enchanting Wine Gets Even Better
      • The VIP Sparkle of Prosecco Superiore
      • Lodi Wine Country, Seriously Good Wine From A to Z
      • Lodi Wine Country, Old Vines and Great Wines
      • Lodi Wine Country, Winegrowers and Winemakers Focused on the Future
      • Lugana White Wine, Better With Age
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip to LA
      • Sweetzer Cellars, a Life Changing Journey of Wine
      • Lugana and Valpolicella, the Yin and Yang of the Veneto
      • Three R’s of Summer Wine, Rosé, Riesling, and Ramato
      • Familia Martínez Bujanda, Wines Without Borders
      • Codorníu Cava, the Ars and Anna Collection
      • New and Exciting Wines from the 2017 Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration
      • Sensual Delights on Display at Savor Italy Los Angeles
      • Pizza and Franco Pepe, Italy’s Best Comes to LA
      • Montes Wines, Wisdom in Wine From Father to Son
      • Passionate Pinot Noir Lovers Unite at the 2017 World of Pinot
      • Vignalta, Wines of the Highest Order
      • Santa Lucia Highlands Sensational Wines
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2017
      • Law Estate Wines: Quality by Design
      • Taittinger and Calvisius: Champagne and Caviar Dreams
      • Riding High on American Rhone Wines, The Rhone Rangers LA Tasting
      • Discover Monterey Wine Country, wine and so much more
      • Wines of Portugal, the Perfect Dinner Companion
      • Gruet's Enchanting Sparkling Wines
    • 2016 Articles >
      • The Art of Italian Living, SoCal Style
      • Wines of Alsace: Perfect for the Holidays
      • Oso Libre Winery; Vines, Wines, and Angus Beef
      • Best Wines for Thanksgiving
      • Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour Sweeps Through Los Angeles
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Chardonnay
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Pinot Noir
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Rhône Varietals
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Bordeaux Varietals
      • Achaval-Ferrer, Exceptional Wines from Argentina
      • Celebration of Harvest Grand Tasting 2016 Highlights
      • The Celebrity Sparkle of Ferrari Trento Wines
      • Santa Barbara Wine Country’s Celebration of Harvest 2016
      • The Garagiste Festival, Off the Beaten Path Wines
      • Explore SLO Wine Country, Central California’s Hidden Gem
      • Byron Winery, The Grand Pinot Noir Experiment
      • Crocker & Starr Wines, Organically Elegant
      • Escape to Santa Maria Wine Country
      • The Elegant White Wines of Domäne Wachau
      • Champagne Palmer: The New Champagne on the Block
      • Holman Ranch & Vineyards: Making Memories & Wine at Romantic California Hideaway
      • Luminous Wines of France's Loire Valley
    • Examiner.com Articles >
      • Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards: Wines Without Compromise
      • All Stars of Pinot Noir Rock the 2016 World of Pinot
      • Ampelos Wines' Biodynamic Brilliance
      • Artisan Uprising: Blood Into Wine
      • Bodegas Beronia Rioja: The Magic of Oak
      • Crawford Family Wines: Unlocking Varietal Flavor
      • Dolin Malibu Estate Vineyards' Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs Shine Bright
      • Hahn Family Wines: Santa Lucia Highlands' Sweet Spot
      • Kimmel Vineyards: Good Wine Flows from Challenging Times
      • Larner Vineyard: Sweet Spot for Syrah and Grenache
      • LOCA for Lodi Wine
      • Lompoc Wine Ghetto
      • Sanford Winery & Vineyards, Delicious Wines That Tell a Tale
      • The Diverse and Divine Wines of Santa Barbara County
      • Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail
      • The Stellar Wines of California's Sta. Rita Hills
      • Skinner Vineyards, Destiny and Determination
      • Wines of Portugal, The Art of the Blend
  • Wine Reviews
    • The Dynamic Lavico Etna Wines of Duca di Salaparuta
    • The Sangiovese Stars of San Felice Wines
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, in Can and Bottle
    • Coen Malbec Reserve 2019, a New World Wine with Old World Sensibilities
    • Sangre de Toro Rosé, A Light and Bright Summer Thirst Quencher
    • Summer and Sauvignon Blanc, Lucky Rock Wine Co. Style
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2019
    • Monte Velho, Fascinating Wines and Value-Priced
    • Grassl Glasses Add Depth to Wine Enjoyment
    • Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Rosé Brut Makes Everyday a Holiday
    • Festive Ferrari Trento Sparkling Wines For All Occasions
    • Bodegas CARO, the Best of Both Worlds
    • Kosher Wines For the Jewish High Holidays Are Highly Recommended Anytime of Year
    • Oak Farm Vineyards, a Rainbow of Delicious Lodi Wines
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2019
    • Ron Rubin Wines, The Dream Series
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2018
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2018
    • Crus Bourgeois Bordeaux, Expressive Wines at Everyday Prices
    • Légende Collection of Bordeaux Wines
    • Five Contemporary California Wines To Try
    • Alternative Sparkling Wines For a Celebration
    • A Toast to Prosecco Superiore
    • Celebrate with this Pair of Spanish Red Wines
    • A Quartet of Summer Red Wines
    • Spanish Albariño, a Wine For All Seasons
    • Ciù Ciù Wines, Quality That Shines Through
    • A Trio of Red Wines for Holiday Merrymaking
    • Terre de la Custodia Montefalco Rosso 2012
    • The Sultry Arnaldo Caprai Collepiano Montefalco Sagrantino
    • Pop the Cork on Charles Heidsieck Champagne and Bisol Prosecco
    • Garnacha Wines from DOP Cariñena, Beautiful Bang for the Buck
    • A Pair of Greek Wines for a Spring Feast
    • A Dynamic Duo of Sassy Spanish White Wines
    • Anderra Carménere
    • Artesa Chardonnay/Pinot Noir
    • Avignonesi Grandi Annate
    • Château Saint-Maur Rosé
    • La Miranda de Secastilla, Old Vine Garnacha Gems
    • Intriguing Israeli Wines
    • Leviathan
    • Domaines Paul Mas Wines Trio
    • Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc, intensely refreshing and delicious
    • Perticaia Trebbiano Spoletino
    • Stay Cool With These Two Charming White Wines
  • Events
    • Garagiste Wine Festival: Urban Exposure 2022 Highlights Hidden California Wine Gems
    • Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival 2019
    • World of Pinot Noir 2019, A Magical Mystery Tour
    • Journey to Planet Pinot at the 2018 World of Pinot Noir
    • Great Wines of Italy Comes to LA
    • Wine Along the Beach at Garagiste Wine Festival 2017
    • Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration 2017
    • Orbit the World of Pinot Noir at the 2017 World of Pinot
    • Rhone Rangers Los Angeles 2016
  • Wine Travel
  • Videos
    • Celebration of Harvest
    • Feliz Noche Wines
    • Terravant Custom Crush
    • Que Syrah, Shiraz!
    • Paso Robles Wine Festival
    • L'Aventure Syrah Harvest
    • Clos Pepe's Prince of Pinot
  • Photos
  • Who We Are
    • About Patricia Decker
    • About Fabian Rodriguez
Picture
World class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, born of fog, wind, and shattered soils, have put Santa Lucia Highlands on the map. Near perfect growing conditions condense into bright, intensely flavorful wines, with good acidity and mineral notes.  Part of the overall Monterey Wine Country, the Santa Lucia Highlands is one of nine AVAs, primarily recognized as a sweet spot for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  The Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Artisans came to Los Angeles to demonstrate the finesse and elegance of their wines, with 23 wineries pouring their best for trade and media.  Get out the word, the wines are great, distinctive and delicious, and incredible value for the quality!
Picture
Picture
So what makes these SLH wines so special?  It goes back to the vineyards, their geology and geography, and man’s role in nurturing Mother Nature to greatness.  This is a Goldilocks situation for the Highlands’ vines, not too hot, not too cool, just right, a combination of morning sun, coastal fog and afternoon breezes funneled in from Monterey Bay.  In this climactic cradle, where the temperature swings only 20 degrees between day and night, the infant grapes develop gradually, amplifying the phenolics, throughout a very long growing season, one of the longest hang times in California.  And while seemingly blessed with Mother Nature’s ways, the key to quality wine are the layers of soils, which contribute to the mineral backbone of the wines.

​Today, tinkering with clones, trellises, and sustainable farming techniques, winegrowers work 37 vineyard properties, where over 6,000 acres of vineyards cling to the hillsides, many planted at elevations of more than 1,000 feet.  Forty-six wine producers interpret this terroir, in addition, superstar winemakers clamor to buy whatever fruit is leftover for their own labels.  The Santa Lucia Highlands wine district, twelve miles long and 1-1/2 miles narrow, hits the sweet spot for the notoriously difficult Pinot Noir, and the quality is climbing.
Picture
Andy Abraham, Wine Ambassador for Talbott Wines, sang the praises of their Sleepy Hollow single vineyard wines
The 2017 Best of the Highlands tasting at Hinoki and the Bird was a chance to understand the beauty of single vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, as well as experience some cool climate Syrah, Riesling, and Pinot Gris.  Most of the winemakers, inspired by the wines of Burgundy, endeavor to bridge the Old and New World, crafting truly beautiful California renditions that deserve a spot in everyone’s wine cellar. 

​Here are a few of my highlights, and apologies to those producers I didn’t get to visit for lack of time:
Picture
Picture
Picture
Talbott Vineyards poured a study of Chardonnay and Pinot, in three different tiers; Kali (pronounced Kaylee) Hart, Logan, and Sleepy Hollow.  Named after the Talbott’s youngest daughter, the Kali Hart wines see minimal oak, and according to Andy Abraham, Wine Ambassador for Robert Talbott Vineyards, is “a pure fruit expression of the vineyard”, which is evident in the Chardonnay’s beautiful tropical fruit aromas and flavors.  Logan is the middle ground, a more balanced expression of the vineyard, while Sleepy Hollow, Talbott’s single vineyard which originally planted the flag for the label, really defines and embodies the Highlands for both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.  The Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay is a richer, more classic California Chardonnay, yet with more acidity, made as Abraham notes, with “ more oak, older vines, contact with the lees, barrel ferment, barrel aged…it’s going to extend your mouthfeel, your length of finish.”  The founder, Robert Talbott, strives to meld the ripeness of California wines with the elegant balance of Burgundy, resulting in what Abraham calls “a marriage of the two.”  With these three different tiers, Talbott offers something for everybody, while still capturing the essence of the Santa Lucia Highlands.
Picture
Picture
Hahn Family Wines, one of the largest producers in the Highlands, produces three different collections of wine, of which the Hahn SLH and Lucienne labels are exclusively Highlands’ fruit.  The SLH wines, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, are juicy and delicious, while the Lucienne wines are single vineyard expressions of Pinot Noir, from the Smith, Doctors, Hook and Lone Oak blocks, powerful and beautiful in their expression, all equally fascinating.
Picture
Picture
Winemaker Adam Lee of Siduri Wines
Siduri Wines, the brain child of winemaker Adam Lee, specializes in single vineyard Pinot Noir from the best West Coast sites.  In the Highlands, he bottles three single vineyard Pinots from Garys’, Rosella’s, and Pisoni, and one blend of five vineyards, a SLH designate.  Showcasing the 2014 vintage, Lee finds that Garys' vineyard is his favorite, with more concentration and structure, but notes that “everyone likes one vineyard site over another, I don’t mind as long as they don’t say the wine is poorly made!”  No one would ever go there, as Lee is know for his pursuit of perfection, crafting premium Pinot Noir wines that have their own distinct identity.
Picture
Picture
McIntyre Vineyards poured a beautiful lineup of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay; sparkling, rosé, and still wines.  The Estate Pinot Noir from McIntyre vineyard itself is a standout, reflecting the stellar fruit from careful detail to farming and winemaking.  McIntyre is one of the oldest vineyards in the Highlands, planted over 40 years ago, and Steve McIntyre was instrumental in helping create the AVA, understanding the region well, as he also cultivates vineyards for many other labels.  The wines are lively and concentrated, with great balance and complexity, and are well priced to boot.
Picture
Picture
Wrath Wines is a specialist in single vineyard and clonal variety Pinot Noir, with six vineyards and six clones, well represented in their Winemaker and Single Vineyard Series wines.   Christopher Whaley, Director of Sales, poured three very nice Pinots, my favorite being the Boekenoogen Vineyard, a high altitude site that infuses the wine with vibrant acidity, layers of red and dark fruit, and a mineral backbone that dances on your palate.  For the holy smokes moment, the KW Ranch Syrah is so delicious and profound, with a complex nose of blackberry and plum, olive, smoked meats, earth and leather, and a rocky mineral essence reminiscent of the wines of Southern France, wow, it’s really a captivating wine!
Picture
Picture
Miner Family Wines out of Napa Valley has carved out a place of honor among the Santa Lucia Highlands wineries, and offered a taste of their single vineyard Pinot Noir, from Garys', Sierra Mar, and Rosella’s Vineyard, in fact two Rosella’s Pinots were poured, one a single clone bottle, the 777.   The Rosella’s 777 is a fabulous wine, intense and complex, floral with exotic spice, dark berry fruit, textured and silky on a long finish.  The Gary’s Vineyard is also noteworthy, the bright fruit and spice channel the best of both worlds, earth and fruit.
Picture
Picture
Roar Wines are the passion project of one of the Highlands winegrowing titans, Gary Franscioni and his family, who are third generation farmers of the region.  Over 20 years ago, the Franscionis planted vineyards whose singular signatures today are easily recognizable among many producers.  Their small portfolio of cool climate wines are a microcosm of the terroir, gaining critical acclaim and legions of fans.  Elegant and deeply drinkable, a Chardonnay and two Pinot Noir wines were poured, with the Sierra Mar Vineyard Pinot my favorite, more savory, with red fruit, spice and that touch of underbrush that always adds intrigue to Pinot.
Picture
Winemaker Dan Tudor of Tudor Wines
Tudor Wines mixed things up a little bit, pouring their SLH Tudor Pinot alongside their Nacina label Riesling wines, an off dry and Ice wine version.  Riesling has had a boom or bust history in California, but it seems to be gaining favor once again, as its high acidity and rich stonefruit and citrus flavors compliment food so well.  And don’t be afraid of a little sweetness, it just rounds out that acid and brings out the fruit, a wine that seems to be making inroads into predominantly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir country.
Picture
Hope & Grace also poured a very nice dry Riesling (albeit from Napa Valley) alongside their bold Doctors Vineyard Pinot Noir.  Hope & Grace started their winery with this small production Pinot Noir, and has since expanded into other single vineyard varietal wines from Sonoma and Napa Valley.
Picture
Picture
Winemaker Kerith Overstreet of Bruliam Wines
Bruliam Wines is the new kid on the block, figuratively speaking, making single vineyard Pinots from Sonoma and the Highlands.  Winemaker Kerith Overstreet had a great story to tell, about how she scored her Soberanes fruit for her Santa Lucia Highlands wine.  Setting her sights on the highly sought after Garys’ vineyard, she boldly called and asked to buy the fruit, prompting a surprise invitation to chat about an up and coming vineyard, Soberanes.  With kids in tow, Overstreet’s visit resulted in a clogged toilet at Gary Franscioni’s house, and the ice was broken.  Overstreet laughed, “I was lucky, I think I Forrest Gumped into the vineyard at the right time!”  Only receiving a small amount of fruit at first, Overstreet’s Pinot earned critical acclaim, and since, more of the Soberanes fruit has become available to her.  The 2014 is euphoria in a glass, richer flavors of dark fruit and mocha, herbs, with cigar box and cedar notes, it’s a smooth drink of happiness.

What Santa Lucia Highlands wine producers have achieved in a generation of winemaking is remarkable.  These producers fast-tracked the quality of these wines, and much is still to be discovered.  Today’s elegant and reasonably priced wines are testimony to the promise and potential of the region, constantly evolving and reaching for perfection in the glass.