Wine Along The 101
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    • 2022 Articles >
      • Further Defining the Single Vineyard Cru Wines of Barolo and Barbaresco, the Rise of the MGA
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      • 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
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      • 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
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      • 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
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      • 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
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    • 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
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    • Oak Farm Vineyards, a Rainbow of Delicious Lodi Wines
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The Garagiste Festival, Off the Beaten Path Wines


Wine garagistes are kind of like the quintessential “bad boy” or “bad girl”, maverick winemakers that are edgy, self assured (they do things their way!), and exciting to be around, for their out of the box thinking and surprisingly delicious wine results.   But to find these off the grid wines is not so easy, which makes the Garagiste Festival a must for those seeking the next big thing.  Billed as “Urban Exposure, Bringing the California wine country to the city” the 2016 Garagiste Festival came to LA this past July, with over 60 winemakers who poured 200 plus wines.  Setting up shop at The Wiltern Theater, the garagistes poured their wines and chatted with wine lovers, who had four hours to explore, taste,  and get out of their Chardonnay comfort zone. 


It was an afternoon crash course that defined “garagiste” here in California.  Originally, the term was used in the Bordeaux region of France to belittle small production winemakers who rejected the established rules of the region, and often worked out of their garage. Here in California, these wine pioneers also think outside the box, producing small lots of premium wines, mostly under 1,500 cases and often much less. These rebel winemakers experiment with the unexpected, but always follow their passion. Most of them don’t have a tasting room, so this festival provided the perfect opportunity to taste a rising star and discover your next “house” wine.
Here are highlights from just a handful of garagiste winemakers that I had the opportunity to explore during the tasting.


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Maggie Tillman of Alta Colina Vineyards poured four very nice Rhône style wines, two white and two red, from her family’s Paso Robles estate.  Her dad, Bob Tillman, is a lifelong “garagiste”, a home winemaker who turned his dream into reality, he organically grows his own grapes on steep hillsides in the Adelaida District.  Alta Colina produces a core of three white wines, and four reds, with occasional bottlings of small lot wines that are outstanding in that year.  The 12 O’Clock High Viognier 2014 is one of the best Viogniers I have ever had from California, smooth and plush with tropical fruit, and texture from time on the lees, it’s accented with a bit of toasty oak, but not overdone.  The 2012 GSM is bright and fruit forward, balanced with smoky oak and mineral tones, ending with supple tannins.
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Erick Allen of Ascension Cellars specializes in Rhône and Bordeaux-style wines from Paso Robles.  Currently, ten wines are available, three whites, five reds, a dessert wine and a port, all made from sustainably farmed Cass Vineyard fruit.  The 2015 Silver, a beautiful white wine made with Marsanne, Roussanne, Chardonnay, and Viognier, is aromatic, with pear, white peach, Meyer lemon, and floral notes; juicy and mineral, with a lingering finish that goes on and on.  The 2013 Soul Shaker, a red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, is the flagship wine, inky and concentrated, with dark fruit and spice, silky and hauntingly beautiful.  The 2013 Mayhem Syrah, a blend of Syrah with Petit Verdot and Viognier, is intense and rich, a wonder of violets, bacon, blackberry jam, clove spice, espresso, and dark chocolate notes, holy smokes, this is a delicious wine.  As you can tell, for Allen, it’s all in the art of the blend, the sum of the parts more than the whole.  Many of his wines have won Gold and Silver Medals in various competitions this year. ​
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Ryan Cochrane of Ryan Cochrane Wines crafts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines from Santa Barbara County.  Making wines from the best quality fruit he can buy, he poured vertical vintages of his Solomon Hills Vineyard Chardonnay and Fiddlestix Vineyard Pinot Noir.  According to Cochrane, he’s driven to create wines that make people smile, and according to the crowd surrounding his table, he’s succeeded.  Coming to winemaking from another career, he immersed himself in his pet dream, and seems to be getting noticed, receiving high ratings from Wine Enthusiast and The Prince of Pinot.  Full malolactic fermentation and lees stirring for the Chardonnay, partial whole cluster fermentation and a variety of clones for the Pinot, both aged in French oak barrels, these are very nice wines.
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Jim Madsen of The Farm Winery poured big red blends, from the Westside of Paso Robles, that, despite their concentration, had a lightness of being, a nuanced elegance that expresses the wildness of the Adelaida District.  Madsen runs in good company, his winemaker, Santiago Achaval, a renowned Argentinean winemaker, is a lifelong friend who teamed with Madsen to make his dream come true.  The 2012 “The Big Game” is a Bordeaux-Rhône style red, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Petit Verdot, layered and complex, round and polished, it’s powerful yet balanced, really fabulous!  The 2012 Cardinal, made of old vine Cabernet Sauvignon, in fact the oldest vines in all of Paso, is pure and intense, dense and exotic, it’s refined yet full of Cabernet character, this wine can give Napa Valley Cab a run for its money!  And the 2012 LPF (standing for Liquidity Preference Function!), a Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot blend, is dense and spicy, yet elegant in its balance of fruit and structure, but still a youngster, needing a bit more time in the bottle to relax into its own.  The Farm currently has six wines, with the 2012 the most recent release.
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William Allen of Two Shepherds had the most intriguing lineup of wines, pouring six out-of-the-ordinary bottlings of varietals you might not be familiar with.  Not only were these unusual wines, they were flat-out fantastic!  Trousseau Gris, Carignan, and Cinsault from Northern California joined Viognier, Grenache Blanc, and a Burgundy-Rhône red blend in a magical tapestry of cool climate aromas and flavors against neutral oak barrel aging, giving the wines texture and mouthfeel.  Allen’s Two Shepherds label refers not to two people, but two focal points for his wines, “Shepherd of the Palate” refers to a desire to return to Old World style wines, and “Shepherd of the Grape”, Allen’s philosophy of minimal intervention and manipulation in the winemaking process.  The 2014 Trousseau Gris, made from an obscure grey-skinned grape varietal, of which only 10 acres are farmed in California, is a fascinating wine.  Orange-pink in color, it combines the aromatics of a white wine with the texture of a light red.  The 2014 Carignan Rosé is more savory than fruity, vibrant and textured, this is a distinctive, complex wine with great aromatics.  The 2012 Pastoral Rouge Red Blend, Grenache, Mourvedre, and Syrah channels bright red fruit and spice, with light tannin and salinity on the lingering finish.  The 2014 Ancient Vine Cinsault comes from Bechthold Vineyard, its 135-year-old vines make up the oldest known surviving Cinsault vineyard in the world.  Rarely bottled as a straight varietal, and mostly used in blending, this Cinsault almost defies description, complex yet light, bright fruit, rose, and mineral notes with a gravitas all its own, a treat to taste!  These are unique and exciting wines which attracted a crowd to the table, new potential converts to Allen’s “The Flock”, his user-friendly wine club that offers customized shipping of his very small lot wines.
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The Garagiste Festival has been gaining steam the past few years.  Originally launched in Paso Robles in 2011, LA was added to the mix the past couple of years, giving more exposure to these hard to find wines.  Founded by Stewart McLennon and Doug Minnick, who are passionate about connecting these cutting edge winemakers with wine lovers who seek out the novelty of the unknown, these non-profit festivals serve an additional purpose besides promotion.  The proceeds are donated to the Cal Poly Wine and Viticulture Program, based in San Luis Obispo, which supports the education of budding winemakers and others training for wine industry jobs.  Minnick feels their non-profit acts as a de facto trade organization, and “helps people who make amazing wines get their word out”. 
If you’re intrigued by wine’s fringe element before it becomes chic, check out the upcoming 6th annual Garagiste Festival.  Billed as 2016 Paso Fest, the festival returns to Paso Robles, November 11-13, 2016, a two day event with grand tastings, winemaker panels, tasting seminars, and an after party, where you can mingle with these rebel winemakers.  Tickets are available online, at garagistefestival.com. 
Embrace “garagiste” and discover a whole new dimension, free spirited winemakers with boundless passion and limited funds, who strive to put their own spin on California wine, breaking the rules, all in one place. ​