Appellation Wine Tours

27/10/2024

21/10/2024

The importance of the oak barrel (Cooperage) in winemaking is integral and very much under appreciated when it comes to the realization of just how much influence the barrel adds to wine.
A winemaker utilizes different coopers and their barrels to add depth, complexity and softness to the wines. It’s limitless just how many different barrels, from various Coopers who are crafting barrels that are different ages, shapes, sizes and toast levels.
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04/10/2024

Tonight’s lineup: All outstanding local producers.

Pence, Sparkling Gamay, SRH, 2017
Section/Lucchesi, Arneis, Tierra Alta VNYD, Ballard Canyon, 2023.
Walson Holland, Mélange Blanc, Rhone Wht. Blend, Ojai, 2019.
Marbeso, Pinot Noir, OLG VNYD, SRH, 2021
Walson Holland, Syrah, Rancho Boa Vista VNYD. Ballard Canyon, 2021
McKinney Family, The Beast, SYV. 2018.
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02/07/2024

Great chance meeting with the amazing Fabien Castel of
Fabien is producing high quality, balanced wines that are without pretense; sourced exclusively from small vineyards in Ojai. The renowned Castel made wine with Adam Tolmach for 20 years
One can visit Fabien and taste this exciting new venture at the .
Cheers!
🍇🍷💗
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03/03/2024

Another great week of touring both Ojai and the Santa Ynez Valley! We encountered some rain which made for some interestingly muddy off road experiences!
Wine country is still exceedingly beautiful when it rains! Two years of above average rainfall is exciting for this year’s vintage! Winter pruning is finished and now bud-break, fruit set and a much anticipated Spring 🍃🍇is next!
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15/02/2024

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11/11/2023

Another outstanding week of visiting spectacular vineyard sites, tasting amazing wines with fabulous folks!
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06/09/2023

SYV 2023 Harvest update:
Harvest has official started with a few producers picking early Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir for sparkling and rośe purposes. Also, Happy Canyon Sauvignon Blanc is now starting to be picked; the harvest season has been generally behind due to the cool spring and Summer. If this cool trend continues we could be picking Rhône reds near Thanksgiving!
We are forecasted for a warming trend this week which should be ideal, gradually ripening our many varietals throughout the Valley.
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24/06/2023

Nothing like a good Nebuchadnezzar to get the party started!

15/05/2023

Another impeccable day in wine country! As we were driving down Santa Rosa Road my client said “this is probably the most beautiful place in the world!”
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05/05/2023

Fantastic day spent with these two! Celebrating Melissa & Javier’s pregnancy! Great day of tasting (Melissa was limited to smelling ☹️) and visiting some excellent producers! Thanks for you amazing hospitality Marco! .wines
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09/04/2023

Another outstanding week of tasting and touring the vineyards! Spring has sprung, evidenced by the Bud Break and the “flowering of the vines”; temperatures are perfect and the sun is out! The hills are green and in full bloom.
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20/03/2023

The Santa Ynez Valley is as emerald green as it’s ever been!
Numerous canyons and vineyards have surpassed the 50 inches of rainfall threshold this year.
Amazing!
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06/03/2023

Another phenomenal few days of exploring the vineyards! The rain seems to be finally letting up and the sun is showing itself, this makes for dramatic vistas! The first signs of “Bud Break” have appeared, signifying the beginning of Spring and the growing season. 2023 has the makings for a great vintage!
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21/02/2023

Fantastic Presidents weekend touring some of my favorite producers with some loyal repeat clients! The weather was beautiful in the Santa Ynez Valley! Awesome three day weekend tasting beautifully crafted wines in gorgeous properties hosted by amazing people!
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13/01/2023

Winter time in the Santa Ynez Valley. The vines are dormant, the hills are emerald green from the copious amounts of rain that we’ve fortunately received thus far(more to come this weekend). Next, will be pruning time where we’ll shape and train the vines to produce a select few clusters in the springtime.
Such an amazing time to be up in wine country!