Wine & Fire Weekend in Sta, Rita Hills

Mid August always finds the big event of the Sta. Rita Hills Winegrowers Alliance. Almost 100% participation from all the winemakers, vineyards and wineries in the area. I have been doing this event for over ten years now. There was a hiatus of a couple of years while they got their act together but it is back in full swing and better than before. They start out with a big "barn" party on Friday night. at the old Sanford barn. Music, food and of course wine. I have not been able to take in this event because of my work schedule but someday is coming.

Left about 6:50 am Saturday morning. Cindy offered to drive and I jumped on that one. No problems with traffic and we pulled into Buellton about 9:10. Gassed up, grabbed a breakfast sandwich from a drive in and took off for Santa Rosa Road and to find Fiddlestix vineyard. First stop for a four hour seminar and catered lunch. Two different panels  this year. Very informative. Second part of the seminar we were supposed to discuss the wine. Adam Lee from Siduri was at our table. We decided that we had two red wines and two white wines and that they must be pinot and chardonnay. Batting 100% right now. That was a no brainer because that is the two varietals that are featured this weekend. Then it got a little tougher. Had to figure out which winemaker made which one. Our theory was to give the bigger wine to the younger winemaker. Seemed to work.

Lunch was served and open seating. Norm Yost from Flying Goat graced our table bringing wine with him. He had his Goat Bubbles and a Pinot from the Rio Vista vineyard.  Some winemakers came around pouring their offerings. There was a 1997 Foxen, Sanford and Benedict Pinot, 2012 Kessler-Hawk Brut, 2012 Le Montagne, 2011 Clos Pepe sparkling, 2000 Mt. Carmel Chardonnay (can't read my own writing to tell who the winery is). Probably should have kept better notes. But there was a lot of wine flowing.

Off to check into the hotel and head for the Grand Tasting at the LaPurisma Mission. This is always a great event. Almost all the wineries are pouring tonight and the food is always good. Lobster Mac & Cheese, Beef sliders, BBQ ribs and tri tip. Salads, sandwiches. Doesn't get much better. I stayed away from the silent auction. Do not need to buy right now.

Sunday morning after a quick breakfast we headed for Clos Pepe for their annual release party.After  sampling the library wines, we headed for the table loaded with a dozen different kinds of cheeses, meats, fig jam, quince etc., Great spread. Then off to taste the new 2013 releases. Another really good year for the Clos. Many things to do today. Left and went across the road to Huber. Need to pick up six cases of wine. Norman offered to let us come by in the morning on our way home to pick up the wine. That is a big deal for us. We are headed over to Los Olivos and it gets really hot in that area. About 15 degrees warmer than the Sta. Rita Hills.

Stopped in at Trecero and tasted then over to Stolpman to pick up six bottles of "Carbonic" Sangiovese. This is the new rage of the winemakers now. 

We decided to stop in at Industrial Eats and get take out. Still full from that spread we had at the Clos. I ended up with smoked sturgeon, creme fraiche, avocado and pickled peppers. Cindy opted for a sandwich. Took them back to the hotel and went outside to the pool to eat. Cindy opened a bottle of wine but I stuck with water. By this time I have becomed "wined out". But I definitely want to come back to Industrial Eats and stay and partake in some more goodies.

Monday morning up at had another quick breakfast then off to Huber to pick up wine to bring home. Traudl gave us some squash she had picked earlier. Loaded up and headed towards home. Took a little longer getting back. The traffic in the Valley is always obscene. 

This was Cindy's first time doing the Wine & Fire event and she really enjoyed it. Wants to come back. Which is OK with me especially if she drives. What a treat for me to have a driver. I am not sure if I would be in such a good mood if I drove. This weekend really did a number on me. It will take a couple of days to recoup. That's what I go to work for. But I am already marking my calendar for next years event.

Hopefully everyone will come over and get their wine out of my house quickly. I am not looking forward to six cases sitting around for too long.