• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to footer

Cali Coast Wine Country

all about California's Central Coast Wine Country, including Santa Barbara & San Luis Obispo

  • About
  • Bubbles
  • Food & Drink
  • Wineries
  • Restaurants
  • Festivals & Fun
  • Contact
  • Food Charmer
You are here: Home / Archives for Derby Wine

Derby Wine

12 Days of Sparkling Wine: Central Coast Local Bubbles!

December 14, 2016 By calicoastblog 3 Comments

12 Days of Sparkling Wine: Central Coast Local Bubbles!

We have so many amazing sparkling wines right here on the central coast, there’s no need to look further afield for New Year’s Eve bubbles. With about 30 sparkling wine makers in Santa Barbara county and about 20 in San Luis Obispo county, this coastal region in California can really stand up to real Champagne. Below is my list of 12 of my favorite sparklers:

1. Brewer-Clifton – Blanc de BlancsBrewer-Clifton Santa Barbara sparkling wine

One of the oldest sparkling wines on the central coast, the first-ever release from Brewer-Clifton was actually a Sparkling Wine in 1993. They then stopped making it to focus on Pinot Noir, until 2010 when they decided to bring it back. And we’re so glad they did! This 100% Chardonnay from a Sta. Rita Hills estate vineyard (3-D) drinks much like a classic Blanc de Blancs from the Champagne region of France. It’s perfect for the Champagne snob, who’s also a little geeky about wineries with a small-production focus. But get it quick! They’re almost sold out (it’s for mailing list customers only) and they’re not making more.

 

2. Laetitia – 7 different sparkling wines!Laetitia Brut San Luis Obispo Sparkling Wine

Laetitia has a heritage going back to the early 80s, when their wine was produced under Maison Deutz, a Champagne maker in France. Since 1997, Laetitia Vineyards & Winery has been the Grand Dame of sparkling wine on the central coast, now with 7 different bottlings. From their classic Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noir styles, as well as a sparkling rosé and more yeasty styles, you’re sure to find something for everyone. These wines can be tasted every day in their tasting room and they also have a Sparkling Wine club. Perfect for anyone who loves bubbles. Laetitia photo by Toki Lee.

 

3. Flying Goat – Goat BubblesGoat-Bubbles Flying Goat Santa Barbara sparkling wine

Flying Goat Cellars has a long history of quality Pinot Noir, and they’ve been hand-riddling, disgorging and bottling sparkling wine since 2005. Currently, they have a lineup of 5 sparkling wine classics of Goat Bubbles: Rosé (a fruity Pinot Noir), Blanc de Blancs (Chardonnay), Blanc de Noirs (Pinot Noir), Brut Cuveé (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay) and Crémant (a tart fruit Pinot Blanc). These sparklers can be tasted at their Bubbles Bar every weekend in Lompoc. Another small-production winery creating each bottle by hand, with a perfect lineup expressing each style of Champagne. Perfect for the slightly irreverent sparkling wine lover.

 

4. Riverbench – Cork Jumper

In Santa Barbara county, the only place to taste a flight of sparkling wine every day is Riverbench Winery‘s tasting room in downtown Santa Barbara. They make 3 different sparklers: Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noir (a rosé) and a semi-sweet Blanc de Blancs. From their Santa Maria-focused Chardonnay and Pinot Noir program to their certified sustainable farming practices, the quality here is really high. Perfect for Burgundy (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir) lovers.

 

5. Sea Smoke – Sea SpraySea Smoke Santa Barbara sparkling wine

Sea Smoke is renowned for their Pinot Noir in a cultish way. Their sparkling wine is the most expensive on this list, and can also be hard to come by as they sell wines exclusively to their allocation list and some retail. I found a bottle in Santa Barbara, and was charmed when I finally opened it. It has the smallest, finest bubbles and a wonderful yeasty, classic Champagne taste. Perfect for the Champagne snob you need to impress. (Or for a super-special wedding!)

 

6. Palmina – LuminaPalmina Lumina Santa Barbara sparkling wine

Palmina Winery makes some of the best Italian wines outside of Italy. Winemaker Steve Clifton makes much of the wine you might be enjoying under other labels including many restaurants. Lumina is made from the dark, tannic Nebbiolo grape and makes a surprisingly elegant sparkling rosé with lots of flavor and structure. They also make a sparkling Malvasia Bianca (more aromatic and floral) and a sparkling Barbera (red, fruity bubbles). These are perfect for the Italian wine lover.

 

7. Derby – Brut RoséDerby Paso Robles Sparkling Wine

Derby Wine Estates in Paso Robles makes a variety of interesting, refreshing varietal wines and blends. The family got their start growing grapes in 1998, gaining the farming knowledge needed to make great wines. 10 years later, they launched their own label. Now located in the historic Almond Growers Association building, they continue to create high-quality wines and a lovely pink sparkling wine made of Pinot Noir. Perfect for the Paso wine lover or pink bubbles lover.

 

8. Cass – Sparkling Marsanne

Cass Winery makes estate wines from French Rhone grapes in the Paso Robles area, just east of the Templeton gap. The cooling breezes on the west side of Paso are what make the grapes grow in a similar fashion to the Rhone, varietals like Viogner, Marsanne, Rousanne, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. The sparkling wine is made from Marsanne, with acidity, toast, citrus and melon. Perfect for the Rhone wine lover.

 

9. Kessler-Haak – Brut & Brut RoséKessler-Haak Santa Barbara sparkling wine

A winery born out of the love of wine, Kessler-Haak started as a backyard operation. Now farming 2.5 acres in the Sta. Rita Hills, Kessler-Haak produces a quality Chardonnay, several Pinot Noirs, a dry Riesling and a Syrah. They also recently opened a tasting room in Lompoc where you can find their Brut (made in Blanc de Blancs style) and Brut Rosé (made in Blanc de Noir style), both paired with a jazz CD. Perfect for the jazz lover or Sta. Rita Hills wine aficionado.

 

10. Clavo – CorazónClavo Cellars Paso Robles Sparkling Wine

Clavo Cellars specializes in single-varietal, bold wines in Templeton (near Paso Robles) and makes this sparkling wine from Grenache. But it’s surprising for a Grenache: this sparkler is the dryest on this list! Made with no sugar/dosage added, it reminds me of an Extra Brut Champagne. It’s supremely refreshing. Plus, the winery donates $1 of every bottle sold to cancer research. Perfect for those who want to give back and really love extra-dry bubbles.

 

11. Mosby – Stelline de CorteseMosby Santa Barbara sparkling wine

Mosby Winery focuses on Italian varietals and have an extremely impressive lineup.  Most wines are made in Santa Barbara county (just outside of Buellton), but some are made in Italy and shipped over. They have 2 sparkling wines: California bubbles made from Cortese and Italian sparklers made from Erbaluce and Vernaccia. All are delicious, but the Stelline di Cortese is the local one, and it’s a real steal. It’s best wine for the price, and reminds me of a real Prosecco, so I can drink it every day. Perfect for the Prosecco lover.

 

12. Carmody-McKnight – Pomegranate CuvéeCarmody McKnight Paso Robles Sparkling Wine

If you love sweet Champagnes and sparkling wine like Asti, you’ll love Carmody-McKnight‘s Pomegranate Cuvée. Making estate wines in Paso Robles for over 25 years, they make a traditional sparkling cuvée with grapes grown on chalky soil (like in Champagne) and age it in the bottle for up to 10 years. In the meantime, they wanted something bubbly to drink! Pomegranate Cuvée was born, made from the original sparkling cuvée mixed with pomegranate. Soon, a citurs honeysuckle cuvée will be available. Perfect for those who love sweet sparkling wine or dessert wine.

Filed Under: Bubbles, San Luis Obispo county, Santa Barbara county Tagged With: Bubbly Wine, California Sparkling Wine, Carmody-McKnight, Cass winery, Champagne, Clavo Cellars, Derby Wine, flying goat, Goat Bubbles, Kessler-Haak, Laetitia, Mosby Wine, New Years Eve, palmina, Paso Robles Sparkling Wine, Riverbench, San Luis Obispo Sparkling Wine, Santa Barbara Sparkling Wine, Sea Smoke, sparkling wine

June 6 in Avila Beach: Central Coast Oyster Festival

June 4, 2015 By calicoastblog Leave a Comment

Central Coast Oyster Festival in Avila Beach

This event has been discontinued.

 

Central Coast Oyster Festival in Avila Beach

The 4th Annual Central Coast Oyster Festival is this Saturday, June 6 at the Avila Beach Golf Resort, and it promises to be a heck of a good time! This festival is as much about the music as it is the oyster, with other yummy gourmet food booths thrown in too. Add the beer, wine & cocktail lounge, Cirque du Soleil-esque entertainment and some amazing art installations and structures, and it becomes the Central Coast event you don’t want to miss.

Central Coast Oyster Festival in Avila BeachMusic runs from 12 – 8pm with bands like Tropo, Todo Mundo and Texas Lights as well as a fun Oyster Shucking Contest where amateurs and professionals go head-to-head to become the Best Shucker in Town – just what every man wants to be named.

In past years, “The Big O” oyster challenge has had some awesome dishes like the Hangtown Fry oyster omelette, tri-tip BBQ oysters, oyster-mushroom sliders, oyster BLTs, raw oysters with ginger granita, oyster-coconut ceviche and a fried oyster banh mi sandwich.

This year, we can look forward to a raw oyster BBQ grilled on an avocado half from Lisa Dirkes Thomas at Pacifica Catering (can’t wait to try that!) and a scrumptious fried oyster concoction from Miguel at The Little Fish Market. The Oyster Cove will have many, many more oyster dishes, where you can vote for People’s Choice on the festival’s app. Don’t forget to buy additional tasting tickets for they oysters and beverages – they are not included in the main entry fee.

So grab your friends, blankets/chairs and appetites and bring them on down to shuck it in Avila Beach this Saturday!

Central Coast Oyster Festival in Avila Beach
Central Coast Oyster Festival in Avila Beach
Central Coast Oyster Festival in Avila Beach
Central Coast Oyster Festival in Avila Beach
Central Coast Oyster Festival in Avila Beach
Central Coast Oyster Festival in Avila Beach
Central Coast Oyster Festival in Avila Beach
Central Coast Oyster Festival in Avila Beach

Filed Under: Festivals, San Luis Obispo county Tagged With: Avila Beach, Avila Beach Golf Resort, Central Coast Oyster Festival, Consilience & Tre Anelli Wines, Derby Wine, Oyster Fest, oyster festival

Before Footer

  • #TastyTuesday If you haven't tried #SparklingWine at @biddleranchvineyard in #EdnaValley, now's the time! This wine should satisfy any #Champagne lover with its yeasty notes, flavors of tart green apple, fine bubbles, and crisp, elegant finish. It’s clean, with just a hint of almond, and absolutely #delicious.

Learn more at the link in our bio!
  • There he is! @wheresshelby
・・・
@garagistefestival @visitsyv @solvangusa #fridaynightopening #garagistesolvang2019 #sbcwine #santaynezvalley #lotsofgreatwine #seeyoutomorrow #grandtasting
  • Can't wait to try this #PetNat #SparklingWine from @cutruzzolawine!
・・・
@winetraveleats thanks for the great description of our sparkling #PetNatRiesling, just one of several amazing #Riesling and #PinotNoir we produce and grow in #Cambria 🍷#cheers
  • Can't wait to taste the new Blanc de Noir from @torettifamilyvineyard!
・・・
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the crew was bottling sparkling wine... Order your party tickets today. Link is in our profile. Contact jason@toretti.com for the discount code if you don't have it already. 
#SparklingWine #Bubbles #TorettiFamilyVineyard #drinklocal #SantaBarbara #champagneparty #Pinot #PinotNoir #limitedproduction #EstateGrown #FamilyWinery #Wine #wineclub #Toretti #saluteatutti
  • Winter's Don't-Miss-Dish in #Edible #SantaBarbara magazine: #GreenHeuvos at #ScarlettBegonia!

On the menu this winter, “Green Heuvos” was inspired by a trip to #BigSur, where Fleming experienced a new kind of #HeuvosRancheros with #grilledshrimp and local garnishes. After collaborating with her culinary team, she decided to make her huevos green, using tomatillos and watermelon radishes from Sunrise Organic Farms in Lompoc, and avocados from AvoGanic in Carpinteria. 
Read more and get recipe at the link in our bio!

@ediblesb @scarlett_begonia1 #SantaBarbara #breakfast #brunch #eggs #tomatillo #yummy #deliciousness

Footer

Categories

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2019 · Wellness Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in