Chipotlemonger said:

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Big name acquisition in wine.

Rombauer Vineyards Purchased by E. & J. Gallo Winery

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Just saw a new one... they are on a spending spree with high end Napa wineries.

Gallo's Luxury Wine Group Welcomes Massican to Portfolio, Partners with Winemaker/Founder Dan Petroski

For those that aren't aware of Massican, it's a white wine winery that is very highly revered among wine professionals.

One of the best values I've found. $13 at Costco.

I've been to this winery in Montepulciano. Most of their wines are well above this price ping.

Anyhow I was surprised to see this at only a3.9 on Vivino but whatever.

Been there as well. Some of their other wines represent good values from the area. If I had "daily drinkers" this brand would be in the lineup.

Has anyone visited Bordeaux in December? We're considering going the week before Christmas.

Heading to Santa Barbara in November. Not staying in the town itself, will be in the Los Olivos/Solvang/Santa Ynez area. Winery recommendations? I am vaguely familiar with a couple, but I've never been to the area and it's out of my normal Sonoma/Napa wheelhouse!

I imagine we will hit up at least a couple for actual tastings during the stay, and maybe grab a glass in one of those towns at a tasting room that sells by the glass if anyone knows of good options for that.

We are Pinot/Chardonnay/Syrah fans in general.

Should have added, any breakfast/lunch in the actual town of Santa Barbara and any meal recs in the Santa Ynez/Los Olivos/Solvang area would also be much appreciated!

We are fans of Dragonette. Really enjoyed a few of their Chardonnays, Pinots, and Syrah. Didn't go to the winery itself, just did the tasting room in Los Olivos. Stolpman was probably our second favorite in town.

https://dragonettecellars.com/visit-us/

Had a few people over this weekend so opened a bunch of daily drinkers. I don't really have daily drinkers for me but my wife does. She's been slacking so it was nice to clear some cellar room.



I only had one glass. It was the Pott.

I'm going to have to take my wine check next time I fly through CDG. This morning I picked up a 2021 Domaine Latour Corton for 62 and a 2021 Maison Champy Savigny-Les-Beaune for 25.

These work great. Just pack 'em in your checked luggage.

Bubble wine bag

cecil77 said:

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These work great. Just pack 'em in your checked luggage.

Bubble wine bag

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wine check will hold a dozen though!

mpl35 said:

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cecil77 said:

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These work great. Just pack 'em in your checked luggage.

Bubble wine bag

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wine check will hold a dozen though!

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I've gone up to 8 in a large suitcase mixed with clothing.

I've got two of them but have decided that wine check is a hassle. We just ship now.

cecil77 said:

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mpl35 said:

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cecil77 said:

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These work great. Just pack 'em in your checked luggage.

Bubble wine bag

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wine check will hold a dozen though!

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I've gone up to 8 in a large suitcase mixed with clothing.

I've got two of them but have decided that wine check is a hassle. We just ship now.

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I usually only take my two to Napa. They don't roll worth crap and they suck when they have crappy handles. And wait to come out of oversized luggage in Denver. I've never tried the bubbles…usually just use towels. I was tempted by the suitcases that have a partition and spot for a few but they cost too much for the occasional use!

Yeah, I've got one of those as well, and the issue with mine is poor thermal insulation. Fine for breakage, but don't trust the temps. I'll bring a few back in the bubble bags (yeah, towels work fine) and just ship the rest.

Full disclosure my wife bi... uhh... complains so much about the wine checks that it's just not worth it.

I keep a few bubble bags in my big suitcase just in case. For trips when I know we're buying wine I take the wine check. I've lugged ours all over France and Italy, mainly it's less of a pain than trying to ship wine from France.

txam92 said:

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greenband said:

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Today only

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Thanks for the heads up!

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Uggh. I missed this post. I got in on this last year. Some great deals.

Chipotlemonger said:

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Heading to Santa Barbara in November. Not staying in the town itself, will be in the Los Olivos/Solvang/Santa Ynez area. Winery recommendations? I am vaguely familiar with a couple, but I've never been to the area and it's out of my normal Sonoma/Napa wheelhouse!

I imagine we will hit up at least a couple for actual tastings during the stay, and maybe grab a glass in one of those towns at a tasting room that sells by the glass if anyone knows of good options for that.

We are Pinot/Chardonnay/Syrah fans in general.

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you are going to love it, great area to visit.

Eat at Industrial Eats in Buellton and go by the Cailloux cheese shop in Solvang. Both are awesome. big fan of breakfast at bob's Well Bread or Plenty on Bell.


In Los Olivos, lots of tasting room options, but would highly recommend Liquid Farm tasting room for chard. and you can buy glasses of wine there and hang out. Good spot. I like Storm, also, for pinot and some interesting sauv. blanc.

In Los Alamos I think tasting rooms for Tribute to Grace and Lo Fi are worth checking out. Good wines.


If you are there on a weekend, I'd see if you can do a vineyard tasting at Stolpman. They do a nice job and will take you on a tour of the property. They make a pretty wide variety of wines, but syrah and other rhone varieties are a focus, plus a few whites I really like. They have a tasting room in Los Olivos if you can't go to the winery property.

Thanks for the Santa Ynez area recs y'all!

Chipotlemonger said:

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Thanks for the Santa Ynez area recs y'all!

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Now give me your favorite Sonoma area rec for a winery visit with great views/atmosphere where you can relax a bit..

I'll be in the area in November

bularry said:

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Chipotlemonger said:

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Thanks for the Santa Ynez area recs y'all!

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Now give me your favorite Sonoma area rec for a winery visit with great views/atmosphere where you can relax a bit..

I'll be in the area in November

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Which part of Sonoma?

Chipotlemonger said:

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bularry said:

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Chipotlemonger said:

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Thanks for the Santa Ynez area recs y'all!

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Now give me your favorite Sonoma area rec for a winery visit with great views/atmosphere where you can relax a bit..

I'll be in the area in November

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Which part of Sonoma?

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Northwest, house is in Guerneville and will be going up Dry Creek one day and eating some in Healdsburg..

bularry said:

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Chipotlemonger said:

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bularry said:

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Chipotlemonger said:

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Thanks for the Santa Ynez area recs y'all!

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Now give me your favorite Sonoma area rec for a winery visit with great views/atmosphere where you can relax a bit..

I'll be in the area in November

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Which part of Sonoma?

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Northwest, house is in Guerneville and will be going up Dry Creek one day and eating some in Healdsburg..

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In that case, going back to this: "winery visit with great views/atmosphere where you can relax a bit"

I would recommend MacRostie and Copain first off. A third rec would be Hartford.

MacRostie = Chard, Pinot primarily, some sparkling/rose/bordeaux blends though too; more of a hip look and atmosphere
Copain = Chard, Pinot, Syrah; the wine here is going to be much more acid driven if that's your jam; the views are immaculate
Hartford = Chard, Pinot, Zin primarily; tucked away in the forest, nice views, but not as big of views as the first 2 I mentioned; mainly mentioning it because of proximity and the high quality of wine

bularry said:

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Chipotlemonger said:

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bularry said:

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Chipotlemonger said:

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Thanks for the Santa Ynez area recs y'all!

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Now give me your favorite Sonoma area rec for a winery visit with great views/atmosphere where you can relax a bit..

I'll be in the area in November

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Which part of Sonoma?

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Northwest, house is in Guerneville and will be going up Dry Creek one day and eating some in Healdsburg..

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Quivira has a nice setup in Dry Creek. In Healdsburg, I really like Barndiva for brunch or dinner.

In Dry Creek I love Reeve for atmosphere and location/views. It's a really cool property and the wines are superb. They've exploded in popularity in recent years though, not the same experience going now as it was the first time I went in 2019. They've got a little big in their britches, used to feel more homey. Still good and worth a visit though. Heads up, they jack up the tasting price if the group is large.

If you want specific Healdsburg recs I can give some too, I can go on and on on that topic.

What's on the menu today for the game? I thinking either some some Ayoub Chardonnay (only worked through the Pinots so far) or some champagne.

If you can find it in your new wine fridge!

FriendlyAg said:

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What's on the menu today for the game? I thinking either some some Ayoub Chardonnay (only worked through the Pinots so far) or some champagne.

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Ayoub Chardonnay is outstanding.

I met the owner of Reeves when he did a wine dinner in Sugar Land several years ago. that's an interesting suggestion to consider.

been to Copain a few times, but pre-Jackson buyout. that is a nice property for views, I wasn't thinking about them.....


thanks!

I would go back to Copain. They made a few improvements out there about a year ago, which is hard to do considering how beautiful their back porch is anyways! One of the best winery views in Sonoma, and the great wines don't hurt. Definitely not the style for everyone though, like if someone was only into huge reds from Napa or the like and wanted to try some Burgundians from Sonoma.

Opened a 2017 Justin Reserve cab tonight. It was fantastic! Had it with a peppery reverse seared tri tip, which is a match made in heaven.

Got into a second bottle and went with 2018 Justin Justification. 64% Cab Franc and 36% merlot. Floral, fruity, and great QPR.

I know they are a big commercial shop and not turning out any truly world class wines, but I think they do a fantastic job across the board if you like big reds. Everything in their lineup is a great deal relative to the quality of the wine.