Saturday Wine Seminar: Central California

Some argue that the Central Coast, as an appellation, is meaningless, and they wouldn’t be wrong. It indicates a huge swath of land, spanning the entirety of California’s coastline from San Francisco Bay in the north to Santa Barbara County in the south. Following the approval of the three million acre North Coast AVA, the Central Coast indicates little sense of “place” that defines quality vineyard sites. And boutique wine consumers are too savvy to ignore that California suffers from a self created branding problem, marketing its wines with images of vineyards lining coastal hills, when in fact the majority of grapes are grown on flat stretches of desert. But for our tasting on Saturday, we aim to prove that the Central Coast is home to a plethora of nested AVAs that demonstrate the outstanding natural terroir of the Sunshine state. Take the cool coastal climate of the Santa Cruz Mountain AVA, where high altitude vineyards mingle with redwood forest. Or travel east of the Salinas River, where sandy soil and a more arid climate help cultivate historically world class Zinfandel in the “Pass of the Oaks.” Or how about one California’s original missions, Santa Barbara, where a historical precedent for viticulture has given rise to some of the most elegant and refined Pinot Noirs in America? Though the vinous output of the Central Coast varies considerably in terms of grape varieties and styles, there is an unmatched level of quality found across the board. We aim to break down this giant of American viticulture.

– Birichino, Malvasia Bianca Monterey, 2018
– Tablas Creek, Patelin de Tablas Blanc, 2016
– Morgan, Chardonnay SLH ‘Highland’, 2016
– Diatom, Chardonnay Santa Barbara County ‘Bar-M Vineyard’, 2018
– Harrington, Corvina ‘Siletto Vineyard’, 2018
– Hitching Post, Pinot Noir ‘Highliner’, 2016
– Ridge, Zinfandel Paso Robles, 2017
– Ex Post Facto, Syrah Santa Barbara County, 2016

The Seminar begins promptly at 2pm.
Includes an appropriately paired snack.
Seating is limited.
Tickets can be purchased below.
Must be 21 or older to attend. Tickets are non-refundable.
$20 Seminar Fee, credited with a $200 purchase.