Today it was a first clear goal to find the Firestone Estate. My top priority on this wine adventure and it all goes back to the very first Bachelor on TV 10 years ago or so. When Adam who now is involved in marketing down in Santa Barbara showed the estate on one of the shows, I tasted some of their award winning wine 5-6 years back and wanted to taste more and see the place.
After getting early out of Solvang we could have an early adventure and fit in the time that was needed. Got to Firestone with not too many challenges at 10am, I will get back to the tasting and our recommendations and rather show some of the pictures from the tour we took and great presentation by the guide that followed us around.
We started with the end or beginning of the wine when you open, the show case tree, cork tree.
Heading across to the Merlot grapes, showing and explaining how their where grown and protected, or not protected as the fruit started to show readiness.
On to the receiving area, the larger stainless steel presses and tanks and the Oak barrels that also give the wine some of the taste and quality.
In the library it was possible to find a wine from all the types of wine made and every year going back to the early 70’s when Firestone (yes- the tire manufacturer at that time) took over.
Just to have mentioned, Firestone sold in 2007 to Foley, winery we visited the other day, for those who want to Google him, there are many vineyards in his position and it is a “money man”
It was a great tour and new understanding of the wine making process as well knowledge about Firestone was entered the memory line in my filing cabinet.
Next stop was Zaca Mesa, again the tasting will be covered later on, nice small place a bit difficult to find, but we just needed to be patient to find it. Some bikes on the road and for some female bikers I guess it just was a needed stop on the road and not a wine tour they had, not like the bachelorette group that arrived in a 40ft+ long limo.
Last wine tasting on the road to San Luis Obispo was Rancho Sisquoc Winery. Just picked from a map we bought in Solvang by the name and what we could see of wine they made.
And again tasting will come later, but I have to mentioned one special wine that was a buy for us filling up the case so that we after 40% of the tour we have 24 bottles. I am sure we will not continue like that, it mean 60 bottles to bring home. That will take years unless we have a wine tasting and presentation in Houston later in the year or sale to The Tasting Room.
OK it was the special grape Sylvaner, it is a wine that is unique to Rancho Siscquoc, as they are the only producer of this wine in California. Hints of light lime, apricot, sweet pear and roasted peanuts which also follow through in the fantastic flavor. Crisp finish and a hint of lingering sweetness, but either you need to find the place first or buy online.
On the way to this winery we saw for the first time Coyote, it wanted to pass the road, went back in to the hill and just looked at us as we stopped. Funny animal, best to stay inside the car so we could reach our destination for the day, San Luis Obispo.
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