I just noted there is 109 vineries in the Santa Barbara area. I am sure there is more than that, but listed in the small brochure I found at one of them I get better idea of the volume of wine from this area.
Missing out on Palmina and Fiddlehead in Lompoc we headed for Mosby, but on the road we saw Foley (http://www.foleywines.com) and took a quick decision to stop. They do have some good wines, but compare price and wine we did not think it matched what we was looking for.
Another suddenly stop was when we saw the sign for Babcock Winery, but when we entered the gate there was another sign towards Melville Winery (http://melvillewinery.com) so we went there.
Great tasting room in a great Italian styled villa with a view straight out on the grapes, tasting the wine and looking at the price tags there was a match not only by the taste of the wine to what we like, but it will in the future also be worth wile sign up for their wine club.
Than it was to track down Mosby Wines (http://www.mosbywines.com), it was not easy straight away to find it, no sign from 246 and no sign for the Santa Rosa Rd as we could see. So knowing driving to far we turned back to give it a shot and we managed to find it.
Nothing fancy, no new Italian buildings to attract the business, no restaurants, just a small tasting room in the old barn at the farm. It was just the perfect setting for us. That we will have a different setting in Italy, I am sure of, but at this place we also could feel home and enjoy that Bill Mosby was doing.
It is his love for Italian grapes that made us visit, and it is his love that made us sign up for his wine club so we know we could have this regular shipment of his wine 3-4 times a year.
Starting with a light refreshing Pinot Grigio with aromas of ripe pear, apple and vanilla bean, the crisp citrus taste was followed by a dry, clean finish. Historically, Pinot Grigio originates from the Fruili Venezia Guilla of Italy. Said to be a mutation of Pinot Noir grape, the Pinot Grigio seems unsure whether it is red or white wine grape, hence, grigio, meaning gray.
Bill Mosby was the first winemaker in Santa Barbara County to release Pinot Grigio wine and continues to release much success with international acclaim.
Another white wine we tasted was the Mosby Dolcetto, produced carefully tended estate-grown grapes, creating a full bodied wine that can be enjoyed with everyday meals. The 2007 Mosby Dolcetto has brilliant aromatics of brown spice, herbs and white pepper. Mouth-filling flavor of yellow-fleshed plum and cola lead to the honest, lingering finish. It should be served with interesting cheeses, hearty pastas, grilled meats or pizza.
The Moseby Sangiovese has a lot going on! We detected amazing scents of cocoa, dried cherries, lavender and lilac; these delightful aromas progressed into layer flavors of crushed dark berries, spice and light oak. The full body of this release is nicely balanced by brisk acidity and smooth tannins, making it an ideal wine for food pairing like beef or game ragus, tomato-based pasta sauces or spicy Tuscan-style chicken. Even it is ready to drink it can hold for three to five years in cellar.
The Mosby La Suduzione is Bill’s fifth release of this rare Cal-Italian varietal. The Lagrein grape is named after the Lagarina Valley of Trentino, although it is now primarily grown at Gries on the outskirt of Bolzano, the velvet violet colored wine offers aromas of dark plums, cocoa and wild wood mint.
For dessert we can enjoy wine made from raspberries, jammy, raspberry fruit with a bright finish. Dessert in a glass is a good alternative to port.
Note that they also produce a lot of other tempting “stuff” we did not taste, as mentioned before we did by a bottle of Grappa.
And are you looking for Slivovitz you find it here.
The last final taste of the day I just had to do.
Named after my favorite place in Italy, and hopefully the place for us to retire Lucca, this non-vintage, Primitivo-based red has a nose of dark berry and sweet brown spice. The flavor has classic elements of bright berry fruit hints of forest floor and is supported by a firm tannic finish.
The wine has been aged in older French oak barrels which preserve the bright fruit character and smooth finish. Open now… or hold. This is a perfect wine for everyday meals, and pairs very well with pasta in tomato sauces, veal dishes, poultry, beef, or pizza. Salute!!!!
The next we did was to have some food before we started at the local toccata winemaker and the Mandolina wines.
Ahead of us was both the “lista del vino bianco” and “lista della riserva”.
2005 “Bianco di Bianco” Sparkling wine,a 2/3 Muscat and 1/3 Chenin Blanc. Spicy coriander flavors with orange and peach from the Muscat Canelli blend wonderfully with perfumed melon of Chenin Blanc. Delightfully distinctive with fruit and aromas not found in traditional Champagnes.
2010 Toccata Pinot Grigio, crisp with natural acidity, this wine will be a fine complement to salads, fruit and cheese when we get home.
Than my surprise, Laila better prepared for this one, 2009 Malvasia Bianca. Fresh white flowers like gardenia, summer fruits including apricot and peach are anchored with a hint of amber incense in the Malvasia made from 2 acres in Los Alamos. An off-dry style, the slight sweetness and intense perfume quality makes for exquisite flavors to pair with a wide range of cuisines. ¤ bottles in our care with us on the road.
The 2009 Moscato has slight residual sugar with just enough sweetness to accentuate honeysuckles, orange blossom, orange tea, and honey aromas. It displayed a pretty character with a pleaseant smooth mouth feel and lingering finish.
2010 Muscat Canelli is a taste for me, sweet, Muscat Canelli is the oldest cultivated grape in France and have a rich history. The berries are small with intense perfume and flavor. The wine has light residual sugar to enhance the natural fruit and spice in the grape and concentrated aromas of tropical fruit, melon, and citrus. This light, low alcohol style wine is particularly delicious with fruit and cheese I am sure.
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