Tres Hermanas -Teixeira Family Vineyards

Driving North from Highway 154 on Foxen Canyon Road through beautiful rolling hills and past cattle ranches and vineyards is Tres Hermanas. When you drive up to its wine tasting room you notice the barn and the sprawling cattle ranch. To me it has a unique vibe much different from other wine tasting rooms. It's a little more intimate and rustic very cowboy meets vinter. Ann and I first went up November of 08' and loved their Syrah's and Rose of Syrah along with their Pinot Gris. We joined their wine club on the spot. We went back again during the Christmas break with the kids. This time we came back with a Reisling that I love, and this from a person who is a red wine fanatic. We also loved the Syrah/Sangiovese. We went back again in January of 09' and made reservations for their new Club Member picnic area. Our brother in-law or technically my sisters brother in-law Carlos from Madrid, Spain was turning 40 and we were able to finally bring some family after raving about the area for the past 3 months. We arrived and were immediately greeted and told our table was ready without even saying a word!! Talk about knowing your clients it was more like old friends. We had stopped before hand at the Los Olivos Grocery for lunch supplies cheeses 3 types, dates, sandwiches and salads. Like I said we love food as much as wine. I picked a 05' Syrah and Rose of Syrah to go with our food. The picnic
area is set underneath a huge Oak tree the picnic area is in a park like yard and has views of the vineyard the mountains and surrounding hills. It was nice to spend time with my sister, brother in-law Steve, his sister Robin and Carlos. Every body enjoyed the wines, but the scenery, the Oak tree just put the icing on everything. We walked the vineyard a little and had the best time. It was much more like being at a friends house, than at a winery. We will be back again and are awaiting our wine shipment!! We're planning a Easter Vacation trip and we may be bringing 20 people plus the kids on the next one. The picnic area is more than large enough to keep the kids happy while we lunch and enjoy a few bottles with everyone. This is our favorite place so far....
Here is a link to their website; http://treshermanaswinery.com/

Santa Ynez-Los Olivos-Santa Maria Wines

Living in Southern California has its perks. Not the least of which are our Vineyards in Santa Barbara County. We have been spending time traveling to the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley. Discovering all the small wine makers and vineyards has been a true joy helping to make the transition into our 40's a little easier. Along the way we have shared these places with our family and friends and now wish to share them with you.
The wines being produced are nothing short of spectacular, we are not trained in wines but we know what we like. The three wineries we want to share first are Tres Hermanas, Bridlewood and River Bench wineries. We discovered these gems while on a belated anniversary getaway while staying at the Hadsten House ( great wine and cheese hour and jacuzzi) in Solvang. We picked up the wine guide tour map and started our self guided tour. Driving through Los Olivos and stopping at the Los Olivos Grocery Store off Highway 154 we picked up some great imported cheeses and sandwiches from the deli. By the way the Grocery store is stocked with gourmet cheeses, breads and just about anything else you could want to eat. During the summer they have a Santa Maria BBQ going for some fantastic tri-tip, if you couldn't tell we love good food as much as wine!! Now for the wineries....