We are very proud of the wines produced in an around the Central Coast. We'd like to take a little extra time to fill you in on some of them with notes from owner, Bob Senn, and his great colleagues, Rina Van de Kamp, Dexter Johnson, Tim Duggan and Terri Patarak.

The PLAN is to rotate this page monthly, so check back to discover a few more gems. Much of our stock is sold out quickly, so we suggest you not delay giving us a call (1-888-SBWINES) if you see one that strikes your fancy! For more on ordering, see below.
  2000 Flying Goat Cellars Pinot Noir
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Maria Hills Vineyard
$30

Labor Day weekend 2002 marks the 9th anniversary of the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium. Our friend and customer, Karen Steinwachs, works for Norm Yost who is the winemaker behind "Flying Goat."

Santa Maria Hills is a great vineyard and Norm is a talented winemaker who has produced some of the most exquisite pinot noir ever made from this venerable vineyard. 

And there have been great pinots produced on this terroir, going back two decades and including such winemaking talent as Rick Longoria, Doug Braun of Presidio and Kathy Joseph of Fiddlehead Cellars.

Tasting Norm's wine from this vineyard expresses why many consumers and aficianados think the Santa Maria Valley produces the greatest pinot noirs in the New World!

We have never had a better selling pinot at the Emporium in nine years. Only a few hundred cases were produced. Order yours today.
 

Dexter is a retired high school English teacher from Tucson, AZ whose interest in wine dates back to the late '60s. Dexter and his wife are immigrants to the California Central Coast. As he likes to say, he has flunked retirement. Besides holding court here at the Emporium, he also works at Talley Vineyards near Arroyo Grande.

 Ca' del Solo Big House Red $9

When it comes to value priced "Wednesday Wines*," it's hard to beat offerings of Bonny Doon's Ca' del Solo label.

Need a white? Try the 2001 Malvasia Bianca. 

Need a red? You can look a long time and not find a better buy than the 2001 Big House Red. This year's version is a blend of syrah, cabernet franc, sangiovese, and eight other varieties. This easy-drinking, raspberry-scented quaffer is loaded with up front bright cherry fruit flavors. Priced at $9, it makes it easy to turn that everyday meal in to something special, and you don't need a cork screw to open it because the bottle is finished with a Stelvin (tm) closure... that's a screw top, a bit of nostalgia for those who "grew up on Annie Green Springs."

Try it with a burger today and pizza tomorrow. Need something tho go with your favorite meatloaf or with a chicken you picked up for supper at the market's deli? Big House Redis the wine for you.

*Wednesday is "Dexter Day" at the Emporium

 

Rina grew up in the Santa Ynez Valley and graduated with a B.A. in Choreography and Dance from UCLA. Rina won a coveted Stark Award for a piece of choreography she conceptualized. In the early 1990s the work was performed at UCLA. The Stark Award is to the world of arts what the Tony Award is to the world of drama. Rina has worked in the local wine industry for a number of years. She worked at the tasting room at Santa Ynez Winery and LinCourt Vineyards. She does Pilates - based work and is putting together her own dance company. She works here at the Emporium 2 1/2 days a week.		 Silver 2001 Viognier-Vogelzang Vineyard $20

Ummm....umm!! This is a big, fat, headddy wine. Aromas of lime, peaches, honeysuckle and melon. The fruit flavors abound in the taste with a mineral finish. It is a bit hot, but all is balenced well. This is one of the best viogniers I've tasted.

The news on this vineyard is that the fruit is exciting-I look forward to trying more from this vineyard.

As for the label: This is one of the newer labels and independent winemakers on the scene to watch out for. Benjamin Silver was the assistant to the winemaker at Zaca Mesa in 1994. In January '98 he took over as winemaker but was never given the title. He left in 2000. He started his label several years before he left and is continuing with
this label now. His wines are wonderful. If you want an intense pinot noir-try his 2000 Julia's Vineyard ($45).
Tim's Picks Hangar One $39.00
Infused Hangar One vodkas $42.00

Hangar One Vodka - Hold on to your hat's folks there is a delicious new player in the high quality vodka market.  Clean, bracing with just a hint of sweetness, Hangar One Vodka is delicious over ice or straight up. A must try for all vodka lovers.  But the true beauty of this brand is seen in their three flavor infusions: kaffir lime, mandarin blossom, and buddha's hand citrus.  The kaffir lime version is tart and crisp and the perfect
companion for tonic or soda.  Your Cosmopolitan has never achieved its ultimate incarnation until it is made with the buddha's hand citrus.  But my absolute favorite (and it is hard for me to pick just one) is the mandarin blossom. Its rich mouthfeel and delightful orange essence finish make it hard to resist. So don't. Try it now.
Terri's Picks Testarossa 2001 Palazzio Pinot Noir 
(fruit from Santa Cruz, Monterey,
and Santa Barbara Counties) $36

Testarossa's 2001 Palazzio pinot noir is everything this pinot lover
can't get enough of-lots of berry fruit that starts up front and
continues on into the velvety finish.

If you're planning on a Valentine's veal dish, your wine choice has been
solved. And as every pinot admirer knows, pinot noir *is* *the* wine for
lovers!

TO ORDER

Call us toll free at 1-888-729-4637 (or for the numerically challenged, 1-888-SB-WINES). If you'd like to get your order in quickly, e-mail us at with your order and a day and evening phone number. We'll call you back to get ordering information (for your protection, we do not take credit card numbers over the internet).

Don't forget to check out our unique wine and spirits list in our regular catalog!
 

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