by Laura Ness - HerVineNess on May 9, 2010
The Ritz-Carlton will be featuring Big Basin Vineyards as the winery of the month for the entire month of May. Every weekend at the Eno Wine Bar, a flight of Big Basin wines will be offered including the 2007 Odeon Syrah/Cabernet (93 pts, Wine Spectator), the 2007 Mandala Syrah (91 pts, Wine Spectator; 93 pts, Connoisseur’s Guide & Tanzer), and the 2007 Alfaro Pinot Noir (92 pts, Connoisseur’s Guide; 91 pts, Tanzer’s Int’l Wine Cellar).
A Big Basin representative will also be on hand to answer questions and tell you more about the wines every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening, from 3pm-6pm.
Take advantage of this opportunity to see this stunningly set ocean front hotel. The whitewater views from the ENO Wine Bar are amazing, and the people-watching is nothing to sniff at, either. You’ll be tempted to stay for dinner at Navio, the resort’s wonderful world class restaurant. Or just enjoy another glass of great Big Basin wine as you watch the sun set over the Pacific.
Big Basin Vineyards Winetasting at the Ritz
Fridays, 4-6pm
Saturdays and Sundays, 3-6pm
May 7-9
May 14-16
May 21-23
May 28-30
Special weekend packages are available. Check the resort’s website for more information.
Tagged as:
Big Basin Vineyards,
Half Moon Bay,
Mandala,
Odeon,
Pinot Noir,
Ritz Carlton,
syrah,
Wine Spectator
by Laura Ness - HerVineNess on April 25, 2010
The car, ill-suited to a washed out dirt road, struggled through running streams, threaded its way between rockslides and over ravine-like ruts on its way to sure ruin. At any moment, the climb to the top of the mountain would come to a premature end, I felt sure of it in all my bones, especially the ones in my ass.
Luckily, winemaker Ian Brand hails from Connecticut where winter driving is learned early. plus His stints tracking endangered species in the Forest and Park services engrained in him a sense of finesse for handling crappy roads. He says that being the youngest of the Park crowd that hung with the likes of Ed Abbey, he’d get handed the keys to drive them all home, completely shit-faced, over nasty mountain terrain.
Sure enough, we didn’t quite make it to the top: the beast was bested by thick mud, where a bit of clay clumped into the granitic soils to create glue. We jumped out and hiked through the steep, low-trellised vineyards on our way to the payoff: a sweeping, birds of prey view of the entire Salinas Valley. 2200 feet below us, shimmering to the west, lay the Santa Lucia Highlands bench, gleaming [...]
Tagged as:
Big Basin Vineyards,
chardonnay,
Cima Collina,
Coastview,
De Tierra,
Ian Brand,
syrah,
Tony Craig
by Laura Ness - HerVineNess on April 6, 2010
Make plans to visit one of the truly hidden gems of Santa Cruz Mountains wine country this coming Saturday, April 10 from noon til 5pm.
Big Basin Vineyards in Boulder Creek, on the way to Big Basin Park, will hold an April Open House featuring tastings of all the currently released wines, as well as some barrel samples of upcoming vintages.
Friends of the Vineyard are invited to pick up their wine packages, which include two each of the new releases: 2007 Alfaro Pinot Noir, 2007 Mandala Syrah and 2007 Odeon, Syrah//Cabernet blend.
Dan Robbins will be playing music and Desiree will prepare Syrah and Pinot-friendly foods, including Bison Meatballs, herb encrusted baby red and fingerling potatoes, and assorted cheeses.
Taste this amazing lineup!
2009 Aura Rosé of Syrah
2007 Bald Mountain Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains
2007 Alfaro Family Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains
2007 Santa Cruz/Monterey Syrah
2006 Rattlesnake Rock Syrah, Santa Cruz Mountains
2007 Fairview Road Ranch Syrah, Santa Lucia Highlands
2007 Mandala Syrah, Santa Cruz Mountains
2007 Odeon Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon
2009 Lester Family Pinot Noir (Barrel Sample)
2008 Fairview Road Ranch Syrah (Barrel Sample)
2008 Mandala Syrah (Barrel Sample)
2005 Rattlesnake Rock Syrah, Santa Cruz Mountains
The reviews on these wines are rolling in with Connoisseurs’ Guide giving the 2007 Alfaro [...]
Tagged as:
Boulder Creek,
Mandala,
Odeon,
Rattkesnake,
syrah
by Laura Ness - HerVineNess on March 31, 2010
Big Basin Vineyards in Boulder Creek makes some of the most amazing Syrahs and Pinots in the region: bring on the lamb, the rabbit, the duck and the bison, and let them do their special pepper-packed, wild game-loving dance. Come sample the new releases, current releases, a library treat and some 08 and 09 barrel samples at Big Basin this weekend for the Spring Release Celebration. A great way to celebrate Easter.
Enjoy these powerhouse wines with creative cuisine by caterer Desiree Ledsome, who’ll cook up Syrah and Pinot-friendly dishes like:
1) Bison meatballs with feta and garlic spinach
2) Herb roasted potatoes
3) Bites size Lamb chop served with a coriander chutney sauce
4)Goat cheese served with Crackers and fresh bread
5)Artichoke parmesan spread served with toasted baguette
6) Berries and fruit
Music by Jefe Mogalian (Guitar and bass) and John Blaufarb (guitar) with Jeff Hobbes (Sax, flute, guitar) – known for playing funky, jazzy, and rock influenced music.
What a great way to celebrate Easter, Spring, some wonderful wines, and make new friends on the highway of life.
Tagged as:
Big Basin,
Easter,
pinot. bison,
syrah
by Cheryl Wolhar - MyVineSpace on March 1, 2010
I had the opportunity to pour wine out at Big Basin Vineyards on Sunday and had a really great time meeting and chatting with everyone. Everyone that visited us at the winery on Sunday got the chance to try the 09 Lester Family Vineyard Pinot, the 09 Alfaro Family Vineyard Pinot and the 08 Coastview Syrah. All are still in the barrel and about 1 year away from bottling, however all are already fabulous. A couple of our visitors said they wish they could buy them now. I wish I could have a small barrel of the Lester at my house. It was definitely my favorite although all were great!
Tagged as:
@MyVineSpace,
Big Basin Vineyards,
cheryl wolhar,
syrah,
The Winery,
wine
