Just imagine it is a beautiful summer's day and you are enroute to a wine tasting and lunch in Paso Robles Wine Country. Our visit to Wild Horse Winery and Vineyards was the perfect ending to our two-day #WBC14 Pre-conference wine blogger tour of Paso Robles Wine Country. Wild Horse was named, as a tribute to the wild mustangs that once lived in the area. Rumor has it that the name might also have a connection with the Cal Poly mascot, a galloping horse. Whatever inspired the naming of Wild Horse, it has been transformed from its humble beginnings over 30 years ago, to one of the top producers of Central Coast premium wines. As I tasted Wild Horse wines, I discovered more stories behind the wines.
A Few Wine Stories
When we arrived at Wild Horse Winery we were welcomed by winemaker, Chissy Whittmann. Chrissy introduced us to the wines that we would taste during our visit. Whenever I visit a winery I so love spending time with the winemaker.
The two welcoming wines that I tasted were:
1. Central Coast Floyd Rosé 2013, and
2. Paso Robles Verdelho 2013.
There are always stories behind a wine label. This is certainly true at Wild Horse. The "Floyd" Rosé 2013 is a special tribute to the resident llama, Floyd. Floyd get his name from Pink Floyd and hence it is appropriate to name a a rosé wine after him. After all Floyd has been watching over sheep who mow the vegetation on the back half of the winery property for 15 years. This is the third vintage, 2013, of "Floyd" Rosé. It is a blend, with the majority from a Champagne clone of Pinot Noir and the remainder from Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese. I loved this rosé.
Verdelho is native to Portugal and Madeira where it is commonly fortified to produce white port or Madeira. In Australia Verdelho is popular as an alternative to Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. Verdelho has been produced at Wild Horse since 2000. I especially like the unique aromas of the Verdelho 2013 wine. If you have not tried Verdelho check it out.
Later during lunch we were introduced to three more Wild Horse wines. Our lunch was in the barrel room. I love dining in the barrel room. It is especially fun to dine there with fellow wine bloggers. Here the wine stories shifted to well, more wine stories.
Our table setting was quite inviting.
That day for lunch I had Vegetarian Tacos with two salads (garden and quinoa). Lunch was so delicious.
The Wild Horse wines served during lunch were:
1. Central Coast Chardonnay 2012,
2. Paso Robles Unbridled Merlot 2011, and
3. Central Coast Pinot Noir 2012.
The Chardonnay, the Merlot and the Pinot Noir wines were sipped, enjoyed and discussed. It was as wine should be. The wine conversations were part of our meal.
Then there was dessert, Chocolate Fondant. I was in chocolate desert heaven, with Wild Horse wines of course.
All too soon our lunch visit to Wild Horse was over. However, we did get a little time to visit the tasting room. I selected to do a side by side tasting of two Pinot Noirs. Pinot Noirs are Wild Horse's flagship wine.
These are two fine Pinot Noirs. These epitomize Wild Horse wines.
Before leaving I just had to take a look at how the vineyards were doing. I am sorry Floyd I did not drop by to say goodbye. I guess I will have to return to see you and the other llamas, Dali Llama and his mom. Needless to say, you are doing a great job helping with the sustainability operations at Wild Horse.
A Few Wine Stories
When we arrived at Wild Horse Winery we were welcomed by winemaker, Chissy Whittmann. Chrissy introduced us to the wines that we would taste during our visit. Whenever I visit a winery I so love spending time with the winemaker.
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| Wild Horse Wines © Spaswinefood |
1. Central Coast Floyd Rosé 2013, and
2. Paso Robles Verdelho 2013.
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| Central Coast "Floyd" Rosé 2013 © Spaswinefood |
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| Paso Robles Verdelho 2013 © Spaswinefood |
Verdelho is native to Portugal and Madeira where it is commonly fortified to produce white port or Madeira. In Australia Verdelho is popular as an alternative to Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. Verdelho has been produced at Wild Horse since 2000. I especially like the unique aromas of the Verdelho 2013 wine. If you have not tried Verdelho check it out.
Later during lunch we were introduced to three more Wild Horse wines. Our lunch was in the barrel room. I love dining in the barrel room. It is especially fun to dine there with fellow wine bloggers. Here the wine stories shifted to well, more wine stories.
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| Wild Horse Barrel Room © Spaswinefood |
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| Dining in the Wild Horse Barrel Room © Spaswinefood |
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| Lunch at Wild Horse © Spaswinefood |
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| Tacos & Salad, Wild Horse © Spaswinefood |
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| Inviting Lunch, Wild Horse © Spaswinefood |
1. Central Coast Chardonnay 2012,
2. Paso Robles Unbridled Merlot 2011, and
3. Central Coast Pinot Noir 2012.
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| Wild Horse Wines © Spaswinefood |
Then there was dessert, Chocolate Fondant. I was in chocolate desert heaven, with Wild Horse wines of course.
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| Chocolate Fondant © Spaswinefood |
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| Side-by-side Tasting of Wild Horse Pinot Noirs © Spaswinefood |
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| Wild Horse, Santa Maria Valley, Cheval Sauvage Pinot Noir 2011 © Spaswinefood |
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| Wild Horse, Righetti Vineyard, Unbridled Pinot Noir © Spaswinefood |
Before leaving I just had to take a look at how the vineyards were doing. I am sorry Floyd I did not drop by to say goodbye. I guess I will have to return to see you and the other llamas, Dali Llama and his mom. Needless to say, you are doing a great job helping with the sustainability operations at Wild Horse.
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| Wild Horse Estate Vineyard © Spaswinefood |
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| Grapes Ripening at Wild Horse Vineyard © Spaswinefood |
Special thanks to Paso Robles Wine Country for hosting this pre-conference #WBC14 tour. If your wine adventures take you to Paso Robles, California's third largest and fastest growing wine region, put Wild Horse Winery at the top of your list of over 180+ wineries. You will find that Paso Robles Wine Country is a good source for further information on Paso Robles wineries. The California Winery Advisor is another great source for overall information on California wineries and Paso Robles in particular. I invite you to join me in my travels in Paso Robles in search of the best in Spaswinefood. You can also visit my travel column at the Examiner.
Sharon
July 2014
Paso Robles, California
© Spaswinefood
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Wild Horse Wines © Spaswinefood
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