We had a 10:30 am tasting at Round Pond Estate for Olive Oil today. We've never tasted olive oil before, but we had an idea of what we were in for (thanks Conde Nast Traveler). Shots of olive oil were lined up on the bar after we took the brief tour. It felt a bit weird to taste olive oil not on food or with bread, but you really can taste a major difference from the store brands. We tasted Spanish and Italian first and then a Meyer Lemon and Blood Orange oil. Then they have you taste the red wine vinegar by pouring it over sugar cubes and having you suck it out. You lose the acidity this way and can really taste the grapes through it. Pretty cool!
We moved across the street to our tasting with Khristopher at the Round Pond Estate Winery. He was very knowledgable and totally laid back. We ended up joining their wine club (note to self, don't join the very first one...wait until you visit more!). They do make excellent wines, but they are only sold out of their place and at exclusive shops nearby (and online). Most of the boutique wineries out there are like this.
Interesting fact: a grapevine can root itself down 100 feet to find water, which means they don't have to water as much out there.
It was really hot when we left there (103) so the top was back up. We headed to our next stop at Kuleto. This was an interesting trip down "Stage Coach Gulch Rd" and then to the mile long windy trail up to the vineyard itself, where we got a heady lesson in how great Pat Kuleto (renown restaurateur) is. He is a god according to Dan the tour guide and tasting leader.
It was a beautiful view from up there (I could live there any time, and in fact that place sold me on owning my own vineyard in another life). It was the surface of the sun up there though, HOT, HOT, HOT!!
Interesting fact 2: the farmers are out everyday making sure the grapes aren't ripening ahead of schedule, those that are in a hurry are pruned and dropped.
After that we returned to our bungalow before dinner at "Farm" at The Carneros Inn. Really great restaurant. (note to self, stay here next time)
Interesting fact: a grapevine can root itself down 100 feet to find water, which means they don't have to water as much out there.
It was really hot when we left there (103) so the top was back up. We headed to our next stop at Kuleto. This was an interesting trip down "Stage Coach Gulch Rd" and then to the mile long windy trail up to the vineyard itself, where we got a heady lesson in how great Pat Kuleto (renown restaurateur) is. He is a god according to Dan the tour guide and tasting leader.
It was a beautiful view from up there (I could live there any time, and in fact that place sold me on owning my own vineyard in another life). It was the surface of the sun up there though, HOT, HOT, HOT!! Interesting fact 2: the farmers are out everyday making sure the grapes aren't ripening ahead of schedule, those that are in a hurry are pruned and dropped.
After that we returned to our bungalow before dinner at "Farm" at The Carneros Inn. Really great restaurant. (note to self, stay here next time)
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