Page 106 - San Luis Obispo Visitors Guide - Spring 2023

Wine Tasting
and tasting the 1976 pinot noir, Goldberg said he was blown away. “If I could get close to making pinot that’s this Burgundian I’d be a happy guy.”
In 1989, the couple bought 26 acres on Paso Robles’ westside. The region, blessed with cool ocean breezes blowing through the Templeton Gap, the nightly 40-degree temperature drop, plus the calcareous soils proved to be ideal for pinot grapes. The region has proven itself able of producing award-winning pinots, Windward Vineyard wines boast quite a few Double Gold medals from the
San Francisco Wine Competition most recently, with a history of award winners as well. Paso now has at least 20 wineries producing the varietal, although Windward Vineyard is the place to go for their Burgundian style.
The Burgundian approach to winemaking begins in the vineyard by harvesting grapes that are not overripe. Otherwise, the wine would be too fruity with unbal- anced flavors. The signature of a Windward pinot noir is that it’s
a perfectly balanced symphony of violets and ripe Bing cherries
layered with traces of earthy notes leading to what Goldberg calls a peacock tail finish. “If you close your eyes, all the phenolics spread out and give a long peacock tail finish. That’s why it complements so many foods.” Windward’s tradition- al French practices produce a pinot that is light, nuanced, complex, and has a long cellar life.
A visit to the tasting room is an immersive experience through time. The wine flight is a vertical tasting – four different vintages, all from the estate, all uniquely different, plus a bonus tasting of their new white pinot noir. The Eye of the Partridge is unique with white wine flavors like stone fruit and honey, with a full-bodied red wine feel.
Most days, visitors can find Goldberg and his wife Maggie D’Ambrosia or their son, Justin, in the tasting room. Try a cheese or charcuterie pairing with the flight. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the vineyard with its mountainous backdrop outside on the terrace or inside through the large bay window.
Paso Pinot and Pickett is on Saturday, April 15 from 2-5 p.m. Tickets $60 and include an auto- graphed copy of Sideways, a vertical
flight of Windward Pinot Noirs, and more. Small bites are avail- able for purchase. For tickets and more event information email lou@ windwardvineyard.com
Windward Vineyard is located at 1380 Live Oak Road in Paso Robles and is open daily from 10:30 a.m.
to 5 p.m. For more information call (805) 239-2565 or visit windwardvineyard.com.
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Walk-ins & Reservations Welcome · Thurs - Mon 11:00am - 5:00pm 1266 N. Bethel Rd., Templeton, CA 93465 · 805-434-0319
learn more at Bethelrddistillery.com
106 SPRING 2023
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