Riverbench Vineyard and Winery Wine Tasting
This Memorial Day weekend our friend Jeff was visiting from Florida. We understand there's not much in the way of wineries in the Sunshine State so this was a prime opportunity to introduce Jeff to the some of the best wine California has to offer. We drove east from Santa Maria along the Foxen Wine Trail to the new Riverbench Vineyard and Winery. This was our second visit to Riverbench: We just had to return because Laura Booras and her gracious tasting room staff (shout out to Jackie!) made us feel so comfortable and welcome the first time around.
Riverbench Vineyard and Winery just opened their tasting room in April but they've hit the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail running at a full-speed gallop! The tasting room itself is situated near the junction of Foxen Canyon Road and Tepusquet Road. Riverbench has completely restored the 1927 Craftsman style house which now is home to their tasting room and gardens. The setting affords beautiful views of the Santa Maria Mesa, the Foxen Chapel in the distance and the Riverbench estate vineyards which completely surround the tasting room.
The actual Riverbench Vineyard sits in the southeastern end of the Santa Maria valley and has been producing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes since 1973. The valley's east-west orientation allows the cooling Pacific air to breeze through in the afternoons and results in the perfect growing climate for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. Over the last 30 years, the vineyard's exceptional fruit has been sold to numerous top quality Santa Barbara county wineries. In 2004 a group of local families purchased the vineyard and began exploring the possibility of starting their own wine label. To our delight, Riverbench Vineyard and Winery was born. The project has enticed Chuck Ortman (founder of Meridian Vineyard and respected winemaker/consultant for nearly 40 years) out of retirement to become winemaker for Riverbench. The actual vineyard is managed by Jim Stollberg from Dale Hampton Farming; the premier Santa Maria Valley vineyard management team. Riverbench Vineyard and Winery is devoted to producing the highest quality grapes in their vineyards which will result in unparalleled wine quality. Their wines will be produced in limited lots and will only be available at their tasting room and in select local restaurants.
Today's tasting included 3 very distinct Chardonnays and 2 exceptional Pinot Noirs:
The 2007 Bedrock Chardonnay is produced in an area of the vineyard which has a high concentration of river rock. This bedrock soil forces the grape vines do magical things (that's my scientific description, not theirs). The Bedrock Chardonnay is fermented completely in stainless steel tanks and the result is crisp, clean and very refreshing. This wine figures to pair well with a light lunch or appetizers during a warm day or all by itself as a prelude or in combination with a fine dinner.
The 2006 Estate Chardonnay is an exceptional combination of rich fruit flavors, slight buttery notes and the perfect amount of French oak barrel fermentation. This Chardonnay is outstanding and will pair with grilled halibut or barbecued chicken but we also suspect it will pair well with lighter meals. Right now, this is our favorite Riverbench Chardonnay and we look forward to numerous future pairings in our home. Santa Maria Style barbecued chicken will be our first of many!
The 2006 Reserve Chardonnay has a much lighter influence from the oak barrels than the Estate Chardonnay. This third Riverbench Chardonnay offers up a completely different experience. There are spicy notes (vanilla, nutmeg, honey, lemon) and buttery tastes but it's a also a fuller bodied Chardonnay. Riverbench staff describe it as an "appreciative interpretation of an Old World style wine" and "a delightful barrel-aged wine with a distinct touch of brulee". Who are we to disagree? Take that halibut off the grill and bake it this time; you'll have the perfect combination.
The 2006 Estate Pinot Noir is a light, perfectly balanced Pinot. Being big Syrah fans, we're relatively new to the world of Pinot so I'm afraid my description is a little loose. The wine is light but also has a vibrant burgundy color. I'm guessing it will pair well with fruit and cheese but also with light seafood or chicken or quail. Maybe even a vegetable pizza. We're gonna have to give it several tries...until we find the perfect match!
The 2006 Reserve Pinot Noir is produced from the vineyard's most select fruit. It's aged 11 months in French oak and will subtly age over the next 4-6 years. Riverbench describes it as a wine which "..entertains all of your senses. It's a wine that exudes confidence and vigor without being aggressive or harsh." We can hardly wait.
The Riverbench operation, staff and wines are truly outstanding. In the coming years, we fully expect Riverbench Vineyard and Winery to be recognized as the premier winery in Santa Barbara County if not all of the Central Coast. We look forward to our future visits and to many exceptional vintages!
The actual Riverbench Vineyard sits in the southeastern end of the Santa Maria valley and has been producing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes since 1973. The valley's east-west orientation allows the cooling Pacific air to breeze through in the afternoons and results in the perfect growing climate for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. Over the last 30 years, the vineyard's exceptional fruit has been sold to numerous top quality Santa Barbara county wineries. In 2004 a group of local families purchased the vineyard and began exploring the possibility of starting their own wine label. To our delight, Riverbench Vineyard and Winery was born. The project has enticed Chuck Ortman (founder of Meridian Vineyard and respected winemaker/consultant for nearly 40 years) out of retirement to become winemaker for Riverbench. The actual vineyard is managed by Jim Stollberg from Dale Hampton Farming; the premier Santa Maria Valley vineyard management team. Riverbench Vineyard and Winery is devoted to producing the highest quality grapes in their vineyards which will result in unparalleled wine quality. Their wines will be produced in limited lots and will only be available at their tasting room and in select local restaurants.
Today's tasting included 3 very distinct Chardonnays and 2 exceptional Pinot Noirs:
The 2007 Bedrock Chardonnay is produced in an area of the vineyard which has a high concentration of river rock. This bedrock soil forces the grape vines do magical things (that's my scientific description, not theirs). The Bedrock Chardonnay is fermented completely in stainless steel tanks and the result is crisp, clean and very refreshing. This wine figures to pair well with a light lunch or appetizers during a warm day or all by itself as a prelude or in combination with a fine dinner.
The 2006 Estate Chardonnay is an exceptional combination of rich fruit flavors, slight buttery notes and the perfect amount of French oak barrel fermentation. This Chardonnay is outstanding and will pair with grilled halibut or barbecued chicken but we also suspect it will pair well with lighter meals. Right now, this is our favorite Riverbench Chardonnay and we look forward to numerous future pairings in our home. Santa Maria Style barbecued chicken will be our first of many!
The 2006 Reserve Chardonnay has a much lighter influence from the oak barrels than the Estate Chardonnay. This third Riverbench Chardonnay offers up a completely different experience. There are spicy notes (vanilla, nutmeg, honey, lemon) and buttery tastes but it's a also a fuller bodied Chardonnay. Riverbench staff describe it as an "appreciative interpretation of an Old World style wine" and "a delightful barrel-aged wine with a distinct touch of brulee". Who are we to disagree? Take that halibut off the grill and bake it this time; you'll have the perfect combination.
The 2006 Estate Pinot Noir is a light, perfectly balanced Pinot. Being big Syrah fans, we're relatively new to the world of Pinot so I'm afraid my description is a little loose. The wine is light but also has a vibrant burgundy color. I'm guessing it will pair well with fruit and cheese but also with light seafood or chicken or quail. Maybe even a vegetable pizza. We're gonna have to give it several tries...until we find the perfect match!
The 2006 Reserve Pinot Noir is produced from the vineyard's most select fruit. It's aged 11 months in French oak and will subtly age over the next 4-6 years. Riverbench describes it as a wine which "..entertains all of your senses. It's a wine that exudes confidence and vigor without being aggressive or harsh." We can hardly wait.
The Riverbench operation, staff and wines are truly outstanding. In the coming years, we fully expect Riverbench Vineyard and Winery to be recognized as the premier winery in Santa Barbara County if not all of the Central Coast. We look forward to our future visits and to many exceptional vintages!
Labels: Chardonnay, Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, Pinot Noir, Wine Tasting, Wineries
posted by CentralCoastTravels.com | 9:15 AM
