Eberle Winery, Paso Robles

After attending the recent Paso Robles CAB Collective event, we were reminded of a few wineries that we had overlooked for a while. Given that reminder, on a recent visit to Paso Robles a stop by one of the most iconic tasting rooms in Paso was in order. Pulling into the driveway of Eberle Winery it was, in a way, a bit of a homecoming for Koala, as Cabernet was one of the first wine's he fell in love with, and Eberle was a part of that romance. Entering the traditional way by rubbing the boar nose and tossing a coin in the fountain, it was into the tasting room.

The German name "Eberle" translates to "small boar." At Eberle Winery, a bronze boar is at the entry to the tasting room to greet every guest who visits. It is considered good luck to rub the boar's nose and toss a coin in the water below (All money collected at the Eberle boar fountain is donated to local children's charities). 

Walking into the tasting room was almost like a bit of a homecoming. It has been almost ten years since the last visit and there is just no excuse...

The Eberle staff was great, and helped Koala settle in by asking the right questions to help ensure a great tasting. Of course, not wanting to make it too easy on them Koala had to be a bit elusive and put the staff on the spot, and had them just guide him through the tasting. Things were going great when about halfway through the tasting, the offer to a tour the facilities and the famous Eberle Caves came up. Miss that, no way! These extensive caves are very cool. Yes, both in temperature and well, yes, like as in way cool. Down below the surface 35 feet or so these tunnels are lined with barrels and also there is a wonderful banquet room called the Wild Boar Room. This space will set 100 at the dinner tables and looks amazing. Another amazing space is the VIP tasting area (read cool).
After the tour it was back to the tasting list and into the wines that for some is what Eberle is revered for. The Steinbeck Vineyard Syrah, the Cabernet / Syrah blend and the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. A group of wines that are a wonderful representation of Paso Robles wine full stop (or, period, for you Americans)! A beaut of a tasting with an unexpected addition of the tour that anyone of you can have. If you go to Paso Robles, we 'recommend' you stop by Eberle and experience a winery of iconic significance in Paso Robles.

Cheers,

WineWalkabout

Kiwi & Koala

Eberle is open from 10:00 am-5:00 pm during the months of October through March, and 10:00 am-6:00pm April through September. 

Can you get Around the World in 80 Sips?

On Friday Feb 8th in San Francisco, we participated in and enjoyed, 80 Sips from around the World at Around the World in 80 Sips. Ok we probably had a few more but who was counting.
The event was held at the Golden Gate Club in San Francisco, which is a Nice facility and well laid out for this type of event. 
The majority of the wines were mostly in the 5-7 range and  ****, all decent drinking wines with a few very good one's mixed in, some of which were only poured for the VIP crowd. We participated in the VIP plan mostly to get the extra time to taste the wines but some exclusive wines were a bonus. There was also another level of exclusivity with the Sherry Room. No sherry but some quite exclusive wines and sparkling. Rumor has it that they even had appetizers of substance. The regular event had carrots, radishes and some cheeses and breads. Thin pickings really. 

With VIP early entry passes we were in like Flynn and getting to taste some of those exclusive offerings from some vendors. The extra hour afforded by the VIP tickets was good to get through a number of choice offerings prior to the fashion expressive San Francisco masses pouring in, which did start to happen after 8. From 6:30 to 8 it was relatively easy going getting a taste. Regular admission started at 7:30 and by 8 it was quite busy.
We did enjoy the event and even used our super powers to save one vendor the embarrassment of pouring a corked bottle (come on people quality control. You open, you taste, you pour or you pour out).     

Given the size of the crowd it was still quite civilized and not to hard to get a taste. The relatively young and hip crowd seemed to enjoy the offerings and there were plenty to be enjoyed. The event was done at 9 and at 9 it was done full stop.

We will be looking forward to next years as we would "go back" if invited...

Cheers,

WineWalkabout

Kiwi & Koala

Our stay at a Villa in Northern Tuscany...

Balcony view

What is Villa Reale - Anello? Where is Villa Reale - Anello? How do you get here?
Located about thirty or forty minutes north of the famous walled city of Lucca within a stones throw of the bustling metropolis of Coreglia Antelminelli is a large Villa that is divided up into four Vacation Villas. One of which is Villa Reale - Anello. We booked this Villa for our Italy Adventure through RentVillas.
With a little help from our assigned RentVillas assistant Nicole, putting some of our trepidation to rest, we prepaid for our accommodation sight unseen in a foreign country. Other than hotel and rental cars this was a big commitment!

Finding this Villa at night in the rain was a little difficult but with one call help arrived and within a few minutes we were there. We were only a couple hundred meters away. The directions that came in the packet were pretty good but after a long days drive in a foreign country and arriving at night in the rain, well our mental state was a bit suspect. Parking is about a hundred meters from the front door, with the typical in Italy ups, downs and some stairs. This all means you can eat more of the great food and consume more of the great wines. The place was warm, clean and most of all comfortable and most important of all, a nice bottle of wine to greet us. It is equipped with all one needs for a lovely holiday stay. Just like being in a large size condo. The Villas have swimming pools that would be a wonderful amenity during the summer. We unfortunately were there during the end of one of the cooler wetter winters in a while and never saw temperatures at the Villa over about 8-12 Celsius. The grounds have numerous seating areas and walks to enjoy and again would be absolutely delightful during good weather. The back balcony offers an amazing view of the valley and although we did enjoy the view it would be amazing in warmer less cloudy times. 

The place was a little far from the highway for us being that is was winter, but as a summer place the elevation  would make it a little cooler which would be good and the dry roads would make it seem closer. 
We enjoyed the place a lot but there were a couple of issues. The three bedrooms were each very different and set up a little strange. Two bedrooms have en-suites but only one of them has a couples bed the other has two singles. The third bedroom has a queen size bed but has no attached bathroom. It has access to the bathroom off the hall. Swapping the queen with the two singles would make things better. The other issue we had was a hot water system that had a mind of its own. Particularly given the fact that it was winter and cold, the numerous cool and cold showers and combinations thereof were very annoying to say the least.

We had called the property manager the second day we were there to report the problem. The following day a plumber came by but over the next four days while repairing one thing or another never really made any difference. In hindsight we also think the shower control in the middle bathroom was faulty as well which just complicated pinpointing the problem.

These issues aside we did really enjoy the place and the little town of Coreglia Antelminelli was a delight to wander around once we discovered the older part of town. It has a great little cafe and a great little restaurant. The cafe is a local hang out with cards being played in the back room and lots of loud vocal banter with hands flailing about. The coffee's are great, as are the pastries and pizza and the prices are amazingly inexpensive. The local restaurant L'Arcile, is family run and has been serving since 1916. We really enjoyed our dinner there and wished we had found it sooner.
Being able to return 'home' and cook a meal or to just relax in a warm and comfortable place and enjoy it's beauty and that of the area is a wonderful feeling that makes staying in a Villa just that much better than a hotel for a week. All in all a pretty good spot to enjoy northern Tuscany from, and a great spot if you want to just chill and relax with fantastic views. We give it a 'good would go back'.

Ciao Bella,

WineWalkabout

Kiwi & Koala

Tower in Coriglia Anteminelli

View from the front...

Fattoria Corzano E Paterno, paradise visited in Tuscany

A one hundred and forty hectare farm, owned and operated by the Gelpke and Goldschmidt families and founded by the Swiss architect Wendelin Gelpke. The vineyards / farm is situated in San Casciano Val di Pesa, roughly halfway between Florence and Sienna and is dedicated to the production of fine quality wine, olive oil, sheep cheeses and 'agriturismo' or farm holiday guest house stays.

This somewhat remote, magnificent property is

Fattoria Corzano E Paterno. 

Watch the video here

As the Talking Heads have sung;

 

 

 

And you may find yourself in another part of the worldAnd you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile (our's was small)You may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wifeYou may ask yourself, "Well, how did I get here?"  

Arianna teaching us about Sheep Cheese

Singing along aside, we did ask ourselves, 'How did we get here?' Although with no real answer to the actual mechanics of getting there, the journey has two answers to the question. First off the Journey started in San Francisco when we attended a tasting of Italian wines through a Slowwine industry event with friend Sommelier Dave. Although there were some worthy wines there were only a couple that were on the path of travel for the upcoming #ItalyAdventure. A few e-mails later, and although Aljoscha would not be there, he arranged for us to get a tour and taste from his cousin Arianna. The second part of the how did we get here is still a mystery. The directions as far as us foreigners are concerned, was to say the least, vague. We were given directions from Silvio at Tuscany Cooking "see the white church on the fifth hill just to the right of the small tower, just follow the ridges and head there, its just down the road, you can't miss it". That statement must have been a subconsciousness challenge to get lost because, can't miss it, oh yes we can! The second were the website maps. Only marginally better, but somehow we arrived, although still not quite sure how, as there are no real signs and most of the road is like a two wheel wagon track driveway. However arrive we did, and it was worth every uncertain turn and back seat direction call we made.

Upon meeting Arianna we did not really hear the first few words she said to us, as we were memorized by her Italian / Irish accented English. Yes you read that correctly. After studying many years in Ireland she had picked up a bit of an Irish accent, that coupled with her Italian kept us totally focused. All that aside Arianna gave us a great tour of their new cheese and wine making facilities. The new facilities had been completed only recently and the modern finishes, although not having the character of the old buildings, will provide a more efficient and effective wine making facility. These new facilities are designed to make sure the goal of ever better wine and cheese, is not hampered by the limitations of old buildings. Off to one side of the new facility is the cheese making area. This small by our estimation area puts out a lot of top quality sheep cheese that is highly sort after.

After an interesting in depth tour of the facilities, Arianna took us back to the cellar door and put out a spread of the sheep cheese's, and guided us through a sampling of their wines. It is very different feeling tasting wine, sheep cheese and olive oil while surrounded by buildings and history that in some cases goes back to before 900 AD. To think that this property was at one point in time almost totally derelict, is a testament to the amount of work that has been done to make the place a fully functioning Agritourismo farm.The first wines of the current era were bottled in 1972. Today there are seventeen hectares of vineyard and produce more than 80.000 bottles of wine. Grape varieties run from the usual Chianti selection of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Malvasia, Trebbiano, to the foreign varieties (for Italy) of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay.

Generous tasting of wine and cheese

We all enjoyed a great afternoon talking with Arianna about what had been, and what is to come for Fattoria Corzano E Paterno. The work that has been done to produce such world class wine, cheese and olive oil never ends. The drive and passion to continue to push the envelope to make them even better is stronger than ever. To give you a great glimpse into this is a year end news letter published on their web site. A fantastic document that will give you a snapshot of how much work is invested into this amazing property.

When in Tuscany make sure to make an appointment and go by and experience Fattoria Corzano E Paterno, we 'recommend' you do. Say g'day to Aljosh and Arianna for us. 

Ciao,

WineWalkabout

Fattoria di Montecchio, Olive oil and Wine

Looking out the main entry.

One of the wonderful things to do in Tuscany is to learn about the magic of the food. As we are not that good at magic we left our significant others to learn that magic, oh and cook the meal at Authentic Tuscany, and we had a taste and tour set up by Silvio of his favorite close proximity winery that he set up for us. Don't get us wrong we fully intended, and were looking forward to consuming said magic Tuscan food upon our return. The winery we were sent to was Fattoria di Montecchio.

This beautiful 18th century Villa is in the heart of the Chianti Classico region and covers approximately 273 hectares. The magestic 18th century house stands on a hill overlooking the small medieval town of San Donato in Poggio.

Looking up the main entry

There is even an old tower that was used for defensive purposes during the struggle between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines back in 920. The estate has a wine shop, an olive oil mill and very old wine and olive oil cellars as well as some state of the art production facilities. The estate still makes fine hand made terracotta from the Montecchio kiln that dates to 1700. There is also a magnificent Agriturismo building used for farm stay holidays. We may need to go back and stay! That way we can let you know how comfortable the beds are and how the showers work. You know, doing the hard work.

Silvio told us to ask for Arianna who was ready for us when we arrived. We were to be included into a group she was taking on a tour. While waiting for the tour to start we were shown around the tasting area and got to check out some of the main building facilities. The tour group was from the Tuscany Wine School being lead by Rebecca and they were gracious enough to welcome us along.

Our special tasting setting.

Arianna conducted a wonderful tour of the facilities and grounds and was very knowledgeable about the history of the family and the property. She was also well versed in the wine making and olive oil making processes and was able to convey that information clearly in English with a nice Italian accent.  We toured through the old library storage area and the new production areas and even some of the original barrel rooms with the old cedar barrels. These have been coated on the inside and are now used for storage only. Once we had completed the tour which took about an hour it was time to get stuck into it! We were then on our own as the group had their tasting and we had our own special tasting with delicious and generous tastings of olive oil and wines. Thankfully the olive oil was accompanied by some great Italian bread, or as they call it, bread. We are not big fans of just slurping neat olive oil like the pro's, so the tasty bread was truly enjoyed.

Their wines consist of  Chianti Classico Gallo Nero Docg and Chianti Classico Riserva Docg, followed by two very nice Super Tuscan's. All very good and so we could not help but to leave with one of everything (yeah broke the one bottle rule, again).

If at all possible go by and check this place out or better yet use it as a base to stay in Tuscany for a week. The standard of service, olive oil and wines we experienced were great and we give Fattoria di Montecchio a 'recommend'. Go by and say g'day to Arianna and tell em we sent you.

Cheers,

WineWalkabout

Kiwi & Koala

How to get there, well here is the info from their web site; http://www.fattoriamontecchio.com/dovesiamo_scheda.php?iddovesiamo=1

Here is how we found them;

Standing by the old Cedar barrels.

Paso Robles CAB Collective

It was somewhere around 1991 when one of us started drinking wine as a primary choice. Now, not because his Italian friends Dad made him, but because he actually liked it. It was in California in a country town called Paso Robles, and it was Cabernet Sauvignon. It was being made by a rookie winemaker at the time who also made a killer margarita. Those were the days.

Those days really got kick started back in the late 60's and 70's in Paso Robles when large plantings of Cabernet were put in. While Zinfandel is the heritage wine grape variety of the area, Cabernet Sauvignon is the AVA’s largest planted wine grape variety with a great diversity of distinct award winning styles found throughout the region. Now while Paso Robles has been producing quality Cabernet for many years it is now poised to produce a lot more. Not because they are necessarily increasing production. but with collaboration. Quality is bound to go up across the region...
This last weekend was the inaugural event for the

  Paso Robles CAB Collective.

The Cab's of Distinction Grand Tasting event was held at Windfall Farms Stallion Barn (property previously known as Cardiff Stud Ranch and Creston Farm and once owned by Alex Trebek). This amazing horse stud ranch stable was a very cool venue for a wine tasting event that celebrated Bordeaux, and specifically Cabernet Sauvignon. The very wine that, for one of us at least, started it all.

Paso Robles has in recent years been celebrated for its Rhône wines. The Rhône Rangers as an organization have really helped put Paso wines on the map and in the press of late. As much as we are big fans of these wines, it really was, at least for one of us, the Bordeaux Cabernet Sauvignon that was there at the beginning that started the party. Some info about the PRCC;
'Formed in 2012, the Paso Robles CAB (Cabernet and Bordeaux) Collective (PRCC) strives to promote the full potential of the Paso Robles AVA in producing superior quality, classic and age-worthy Cabernet and Bordeaux varietals to consumers, trade and media worldwide. The PRCC seeks to improve awareness regarding the distinctive attributes of Paso Robles Cabernet and red Bordeaux varietals through events, education and initiatives that confirm the appellation’s growing reputation for producing luscious, well-rounded Bordeaux wines that compete with like varietals on a global stage.'


Have a vision ~ Check ~ Book at date and order the almost perfect day ~ Check ~ Arrange a fantastic venue ~ Check ~ Gather great food and wine  ~ Check ~ Open the doors and enjoy...

It was a warm (90deg) sunny day and the attendance was good. The Bordeaux were being poured and consumed by an enthusiastic crowd. With a large baguette in hand, a nice wine glass and a food plate it was off to the races! Ok cheap pun, but funny!
 Each winery had its own stall and each was clearly identified and so easy to find. The setting allowed for a fairly intimate feel and yet one that rarely felt crowded. The cross section of wineries was impressive (see participating list below) and the finger foods were delicious and all this in a unique and amazing setting, which even included tunes from a grand piano to add to the ambiance. Very nice touch. While all the wines tasted were good, there were a few that were great, and anyone who tasted them should have no doubt that Paso Robles makes some truly world class Cabernet Sauvignon.

Congratulations to the Paso Robles CAB Collective, this was a well organized and smoothly run event that we look forward to being able to attend again and would 'recommend' you do as well... We would also like to point out and applaud the event, for the Designated Driver ticket that was offered and priced perfectly. Many other high end events should take note of this classy move!

Cheers,

WineWalkabout

Kiwi & Koala

Participating wineries:

ADELAIDA Cellars, B & E Vineyard, Chateau Margene, DAOU Vineyards & Winery, Eberle Winery, HammerSky Vineyards, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Jada Vineyard, JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, L’Aventure, Niner Wine Estates, Parrish Family Vineyards, Rangeland Wines, Record Family Wines, Robert Hall Winery, Sextant Wines, Still Waters Vineyards, Venteux Vineyards, Vina Robles, Wild Horse Winery

Dining in Verona and Restaurante Maffei

With only one night in Verona we had to do some speed touristing and wanted to make sure we got a good taste of the local cuisine. Some of the hotel dining recommendations on our Italy Adventure thus far, whist decent, were to our liking a little too touristy and with the feeling that locals would probably not dine there. Why leave home to sit next to Americans in Italy? Kiwi and Koala can do that in California!



We received a recommendation from the concierge at the Hotel Giulietta e Romeo to dine at the  Restaurante Maffei.  With a beautiful stroll through alleyways reminiscent of Venice we found the Piazza Delle Erbe. A lively place on a Friday night, all foot traffic with loads of energy. The restaurant is situated at one end of the Piazza through a small courtyard that separates it from the noise and bustle. The restaurant is in part of the Palace Built in 1668 by the Maffei family and has a decor that pays tribute the its famous heritage.
We did not have a reservation but were still quickly seated in a very nice open room. Service was quick and friendly and a combination of our bad Italian and their great English got us through the evening! They began with a free tasting of prosecco and small bowl of orecchiette con pesto, also on the house. The wine list was daunting, but Koala managed to find a very nice wine under three Euro digits. No mean feat given the quality wine list!

Room for 60 to taste wine in the cellar

Appetizers were fabulous and Kiwi and Koala both enjoyed lamb chops for secondi piatti. Too full for desert we were once again given treats on the house, and with the girls making yummy noises, a new plate of mini chocolate cakes arrived!
Noticing our interest in the wine the maitre'd offered us a tour of the wine cellar and Roman ruins. Yes, Roman ruins! Under the main restaurant was a 6,000 bottle cellar with private banquet dining. Their special collection dated from 1959 and was under lock and key! Mostly Italian wines, and why not! Fabulous.

Table for two with ruins.

Down seven meters under the restaurant were the excavated ruins discovered during construction. Nothing can be dug here without finding an amphora or column! Well lit and with a table set for two this was a great place for a romantic yet historical dinner!


Four thumbs up for dinner and service from Kiwi, Koala and spouses. A definite "Recommend" and tell 'em Kiwi and Koala sent you.

Cheers,

WineWalkabout

Kiwi & Koala

Gondola serenade, Venice (the good, bad and lovely)

What is more romantic than meandering through the canals (large and small) of Venice in a Gondola, with an accordion playing music and an Italian bloke singing all those classic Italian love songs you have heard while watching every movie of Venice. As cheesy as it sounds it was wonderful. Booked through isango.com prior to leaving the USA was not just a Gondola ride on the Grand Canal, but also a Gondola ride through the narrow canals off the Grand Canal including being accompanied by music and song. To say some of us were excited was like comparing our state to when you hear the cork pop on a sort after wine and waiting to get a swig.

We were early to the meeting point as getting lost is our forte and so this time our focus on the map paid off. We found a nice restaurant in a hotel on the water front of the Grand Canal to have some lunch and a glass or two but as we started to pa-ruse the menu it became apparent that this was not the place for us with simple mixed green salads starting at twenty three euros. With our tails between our cheap legs we wandered about half a block to anther establishment. This was more to our liking. Still able to see the canal about a sixty meters away but at half the price. The place was the Ristorante Giglio.
We enjoyed a great meal (pork chop was amazing) and some nice wine at a very reasonable price for the location. The staff were wonderful and spoke enough English to make order adjustments and menu and wine questions easy to get answered.

After our nice lunch we wandered over to our Gondola experience which was booked using Isango and checked in with some time to spare to get the lay of the land. It was then that things went south! Going through all the packets of the backpack and jackets the realization that the voucher for the ride was not to be found sunk in. The instructions received in the confirming e-mail had said to print and present the paper voucher upon arrival. Now what? Light bulb goes on... the I-phone has the conformation e-mail on it. It is good enough for international travel and renting cars and booking and checking into hotels. No worries right? WRONG! No paper no ride! Of course this comment was delivered with all the dismissive arrogant tone and body language the Head Gondolier could muster before turning on his heels and walking away. There the four of us stood like scalded children who are now not getting in to Disneyland. Rules aside, the handling of the situation was not professional at all.
Another spurt of brain activity and off to the Ristorante Giglio for help. Did they have internet access and a printer? No, but recommended the hotel just around the corner (quick thinking). Running in to the Best Western Hotel Ala they could see a little panic in my eyes and were quick to try to help. The first plea for a computer with internet access and a printer was a bit of a no go, but one of the staff thinking clearly suggested that I email the voucher to them and they could then print it for us. Brilliant! It worked and our Adventure was back on. Thank you to the reception staff of the Best Western Hotel Ala for helping out. True class! I did not even need to mention that I am a member.

The Gondola ride was on and the four of us were loaded in with the musician and the singer (sweet). A small flotilla of Gondolas were being gently paddled down the Grand Canal to the sounds of the accordion and the crooning of our vocalist. It was, it was as it should be. Every face you looked at was beaming with big smiles and the giddy excitement most of us don't feel often enough. After about fifteen minutes all this happiness was  then moved to the small narrow canals and took on a more intimate feel although with no less smiling. The echo of the music and song were transporting to another time but the place was somehow familiar.

While somewhat predictable, and as corny and cheesy as you like there was no getting away from the fact that most of the people on this Adventure had not smiled that much and that big in a long time. Cruising the Canals of Venice was a truly wonderful experience that everyone should do once!
While our overall experience was marred by an arse before the start, the ride, the music, and the singing were everything you could hope for. So a bit of a different endorsement here; if you have traveled far to experience this place called Venice, you "Must do" a Gondola ride with a serenade, but perhaps from a different dock and as the singer and musician were fantastic,hopefully they work for multiple Gondolier locations.

Cheers,

WineWalkabout

Kiwi & Koala

We did get a response to our survey which is good as it shows they are at least reading them. You can make up your own mind as to the quality of the response.

Dear Sir/Madame

Greetings from isango!

We have received a review from your side that the you faced some trouble in printing out the vouchers. We would like to inform you that the e-vouchers that we send you are a very important document and to avail the tour it is mandatory to carry the physical copy of the vouchers as they need to be exchanged with the local partner in order to avail the tour as they are also essential for our internal documentation purpose
We do not mean to hassle you in anyways as its mandatory part of our process that is why the local partner insisted for the paper work
We hope you would understand our concern
In case of any further assistance please feel free to contact us
Thanks and Regards
Aanchal
Isango! Support