1 South
Stolo Family Vineyards
3776 Santa Rosa Creek Rd., 2 mi. from town, (805) 924.3131. Daily noon to 5 p.m., by reservation. Tasting $25/person; one fee waived per two bottle purchase; cheese & charcuterie plate for two/$17.
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| rolled bales of hay along Santa Rosa Creek Road in Cambria, California |
Located down a rustic, two-lane side road lined with cow pastures and rolled bales of hay, this small production winery’s grapes are all estate grown. The Stolo Family Vineyards’s old dairy buildings, including the barn, still stand, and the tasting room is inside a late 1800s farmhouse. An expansive grassy meadow area outfitted with well-spaced tables and protective umbrellas invites picnicking and outdoor tasting, often with plenty of sunshine and a pleasant breeze. There is also a set of side-by-side Adirondack chairs that I noticed too late.
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| Katie at check-in desk at Stolo Family Vineyards in Cambria, California |
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| tasting garden at check-in desk at Stolo Family Vineyards in Cambria, California |
Our tasting server, Katie, was cheery and knowledgeable and provided creative descriptions. Tasting included six wines, beginning with a bone dry, strawberry dominated 2019 Estate Rose of Pinot Noir. Then came a tropical style 2019 Estate Dry Gewurztraminer, fragrant with green mango. Next up, a very grapefruitty 2019 Estate Sauvignon Blanc that is tropical on the nose, which I definitely enjoyed and which is a fan favorite at the winery. This was followed by a light bodied, floral 2018 Estate Chardonnay, which Katie intriguingly described as being “feminine, with lemon curd on the nose.” Then came the reds. My husband and I were both fond of the 2018 Estate Pinot Noir that was grown in the vineyards across the street and described by Katie as “Burgundian, with forest floor and mushroom notes.” Our concluding taste was a 2017 Estate Hillside Reserve Pinot Noir that came from grapes grown on the hillside. Described by Katie as “deeper, darker, and richer,” it was our favorite of the lot, and I did pick up the licorice notes. When visiting, remember to pack along a bottle of water.
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| tasting set up at check-in desk at Stolo Family Vineyards in Cambria, California |
2020 pandemic update: Tasting takes place only outside on the expansive lawn area situated between the winery’s two vineyards. Tables are well distanced, and servers wear masks. Tables are sanitized after each use.
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| welcome sign at Stolo Family Vineyards in Cambria, California |
More ideas for exploring Northern California.
images ©2020 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
That sounds like a wonderful selection of wines to taste. I really like the outside set up at Stolo -- looks like plenty of room between tables.
ReplyDeleteI love Cambria and haven't been to this vineyard, it looks lovely and will definitely have to drop by and visit if I'm in the area again.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely place for an afternoon visit. We can picture ourselves sitting in the shade and enjoying a few samples of their wines. Thanks for the tip about Cambria Vineyards.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely! I am so looking forward to being able to do vineyard visits again.
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