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Oenophiles... This one's for you
Unlike most traditional wine tours that come with the requisite showing of a temperature controlled barrel of a 95’ Cab—Cindy Newkirk of the Wine Yard takes it a step further, walking you through a step-by-step journey from an empty plot of land to a fruit-laden vineyard.
The vineyard has been in Cindy’s family for over a hundred years and she is steeped in wine culture. From the intricacies of pruning to pesticides Cindy is a wellspring of knowledge and explains things easily without relying on too much wine jargon. After the in-depth lesson on root stock, soil ripping and plotting Cindy takes you on a tractor-tour through the Steinbeck vineyard (no relation to the famous Steinbecks), and points out the differences in plots and plucks varietals for you to taste.
Located half way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the WineYard is in Paso Robles—known as “Paso” to the locals—and it is an ideal spot for those craving an intimate wine tasting experience.
Paso, and nearby San Luis Obispo are both burgeoning cities with plenty to do and see. In addition to wine tasting (pasowine.com) and vineyard touring you can visit Hearst Castle, take long walks on the beach and if the season is right (from October through February) you can see the migrating Monarch butterflies at Pismo Beach.
By Bryce Longton | July 6, 2006 in All Things Wine, Education, Food & Wine Country Travel | Permalink
