A nod to a not-so-dry January with a visit to Rusack Vineyards.
Dry January
Episode #41, Provisions & Libations, airs on January 10th, 2024. A choice not to participate in Dry January turned into an amazing adventure of wine tails. This episode recounts the remarkable winemaking talents at Rusack Vineyards with lovely wines representing the Santa Maria Valley in Santa Barbara County. Rusack’s wine list includes Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a red blend of Merlot, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet named “Anacapa.” Oh, and do not forget an Estate Zinfandel with hints of Sandalwood, baking spices, and red berries to intrigue your palate. Along with the estate-grown vineyard, Rusack has vines on Santa Catalina Island that represent a coastal influence in their winemaking styles. Their Cabernet Sauvignon is from Vogelzang and is located in Happy Canyon. Happy Canyon has a warm climate and produces amazing Cabernet vines with a smooth, rich, velvety finish rather than a bell pepper finish found in Napa Valley Cabernet wines.
Wine Portfolio
Victoria and I spent a few hours tasting through their portfolio in their pristine, beautiful tasting room on the hillside above the vines and below the winery where all magic is made. With our nod to a not-so-dry January, we used words like the Old World, Burgundian, aroma, forest floor, and chemistry, among many other words, to describe our experiences with their wines. Our tasting notes are very different, yet they are the same. We accept the differences like a grand wine taster accepts the differences in a well-made wine from one vintage to another. Or from one vintner to another. Wine education is our favorite pastime, and who can disagree? Wine tasting on the weekends is a great hobby and fun. Our next Cabernet adventure will be in Willow Creek, west of the Paso Robles wine country, close to the Templeton Gap.
Wine Club
Luckily, my experiences will continue as I join their wine club. That will allow me more opportunities to enjoy their wines on the property. As a former winemaker, I feel these wines represent the same style I made years ago. Light, aromatic, flavorful, and well-balanced. I do not prefer to drink wines that leave your mouth feeling parched for water, inundated with heavy and overly ripe flavors. Life is short, drink what you like!!
To learn more about the winery, visit their website using the link above. Located at 1819 Ballard Canyon Road, Solvang, California 93463. Listen to the Provisions & Libations Podcast on @spotify @applepodcasts @iheartradio to learn more about our epic adventures in wine country and anything epicurean.
#technicalwineterms #wine #santabarbaracounty #winecountry #pinotnoir #chardonnay #wineology #winemaking #winemaker #vineyard #winery #estatevines #vineyard #ballardcanyon #ava #winechemistry #santaynezvalley #santacatalinaisland #dryjanuary #notsodryjanuary
