Exploring the Ventura County Wine Trail

The blog is back and I'm ready for a new adventure in wine!  As I was searching for ideas of what to write about this season, it occurred to me that I have a growing wine trail in my own backyard: the Ventura County Wine Trail.  I have made it my goal this year to visit each winery currently listed on the map.  There are over 20 wineries spreading all the way from Calabasas to Ojai.  I am eager to learn more about this growing wine region and find out what my new favorites might be.

First Stop: Herzog Wine Cellars

Herzog is located just a few miles off the 101 in Oxnard.  Their current tasting room is a beautiful state-of-the-art facility. It includes a a fine dining restaurant, Tierra Sur, specializing in Mediterranean style cuisine.  Herzog has a long history in the wine business, extending back over a 100 years to the Baron Philip Herzog, who made wine for the Emperor Franz-Josef and the Austro-Hungarian court.  Present day, you can find Herzog wines at most retail stores including Trader Joe's under the label Baron Herzog.  The large production winery sources grapes from all over California and has multiple limited production labels including: Special Reserve Herzog, Weinstock and Jeunesse.  The winery is also unique in that it is completely Kosher.  All the wines are produced following traditional Judaism religious laws.  To learn more about the winery visit their website at www.herzogwinecellars.com

Here are some tasting notes from my trip:

2008 Weinstock Cellars, Chardonnay, Sonoma County $20.00

Aromas of sweet cream, red apple and toast.  On the palate the wine has a silky texture, balanced acidity and finishes with lots of butter and oak flavors.

2009 Baron Herzog, Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast $13.00

Aromas of plum, black cherry and dark berries. This easy drinking cab is light bodied and would go great with food.

2010 Weinstock Cellars, Alicante Bouchet, Mendocino $20.00

This unique varietal usually used as a blending grape is very soft on the palate for being so young.  It has bright flavors of red cherry, cranberry, plum and a hint of spice. *One of my favorites

2007 Herzog, Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $38.00

Aromas of red currant, black cherry, black berry and spice.  On the palate the wine is medium bodied with big bold tannins.  It finishes dry with hints of vanilla and oak.