A Wine Tasting Tour of Los Olivos

Los Olivos is a wine-taster’s dream: shady lanes with one quaint rustic tasting room after another. With so much to choose from it’s challenging to know where to start. On these pages, we share with you the best of the best, the tasting rooms we’ve come to love, both for the quality of the wines and for the proprietors, who are so nice and so incredibly well informed on the specifics

1. Daniel Gehrs Wines & Heather Cottage
www.dgwines.com 
Daniel Gehrs is a winemaker’s winemaker. He’s been making fine wines for over 30 years, and in addition to his own label, he does consulting for several local wineries. “I work very closely with our growers and vineyard owners. The taste of the grape at harvest is the ‘Holy Grail’ of our winemaking,” he says.           
Gehrs’ daughter Jenni is also a winemaker. She has released several wines under her own “Vixen” label. Her rosé, “Vixen Vivant,” is an incredibly flavorful pink wine that bursts with cherry and strawberry, with a fruit forward but dry finish. With the appealing Vixen label, designed by the Jenni, these wines make great gifts. There are numerous useful wine accessories in the tasting room, while in the back, they carry a carefully selected mix of gift items, including greeting cards, and bath and kitchen items are tasteful bath and kitchen items.
In addition, there is a children’s room with classic picture books, plush toys and Vixen T-shirts cute enough for grown-ups.
Daniel Gehrs also produces a limited number of fine ports, sold only in their tasting room and to members of the Vintage Port Club. Ask the tasting room host for chocolate pairing suggestions. For more information, call 1-800-275-8138, or visit their website.

2. Los Olivos Tasting Room &  Wine Shop
www.losolivoswines.com
Established in 1987, this is California’s first independent tasting room. In tune with the artistic character of Los Olivos, the sign outside advertises “Consumable Art.” The tasting room represents the “artistic creations” of many wineries and winemakers in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties that do not have their own tasting rooms.
Owner Chris Benzinger will be happy to share some of the history of the quaint building that houses his tasting room.
There are usually nine wines open for tasting on the antique, English oak,  Irish pub bar.  Some of the 45+ different wine labels available for purchase are truly boutique with anywhere from 40 to 2000 cases produced.The shop has traditionally specialized in premier Central Coast Pinot Noirs and Syrahs as well as many other varietals.
Labels represented include Carhartt, Curran, Labyrinth, Lane Tanner, Ojai, Palmina, Westerly and more.  You can also purchase wines directly from their website. E-mail  your contact information, and they will get back to you within 24 hours to take your order.3. Carina Cellars
www.carinacellars.com
Carina Cellars is the result of an avid wine collector with a dream meeting an accomplished winemaker with a vision.
When attorney and businessman David Hardee and winemaker Joey Tensley met in 2002, they were quick to recognize the benefits of combining their passion. With Hardee’s talent for business, Tensley’s talent for wine making, and a shared belief in only the best, Carina Cellars was born.
The winemaking approach is traditional and minimalist, with the resulting wines rich in traditional varietal flavors and aromas.
Tensley strongly believes in working with growers who share hos philosophies on farming. That is to say, growers dedicated to canaopy management, low yields and wine balance.
Carina Cellars currently produce both vineyard designated and Santa Barbara County bottlings of Viognier, Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache as well as a premium blend of the best of two appellations - Santa Barbara County Syrah and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon known as “Iconoclast.” Due to this unique partnership with a northern California vineyard, there is also a small bottling of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Check their website for upcoming events–they range from photography exhibits to winemaker dinners and more.

Tres Hermanas (or Three Sisters) Vineyard & Winery
www.treshermanaswinery.com
Turn left on Hwy 154 from Grand Ave. and take Foxen Canyon Road north to discover a different style of tasting room. The Foxen Canyon Wine Trail is a long anc circuitous road that ends up in Santa Maria, but it is well worth the drive, as this is where you find the large estate wineries, often ideal venues for special events and weddings.
One of the newest Foxen Canyon wineries is Tres Hermanas. Tres Hermanas was founded in 2001 by Marvin and Paulette Teixeira and named for their three daughters, Stacey, Tracey and Marcey. Their expert winemaker Luke Lindquist focuses on the creation of fine French and Italian style wines.
Last year, they opened their tasting room. They also have heavaenly landscaped grounds with large trees, shady lawns and garden ponds. This is an ideal for a most memorable wedding, celebration or even corporate events. Tres Hermanas will help you with all aspects of your event, including catering, flowers, cake, seating, etc. Their event staff will work with you or your staff to provide the highest level of service.