From Napa Valley to Paso Robles to Santa Ynez there are so many wonderful wines to be found and enjoyed that it seems doubtful I will ever be able to try all of them. Especially since I tend to be a creature of habit and once I find one I really like I return to it over and over again. This past weekend Marc and I attended the Learn About Wine Event at the Viceroy in Santa Monica called the Big "BU".
MALIBU, that is. The proceeds from the Silent Auction went to Meals on Wheels West and twelve wineries were on hand to shine a light on Malibu. Casa Dumetz, Cielo Malibu Estate Vineyards, Cornell Winery, Griffin Family Winery, Hoyt Family Winery, Jim Palmer's Malibu Vineyard, Rosenthal Estate and The Malibu Vineyard were all there. While it took decades for Paso and Santa Ynez to gain the attention of the masses, Malibu wines are already catching on. Although this event was small in comparison to other wine tasting events, that didn't matter because my favorite Malibu Cabernet Sauvignon was also there! Malibu Solstice is a small production vineyard situated in the Santa Monica Mountains overlooking Malibu and the Pacific Ocean. Donald Schmitz, the founder, planted the vineyard in 1995 and bottled his first vintage in 2001. Malibu Solstice is exceptional for a number of reasons. First is the fact that the vineyard is never watered. The moisture from the coast and the elevation of the vineyard give it a unique location which allows mother nature to take it's course. The only grapes that are grown here are Cabernet Sauvignon. One of the other unique things about the Solstice is that it is never blended. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is aged anywhere from 11 to 24 months in French Oak barrels with adjustments each year to the percentage of new and neutral oak to ensure balance. We were lucky enough to taste a
2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, and 2008 South block. Each year brings a distinctly different taste. The 2002 is more earthy, the 2006 brings more spice and pepper, the 2007 , my favorite, is as well balanced as you get. The 2008 perhaps a little more fruit forward with cherry and dark fruit aromas but as it opens up you taste the pepper on the finish. This wine is only available at a few select locations as Malibu Solstice doesn't have a tasting room. You might be lucky to get a taste at Cornell Winery or pick up a bottle from one of the other select locations in Malibu. Only 2-300 cases of this wine are produced each year.
MALIBU, that is. The proceeds from the Silent Auction went to Meals on Wheels West and twelve wineries were on hand to shine a light on Malibu. Casa Dumetz, Cielo Malibu Estate Vineyards, Cornell Winery, Griffin Family Winery, Hoyt Family Winery, Jim Palmer's Malibu Vineyard, Rosenthal Estate and The Malibu Vineyard were all there. While it took decades for Paso and Santa Ynez to gain the attention of the masses, Malibu wines are already catching on. Although this event was small in comparison to other wine tasting events, that didn't matter because my favorite Malibu Cabernet Sauvignon was also there! Malibu Solstice is a small production vineyard situated in the Santa Monica Mountains overlooking Malibu and the Pacific Ocean. Donald Schmitz, the founder, planted the vineyard in 1995 and bottled his first vintage in 2001. Malibu Solstice is exceptional for a number of reasons. First is the fact that the vineyard is never watered. The moisture from the coast and the elevation of the vineyard give it a unique location which allows mother nature to take it's course. The only grapes that are grown here are Cabernet Sauvignon. One of the other unique things about the Solstice is that it is never blended. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is aged anywhere from 11 to 24 months in French Oak barrels with adjustments each year to the percentage of new and neutral oak to ensure balance. We were lucky enough to taste a
2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, and 2008 South block. Each year brings a distinctly different taste. The 2002 is more earthy, the 2006 brings more spice and pepper, the 2007 , my favorite, is as well balanced as you get. The 2008 perhaps a little more fruit forward with cherry and dark fruit aromas but as it opens up you taste the pepper on the finish. This wine is only available at a few select locations as Malibu Solstice doesn't have a tasting room. You might be lucky to get a taste at Cornell Winery or pick up a bottle from one of the other select locations in Malibu. Only 2-300 cases of this wine are produced each year. For more info on Malibu Solstice: http://www.malibusolstice.net/
Cheers to the King of Malibu Reds!
Location, location, location! In 1979 the Semler family moved to the hills of Malibu and have since transformed a once fire ravaged parcel of land into one of the most beautiful outdoor settings in Southern California. Saddlerock Ranch was once an avocado farm producing thousands of pounds of fruit. But now, the vineyards of Malibu Family Wines comprise 60,000 vines on the 65+ acres perfectly positioned at the crest of the Santa Monica Mountains. The tasting room that was once a hidden jem is now jammed on weekends with cars parked all along Mulholland Hwy. If you want to experience the magic that is Saddlerock Ranch you can join the 
