Warning: This is a fiber free post. So if you’re not interested leave now….
I have always wanted to go wine tasting. But the uber snobbery of it was just too intimidating for me to go solo. I mean can you imagine strolling into a winery’s tasting room, dressed to the 9’s, Gucci bag and all. Alone, having no idea of the proper etiquette or protocol and being unmasked as a know nothing fake! Oh the humiliation!
Now add to that image a biker bar and you will be living my Sunday.
I have a girlfriend who just happens to belong to a winery and knows her way around the Solvang wine country. So when she found out I was a virgin she scheduled a road trip. The Plan was to be at her house Sunday @ 8:00am. Which means up at 6:00 out the door by 7:20, as I hate to be late. We were supposed to depart Long Beach by 8:30am of course that didn’t happen, Oh the sleep I could’ve/should’ve had.
We were to stop in Summerland for breakfast, then go on to Solvang / Santa Inez for wine tasting.
There were a total of 7 of us in the brand new mini van. One of the girls suffers from carsickness and by the time we hit Augora she was green. So we pulled into a Burger King for a bathroom break and the Guys put there collective foot down and demanded breakfast at Burger King. As I don’t partake in this meal I could care less. Back on the road, what we didn’t know was there was a band Lou wanted to see they took the stage at 2:00pm-5:00pm. Hence this is now an ultra mini wine tasting tour as it’s already past 11:00 and we’re not even there yet.
Fast forward~ First winery: Buttonwood Yen is an Imbibers Club member so our wine tasting here is free. Not to mention she gets a discount on any thing she buys at this winery.
To see a list of what we tasted click here. I bought 2 bottles of wine at this winery for gifts. I chose
The 2004 Sauvignon Blanc and the 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon. The funny thing was I found out later everybody bought the same 2 wines. I also liked the Syrah Rose.
Now for the absolute worst of the worst this award of shame goes to Buttonwood Hawk Red. It’s awful I still can’t believe they put this poison in a bottle.
Overall I wasn’t impressed enough to become an Imbiber club member myself. But maybe next year as Yen has had her membership for 3 years although she said she’s going to cancel it.
The next winery was amazing. I could get married here it’s so beautiful. It's the Rideau Vineyard.
This is right outside the tasting room
. 
Where are my manners?!?! I just realized I have yet to introduce everyone. Since i'm the photographer
I'm not in any of the photos. There is one person missing in this photo besides me.
In the defense of my photos you must remember that I have not eaten a thing yet I've probably tasted 15 or so wines.
I only have Praise for this winery. There was not one wine that I tasted that I did not like. I admit to feeling a bit tipsy but that had nothing to do with it. I'm proud to say that I'm a cellar club member. I look forward to the wines that I will receive in the mail each month starting in Nov. I also purchased 2 bottles of wine here although it was a much harder decision because they all were excellent. I chose the 2004 Iris Estate Viognier and the 2003 Iris Estate Syrah. They also make wonderful dips, honestly
they are spreads. I took home the artichoke & caper.
One other cool thing I forgot to mention, when you go wine tasting you get to keep your glass. Each one has the winery's logo. So I now have 2 glasses to start off my collection.
I just think the fall colors are cool in this photo 
It's now past 2:00pm and the guys put an end to our fun. Who was the genius who thought of wine tasting I mean shopping and free liquor God if there were only shoes and handbags it would be practically orgasmic. For you dark chocolate lovers out there this winery gives you that as well to clean your palate.
It's time for BBQ Tri-Tip sandwiches and beer. Again neither of which I eat. So Cold Spring Tavern here we come. 
This place is very well hidden.
Yet you can't miss it. It's PACKED with all walks of life. Bikers, Students, Families....
The Restaurant has really good food. I had the grilled veggie open faced sandwich, no cheese but fries, I was hungry. Washed down with a Jack & coke, they first of a few drinks I'd put away.
Hey, I wasn't driving for at least 7 more hours.
The real reason we came here was so Lou, that's him looking cool holding a beer.
Could see his favorite band, which he calls blues.I call folk. Tom Ball & Kenny Sultan
.
Inside
I bought a compilation CD entitled The Best of Ye Cold Spring Tavern.(Not bad) there's some music on it I'll be discussing later after I see the bands.
This post has gone WAY to long. It was a great time I'll be repeating it again, with more winery reviews
soon I hope. I leave you with this. Taken trough the window on the way home.
