Solvang Bros and Hos
Solvang, CA
Tasted Monday, April 1, 2024 by brigcampbell with 50 views
Introduction
This trip was organized by the Bros and Hos who are professional wine tasters. Buckle up because we’re starting early. There are a few winery appointments made in advance, and the other up for debate. Mandatory stop at the ostrich farm is required as Paul has never been. Ended the first evening in a tiki bar, did not see that coming. Second night finished up in the former Taste of the Valley singing along with the musical performer and a “reading" by yours truly from the guestbook by previous visitors. I’m certain they didn’t expect their writings to be used as fuel for our entertainment.
The motto for this trip should be “Would you like to revisit anything? Yes, please.” Oye!
Flight 1 - Sanford (6 Notes)
Always a beautiful property to visit. Tasting out on the table in the vineyard is always a special treat. I’m not sure which level of tasting we had but it was very good with lots of single vineyard and block wines.
I haven’t paid attention to the retail prices but all the Pinot was $95+ and the Chardonnay $65. Ouch, I’m Scottish and that gives me pause. I believe the tasting was $75 but a fair value for the wines served and a couple bonus tastings like the sparkler.
It’s 10am and we have the place to ourselves so let the game begin!
Would you like to revisit anything? Yes, please.
Flight 2 - Ken Brown (6 Notes)
The eight of us roll into the tasting room and Joel, the mayor of Solvang, seems to know everybody working behind the counter of every tasting room. This is no exception. Off and on Joel has purchased from Ken Brown and just about everyone thinks he’s a club member regardless. Awesome!
I look up at the clock and it’s 11am? Ready, set, go!
Would you like to revisit anything? Yes, please.
Flight 3 - Liquid Farm (11 Notes)
The backstory is important because Joel had purchased an auction item at Falltacular that was donated by Jeff at liquid farm. A pandemic screwed things up but Jeff graciously made up for it multiple ways, including offering the free tasting for the whole crew. Clearly, we abused Jeff’s generosity which becomes apparent shorty!
Anthony was working the tasting room when we rolled in and proceeded to take over the place. Well, there was nobody else in there yet, but as the extravaganza took off people walking by poked their heads in and were drawn to join the festivities.
The standard tasting flight for the day consisted of one rosé, three Chardonnay, and a Pinot Noir. As you can see from my tasting notes, it got ugly in a hurry. The more you buy the more they open! We bought a lot. Ha! Actually left all of our wine purchases in the tasting room for safe storage until we finished our Los Olivos rounds. Anthony was fantastic.
Would you like to revisit anything? Yes, please.
Flight 4 - SAMsARA (8 Notes)
Paul gets all the credit for this discovery. He’s been a buyer of this winery for a number of years and I’ve been fortunate to taste quite a few of their bottles. I’ve never had a wine from them that I did not enjoy immensely.
Man can not survive on pretzel rods alone, although I’m willing to try but I need substance. We better get something to eat! The gals order sandwiches from across the street and we occupy a large table outside in the shade. What no music outside? No problem, they just bring a big Sonos speaker and plop it one the table next to us. Terrific!
The quality and value of these tasting notes are rapidly declining at this point. Between the combination of food deprivation, great conversation, and the Liquid Farm PTSD i’m struggling. Chicken scratches follow.
Would you like to revisit anything? Yes, please.
Flight 5 - Brewer Clifton (6 Notes)
Closing
It’s a long drive home, who wants to stop at Roscoe’s for fried chicken and waffles? Why not, let’s do it.
Great trip.
2020 Sanford Brut Rosé
USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
Don’t have many details on this one because when I asked the person in the tasting room what’s the dosage they replied “two years”? Okay… i don’t have a comeback for that one, shockingly. Pretty sure this is all Pinot Noir, but I was afraid to ask how it was made.
Light pink color, salmon, if you will. Bubbles are very light, almost not existent after pouring into the normal stem. Aromas of white bread. Good amount of acidity, good strong back bone. Light peach, flavored, very refreshing. Dare I say, in the profile of a grower.
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2018 Sanford Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict Vineyard
USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
This wine is just average and by far away the weakest in the lineup. The retail price is $100, yikes. The nose is muted with no hint of what’s to come. There’s light pepper on the attack and an earthy note in the form dry dirt. Crushed geranium leaves are interesting with a bite from the terepins. Fruit profile is cranberry and sour cherry just not enough to balance out the rest of the wine.
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2020 Sanford Pinot Noir Block 6 Sanford & Benedict Vineyard
USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
Fresh raspberries, and a pretty crushed rose petals on the nose. Palate is a bright red currant with medium stem influence. I’m assuming this saw some whole cluster.
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2021 Sanford Pinot Noir Dominio Del Falcon
USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
This is very interesting and stylistically different than most of the Sanford Pinot Noir. This is made from a Swiss clone and shows the lighter side of Pinot Noir. Nice strawberry aroma. Pomegranate and raspberry with a little bit of cedar on the palate make this wine feminine. There is a dry leaf note at the finish. Excellent.
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2020 Sanford Chardonnay Sanford & Benedict Vineyard
USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
The nose has a very attractive, spearmint smell combined with cut hay. It’s slick on the mouth, spicy apple and medium acidity. Light vanilla adds to the body. This is very very good, in the class with Arcadian or Rhys.
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2019 Sanford Chardonnay Long Rows Block
USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
Unique Chardonnay because of the wet mossy nose. This has very good mineral and lemon and citrus driven. I had a star next to this one.
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