back to store

800.625.8238

Wine Blog from The International Wine of the Month Club

A wine blog written by the experts from The International Wine of the Month Club

Great California Wines From Off the Beaten Path

September 11, 2015 by Don Lahey

Pietra Santa Winery
Pietra Santa Vineyard

John Steinbeck would have no problem finding Hollister, California, or making his way through the nearby Cienega Valley to taste the fruit of the vines that grow upon the slopes of the Gabilan Mountains or in the valley of the Salinas River.  But, how many of the wine tourists that crowd the tasting rooms of Napa Valley would know where to begin to look for Hollister or the Cienega Valley?

Off the beaten path and under the radar of the masses who travel to more trodden wine destinations, Hollister and the Cienega Valley offer the thirsty traveler in search of fine wine a trove of affordable treasures.  Located on the San Andreas Fault in the northern half of California’s Central Coast AVA, Cienega Valley may well be the most unspoiled wine country in California.

Calera is perhaps the region’s most recognizable name and the most lauded winery in Steinbeck country. Year in and year out, Calera’s wines are consistent favorites among critics and consumers, especially its award-winning Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.  Who knew that Calera wasn’t in Napa or Sonoma?

Pietra Santa is another Cienega Valley jewel.  Pietra Santa’s Tuscan-born winemaker, Alessio Carli, possesses a magic touch with Sangiovese, as the estate’s recently released 2010 Pietra Santa Sangiovese will attest.  Equally compelling is Pietra Santa’s Sassolino, a delicious, age-worthy super Tuscan red consisting of a blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Recent Pietra Santa Signature Selection Pinot Noirs merit special attention, too, as does the 2014 Pietra Santa Estate Chardonnay and Amore Pinot Grigio, easily one of California’s finest Pinot Grigios. In addition, remember that Léal and Derose are two other noteworthy Cienega Valley wineries.

If you are in search of a wide variety of high-quality California wines at affordable prices, wander the road less taken and beat a path to Cienega Valley.

Related Posts:

  • 20 DIY Wine Cork Christmas Ornaments
    20 DIY Wine Cork Christmas Ornaments
  • Grenache: A Prestigious and Prolific Crowd Pleaser
    Grenache: A Prestigious and Prolific Crowd Pleaser
  • Bordeaux: More Great Wines from Beside the Waters
    Bordeaux: More Great Wines from Beside the Waters
  • Exceptional Red and White Portuguese Wines: Still in Need of Discovery
    Exceptional Red and White Portuguese Wines: Still in Need of…

Posted in: Interesting Wine Info, Wine Education, Wine Regions

About Don Lahey

Don Lahey's career in the wine industry spans over 30 years as an importer, author, consultant, and educator. He leads the tasting panel that selects our wines each month.

Check out our Wine Clubs

  • Premier Series Wine Club
  • Bold Reds Wine Club
  • Masters Series Wine Club
  • Collectors Series Wine Club

Wine Lovers’ Pages

  • Food & Wine Pairings
  • Old World Wine Regions
  • Grape Varietals
  • Wine Making Process

Recent Posts

  • Tuscany: The Crown Jewel of Italian Wine
  • Chile and Argentina: Viven Los Andes
  • 20 DIY Wine Cork Christmas Ornaments
  • Grenache: A Prestigious and Prolific Crowd Pleaser

Wine Topics

  • Featured Selections
  • In the News
  • Interesting Wine Info
  • Member of the Month
  • Notes from the Panel
  • Recipes and Pairings
  • Uncategorized
  • Wine Education
  • Wine Events
  • Wine Humor
  • Wine Regions
Sign up for our rss feed

Archives

The International Wine of the Month Club

The International Wine of the Month Club | 1-800-625-8238 (Outside USA call: 949-206-1904) | P.O. Box 1627, Lake Forest, CA 92609