Day Eight: October 12th: Direct From Hadsten House In Solvang, CA: Solvang, Los Olivos Cafe, Andrew Murray, Santa Ynez River and River Grill Golf
"Adventures In Wine Country" with Co-Hosts Chuck Byers and Greg Rist is a new series airing in April 2010 on CHEX Television Channel 12 Durham and the Greater Toronto Area.
Shooting In Solvang
Solvang indeed has much to offer in both the sites and the sounds of the Santa Ynez Valley. We needed some make up shots of various areas that we had been to as well as opportunity shots of the "touristy" shots of the area such as the windmills, street signs, mermaid, stores and restaurants. We also met with Bill Phelps of Hadsten and Mary Harris of the Solvang Visitors Bureau first to interview them for the "Adventures In Wine Country" series and second to thank them for all that they have done for us. Mary and Bill had been crucial in the production not only from a logistics point of view but also from the support that they provided through their many suggestions and contacts. Had it not been for them, the show would indeed have a totally different perspective.
I then went over to pay my respects to Mr. Jack Sparrow at Fess Parker's Winery. I purchased some wines (Crockett---a fiftieth anniversary bottle and a Frontier Red) and made arrangements for Jack to meet me at Hadsten House for a final goodbye on Wednesday. Jack and I go a long way. He was the first person that I encountered with the exception of Bill Phelps and I consider both good friends and look forward to seeing them again in the very near future.
Rain Warnings
Throughout the weekend we had had many ominous warnings of tumultuous rain storms coming. The weather forecasters were predicting some four to six inches of rain for the Santa Barbara area and even more---much more----for San Francisco. Greg and I decided to do some localized shooting near the Santa Ynez River, just in case it flooded and the river went from empty bone dry to very full wet. We also made arrangements to go to the River Golf Club and visit the River Grill later on in the week.
Tarantulas A Plenty!
On our way to see Andrew Murray, we found yet again another Tarantula that was making its way across Foxen Canyon Road. It seems that this area is in one of the main migration paths of Tarantulas. We decided to film this big spider again and this time took many pictures of it crawling on our hands and arms. Tarantulas are not the dreaded creatures that one sees in movies. Matter of fact, all this creature wanted to do was get away. It seems that the local people have found this out since they go out of their way not to hurt them. Why not? These spiders probably save the district a fortune in "bug control" funds and complements the "Green" thinking that is becoming so prominent today. Funny enough, a more dangerous spider is so small that it sometimes goes unnoticed until it bites. It is called the "Brown Recluse" and it has made many people ill. Not even the dreaded "Black Widow" spider which is all over the area is as potentially dangerous since it can be noticed easily. "Watch out when you're groping around hay!" is the warning some gave me! Tarantulas were good for both the environment and the episode since it made our adventure a bit more exciting.
Andrew Murray Vineyards
Then it was time to visit a person who I had been in contact with via email. That was Andrew Murray. Interestingly enough, I was a long time devotee of his wines but only corresponded through email. How this happened was indeed a comical situation. I was on "Face Book" when I got an message from Andrew Murray. It seemed he wanted to become my friend. I responded telling him how great his wines were and how much I loved California. He responded rather quizzically. He said that he did not have a winery in California but his was in Australia. I was puzzled. I was sure the Andrew Murray that I knew was in California. To make a long story short, it seemed that there were TWO Andrew Murrays: One was the Andrew Murray I knew about from California and the other was Andrew S. Murray from Australia. Both since have made contact with each other.
It proved difficult to find the Andrew Murray that I know about since his winery was rather hidden from view and the only signs available directed people to the tasting rooms in Los Olivos. We found Mr. Murray working the pipes and doing all sorts of routines at the winery. He was the master of all trades here. He operated most of the machinery and produced the wine. He was the best description of a one man operation.
Andrew told us that he was doing all this since he was 18 years of age. He had gone to visit the Rhone Valley for a short visit and fell in love with the whole concept of making wine. He then went to Australia to apprentice and study Shiraz or as we call it Syrah. When he came back, he obtained a degree in Viticulture and Oenology from U. C. Davis and made great strides in producing fine wines by buying grapes from growers who were very serious with his idea of making wine. He has since won the respect of not only his peers but also of the critics all over the world.
Andrew Murray Wines
We could tell that Andrew had a passion for Rhone style wines especially Syrah as he had a wide representation of various Syrahs from the Central Coat. He had also Viognier, Roussanne, Grenache, Chardonnay plus a series of wines called "Days Off Wines" which are produced in limited amounts and are of a varietaly nature.
I found that Andrews wines especially his Syrah and Rhone Blends to be very exciting, concentrated and "a must" for any serious restaurateur and/or wine drinker. I just loved his Central Coast Syrah as well as his Syrah Reserve. His "Esperance" which is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, none too shabby either.
I cannot say enough for this innovative and likable winemaker/owner. He is everything that is good about the Santa Ynez area and California in general. I would love to see his wines in Canada on a regular basis. Not wonder Robert Parker frequently awards his wines with 90+ scores.
Buelton
Greg and I had no special things planned for the evening so we went to a grocery store in Buelton and collected a few odds and ends for dinner. We went back to the hotel and ate while watching Tarantulas crawl up our arms. The wine choice----Andrew Murray Syrah of course!!!
End of Day Eight
Shooting In Solvang
Solvang indeed has much to offer in both the sites and the sounds of the Santa Ynez Valley. We needed some make up shots of various areas that we had been to as well as opportunity shots of the "touristy" shots of the area such as the windmills, street signs, mermaid, stores and restaurants. We also met with Bill Phelps of Hadsten and Mary Harris of the Solvang Visitors Bureau first to interview them for the "Adventures In Wine Country" series and second to thank them for all that they have done for us. Mary and Bill had been crucial in the production not only from a logistics point of view but also from the support that they provided through their many suggestions and contacts. Had it not been for them, the show would indeed have a totally different perspective.
I then went over to pay my respects to Mr. Jack Sparrow at Fess Parker's Winery. I purchased some wines (Crockett---a fiftieth anniversary bottle and a Frontier Red) and made arrangements for Jack to meet me at Hadsten House for a final goodbye on Wednesday. Jack and I go a long way. He was the first person that I encountered with the exception of Bill Phelps and I consider both good friends and look forward to seeing them again in the very near future.
Rain Warnings
Throughout the weekend we had had many ominous warnings of tumultuous rain storms coming. The weather forecasters were predicting some four to six inches of rain for the Santa Barbara area and even more---much more----for San Francisco. Greg and I decided to do some localized shooting near the Santa Ynez River, just in case it flooded and the river went from empty bone dry to very full wet. We also made arrangements to go to the River Golf Club and visit the River Grill later on in the week.
Tarantulas A Plenty!
On our way to see Andrew Murray, we found yet again another Tarantula that was making its way across Foxen Canyon Road. It seems that this area is in one of the main migration paths of Tarantulas. We decided to film this big spider again and this time took many pictures of it crawling on our hands and arms. Tarantulas are not the dreaded creatures that one sees in movies. Matter of fact, all this creature wanted to do was get away. It seems that the local people have found this out since they go out of their way not to hurt them. Why not? These spiders probably save the district a fortune in "bug control" funds and complements the "Green" thinking that is becoming so prominent today. Funny enough, a more dangerous spider is so small that it sometimes goes unnoticed until it bites. It is called the "Brown Recluse" and it has made many people ill. Not even the dreaded "Black Widow" spider which is all over the area is as potentially dangerous since it can be noticed easily. "Watch out when you're groping around hay!" is the warning some gave me! Tarantulas were good for both the environment and the episode since it made our adventure a bit more exciting.
Andrew Murray Vineyards
Then it was time to visit a person who I had been in contact with via email. That was Andrew Murray. Interestingly enough, I was a long time devotee of his wines but only corresponded through email. How this happened was indeed a comical situation. I was on "Face Book" when I got an message from Andrew Murray. It seemed he wanted to become my friend. I responded telling him how great his wines were and how much I loved California. He responded rather quizzically. He said that he did not have a winery in California but his was in Australia. I was puzzled. I was sure the Andrew Murray that I knew was in California. To make a long story short, it seemed that there were TWO Andrew Murrays: One was the Andrew Murray I knew about from California and the other was Andrew S. Murray from Australia. Both since have made contact with each other.
It proved difficult to find the Andrew Murray that I know about since his winery was rather hidden from view and the only signs available directed people to the tasting rooms in Los Olivos. We found Mr. Murray working the pipes and doing all sorts of routines at the winery. He was the master of all trades here. He operated most of the machinery and produced the wine. He was the best description of a one man operation.
Andrew told us that he was doing all this since he was 18 years of age. He had gone to visit the Rhone Valley for a short visit and fell in love with the whole concept of making wine. He then went to Australia to apprentice and study Shiraz or as we call it Syrah. When he came back, he obtained a degree in Viticulture and Oenology from U. C. Davis and made great strides in producing fine wines by buying grapes from growers who were very serious with his idea of making wine. He has since won the respect of not only his peers but also of the critics all over the world.
Andrew Murray Wines
We could tell that Andrew had a passion for Rhone style wines especially Syrah as he had a wide representation of various Syrahs from the Central Coat. He had also Viognier, Roussanne, Grenache, Chardonnay plus a series of wines called "Days Off Wines" which are produced in limited amounts and are of a varietaly nature.
I found that Andrews wines especially his Syrah and Rhone Blends to be very exciting, concentrated and "a must" for any serious restaurateur and/or wine drinker. I just loved his Central Coast Syrah as well as his Syrah Reserve. His "Esperance" which is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, none too shabby either.
I cannot say enough for this innovative and likable winemaker/owner. He is everything that is good about the Santa Ynez area and California in general. I would love to see his wines in Canada on a regular basis. Not wonder Robert Parker frequently awards his wines with 90+ scores.
Buelton
Greg and I had no special things planned for the evening so we went to a grocery store in Buelton and collected a few odds and ends for dinner. We went back to the hotel and ate while watching Tarantulas crawl up our arms. The wine choice----Andrew Murray Syrah of course!!!
End of Day Eight
posted by Chuck Byers - Wine Consultant | 7:09 PM
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