Some nice urban winery tastings this weekend.
The highlight was Whistler Vineyards, which shares a tasting room and winery with Lusu Cellars in the old Camelia Street location of Steve Edmunds in Berkeley. http://www.whistlervineyards.com/ Their vineyards are up in Annapolis on the real Sonoma Coast.
IMPRESSIVE Estate Pinot. A dark fruit emphasis, earth, forest floor. A saline minerality that was fantastic. Not "cheap", but they offer a simpler but still delicious "Migrations" bottling from purchased grapes that is an incredible bargain. (As is the minerally, sleek Migrations Chardonnay). fantastic stuff.
Around the corner: Broc Cellars new Grenache Gris Gris rose was simply delicious in a salty, fresh, perfect for summer way.
Donkey and Goat had a lovely new kitchen sink Rhone White blend (Eliza??? was the name) that had a lot of flavors going on and was delicious. The Fernaughty Syrah is pretty angular and not ready right now, but I bet it will be lovely in a few years.
Finally, Dashe Cellars offered some deliciously juicy Zinfandels and a fantastic Ancient Vine Contra Costa Carrignan made in their "Enfants" lighter style wine that was juicy and deliciously fresh.
A fun little wine stroll!