The Vineyard

On June 2, The Vineyard held their Big Taste of The Vineyard XIV, a free wine tasting with 47 wines. Members of the North Shore Winers attended this tasting.

The Vineyard, located in a strip mall, sells wines, beers, and spirits as well as gourmet foods. In the second photo above, you can see part of the deli case. Within this case are usually desserts, cheeses, prepared foods, meats and more. Surrounding the deli case are also numerous gourmet food products such as sauces, teas, spices and much more. Most of their wines are located against one wall, which is visible in the third photo. The front right corner of the store though also contains many wines, especially what their best sellers. Though it seems they may have less wines that comparable wine stores, it might only seem that way due to the the set-up of the store. They certainly though have a nice selection of wines, including a number of wines I have not seen in other stores. Prices seem average with discounts for cases. The staff is helpful and seem knowledgeable about their wines.

Their website lists upcoming tastings, some of which are listed on my blog in the Upcoming Events list. These include some blind tastings, which you usually do not see at many wine stores.

The Vineyard is definitely a wine store worth checking out.

As for the tasting, here is my list of the wines I tasted that I especially recommend.

2006 Cartlidge & Brown Pinot Noir $15

2005 Morgan Twelve Clone P.N. $30

2005 Mano a Mano Tempranillo $10 (Great value!)

2004 Morgan Cotes du Crow's $19

2005 The Show, Cabernet Sauvignon $14

2005 Cakebread Sauvignon Blanc $30

2003 Oberon Cabernet Sauvignon $20

2003 Lincourt Cabernet Sauvignon "La Cuesta Vineyard" $35

2003 Clos Dominic, Priorat $45

2006 Leira Pazo Pondal Albarino $19

2006 Mandolin Pinot Noir $15

2005 Creed "The Pretty Miss" Shiraz/Cabernet/Viognier $24

2006 Dom. Houchart Rose Cotes de Provence $11 (Great value!)

2005 Curious Beagle Cabernet Sauvignon $14 (Great value!)

2004 Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet $20

The tasting was very good, with a nice selection of wines, including many especially geared for the summer. Their next big tasting will be September 8 so make sure to mark that down on your calendar.