{"id":6574,"date":"2014-05-23T18:22:20","date_gmt":"2014-05-24T01:22:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=6574"},"modified":"2014-05-23T13:24:49","modified_gmt":"2014-05-23T20:24:49","slug":"cocktail-corner-burbank-ranch-in-paso-robles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=6574","title":{"rendered":"Cocktail Corner: Burbank Ranch … in Paso Robles!"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Courtesy

Courtesy Burbank Ranch<\/p><\/div>\n

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes, you read that headline correctly, and no, my GPS has not gone crazy. The new\u00a0Burbank Ranch Winery & Bistro<\/a> is actually north of Santa Barbara\u00a0in downtown Paso Robles.<\/p>\n

The new restaurant\u00a0is a dream come true\u00a0for\u00a0proprietors Fred and Melody Burbank, whose lifelong passion for balanced wines matched with top notch\u00a0cuisine led them to create the venue, which opened this spring. Their Burbank Ranch Vineyard, located in the Paso Robles AVA, is home to dozens of grape varietals, each chosen to complement the distinctive growing conditions. The Burbanks established the 45-acre Burbank Ranch vineyard\u00a0in 2008. The\u00a0vineyard is SIP-certified and planted with\u00a016 varieties, including many of those that the Burbanks have tasted and enjoyed throughout extensive travels in Italy, France, Spain and beyond. Both WSET-certified sommeliers, Fred and Melody chose the El Pomar District for its terroir, which is ideally suited to producing the balanced, food-friendly wines about which they are so passionate.\u00a0Ranch manager,\u00a0Ruben Nodal, meticulously guides the vines\u2019 expression of terroir through to the cellar, where respected winemaker,\u00a0Steve Anglim, captures that expression in balanced, food-friendly wines.<\/p>\n

\"Courtesy

Courtesy Burbank Ranch<\/p><\/div>\n

After years of traveling the world\u2019s most illustrious winegrowing regions, the Burbanks delight\u00a0making wines to complement food, and the Burbank Ranch Bistro is an extension of that philosophy. Chef Nicholas Nolan\u2014whose background includes stints at Paso Robles\u2019 Artisan Restaurant and Craft in Los Angeles\u2014has worked in kitchens across the world. Chef Nolan brings his passion for local flavors and the finest ingredients to Burbank Ranch\u2019s French bistro cuisine with a California locavore twist.<\/p>\n

At Burbank Ranch Bistro, these wines are available in flights or by the glass, and are complemented by Chef Nolan\u2019s cuisine.<\/p>\n

In addition the new restaurant,\u00a0Burbank Ranch Winery also has seven new releases for spring and summer. Here are their tasting notes on each:<\/p>\n

2013 \u201cLittle Rascal\u201d Arneis<\/strong> (163 cases produced, 13.4% abv)\u00a0Translated from the PIemontese dialect as \u201crascal\u201d for its reputation as a tough variety to grow, Arneis grows beautifully in the Paso Robles AVA. The 2013 Burbank Ranch Arneis was harvested early and fermented in stainless steel, producing a dry, full-bodied white wine redolent with bright pear, apple, honeysuckle, mineral and white peach flavors, followed by a structured finish. Pair with hard cheeses like Grana Padano or simple pasta tossed with butter and topped with white truffle shavings.<\/p>\n

2013 \u201cSummertime\u201d Grenache Blanc<\/strong> (105 cases produced, 13.7% abv)\u00a0The 2013 Grenache Blanc\u2019s seductive aroma of orange blossoms is a preamble to flavors of ripe pears and peaches. This refreshing wine boasts a crisp acidity ideal for pairing with food; try the Grenache Blanc with a lunch of scallops or oysters.<\/p>\n

\"Courtesy

Courtesy Burbank Ranch<\/p><\/div>\n

2013 \u201cPicnic Meadow\u201d Grenache Ros\u00e9<\/strong> (191 cases produced, 12.9% abv)\u00a0The Grenache variety ripens late, requiring just the sort of hot, dry summers to fully mature that Paso Robles offers. 2013 produced a brilliantly-colored ros\u00e9 with aromas and flavors of sweet cherry and strawberry, as well as a luxurious mouthfeel. A classic Mediterranean pairing for ros\u00e9 is simple roast chicken, but herbed grilled chicken or fish would also fit the bill.<\/p>\n

My personal favorite of the new releases was the 2013 \u201cFriends\u201d Syrah Ros\u00e9<\/strong> (77 cases produced, 14.2% abv)\u00a0This sensuous ros\u00e9 is reminiscent of its Spanish roots with exotic aromas of rose petals and bright cherry and raspberry flavors. Pair with roasted nuts, a classic Spanish tortilla, or fresh albacore salad.<\/p>\n

2013 \u201cSummer Dream\u201d Zinfandel Ros\u00e9<\/strong> (211 cases produced, 13.5% abv)\u00a0Zinfandel has found a happy home at the Burbank Ranch. With minimal skin contact during crush and fermentation, the 2013 Zinfandel ros\u00e9 is vibrant with hints of strawberry, melon and raspberry. Drink alongside a steaming bowl of pad thai or wood-grilled quattro staggioni pizza.<\/p>\n

2011 \u201cWood Pile\u201d Petit Verdot<\/strong> (25 cases, 15.6% abv)\u00a0When ripe, Petit Verdot grapes are small and black, producing aromas and flavors of violet, leather, spices, blackberry and black cherry. The Burbank Ranch 2011 Petit Verdot ripened exceedingly well, and is an ideal match with grilled meats like barbecued lamb chops, duck breasts or pork spare ribs; or, alternatively, shared around an evening fire.<\/p>\n

I also really enjoyed this wine during last week’s late spring heat wave: 2013 \u201cSummer Moon\u201d Sauvignon Blanc<\/strong> (semi-sweet) (93 cases produced, 12.4% abv)\u00a0With crisp, fresh notes of ripe orange, green apple, honey and melon balanced against enticing sweetness, the 2013 Sauvignon Blanc is the product of warm days and cool evening breezes from the Pacific Ocean flowing through the Templeton Gap. Perfect alongside a light supper or after-dinner cheeses, this wine is also ideal for late afternoon poolside sipping.<\/p>\n

For more information on Burbank Ranch Winery, \u00a0visit BurbankRanch.com<\/a>, or stop by the Burbank Ranch Bistro (at 1240 Park Street, Paso Robles) to sample a selection of wines paired with fresh, locally-sourced cuisine.<\/p>\n

Cheers!<\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> for more cocktail corner columns.<\/p>\n

Originally published in\u00a0Santa Barbara SEASONS<\/a>\u00a0on May 23, 2014.<\/p>\n

\"Leslie<\/a>

Leslie Dinaberg<\/p><\/div>\n

When she\u2019s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS<\/a>, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a \u201cgoal-oriented drinker.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

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