Wine Blog News

June 7, 2015

CHECK OUT HIS BLOG FROM A RECENT CUSTOMER

( to view site goto www.theamericanwinetrail.com/wineries/vintage-cowboy-winery/)

VINTAGE COWBOY WINERY

The Vintage Cowboy has only had its tasting room open since last September (2014) and are doing amazingly well for such an out of the way location and are actually at the mercy of the Pozo Saloon and their concert series, as they use the land in front of the winery as a parking lot for 2,000 cars on concert day.  The good side of that is

they are the wine vendor pouring wine all day and all night…bet that works out for them.

What I really enjoyed learning about is the history and vision of Vintage Cowboy.  When I arrived, Jessica Arnold shared much about the land and the family heritage.  Turns out that the land has been owned and ranched by the Arnold Family for 5 generations…that’s like a real long time for California.  And the 6th generation is being raised up to take over at some point down the road.

One of the really cool things I found out that I was fascinated by it the design of the wine label itself.  Turns out that Jessica has a background

in graphic arts.  Also turns out that there is a vintage saddle on the ranch with some really cool stitching.  Soo, Jessica took it upon herself to spend numerous painstaking hours carefully tracing the craftsman stitch work and used it for the design of the wine labels.  I just love stores like that.  It’s the little anecdotes that make a legacy.

A WORKING RANCH

The ranch is still an active working ranch with cattle, horses and a whole variety of different crops.  Back in 1995 they planted 32 acres of

vineyard, focusing on 3 different red varietals – Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel.  From these grapes they make a nice selection of blends as well.

Let me say that I truly enjoyed all of their reds.  As far as I’m concerned they are as good if not better than wines sold for $30 to $50 in some of the more established

wineries in San Luis Obispo County.  My guess, in a blind taste test, Vintage Cowboy would be a top contender – if not a winner.  I took a bottle or the 2012 Merlot home to the RV and had a glass last night.  It was good at the tasting and it was good to sit and relax with.

The good news is that Vintage Cowboy price point is right about $20 retail in the tasting room.  The 2009 Zinfandel is only $19 a bottle ($14.75 if you join their wine club) the 2011 Cab is $22 and my Merlot was only $20 for the bottle.  Wine club members receive a 25% discount and agree to at least 2 shipment of either 4, 8 or 12 bottles each.  3 Shipments per year are scheduled for February, May and November with what promises to be a fun pick-up party for each.

PLAN ACCORDINGLY

If you want to visit the Vintage Cowboy Winery you should definitely plan accordingly.  First, depending on where you’re coming from make sure the route is one you want to drive.  There are

some roads into the area that come through the Santa Lucia Mountains and the roads can get a bit hairy out here (just imagine riding in the back of a stage coach, back in the day – I always find it amazing to look back).

Then, you want to make certain that they’ll be there.   The Vintage Cowboy Winery is only open on the weekends – that’s Saturday and Sunday from 11 to 5.  Of course if the Pozo Saloon has one of their events taking place chances are good that you won’t find either a parking space or the wine unless if you buy a ticket – and yes, they are more expensive at the gate than if you order them online.

So, come on out, kick up some dust and get your cowboy on and belly up to the tasting bar and tell em to pour their best.  John Wayne would have loved this place, I know I do and I’ll bet you will too if you ever get out to these parts.