Overview
I had my first bottle of Presqu’ile (pronounced press-KEEL) earlier this summer. The first Sauvignon Blanc that I ever truly enjoyed. Needless to say, I was super excited to visit the winery and try the rest of what they had to offer.
Located in Santa Maria Valley, Presqu’ile was voted one of the 10 best tasting rooms in the US by USA Today and it’s not hard to see why. The contemporary, yet homey design of the tasting room flows seamlessly from indoor to outdoor making you feel like you’re in a friend’s backyard. The property is named after the owner’s family farm that was destroyed in the wrath of Hurricane Katrina.
The property is situated on a hill with the tasting and barrel rooms on the ground level, but the loading docs and pressing machines are located on level 4 of 5 which you would never realize from looking at the tasting room!
The Wine
For those who are not aware, Santa Maria and Santa Rita AVAs here in the central coast are known for some of the best Pinot Noir growing regions in California. This is because of two mountain ranges that create a tunnel providing cool Pacific Ocean air to the vineyard. Because of this, it create ideal growing climates and a longer growing season which helps the grapes develop their flavors.
We tasted two flights while visiting Presqu’ile. One reserve flight that included Pinor Noir, Chardonnay and Sauv Blanc, and the other was a special menu of different vintage Pinots from a specific vineyard. All the pinots were excellent, but I ended up taking home a bottle of the Chardonnay!
My picks:
2014 Chardonnay, Presqu’ile Vineyard
2014 Pinot Noir, Presqu’ile Vineyard
Atmosphere
One of the things I loved most about Presqu’ile was the amount of space and different seating areas they have. There is a spacious indoor tasting bar with a few couches and places to relax, but out front there are plenty of tables and spaces to relax with a small or big group overlooking their amphitheater.
Another thing I loved about the property was the artwork that was hanging on the walls of the tasting room. They are modern, but also feel relatable, just like the property itself.
Quite possibly my favorite thing about this place is that it’s so quiet. Really, if you are looking for a place to sit back and relax this is 100% the spot for you.
Great For:
- Couples
- Large Parties
- Excellent Views
- Summer Concerts
Visit
5391 Presquile Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93455 | (805) 937-8110 | open daily from 11am to 5pm (6p on Fridays)
Tasting Fee: $15 – 4 tastings OR $20 – 4 tastings of reserve wines
No reservations necessary for parties of 8 or less.
https://www.presquilewine.com/
