#Rio Seco Vineyard and Winery

[livinginbeauty-net]

Living In Beauty – Same House, Different Paradise!

If you’d rather listen to the podcast, click the play button.

https://livinginbeauty.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Same-House.mp3

  When setting out on this adventure with Beauty and The Beast, we entered into a mystery.

Rim Trail at Patrick Point State Park, Trinidad, CA

    Hiking the ranch

Along the way, we’ve acquired an atavistic entourage – a mix of signs, perceptions, memories – who manifest within us a deep sense of ancestral and divine protection.

Working dog guarding the flock at Six Sigma Ranch, Lower Lake, CA

While wilderness hiking or stargazing, the subtle murmurings of nature inform us and we listen carefully to learn if we should stay or go and what to do.

Rio Seco Vineyard and Winery

These messages from othery, out-there sources can be shrill in those precious minutes before a deer steps onto the highway or a hail storm descends – and, soothing when wind and rain pummel the rig like a toy as we drive through a sandstorm or outrun a hurricane or tornado.

As citizens of the planet we’re proud to, finally, be able to look to the sky and trust our instincts. And, be it maturity or a life-stage thing, we’re connecting with like-minded others.

Six Sigma Ranch

In Florida, we met a couple – about our age – who lost their first house to the Northridge earthquake and their last house to a recent wildfire and now they’re happy RV residents of the “Same House, Different Paradise” community – what Jim and I call, Living In Beauty.

Rio Seco Vineyard and Winery, Paso Robles

Due to our long-term savings plan, having better health than we expected, and our great investment advisor, Jeffrey Dunham at Dunham & Associates, we’ll soon enter our third year of a location independent retirement as seasonal exploiters of the most beautiful places in America.

Jeffrey Dunham, our Financial Advisor and Amy Gallego, our relationship manager.

A pilgrimage without a destination, a party that never ends. Here we go again! Our third exodus from San Diego.

We’re on our way to Salem, Oregon for Airstream’s Wally Byam Caravan Club International Rally, where we are presenters on the topic of traveling full-time in an Airstream.

Stacked Stone Cellars vineyard

So much has happened since we pulled out of San Diego four weeks ago!

Agua Dulce Winery

Leaving Chula Vista, we took I-15 to I-215 North to Highway 138 and then took the 14 to Agua Dulce Winery in Santa Clarita where we had an excellent wine tasting and retired for the night in their parking lot with wine, crackers, cheese – all the comforts following a long day on the road.

Stacked Stone Cellars

The next morning we drove 200 miles north on I-5 to Highway 46 and the idyllic countryside vineyard and ranch at Stacked Stone Cellars where we spent several lovely days enjoying their top-notch Zinfindel, making mayonnaise from fresh yard eggs, bottling homebrew and learning Paso Robles history from our illustrious host, Don.

Rio Seco Vineyard and Winery

After four nights at Stacked Stone, we moved eight miles down the road to Rio Seco Vineyard and Winery where the Hinkle family (Tom Hinkle, a baseball scout for 28 years) hosted us for an overnight stay in their scenic vineyard and olive orchard. How lovely to share a happy hour and take a “bus tour” with Mike and Erin from Free Roaming Bus.

Morning After walk at Rio Seco

Cutest kitchen ever!

Inside Mike and Erin’s bus

Free Roaming Bus at Sunset

Sunset in the Free Roaming Bus

Carol Hinkle, our wonderful host

Dare to be different … yes.

Tobin James Cellars

After a wonderful walk through the Rio Seco vineyard and orchard, we moved a mile or two down the road to Tobin James Cellars – our host for two fabulous nights where we stocked up on Chardonnay and Petite Sirah.

Cava Robles RV Resort

The big surprise in Paso Robles was Sun Community’s new RV resort Cava Robles which had just opened for business. They were calling it a soft-opening because the resort is still under construction. It’s a rare thing to see a resort of this caliber before any guests arrive…

…and it was a little eerie to be among the first campers, even having the place to ourselves for two days! We love Paso Robles and Cava Robles will be our first choice when we return.

Wine tasting, Opolo!

Happy Hour at the bar!

All to ourselves …

We were the only RV parked at the entire resort near the recreation area.

Relaxing at Cava Robles

Jessie’s Grove Winery

It’s always difficult to leave Paso … but we moved north to Jessie’s Grove Winery, a family winery in Lodi famous for old Zinfandel vines and great wines.

Vinnie’s Northbay Airstream Repair

Leaving Lodi, our minds were racing with details about a major project in Wilton. Vinnie Lamica at Vinnie’s Northbay Airstream Repair had cleared a week for servicing Beauty. For our journey to Canada, we wanted more solar power and battery storage, and a nice warm cork floor. Vinnie also gave us some valuable road safety advice on how to stay hitched in the event of an accident.

Vinnie’s has the best digs in Wilton. My, how his new Airstream campground is growing up!

  Julietta Winery

From Vinnie’s, we drove 28 miles to Julietta Winery – and made it just in time for a party celebrating the release of their 2015 Petite Syrah. After a Sunday potluck with members of the wine club, we were shown a beautiful spot in the rose garden to park for the night.

Roseville and Sacramento

We couldn’t leave the Sacramento area without visiting our good friends Marsha and Dale at the Roseville Church of Christ …

Happy 50th Anniversary to Marsha and Dale Gifford!

… and Jim’s colleagues at the California Medical Association – all who actually follow our blog. Thanks! (Sorry Lance, we didn’t get a photo of you)

Mike and Shirley

Dustin

And a walk through Old Sacramento

Six Sigma Ranch and Winery

The next morning we pulled out of the church parking lot for a breathtaking 125-mile drive (I-5 to Highway 20, 53 and 29) to Six Sigma Ranch and Winery.

Highway 20 heading west toward Six Sigma Ranch and Winery

We camped in a valley beneath a giant oak beside a stream where enchanting birdsong ruled the day and frogs serenaded the stars at night. We spent a couple of days there hiking the trails and roads and taking in the sweet fragrance of buckeye in full bloom.

Our camp at Six Sigma

Mount Konocti from Six Sigma

Hiking the ranch

Six Sigma was an ideal setting to test our new beefed-up solar. So Carmen blow dried her hair … and then she blow-dried Pico’s hair …

….while we roasted a ranch-raised pot roast in our Instant Pot and paired it with the 2014 Diamond Mine Cuvée.

Right from the freezer at Six Sigma

A winery with a lot of heart!

Solar-cooked pot roast!

Okay, that’s a bit decadent for camp food but, hey, ya gotta eat!

Jessie’s Grove, Lodi, where days of wine and roses end well.

Cheers! And happy travels!

  We'll soon enter our third year of a location independent retirement as seasonal exploiters of the most beautiful places in America Living In Beauty - Same House, Different Paradise! If you'd rather listen to the podcast, click the play button.

[paso-robles-wineries]

These special EAST-SIDE wineries might still have openings this weekend + certainly weekends to come. Make your reservations! @Riosecowinery @ChateauMargeneWinery @LussoDellaTerra @VillaSanJuliette. Check out these gems (that are dog-friendly 🐾 too)! Rio Seco: Small LOVELY family-owned vineyard + winery specializing in Bordeaux + Rhône varietals (killer estate-grown olive oil too). Their passion goes into creating an exceptional vineyard, using intensive growing practices resulting in richly handcrafted wines. Located close to downtown Paso. Chateau Margene: Micro-winery produces luxury Cab Sauv + Cab Franc from their estate vineyard in the Creston District. They also produce Pinot Noir + Chardonnay from the Santa Lucia Highlands + port-style wines under the ROXO Cellars label. Lounge on the patio overlooking the garden or on the lawn shaded by grand trees before Michael, the owner + winemaker, takes you on a tour of the vineyard. Lusso Della Terra: Boutique winery located in San Miguel’s rolling hills. Their expansive patio areas offer lovely views of hundreds of acres of lush vineyards. Hang out + enjoy bocce ball + corn hole. Small lot, specialty wines win competitions across the country. Specializing in high quality, handcrafted, ultra premium wines released in limited quantities. Food served on the weekends. Villa San Juliette: Relax in a Tuscan inspired landscape with rolling lawns + forever views of the vineyards. This stunning winery is nestled against the Cholame Hills in the Paso Estrella District. Their focus is on growing + producing lovely, balanced wines that highlight the intrinsic characteristics of their 130-acre estate vineyard. For the ultimate tasting experience, allow their in-house chef to pair their diverse wine selections with hand-crafted plates. #bestwine #pasorobleswineries #pasowine #pasorobles #rioseco #chateaumargene #lussodellaterra #villasanjuliette #dogfriendly #wine #wineries #winetasting #californiawine #winecountry #wineblogger #winetime #wineoclock #instawine #wineriesopen #vino #winesofinstagram #winelover #napa #winegeek #winewinewine #wineglass #wineporn #dogfriendlywinery #lovewine #wineblogger (at Paso Robles Wineries) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCUAP-Wn9El/?igshid=1wkffh738isa2

[gordonhighland]

A Long Transfer

We have had a hectic few days. After deciding that we needed to dry out, we pulled up stakes on Thursday and started the long transfer to southern Arizona. Rain, though much needed in California, is not conducive to van life. Hobbes is far too small for all of us to be stuck in all day and night. With multiple checks of the weather we decided on Yuma, AZ, figuring that thousands of snowbirds can’t be wrong. The problem was, Yuma’s a long way from Monterey, CA.

 Day 1: After Sara finished work on Thursday, we packed up and headed for Bakersfield, with a stop over at Rio Seco Winery in Paso Robles. Rio Seco is a family owned and run vineyard, which produces all their wines from grapes grown on-site. Carol, the owner, was a pleasure to speak with. She was quite modest about the quality of the wine, but for me, its rustic character was a true demonstration of their home place.

 We then set out for Bakersfield. After meeting our Boondocker’s Welcome host, we decided to visit the Buck Owens Crystal Palace for free music and dancing. Things close up early in Bakersfield and we only saw a couple songs before the lights came on people started to leave. On the drive home, we listened to Streets of Bakersfield, by Buck Owens – seemed apropos.

 Day 2: We have an uncanny knack for driving through L.A. during the afternoon rush hour. We did it on our way north along the coast, and we did it again going from Bakersfield toward Palm Springs. A journey that should have taken four hours, stretched to over six and we ended up in the Morongo Casino parking lot off interstate 10. Though not ideal, casino parking lots are an easy and free way to camp along major thoroughfares. After fighting traffic for so many hours, it was nice to just pull off and not have to find a place to park. This one even had a shuttle to the casino! No gambling for us though.

 Day 3: One day closer to good weather. We missed the Salton Sea on our way through Palm Springs the first time. This time we made a stop and camped along the shore. For the first time in quite a few days we enjoyed time outside the van and in sunshine. Things started to dry out.

 Day 4: Our final transfer day, with detours to Salvation Mountain, Slab City and East Jesus, we made it to Yuma and set up camp at Mittry Lake, directly next to a series of mountain bike trails that I checked out the following morning.

It was a bit upsetting to give up on the California coast, the scenery is spectacular and the towns charming, but with the rain and California’s notorious lack of free camping, I believe we have made the right choice to head to Arizona.  Now that we have landed somewhere, with warm weather in the forecast and mail coming our way, I will be writing more frequently. I look forward to sharing more.

For now, it feels good to be in the sun!

[pasoroblesdailynews]

Pony Tail' Don of Arndt Cellars opens tasting room

Pony Tail’ Don of Arndt Cellars opens tasting room

Don Arndt.

–Arndt Cellars opened its tasting room after five years of operating without a retail location. They are sharing a tasting room at Rio Seco Vineyard & Winery at 4295 Union Road in Paso Robles, which was the 22nd winery established in Paso Robles with a great history and beautiful grounds.

Don Arndt has been a winemaker for 15 years. In 2012 he ventured out on his own and started his…

[paso-robles-wineries]

Who’s down for natural fermentation, no additives in wines, + starting with the best Estate grown fruit possible? These winemaking philosophies have given @rioseco a respected name on the Central Coast. Bonus bingo is their natural, genuine warmth + generosity underlined by their motto, “Come as a friend, leave as family”. Carol, the mama bear + owner, awaits you with a warm smile + a glass of wine. If you are lucky you might meet more of the family including Buddha (nickname), perhaps the happiest 9 month old I’ve ever met. . Once owned by a Hollywood movie producer, their beautiful 63 acres is perched amongst rolling hills + the Huer Huero Creek less than 10 minutes from historic downtown Paso. . This now family-owned winery produces some delicious red varietals, blends + OUTSTANDING estate extra virgin olive oil that won top honors with a gold medal. I was VERY excited to purchase a gallon of olive oil this past weekend at an amazing price of $75! (Olive oil lovers, this is your paradise. I lived in Tuscany + this rivals the best that Italy delivers.) . Extra points, if you are a @harvesthosts (Harvest Hosts) member you can camp in your RV at no cost in their Vineyard. Not a member? Stay in their well-equipped vacation rental next to the winery overlooking the vineyards, you’ll never find yourself short of wine. . As a fun side note, before the transformation, the 64 acre vineyard was the movie set for 1982 action packed car chase thriller, The Junkman – the movie is on youtube! To make the film, H. B. Halicki used his own personal collection of over 200 cars, toys, + guns - including Eleanor, the star of his 1974 cult classic “Gone in 60 Seconds”. You’ll catch the original movie poster hung in the tasting room, that serves as a blast to the past! . Want a winetasting COUPON for Rio Seco? Text ‘Specials’ to 24587 or click the link on our BIO. . For mapping + directions - Speedfind.com/RioSecoVineyard (at Rio Seco Vineyard and Winery) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7SE5DGnlid/?igshid=18bf0qhptar42