Its a great even and even if you are a novice you will enjoy it. I just ran through the list and here are a few that I love in aphabetical order. This is what I like and everyone is different but these are all well made quality wines. Apologies in advance if I miss anyone elses faves:
Arrowood
Beckman-love their syrah and they have a great sauv blanc
Carlisle-I’m not a zin drinker but theirs are legendary
Darms Lane-loved their Chardonnay last year
Hall-their Cabs rock and are affordable
Justin-Isosceles red blend are long time favorite, everything they make is good
L’Aventure-if they bring a bottle of Optimus (their flagship wine) I’ll be there for some
Larkmead-Cabernet…really? they will be pouring that, I’m in
Litorrai-Pinot
Melville-solid Pinot and affordable
Merry Edwards-whatever you can get, she is amazing and its all legendary
O-shaughnessy-Cab, wow!
Pahlmeyer-$100+ wines usually great
Pisoni-amazing pinot, Gary Pisoni is a true character
Pride-not that I drink Merlot but I drink theirs if I can
Siduri-another great pinot
Spring Mountain-cab? Really I get to drink that too?
Tablas Creek-joint venture with Chateau de Beaucastle from France, great wines, another fave
Tantara-love these guys!
Zotovich-new winery up in Santa Barbara area, great young wine maker producing quality wines and worthy of support
Seriously, I passed another 20 or 30 wines I love but these were a few that I had the last year that were really enjoyable. The truth is you cant go wrong as there wont be any wines that arent well above average.
Cheers
sdr
Last piece of advice. Try to spit out as much as you can the first hour. Then Be Smart and make sure you arrange for transportation home. You will happy you did so.
