Thursday’s Bottle returns with Hartley-Ostini Hitching Post “Pinks”

Tags

Frank Ostini, Gray Hartley, Hitching Post Wines, rosé, Wine Bloggers Conference

 

It’s been months since I posted a wine for the weekly “Thursday’s Bottle.” I have no excuse — especially since I still drink a lot of wine, even on Thursdays.

Tonight, to honor the hundreds of writers descending on Buellton for the annual Wine Bloggers Conference, and because it’s a lovely warm summer evening, I offer up a rosé.

Pretty in pink is Pinks rosé, by the gentlemen behind Hartley Ostini Wines, Gray Hartley and Frank Ostini

Those of you who follow my writing know that I just switched my “Wine Country” column from the local newspapers to Noozhawk.com. My first column, July 2, focused on 11 locally produced rosés.

I inadvertently overlooked this one, and I’m here tonight to tell you that it ranks right up with my favorites noted in the Noozhawk column.

The rosé is the 2013 Hartley Ostini Hitching Post “Pinks,” a luscious blend of grenache, pinot noir and valdiguie. It smacks of fresh, juicy pink grapefruit with an undertone of ripe strawberries.

I’m told it retails for $15 — what a steal!

Case production: Update! The always gracious and bubbly Gray Hartley said tonight that the 2013 Pinks includes 2,400 cases. The wine is available in retail outlets, at the restaurants or online: http://www.hpwines.com/HPWines.html

 

 

Thursday’s Bottle

Tags

A-non-ah-mus Wines, Ron Hill, rosé

(OK, so today is actually Friday; the week got away from me).

A-non-ah-mus Wines’ 2012 Syrah Rosé

Full of candied cherry and essence of warm, grilled strawberries. Pure fruit-infused sugar on the palate. Great with nut-encrusted grilled salmon, peaches or just alone.

Hill produced his rosé via the saignee method, using syrah from Alisos Vineyard in the Los Alamos Valley. Production: 25 cases — that’s just one barrel, folks. Retail: $16

Visit http://www.anonahmus.com to reach Hill, former assistant winemaker at Babcock Winery before striking out on his own.