Winery/Producer: Blackjack Ranch Vineyards and Winery; 2205 Alamo Pintado Rd; Solvang, CA
Appellation: Santa Yenz Valley
Tasting Room and Location: four miles north of Solvang on Alamo Pintado Road.
Grape Variety Tasted:
2009 Chardonnay “21” 2009 Chardonnay “Black Cap Reserve” 2006 Double-Down Syrah 2010 Merlot Billy Goat Hill 2007 Maximus SyrahTasting Price: $10.00
Knowledge and Helpfulness of the Person Pouring the Wine: Asta, (shown in the photo above) was really was a great hostess. She has been part of the vineyard since it began and was knowledgeable about the wine making, the wines, and a very interesting person to chat with while tasting Blackjack wines. She made the tasting very enjoyable.
Recommendation from the tasting: Good wines, very nice tasting room and GREAT hostess pouring the wines. Recommend going for a wine tasting at Blackjack if your in or near Solvang.
Comments: Roger Wisted, owner of the Blackjack vineyards and winery invented a casino card game called “California Blackjack” because the standard game of “21” was outlawed in California. The vineyard is named in honor of the game that provided the money to begin his large scale wine making enterprise. Also of note, Blackjack Ranch vineyard was the second of six wineries Jack and Miles visited for their tasting in the movie Sideways.
The tasting room is a large rustic building that provides a great setting. We were there on a week day and were the only people tasting, however Asta did mention there were lots of people on weekends. We recommend visiting on a week day if possible.
We purchased only the 2007 Blackjack Ranch Maximus Syrah