Edna Valley Vineyard California Rosé 2016

Medium salmon pink color; raspberry, strawberry, cherry, watermelon, spice on the nose; raspberry, strawberry, watermelon on the palate.

Edna Valley Vineyard California Rosé 2016

Dry; moderate acidity; light in the mouth; refreshing. This is an intriguing blend of tempranillo, syrah, grenache, mourvèdre; nicely balanced, the various grape flavors dance lively on the palate.

The Edna Valley and the Edna Valley Vineyard is located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, just five miles from the Pacific Ocean, just south of Paso Robles AVA and north of Santa Barbara AVA. The Edna Valley AVA (part of San Luis Obispo County) and Edna Valley Vineyard lay claim to being the “jewel” of the California Central Coast greater AVA. We will let the AVAs engage in a battle of the boasts while we enjoy the quality of the wines from all of those AVAs.

The valley is roughly bounded by Lake Lopez to the south and Islay Hill to the north and the Santa Lucia Mountains to the west (with the cooling Pacific Ocean breezes immediately five miles west past that). Edna Valley gained AVA recognition in 1982. The Edna Valley Vineyard is just a few miles away from laid-back Pismo Beach in San Luis Obispo.

Jack Niven founded Edna Valley with a focus on chardonnay in the 1980s. The vineyard-winery operation can claim roots to the California missions era of the 1700s—as plausibly do so many California vineyards.

Edna Valley Vineyard California Rosé 2016 is delicious, easy drinker with nice color, no sharp edges, will please many palates—neophytes will not be overwhelmed, sophisticates will not be appalled. Food pairings could include smoked gouda mushroom quesadillas, salmon, shrimp, fish tacos, eggplant pizza, porterhouse steak. Edna Valley Vineyard California Rosé also works solo, even in plastic around the pool or backyard, ice cold on a hot day. Give it a sip this summer. $14

Edna Valley Vineyard website

Edna Valley vineyard

Edna Valley Vineyard winery