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Domaine Alfred Winery - CLOSED
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
14 reviews for Domaine Alfred Winery
14 reviews in English
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Review from Ryan J.
Los Angeles, CA
6/30/2009
So we've all heard that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. And every now and then you chance upon a diamond in the rough.
Flashback. Buzzed. Whipping my car through hairpins on the backroads of Edna Valley. Just left a very disappointing experience at Edna Valley Vineyards. Only have time for one more stop before the tasting rooms close for the evening. Little deserted two-laner. Little sign: Domaine Alfred. So THIS is where it is. I've heard good things (or is that the other wine that already in my belly creating false memories... again...), might as well give it a shot.
And a shot it was. Directly across the bow of every other winemaker in Edna Valley. Buzzer-beating, game-winning three pointer for the win!
So yeah, you pull into a relatively nondescript parking lot... no beautiful vistas of the valley. And the tasting room is exactly that... a room. No views... hell, no windows for that matter. But what it lacks in ambiance it more than makes up for in service and wine quality (although there were some very nice paintings on the walls).
The people who work at Domaine Alfred are so friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable. No bs wino lingo, no superficial nonsense, no "I'm better than you because I know all of the wine-tasting catchphraseology" attitude. Like that word? Catchphraseology. I made it up myself ;) VERY NIIIICE!
And the wines were excellent. Domaine Alfred's specialties are reds, and they had a few pinot noirs on tap (so to speak)... and it just happens that pinot noir is one of my favorites. The guy who was helping us (I can't remember his name... was too buzzed) even allowed us a taste (or two) of a $450 bottle that they had opened for a special occasion... it was unbelievable.
All in all, I think we walked out with three or four bottles... I don't know, because into storage they went for a few years. But anytime that I find myself up in the SLO area, I will definitely be back. 5 stars. Sometimes you need to say forget the pretty packaging, just show me the inner-beauty. And I'll cheers to that. Over and over again.Listed in: Hopelessly Romantic in LA
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Review from Nicole G.
San Francisco, CA
6/20/2009
I feel like I'm in the movie Sideways, drinking my way down the Central Coast - minus the breakdowns, so far. The Domaine Alfred tasting room is pretty much a glorified barn, which is how I knew this place was legit when we pulled up. How come the most bare bones places (Unti, for example) make the most inspired wines?
These guys are known for their known for their chardonnays and their pinots in terms of ratings, but the 2003 Grenache was a revelation in every sense of the word. I suppose it better be at $80 a bottle, not that I bought it. The dessert wine was also surprisingly delicious - it was like a ruby port with a nutty, tawny finish. Mmm, where are you chocolate?
The best winery in Edna Valley? I dunno. I gotta keep drinkin' my way around here to find out.Listed in: San Luis Obispo
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Review from Dan H.
Saint Johnsbury, VT
11/11/2008
Easily the best vineyard in the Edna valley. What their tasting room lacks in aesthetic charm (like say Justin or Edna Valley vineyards) they totally make up for with quality reds
Their pinot reserve was top notch. I ended up buying a bottle of Granache that only lasted for 2 nights on my countertop.
I'm going back up to the SLO area on tuesday and can't wait to bring my date. Holla.
ps - this vineyard has recently been purchased by a larger conglomerate. Try their wine NOW as it might be affected by the change in ownership. -
Review from Danielle T.
Orinda, CA
1/15/2009
The tasting room doesn't have the views of Edna Valley or the school house charm of Baileyana. It does however have GREAT wine.
I left with a bottle of the DA Red, but it was a close call between that and their Califa Syrah which I actually liked better than their Estate Syrah. The Pinot was good too. Their wine club members currently get 6 bottles of one varietal every 4 months, I think, and they said they were soon going to be changing that to something less spaced out and more mixed up, which I think is for the better.
The staff was very knowledgeable and friendly and didn't rush us at all even though they were just about to close. We also got their really cute tasting glasses (and the tasting) for free since we bought a few bottles of wine.
I will definitely be having more of this wine in the future. I would give the actual tasting room a 3, but the wine a 5... 4 stars it is. -
Review from Vincent K.
San Francisco, CA
11/4/2008
Came here for a class trip and then decided to come back to actually taste the wine. It's a little on the strong side as it feels like a very vibrant flavor that I'm not quite used to.
The tasting room is pretty nice but it doesn't provide a nice view as I'd like when sipping on my wine and enjoying it. -
Review from Joan E.
San Diego, CA
7/6/2008
A small tasting room that is decorated with all sorts of local art. It definitely has its own charm.
Combine that with the reds that this place pours and WOW....delicious.
Sadly, a few of the girls pouring need to get re-evaluated by their supervisors in the whole realm of professionalism. A tad bit rude and while dressing trendy is cute, nobody wants to see crack while you bend over to grab a bottle.
Overall, this visit averaged out.
Special mention goes out to their Tawny Port with hints of apricot. Normally not my scene but definitely a great one to try!!!Listed in: Central Coastin' it......
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Review from Melissa B.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 12/16/2009 1 photo
I'm shocked to learn they closed while I was updating my Edna Valley Wine list and adding to my R.I.P. 2009 list......when will the carnage end!? : ( Stainless Steel Chardonnay, I love you!!! Where can I buy it by the case at blowout prices!?!?
Listed in: RIP 2009- Closed Businesses I…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/4/2008
Their Stainless Chardonnay started off our tasting. I could have stopped there and polished off a… Read more »
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Review from Holly T.
9/24/2006
A fantastic Edna Valley winery. All the wines here were outstanding, especially the pinots. They primarily make pinot noir, chardonnay, and syrah; they also do a red blend, a pinot gris, and a couple roses. We really enjoyed the pinot and syrah, and the chardonnay was excellent (in the past I had had a chardonnay from another winery that used grapes from the Chamisal vineyard here at DA, but apparently DA no longer sells their grapes to others). This is the first winery I've encountered that actually has a waiting list for their wine club because it is so popular, and they have to keep the numbers down because their production is so small. We also got a great food recommendation here for a deli in the area that really hit the spot. I got the impression that Edna Valley is still a relatively undiscovered place to taste wine; Santa Ynez has been inundated due to Sideways, and Paso Robles gets a lot of attention from the wine magazines, but Edna Valley is nice and quiet but with some fantastic wines. We will definitely go back here if in the area.
--Update 6/1/07--
I was not so impressed on a more recent visit, and I felt like I should lower the star rating to 4. Then again, it was a busy holiday weekend, so maybe sticking with my first impression would be more accurate. I should probably wait until I visit a third time to decide for sure; I guess for now I'll keep it the same. Tasting fee was $6 including an oddly-shaped signature glass. I was surprised that no complimentary tasting was offered to wine club members.
Speaking of the wine club, I should mention that after being on the waiting list for nearly a year, I did finally get in, but I am disappointed in the shipment contents - in a 6 bottle shipment, there are only 2 wines, 4 regular and 2 reserve. I don't love their wines THAT much that want so many of the same bottle. I'd prefer some diversity, or the option to only get 1 bottle of each. I'll probably cancel it when the year is through.Listed in: Central Coast Wine Tasting
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Review from dustin c.
Pleasant Hill, CA
9/26/2007
This place has my absolute favorite white wine. Their Pinot Gris is absolutely to die for. I am not much of a white wine fan, but this stuff is tremendous. THe tasting room staff were incredibly nice. Spoke with the owner for a long time, everyone is very down to earth. Go and enjoy. All of their wines were at least good. The whites blow Napa's out of the water. The reds are good, but there is a reason Napa is Napa.
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Review from Jessica C.
Benicia, CA
9/25/2006
Their staff is very friendly! It's always a pleasure to wine taste at this winery. Get to know the staff and they will take care of you. You have to pay to taste ($6) but you get a glass too. You don't have to pay if you buy a bottle, usually. Unlike Napa, they'll give you a pretty nice pour. Their wines are excellent, though on the pricey side. Their cheapest bottle, $18 called DA RED is an excellent wine to serve during parties or as an everyday wine. It appeals to every palette. An excellent wine for special occasions and to keep in the cellar is the Pinot Noir Califa. It's been awhile, but I'll be back soon!
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Review from Emily M.
7/19/2007
Spent the aforementioned girls' weekend at this winery (friend's dad owns it - he's a groovy guy). Drank lots of wine, all of which was quite good. Da Red was great, and I don't even like wine that much, especially red.
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Review from Joel M.
Los Angeles, CA
2/24/2009
A decent stop during a wine tasting day. A random and amusing collection of art scatters the wall of the tasting room. The tasting room is a little closed off and sterile. Service is welcoming and not pretentious - which makes up for the no-frills space. Wines are hit or miss but this is a relaxed vineyard while making the tasting rounds in the area.
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Review from Marianne C.
Long Beach, CA
Updated - 11/11/2008
I finally got to do a tasting here last summer. My only beef is that they wouldn't allow my dog in the tasting room, but they had a tiny little patio outside where we sat. The pourer was very friendly,and I upgraded my wine club shipment to receiving entirely Califa variety in my selection. The tasting reconfirmed what I knew from the club shipments -- stick with the Califa. The Califa is pricey but is an awesome pinot noir. The Chardonnay Califa is also superior. When it's ready for opening, I'll be checking out the Califa Syrah.
Listed in: Wineries and Wine Tasting…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/19/2007
I have to say that I never have been to the winery and tasted here, but I became a wine club member… Read more »
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Review from Sandra C.
Los Angeles, CA
6/1/2009
The setting & tasting room isn't as pretty as others, but we vouch for their wines! We were able to pick from a regular tasting or a reserve tasting. Since there were 4 of us, 2 shared the regular & 2 the reserve - meaning we all swapped glasses at some point & tasted a lot. I bought their stainless Chardonnay which is not as sweet or butttery as Chardonnay can be, but I really liked it - light & crisp. They had a red blend called Cinc-a-Sept that was outstanding, but $80 a bottle. We all raved so much about it & began discussing the possibility of buying a bottle for our meal that night & splitting the cost between 4. Next thing our pourer mentioned that she could give us the club price of $64 instead - we were sold! It went down very well with dinner (think it was a blend of something like 80% cab, 10% merlot & 10% syrah).
