Oso Libre Winery pours at L.A. Wine Writers luncheon
–On Thursday, Aug. 25, Jeff Freeland, general manager for Oso Libre winery in Paso Robles, presented an assortment of wines at a special wine-paired luncheon for the L.A. Wine Writers, at Café del Rey in Marina del Rey, Calif. The location couldn’t have been more perfect, overlooking the harbor, as boats lay in their slips and a handful of midweek sailors enjoyed taking advantage of sailing in the summer sun and light breeze.
The menu, created by Executive Chef David Vilchez along with Brian Cousins, general manager, was intended to showcase Oso Libre wines alongside a selection of distinctive courses prepared by Chef Vilchez.
This was a special opportunity for a boutique Paso Robles winery to present a selection of award winning wines in Southern California, and exhibit the exceptional quality of wines available from the Paso Robles area.
Oso Libre, located in the Adelaida AVA district is a small boutique producer. They are SIP certified, using solar and wind power for their energy needs. In addition to their small lot production of wines, they also raise ultra-premium beef, which is only available through their wine and beef club.
Leading off the four course wine paired luncheon, was Oso Libre’s 2012 Vino d’Oro Chardonnay, served with a smoked fish rillette on endive. Just a small bite to get the salivary glands going, and to express how food friendly the wines are.
The second course was short rib flat bread with arugula salad and horseradish cream, accompanied by a 2012 Nativo Estate Primitivo. The Primitivo offered something a little different in terms of what the most popular grape varietals are in the Paso area.
The main course, poached salmon and kale salad, was served with Oso Libre’s 2012 Carnal, a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Petite Sirah. A somewhat “different” concept of blending (or substituting) a petite sirah for what may normally be a Grenache, however showing how flexibility in winemaking produces unique and pleasing results.
The meal ended with bruleed fig on brie, accompanied by Oso Libre’s 2011 Querida Cabernet Sauvignon. The dish, intended to highlight the cabernet, was an excellent example exhibiting the excellence of Paso Robles grown and produced Cabernet Sauvignon.
Oso Libre’s concept of combining vineyard, winery and cattle raising and offering a beef and wine club is a unique and fun concept. Remembering an old saying: “Where’s the Beef?” the answer is: At Oso Libre!
A visit to Oso Libre should be on every wine fans list. Check their website for further information: www.osolibre.com.
A special Thank You to Café del Rey for hosting Oso Libre of Paso Robles and putting together such a delicious afternoon, and of course, to Jeff Freeland of Oso Libre for bringing a selection of their wines to an enthusiastic gathering of Southern California wine lovers.
