No matter which bottle is open, there is history to be learned and exciting wine to be tasted
Micah Elconin is a certified Natural Chef and Nutrition Educator. Through his business, The Educated Vegetable, he offers personal chef services, nutrition consultations and cooking classes. Send questions and comments to micah@educatedvegetable.com
I appreciate a graceful rebel. It’s easy to break all the rules and thumb the nose at orthodoxy, but to break all the rules while simultaneously honoring tradition is a rare feat that I am always inspired by. Artiste Winery and Tasting Studio is just this sort of rebel.
Inspired by the philosophy of the Impressionist movement, winemaker Bion Rice creates what he calls Impressionistic Cuvees. To some, these Impressionistic Cuvees may seem a bit outlandish, but upon closer examination it becomes clear that there is a method to Rice’s madness. As a second generation winemaker Rice is extremely knowledgeable about the history of winemaking. The wines he creates at Artiste are inspired by classical blends from all parts of the globe.
There’s Impromptu, a cuvee which pays homage to American winemaking through the high percentage of Zinfandel blended with Syrah, Merlot and Cab Franc. Or After Work, a wine inspired by the traditional blending of Syrah with Viogner in Cote Rotie. No matter which bottle is open, there is history to be learned and exciting wine to be tasted.
Then, of course, there are the labels. The wines produced by Artiste are only part of the equation. Original Impressionist works of art are featured on every label. In a day and age where many people buy wines exclusively based on a “cute label”, Artiste’s use of beautiful pieces of art in lieu of more traditional labels could be looked at as a marketing trick, and it certainly works. However, the aesthetic choice also creates a powerful venue for talented artists and further accentuates the wineries’ desire to promote artistic expression in wine. Featured artists have included James William Pratt, Christina LoCacio, Aldo Loungo, Daniel Bayless, James Paul Brown and Donna Talerico.
For those who require more than a label to quench their thirst for outstanding art, Artiste hangs and sells full-size prints and original creations by all of the artists they feature. Exhibits change quarterly. From March 3rd through May 24th Donna Talerico’s exhibit “Café Life” will be hanging on the walls of the tasting studio. Donna’s paintings will also be featured on two new Artiste blends, which I had the pleasure of tasting during my last visit.
Illumine weaves together Chardonnay (60%), Viognier (20%) and Sauvignon Blanc (20%). An allwhite blend is a rare thing at Artiste, so I was excited to give Illumine a try. One of my favorite things about white wines is the fruit notes that often burst to the surface. Often one really stands out, but Illumine offers up a gorgeous fruit salad to the nose and palette. Green apples and apricots take center stage on a bed of light perfume and tropical spice. This is not a buttery white, but there are hints of oak which help subdue the acid. Illumine beautifully harmonizes thebest notes of each fruit.
Le St. Andre blends Cabernet Sauvignon (56%), Grenache (38%) and Syrah (6%) to create a marvelous Spanish Rioja impression. The large amount of Cab in this blend gives it plenty of body on the palette and some amazing cassis and earth notes on the nose. These heavy attributes are balanced incredibly by the bright, almost sweet, fruit flavors which Grenache brings to the table. This wine provides everything I love to see in a big red.
Le St. Andre is still a bit young (the tannins were still over the top when I tasted it) and is not being offered as of yet. My guess is that a few months from now, Le St. Andre will come of age, and when the word gets out, it’s going to go fast. In fact I’ll be at the front of the line, throwing elbows and buying as much of it as I can.
The interior of the Artiste Tasting Studio creates a very inspiring atmosphere for tasting wine and viewing art. The studio is modeled after a classic working French art studio. Paint spotted fabric covers many of the surfaces, and blank easels are always at the ready. In fact, tasters are encouraged to paint their impressions as they arise. The staff that works the three tasting bars are extremely knowledgeable, yet there is very little technical lingo tossed around. Poetic metaphors are encouraged over intellectual analysis. Go for the wine. Go for the art. Just go. The Artiste Tasting Studio is located at 3569 Sagunta St, No 102 in Santa Ynez. They are open from 11-5 every day. For more information call (805) 686-2626.