Daou is WoW
WoW is Daou!
I had heard about this winery from two sources in recent months. We belong to a great wine and food group and during an event, after learning we would be visiting Paso Robles, a sage wine enthusiast asked if we were familiar with Daou. He said it was simply ‘a must’.
As you wind your way up the side of a vine covered hill to the estate of Daou, there is a European flair in the air. It isn’t something you can really put your finger on until you cross the threshold thru the massive oak door. The mosaic fountain greeting and an unusually lit quartz pouring bar with friendly staff await your tasting experience. One is better than the next. Until you get to the Soul of the Lion (not on the tasting menu) the exquisite pleasure doesn’t end! With a 180 degree view of rolling central California hills, without suspending too much belief, you are in Tuscany. A short stroll thru the floor to ceiling glass doors allows seating on an expansive covered patio. Beyond the stone walk is lush grass leading to intimate tables and chairs facing the vast blue sky. A lone hawk glided far above us in peace and harmony with its surroundings.
We were visiting at the lunch hour and all of the wine tasting was working up an appetite. Ryan Sims, the innovative chef on staff was serving fish tacos and we ordered right away. He actually delivered the square plated feature to us personally, explaining the intricacies of the dish. One might believe fish tacos are not intricate, but Ryan’s personal touch added that flair I felt when we arrived. We joined the growing wine club, made reservations for an upcoming wine dinner and headed back up the coast. It felt like a mini vacation, taking us out of the usual wine experience. It is beyond a Must See!
And Back to Daou!
Paso Robles has a wide variety of events throughout the year for the casual or serious wine aficionado. The Zinfandel Festival Weekend, the first wine tasting event each year finds the area packed with folks that enjoy great wine and food. Zinfandel might be the focus yet there are an amazing breadth of varietals for every palate. With over 130 wineries taking part in the weekend festivities, there is truly something for everyone. A selection of barrel tastings, winemaker dinners, vineyard tours, laid back barbecues, live music and more to entice the foodie/wine participant.
Arriving early for the Daou wine dinner we opted for an outside seat with a wonderful glass of a 2011 Viognier or 2011 Unbound. The passed Hors d’ouvres were imaginative with an apricot grilled with bacon on a skewer, lobster in a beggars purse and a half baby potatoe with truffled crème fraiche and a daub of caviar. Had to limit myself to one of each knowing a feast was in the wings.
We were called to the members only dining room, a table for 100, sparkling with glasses and filled with the sounds of blues and contemporary sweet tunes sung by two accomplished partners with entertainment in their soul. Before the night was over, the entire table was joined in singing a couple of oldies and having a really hearty laugh over the sound.
Cod was served on a bed of shaved Brussels sprouts that my Brussels sprout hating husband raved about! A tasty square of mango gelee complemented a cilantro fluid gel. The meatatarians enjoyed Beef cheek, organic pearl barley, cavlo Nero, periord truffle jus and hedgehog mushrooms flown in that day from Oregon. The cod was savored with a 2011 Chardonnay and a real favorite of mine was poured with the Beef Cheeks a 2010 Daou reserve Cabernet sauvignon.
Dessert, yes I did, was an oblong plate with taste bites. Popping Chocolate Mousse cake, spiced medjool date chutney, orange foam and caramel sauce.
The brother duo owners Georges and Daniel were relaxed and welcoming throughout the weekend. I know this as we were back at the scene of the crime the next day for the big afternoon bash.
Not to get ahead of the story, the first stop of the morning was Opolo. The lamb was roasting on the multi tiered spit and the fixings for a taco were endless. We headed to the tasting room with hundreds of people coming and going. With weather in the 70’s, endless cloudless skies and a great 2010 Serenade 50/50 blend of Malbec and Cabernet started out an unforgettable afternoon. Not only was the food and wine terrific, I needed to do some unexpected business (haven’t learned to turn off the cell phone and allow the staff to figure it out by themselves, which they would….) anyway, the Opolo staff set me up in one of their computers, helped me print and fax all in the midst of what seemed to be controlled chaos of one of the largest Zin Festivals I had experienced.
On to the mountain of Daou to continue an afternoon of fun and relaxation but not before a stop at my favorite olive oil tasting and buying spot. An idyllic setting amongst ancient oak trees lies the farm of Paso Olivio. Fun oils for immediate tasting are lemon, tangerine as well as three types of typical olive oil used to dress the salad. If you are a true olive oil connoisseur, no bread bites for dipping, just swilling from the small container for a true taste. I opt for the bread! Soaps, lotions and kitchen spices anoint the senses with fresh smells and imaginative recipe possibilities. I don’t miss this stop when in Paso even though everything is available on their website. Much more fun to taste amongst swaying trees and light playing through the branches. Magical.
The joint was jumpin’ at Daou by the time we reached the pinnacle of perfection. We really splurged on a bottle of Soul of the Lion. Sipping exquisite expensive wine on a languid Saturday afternoon is not in my normal routine so I felt like a princess. Looking out on the rolling hills, mistress of all I could see, I was beyond hooked. If there was anyone else there except for my Knight in Shining Armor, I didn’t need to see them! While other wineries cater to the cowboy, Daou caters to the inner goddess when dining is involved. Ryan, chef par excellence, personally delivered his version of corned beef and hash, on a bed of Brussels sprouts that even my partners memory of the smell of boiling Brussels sprouts as a child evaporated. A tender piece of perfectly pickled brisket surrounded by micro sliced sprouts and heavy on the ginger were swirled in a glaze of sauce complimenting the dish. The day before St. Paddy’s day was a culinary memory to savor.
WoW is Daou!
I had heard about this winery from two sources in recent months. We belong to a great wine and food group and during an event, after learning we would be visiting Paso Robles, a sage wine enthusiast asked if we were familiar with Daou. He said it was simply ‘a must’.
As you wind your way up the side of a vine covered hill to the estate of Daou, there is a European flair in the air. It isn’t something you can really put your finger on until you cross the threshold thru the massive oak door. The mosaic fountain greeting and an unusually lit quartz pouring bar with friendly staff await you tasting experience. One is better than the next. Until you get to the Soul of the Lion (not on the tasting menu) the exquisite pleasure doesn’t end! With a 180 degree view of rolling central California hills, without suspending too much belief, you are in Tuscany. A short stroll thru the floor to ceiling glass doors allows seating on an expansive covered patio. Beyond the stone walk is lush grass leading to intimate tables and chairs facing the vast blue sky. A lone hawk glided far above us in peace and harmony with its surroundings.
We were visiting at the lunch hour and all of the wine tasting was working up an appetite. Ryan Sims, the innovative chef on staff was serving fish tacos and we ordered right away. He actually delivered the square plated feature to us personally, explaining the intricacies of the dish. One might believe fish tacos are not intricate, but Ryan’s personal touch added that flair I felt when we arrived. We joined the growing wine club, made reservations for an upcoming wine dinner and headed back up the coast. It felt like a mini vacation, taking us out of the usual wine experience. It is beyond a Must See!
And Back to Daou!
Paso Robles has a wide variety of events throughout the year for the casual or serious wine aficionado. The Zinfandel Festival Weekend, the first wine tasting event each year finds the area packed with folks that enjoy great wine and food. Zinfandel might be the focus yet there are an amazing breadth of varietals for every palate. With over 130 wineries taking part in the weekend festivities, there is truly something for everyone. A selection of barrel tastings, winemaker dinners, vineyard tours, laid back barbecues, live music and more to entice the foodie/wine participant.
Arriving early for the Daou wine dinner we opted for an outside seat with a wonderful glass of a 2011 Viognier or 2011 Unbound. The passed Hors d’ouvres were imaginative with an apricot grilled with bacon on a skewer, lobster in a beggars purse and a half baby potatoe with truffled crème fraiche and a daub of caviar. Had to limit myself to one of each knowing a feast was in the wings.
We were called to the members only dining room, a table for 100, sparkling with glasses and filled with the sounds of blues and contemporary sweet tunes sung by two accomplished partners with entertainment in their soul. Before the night was over, the entire table was joined in singing a couple of oldies and having a really hearty laugh over the sound.
Cod was served on a bed of shaved Brussels sprouts that my Brussels sprout hating husband raved about! A tasty square of mango gelee complemented a cilantro fluid gel. The meatatarians enjoyed Beef cheek, organic pearl barley, cavlo Nero, periord truffle jus and hedgehog mushrooms flown in that day from Oregon. The cod was savored with a 2011 Chardonnay and a real favorite of mine was poured with the Beef Cheeks a 2010 Daou reserve Cabernet sauvignon.
Dessert, yes I did, was an oblong plate with taste bites. Popping Chocolate Mousse cake, spiced medjool date chutney, orange foam and caramel sauce.
The brother duo owners Georges and Daniel were relaxed and welcoming throughout the weekend. I know this as we were back at the scene of the crime the next day for the big afternoon bash.
Not to get ahead of the story, the first stop of the morning was Opolo. The lamb was roasting on the multi tiered spit and the fixings for a taco were endless. We headed to the tasting room with hundreds of people coming and going. With weather in the 70’s, endless cloudless skies and a great 2010 Serenade 50/50 blend of Malbec and Cabernet started out an unforgettable afternoon. Not only was the food and wine terrific, I needed to do some unexpected business (haven’t learned to turn off the cell phone and allow the staff to figure it out by themselves, which they would….) anyway, the Opolo staff set me up in one of their computers, helped me print and fax all in the midst of what seemed to be controlled chaos of one of the largest Zin Festivals I had experienced.
On to the mountain of Daou to continue an afternoon of fun and relaxation but not before a stop at my favorite olive oil tasting and buying spot. An idyllic setting amongst ancient oak trees lies the farm of Paso Olivio. Fun oils for immediate tasting are lemon, tangerine as well as three types of typical olive oil used to dress the salad. If you are a true olive oil connoisseur, no bread bites for dipping, just swilling from the small container for a true taste. I opt for the bread! Soaps, lotions and kitchen spices anoint the senses with fresh smells and imaginative recipe possibilities. I don’t miss this stop when in Paso even though everything is available on their website. Much more fun to taste amongst swaying trees and light playing through the branches. Magical.
The joint was jumpin’ at Daou by the time we reached the pinnacle of perfection. We really splurged on a bottle of Soul of the Lion. Sipping exquisite expensive wine on a languid Saturday afternoon is not in my normal routine so I felt like a princess. Looking out on the rolling hills, mistress of all I could see, I was beyond hooked. If there was anyone else there except for my Knight in Shining Armor, I didn’t need to see them! While other wineries cater to the cowboy, Daou caters to the inner goddess when dining is involved. Ryan, chef par excellence, personally delivered his version of corned beef and hash, on a bed of Brussels sprouts that even my partners memory of the smell of boiling Brussels sprouts as a child evaporated. A tender piece of perfectly pickled brisket surrounded by micro sliced sprouts and heavy on the ginger were swirled in a glaze of sauce complimenting the dish. The day before St. Paddy’s day was a culinary memory to savor.