BUST OUT YOUR BUCKET HAT, BETCHES! BUY THESE 3 EASY BREEZY BUDGET WINES TO CHANNEL YOUR INNER COASTAL GRANDMOTHER THIS SUMMER
You may be reading this thinking, “What the hell is a Coastal Grandmother?”
Allow me to enlighten you, Thurstqueen. A Coastal Grandmother is a vibe. The Coastal Grandmother aesthetic basically channels major Diane Keaton energy in “Something’s Gotta Give.” Picture a beautiful older woman who wears white linen, has a vegetable garden, and lives by a large body of water. Basically, the Coastal Grandmother aesthetic is about slowing down, sipping, and savoring the good life.
Anybody can be a Coastal Grandmother or choose to channel Coastal Grandmother energy. Just like anybody can be a Thurstqueen, a Zaddy or what-have-you. Coastal Grandmothering is a major mood. And you don’t have to have loads of money to cop the Coastal Grandmother aesthetic.
Take me, for example, I live in an apartment in Los Angeles, but I have a humidifier and like to fall asleep to ocean sounds at 10 PM instead of going out and partying. I have a penchant for crisp white linen shirts, scented candles, and like fresh produce from Farmer’s Markets. I choose to channel my own inner Coastal Grandmother because I like slowing down. And I totally own that shit. If this resonates with you, read on.
To me, there are few regions more wholesome, more Coastal Grandmother-y than the Central Coast and Santa Barbara in good ole, sunny California. And sure, maybe I’m saying that because I’m a major Cali girl whose Grandmother literally lives in California and spends a lot of time by the coast.
I’ll be the first to admit that I have a soft spot for wines from hot places. They’re my version of “comfort wines,” and fit like a cozy sweater. The following producers bring images to mind of sitting on a porch somewhere in Monterrey, wrapped in a shawl, and watching the ocean. Get ready to drift away, because these wines are bottled versions of the good life.
COASTAL GRANDMOTHER WINE 1: LUCAS & LEWELLEN 2019 CHARDONNAY $24.00
The Lucas & Lewellen Chardonnay is definitely for folks who love a leaner, more Chablis-esque style of Chardy. I used to work with Lucas and Lewellen Wines back in my days as a distributor, and their Chardonnay was always a wine folks fell in love with. I repped that shit with confidence, lemme tell you.
Lucas and Lewellen is a small-ish producer based out of the Central Coast. Their winemaker, Meg McGrath Gates is a straight up G, who makes quality wines that are sustainably farmed and estate grown. The Chardonnay grapes are sourced from two of their estate vineyards - Los Alamos and Goodchild - that are both cooler climate sites. This Chard is focused, and on the leaner end of the spectrum. It’s a bright little laser beam, with loads of crisp Granny Smith aromas and Meyer Lemon. Try pairing this beauty with Cedar Plank Salmon on a grill and roasted asparagus. The perfect wine for your porch swing!
COASTAL GRANDMOTHER WINE 2: PAMINA WINES ROSATO 2021 $24.00
Central Coast-based winery Palmina was founded by Steve Clifton in 1995. Steve Clifton is a legend within these here parts, and has been making wine for 25 years. Palmina Wines are a California homage to Italian varietals, and the grapes are sourced from throughout Santa Barbara County. If you love Italian wines, but also have a soft spot for rounder, fruitier wines from Santa Barbara - Palmina will be your jam. I’ve always swooned over their friendly and fruity expressions Italian varietals. They also made a small run of Lagrein, an inky red that Syrah and Cab-lovers would crush hard on.
This Rosato is a blend of Dolcetto and Barbera from the Walker Vineyard. The Dolcetto and Barbera vines are kissed with sea fog every morning before being hit with plenty of sunshine. And evenings are colder in these here parts. This ultra-pretty Rosato is bright and fruity, with loads of cherries and strawberries topped off with slight kiss of leather and anise. It’s the quintessential wine to go with your platter of cheeses you purchased from your neighborhood farmer’s market. Be sure to bust out your linen slacks for the occasion.
COASTAL GRANDMOTHER WINE 3: A TRIBUTE TO GRACE GRENACHE 2019 $30.00
I first heard about Grace Wine Company from Henry Beylin back when he was running Gjelina and I used to call on him as a broker. He was one of the folks whose palate I respected and trusted immensely, so when he mentioned Grace Wine Company I knew I had to give this Los Alimos-based producer a go.
Angela Osborne is a New Zealand born winemaker who moved to California in 2006 with a dream: making Grenache. She studied this varietal in places like Spain, Australia, and of course California. She chose to lay down roots - literally - in the Santa Barbara Highlands and sourced her first bunch of Grenache from there in 2007. Grace’s Grenache is cashmere soft and has the friendliness of the best Cali Wines, yet the lean elegance of a Grenache from Spain.
Consider having this wine with this recipe for Roast Chicken from the Barefoot Contessa before having a “Something’s Gotta Give” movie night.