Mark Cargasacchi, Lompoc native and owner/winemaker of Jalama Wines, has announced the recent opening of his second tasting room in the Lompoc Wine Ghetto. Joseph Blair Wines, which focuses on Bordeaux-style wine grape varietals sourced from Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara County, is located at 1509 E. Chestnut Ave., and opened for wine tasting and sales on Jan. 21.
Among the Joseph Blair wines are Ghetto White (chenin blanc) and Ghetto Red (merlot blend), as well as a viognier, gewürztraminer and Reveller, a blend of cabernet sauvignon, malbec and petit verdot. Case production is approximately 450.
Cargasacchi opened the Jalama Wines' tasting room at 308 N. Ninth St. in July 2010. Jalama Wines features Cargasacchi family estate pinot noir and pinot gris, Clementina, a blend of riesling and sauvignon blanc that Cargasacchi named for his mother, two vineyard designated syrahs and his signature El Capitan red blend.
Cargasacchi said he's thrilled to be the region's first winemaker to have two tasting rooms open in Lompoc's Wine Ghetto, which has blossomed from just five tasting rooms to 16 that pour more than 20 brands — all in less than two years.
"I'm very excited to have individual tasting sites for both of my labels, and look forward to introducing Joseph Blair's Bordeaux-based wines to a region that currently focuses mostly on pinot noir and chardonnay," he said.
Both the Joseph Blair and Jalama Wines' tasting rooms are open for tasting and sales from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, and by appointment midweek.
Details: Joseph Blair Wines, 1509 E Chestnut Ave., Lompoc, CA 93436 (805) 618-2072.