As the oldest AVA on the Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley has been a wine-growing hub for decades. But that’s not the only thing that grows well in our valley’s Mediterranean climate. Santa Maria Valley is known far and wide for producing deliciously sweet strawberries. In fact, California is the largest strawberry producer in the United States! You can almost always track down a carton of Santa Maria Valley Strawberries in your local supermarket.
Pairing a sweet strawberry with an assumingly acidic beverage such as wine may sound like an unfavorable combination. However, the sweetness of strawberries can pair well with certain kinds of wine as they can complement the flavors of each other.
So, what wine pairs best with strawberries? Fruitful Pinot Noirs, floral Roses, lush Chardonnays, and crispy light Sauvignon Blancs are some of our favorites, especially if they’re from Santa Maria Valley. If you’re planning a visit our way, check out these six delicious strawberry and wine pairings and try them out for yourself. Learn which wines go well with chocolate-covered strawberries, strawberry cheesecake and more for a burst of flavors on your tastebuds.
Sweet Strawberries and Cambria Winery Pinot Noir
Who said sweet and sweet don’t go together? Arguably one of the best wines to couple with strawberries is a Pinot Noir, as the tones of red fruits in a Pinot Noir pair exceptionally well with the powerful taste of ripe strawberries. Cambria Winery and Vineyard offers a variety of excellent Pinot Noirs that boast aromas of fruits such as blackberries, blueberries, cherries, cranberries, pomegranates and more. Any one of these wines partners wonderfully with strawberries.
Green Strawberries and Rancho Sisquoc Sauvignon Blanc
Strawberries don’t need to be ripe to have a good time! Green strawberries are renowned for their tartness and flaunt notes of green grass and kiwi. A Sauvignon Blanc from Rancho Sisquoc Winery perfectly balances this tartness with acidity to create a flavorful combination. Rancho Sisquoc ages their Sauvignon Blanc in French oak to add lemon flavors and produce a bright, crisp finish. Together, green strawberries and Sauvignon Blanc create a pleasing harmony defined by tart flavors.
Strawberries with Riverbench Rose
Rose with strawberries is a simple, yet piquant, combination. The gentle tastes of rose petal, orange blossom and strawberry that you’ll find in the Rose of Pinot Noir at Riverbench Winery pairs perfectly with the intense, tart flavor of fresh strawberries. It’s a fruity combination made in pairing heaven. Whole clusters of dark and deliciously ripened Pinot Noir were pressed gently in the making of this wine, which means it’s light in color and high in quality. A glass of Rose with fresh strawberries makes for a perfect snack or dessert.
Presqu’ile Pinot Noir Soaked Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
It’s no secret that Pinot Noir is the best wine to pair with chocolate-covered strawberries, as the deep fruity notes of a Pinot Noir complement the rich sweetness of the chocolatey fruit. Presqu’ile Winery produces exceptional Pinot Noirs, characterized by Santa Maria Valley’s sandalwood spice and bright fruits. To bring this savory treat to life, soak your strawberries in the wine overnight and dip them in the chocolate of your choice the next day. Trust us, this is a wine and strawberry combination you don’t want to skip out on!
Strawberry Cheesecake with Cottonwood Canyon Chardonnay
What better way to eat strawberries than combining it with some cheesecake and wine? This strawberry cheesecake wine pairing is sure to please. It’s no surprise cheese goes well with wine, but adding in the sweetness of strawberries makes a trifecta of balanced flavor. The creamy and rich nature of cheesecake makes it the perfect partner for a wine with scents of fruit and acidity. Cottonwood Canyon Vineyard and Winery Chardonnay has a citrusy taste defined by flavors of lemon, apples and oranges. The Chardonnay is aged with oak and boasts hints of vanilla to enhance your palette. Taken together, a slice of light and fresh strawberry cheesecake couples happily with a smooth glass of Chardonnay.
Strawberry Salad with Foxen Sauvignon Blanc
A fresh salad topped with strawberries is delicious on its own, but even better paired with a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc. Foxen Vineyard and Winery ferments and ages their Sauvignon Blanc in French oak to produce crisp, flavorful wine. The notes of fruit such as lemon, apples and pineapples give a nice acidic contrast to the salad and its creamy dressing, making this a fresh and unsurprising strawberries and wine duo.
As you can see, there are so many different ways to combine Santa Maria Valley wine and strawberries to create a savory tasting experience. Lucky for you, Santa Maria Valley is home to both! After your day of tasting our delicious strawberry and wine pairings, fill your belly with some of our Santa Maria Style barbecue (hint: the barbecue pairs well with wine, too). Then, lay your head at one of our various lodging options in convenient locations. Plan your trip to Santa Maria Valley today.
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In Santa Maria Valley, there’s so much to do from here. Hit the road and explore it all with our 24 hiking trails, 34 tasting rooms, seven unique AVAs, 13 beaches, and a growing selection of local breweries, all within a beautiful 30-minute drive. There is no need to venture far if you are looking for sand dunes, cycling and authentic Santa Maria Style dining. You’ll find it’s the perfect home base, where you can eat, drink and do more for less.
