VINO Wine Lifestyle Magazine

Winter/Spring 2015

Also - Rockstar Winemakers, Chef Jeffery Scott of Vineyard Events, Belvino Viaggio, Trabia Farms, Bristols Cider House, Halter Ranch Vineyards, Tooth & Nail Winery, Sustainable Vineyard Practices, Wine Club Variety, Zinposium

ies er in tion W l Sec a i c s 1 Spe Note

wine, there is a sense of something—of place, “ ofWith people, of Mother Nature, of soul. In its creation comes a winemaker’s collection of life experiences to guide, nurture and interpret each vintage.

—JEFF MEIER, WINEMAKER

”

Vineyard-driven. Passionately made.

Winemaker Jeff Meier has been with J. Lohr since 1984, guiding the crafting of our wines from vintage to vintage. We invite you to savor the art and experience of Jeff and his team in every

J. Lohr Paso Robles Wine Center 6169 Airport Road, Paso Robles, CA 93446 Tasting Daily 10am-5pm | (805) 239-8900

© 2015 J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, San Jose, CA

flavorful bottle of our J. Lohr Vineyard Series wines.

In This Issue Rock Star Winemakers

Hilary Graves.....................................................8 Douglas Hauck.................................................10 Kevin Riley........................................................12 Keith Roberts...................................................14

FEATURE: A Grape Encounter...........................16

FEATURE: Sustainable Winegrowing................18

FOOD & WINE: Chef Jeffery Scott....................20

CONTENTS

FOOD & WINE: Trabia Farms............................22

Winter/Spring 2015

FEATURED LODGING: Belvino Viaggio............24 FEATURE: Paso Robles AVA Districts...............28

FEATURED TASTING ROOM: Tooth & Nail........32 PASO ROBLES WINE TASTING MAP..............36

FEATURED WINERY: Halter Ranch Vineyards...38 FEATURE: Wine Club Variety.............................42 IN THE NEWS: Robert Hall Winery Wins...........45 ART & WINE: 4 Lanterns Winery.......................46

BIRRA: Bristols Cider House............................49 FEATURE: Benefits of Red Wine.......................52 WINERIES & TASTING ROOMS........................54

FEATURED EVENT: Vintage Paso: Zinfandel.....68

Calendar of Events............................................70

PUBLISHER:

John Bartlett publisher@pasoroblespress.com

EDITORIAL: Editor

Brian Williams news@pasoroblespress.com

Contributors

Allyson Oken, Hayley Thomas, Luke Phillips, Skye Ravy and Sharen Rund Bloechl

ADVERTISING:

e Carmen Sheri Potruch, Paso WinBurton, Whitney Shultz, Rhianna Sparks, QUICKMichael Bartlett FACTS and Arlene Horton-White

CALIFORNIA US

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San Miguel San Miguel District

Paso Robles Estrella District

46

Adelaida District

Paso Robles Geneseo District

Paso Robles

Paso Robles Willow Creek District

Mike Lyon

Produces more than 40 wine grape varietals

COVER PHOTO:

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El Pomar District

41

Atascadero

ART & DESIGN:

San Juan Creek

46

Templeton Gap Templeton District

46

46

Shandon

Creston

Luke Phillips

Creston District

Named Wine Region of the Year in 2014.

Paso Robles Highland District

229

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CALIFORNIA

1

US

101

Cayucos 41

Morro Bay

Santa Margarita Santa

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VINO is published by the Paso Robles Press. All rights reserved, material may not be reprinted without written consent from the publisher. The Paso Robles Press made every effort to maintain the accuracy of information presented in the Home of over magazine, but assumes no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions.

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YOUR ONE STOP WINE & FOOD EXPERIENCE

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For this issue — we give you four more Rock Star winemakers.

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WINEMAKERS

e strive to highlight different winemakers, with different wines and give you a glimpse into their lives; after all, winemakers are people too; they just get to spend their time, and often

Hilary Graves

Douglas Hauck

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making their living, with wine.

This issue’s Rock Star winemakers are Hilary Graves of Mighty Nimble, Doug Hauck of HammerSky Vineyards, Kevin Riley of Proulx Winery, and Keith Roberts of Mystic Hills.

n b y M i ke Ly o

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After you read about our Rock Star winemakers, stop by and check our their wines and tasting rooms; you never know when you’ll get the chance to meet the winemaker in the tasting room.

Kevin Riley

Keith Roberts

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Paso Robles Press

Central Coast Edition

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BERRY HILL BISTRO

Contemporary Comfort Food | Full bar | Extensive Wine List

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WINEMAKER

Photos Courtesy of Hilary Graves

HILARY GRAVES OF MIGHTY NIMBLE

A Passion For Creation

By SKYE RAVY OF VINO

H

ilary Graves of Mighty Nimble Wines loves to create. The multifaceted farmer grows not just grapes, but is also passionate about raising grass-fed beef and hogs. She is also an agricultural consultant, a potter, a home cook, an avid gardener and a mom.

“The most important part of winemaking for me is the creativity,” she said. “You get a sense of satisfaction when you serve someone a meal, or something that you’ve grown. You are putting all your effort into creating this thing, and then when you get to share it with people, that’s really rewarding.”

This wine rock star is mighty humble when it comes to talking about what she does.

“Winemakers are really just babysitters,

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when you start with really amazing fruit, you don’t have to do too much to it,” she said, shrugging.

She farms the “old-fashioned” way; one that respects the land. She doesn’t use harsh chemicals on her crops, and all of her animals are raised respectfully as well.

“I raise free-range, grass-fed beef and I raise a type of critically endangered hogs called Gloucestershire Old Spots. All of my animals are totally natural, I don’t use any hormones or antibiotics, and I feed them GMO free feed,” she said.

Growing naturally was a no-brainer for Graves.

“I think it is really important to do the right thing,” she said. “I’m not seeking organic certification, because I don’t do what I do for marketing purposes. I do it because I think it’s the right thing to do. My kids live where I farm, and I want them to be able to play outside and be safe, and farmers have to be conservationists. We make a living off Published by the

Paso Robles Press

of the land that we have, so we have to take care of it.”

She is a proponent of what she calls multi-faceted farming, “Which is why I do livestock and other crops rather than just grapes,” she said. “It’s great to grow grapes for wine, but there is something about growing food for a population that feels good. It’s important, I think, for farmers to be multi-dimensional, because you don’t want to put all of your eggs into one basket, so to speak.”

Perhaps she has gleaned this knowledge generationally, or perhaps she learned it in school; most likely it is a mix of the two along with hard work and personal experience. Graves is a fourth-generation farmer, but she was the first in her family to grow grapes. Her family grows cotton and cantaloupe in the Central Valley.

Despite her family history, she never thought that she would go into agriculture.

“I ended up working at Fresno State at the Central Coast Edition

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MIGHTY NIMBLE

Hilary’s two daughters love to help her with all of her projects. Graves is a proponent of what she calls “multi-faceted farming.” She also

raises hogs and grass-fed beef.

viniculture and enology center, and I started taking classes there because I needed a second master’s to get tenure. I was a librarian there. I took some viniculture classes, and that was really the beginning of me falling in love with agriculture,” she said.

She met her husband there, and together they moved to the Central Coast.

She worked and went to school at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. On the side, she started her consulting business.

The two planted their first vineyard; the Ohana vineyard in Creston, in 2002, and 2005 they produced their first estate vintage. Ohana is Hawaiian for “family.”

She spent many years growing up in Hawaii on the island of Oahu, and the island still holds a special place in her heart. Her father was in the military, and served on the base there. She also has 600 acres leased in Northern Santa Barbara County where she grazes her cattle.

Graves is also and artist. She has a passion for ceramics; wheel throwing in particular. She loves to make things like rice bowls and Japanese-style mugs. She sometimes throws at Anem Cre in San Luis Obispo, and uses its kiln for firing.

She uses the facilities at Denner Vineyards to make her wine. She is grateful for the friends and partnerships she has made that have allowed her to learn and grow. She appreciates the generosity and kindness that she has found in the people of

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San Luis Obispo County, and many of her closest friends are also in the wine industry.

“My favorite thing about the Paso Robles wine industry is that we all behave as colleagues. I don’t have competitors,” she said. “We all work together; the camaraderie is amazing.”

On her Ohana Vineyard she grows limited-production Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre. Her wines are delivered direct to consumer. She does tastings by

Published by the

Paso Robles Press

appointment only. Her customers sign up through her mailing list on her website, mightynimble.com, to be notified of a release of wine or meat. She also has a blog that chronicles her life as a farmer, mother and winemaker, called the Creston Nugget, at hilarygraves.wordpress.com.

For more information on Mighty Nimble, visit mighty nimble.com or call 805-674-1686.

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WINEMAKER

DOUG HAUCK OF HAMMERSKY VINEYARDS

Creating Big Bold Bordeaux Blends Winemaker Likes What He is Seeing in 2013 Vintages

By LUKE PHILLIPS OF VINO

H

ammerSky Vineyards owner Douglas Hauck leads an interesting life. He has a day job as a dentist in Newport Beach with several celebrity clients, he has a film degree and has worked as a movie producer and he moonlights as a Central Coast winery owner, creating big, bold, fruity Bordeaux blends on his beautiful estate on Vineyard Drive, just west of Paso Robles.

But Hauck is reticent to talk about his life in the big city.

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“I have caught some flack about being the L.A. guy that comes to Paso,” he said.

“But almost everybody is from the big city at some point, right?”

After spending the past eight years transforming HammerSky Vineyards from a hippie pad into a luxurious inn and elegant tasting room, Hauck says the locals are starting to warm up to him and HammerSky is creating a big buzz with the New York Times rating the estate as one of the top 10 most romantic places in the nation and two different TV shows filming segments about the business.

“Things are tracking and trending Published by the

Paso Robles Press

appropriately,” he said. “There’s a buzz going on about the place. I felt a negative buzz in the early years and I feel a postive buzz currently. The locals seem like they’re embracing the idea of whatever that guy from L.A. is doing. I’m here to support the locals and the industry.”

Now, with the stage set for the future of HammerSky’s success, Hauck says he’d like to add some sophistication to the Paso Robles wine scene, which is reflected in the label’s classy, understated designs.

“In the big fashion world of things, if you were Ralph Lauren or Prada or Gucci, what would your wine look like?”

Central Coast Edition

VINO

HAMMERSKY VINEYARDS he said. “Would it look like this? Is it a small black dress on a pretty girl? This place is supposed to be true to what it is, but also reserved enough to be classy and not overproduced — it’s not Disneyland.

Keeping it real is important.”

Hauck says that he doesn’t believe that wine marking should just be about vineyards, and vistas and trees, but should embrace a more metropolitan outlook, which he has set out to do.

“I don’t understand why they don’t understand that fine wine is also consumed in big cities,” he said. “That’s something that I think Paso needs to embrace a little bit more. They’re very controlled about we’re Paso and we don’t want to grow, but they’re already growing. You really can’t slow down or control it, but there’s a big world out there that they need to speak to. And I don’t mind trying to do that. It sounds entertaining and fun. So I’m a doctor by day — I’m a dentist for people — and I’ve done some shows, so this is just an extension of that. I’m healthy and I have the ability and I don’t mind chasing it.”

Hauck says that he hopes that other wineries in the area will follow his lead.

“I like to see that somehow Paso still keeps true to itself, but I also want to see it stretch a bit more than it is maybe comfortable doing at moments, because it’s going to come regardless,” he said.

“Let’s step it up at moments, let’s bring in sophisticated critics from outside of Paso, let’s bring in Napa or New York or Florence, Italy, and let’s bring in some people who are different. Diversity is not a bad thing and sometimes I think they fight so much that they loose vision. Not that this should be L.A., nobody wants that, but it’s going to grow, so let’s grow in the right way.”

Since taking over operations at the vineyard, Hauck says he’s been working to perfect his farming techniques and get his blends right where he wants them, but he concedes that he’s still not there yet.

“In my mind I know I’m still not there,” he said. “I need more floral punch and more of a vanilla tone. More French oak needs to go into it. So I always know what I want, but it’s a time and money thing. But still, you need to raise the bar every time you take a swing at it.”

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Hauck said that his 2009 vintages and before were over-blended and now he’s trying to keep things more simple and pure and he likes what he is seeing and tasting from the 2013 vintages.

“I think the 2013s are the bomb,” he said. “I keep trying them and they’re great, they’re amazing.”

HammerSky Vineyards and Inn is Published by the

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located at 7725 Vineyard Drive, in Paso Robles. The tasting room is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday or by appointment.

For more information, call 239-0930 or visit HammerSky.com.

Winter/Spring 2015

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WINEMAKER

KEVIN RILEY OF PROULX WINERY

Crafting Eco-Friendly Wines Family Affair at Templeton Gap Vineyard and Winery

By ALLYSON OKEN OF VINO

O

ne of few dry farm operations in the Templeton Gap, Proulx wines exhibits the passion, artistry and knowledge of co-owner and winemaker Kevin Riley.

This family man works the land, making about 3,500 cases of Proulx wine a year with the help of his wife, Genoa Riley, and three sons, Jack, Barrett and Westley Riley. All of this is done on the family farm, where multiple generations of Genoa’s family still live and work.

Riley grew up in the wine industry. His family owns Green Farms Spirit Shop, a retail wine shop in West Port, Conn. They have owned the wine shop for 47 years.

Riley estimates he has been analyzing wine since he was 5 years old. He recalled identifying flavor flaws saying, “why does this wine taste like Band-Aids?”

“This is when I first started to identify true flaws in wines,” he said. “It all kind of culminated in a style. I find that my customers, after they know my style, can

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come in and in a 20 to 30 minute tasting, I can teach them about certain tastes and flavors that come out in a wine that I find as flaws. Then when they leave, they can go out and find that in other wines.”

Riley refers to this as “sensory education” and helps people to understand why wines taste the way they do. As a result they can then “find quality for themselves, illustrating the consistency in the flaws. I am all about the sorting table because of this. Removing the raisins and putting your best quality fruit forward helps to create age-worthy wines. These are the things I talk about with customers to provide insight.”

Riley’s experience with the family business was his jumping off point. After years of delivering the best wines his family collection had to offer to very notable public figures like Martha Stewart, Paul Newman, Phil Donahue and Jeremy Roberts, he moved West. Riley said that he moved at 18 to California and had the idea that he wanted to make wine. Then he met his wife Genoa at Cuesta College on the swim team and the rest is history. Now he is a devoted father, conservationist, farmer and winemaker.

“I am a family man, I have a wife and Published by the

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three children and that is my priority,” Riley said with pride, explaining that his conservationist mentality will preserve the land for his family in the future. “Our vineyard is all dry land farmed and what I call mow and go. I am a long-term soil conservationist as a farmer, so this practice is in line with my farming philosophy.”

Mow and go as Riley calls it allows for vineyard roots to get the water they need without using chemicals to deal with grass or weeds or by tilling the fields. Tilling can lead to a lot of soil erosion and compacting, according to Riley, cut off the flow water to the roots.

“This is why I preach these sustainable practices,” he said. “I like a little bit of compaction, what I call crust, and that is continually lightly compacted on the surface and then mowed and mowed. That mowing with the grass growing through it, it loosens up the crust so when it rains the roots get the water they need. The only way to aerate something without over compacting is hand hoeing so we do a bit of that as well.”

Riley was met with erosion problems on the hillside property, too.

“When I first came out here 14 years ago, Central Coast Edition

VINO

PROULX WINERY

In this family operation, Proulx Watching dad and learning the In keeping with their family friendly environment, Proulx Winery co-owner and winemaker methods for the family winery is Winery owners, Kevin and Genoa Riley serve up pizza familyKevin Riley and his sons harvest all part of the day’s work a Proulx style for their wine club pick-up party. every cluster by hand.

Winery.

the amount of the organic matter at the top of the hill on the old vine Zinfandel was about two and a half to three feet deep, where as the bottom of it was like nine to 12 feet deep,” he said.

The vineyard was originally planted back in the 1880s and had been turned over three or four times since.

“You look at disking and tilling for that long and that is where all that erosion has come from,” he said. “Those things really bother me. I want to be a steward of the land and give the land to my children the way I received it, if not better.”

Riley says he does not fit into a lot of neat little boxes as a winemaker because he is a farmer first. He likes to say this is how he does it, these are the reasons he does it and he is very fixated with that. He went to college at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and worked in vineyards. Riley and his wife Genoa are proud of how far the vineyard

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has come since they came to live on her family’s land in 2004.

Since that first year, the Rileys have re-planted about 11.25 acres of grapes, replacing the old vine Cabernet Sauvignon with Grenache Blanc, Syrah, Cinsault, Viognier, Zinfandel, Grenache, Malbec, Petite Verdot, Petite Sirah, some Cabernet and Merlot. They did it all with the help of family and a few hired hands. Their son’s Jack, Barrett and Westley Riley, all work with dad in the fields, and the elder son has even made his own wine.

“I find myself quoting my friend Greg often, ‘the Family the hoes together, grows together.’ That is what we are all about,” he said.

It is obvious how important family is to Riley when you hear the story behind the name of the winery and the wines. Proulx is Riley’s mother’s maiden name and many of his wines are named after members of Published by the

Paso Robles Press

the family. The “Wah” is a nickname he coined for his wife and is also the name of their 2012 Grenache, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah blend. The “Dimples” is named for their youngest son Westley and is a Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah and Cinsault blend and the “Jack Barrett” is named for the older boys and is a Petite Sirah, Syrah, Grenache, Malbec, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Verdot.

Riley will soon be educating young minds in an upper-division course at Cal Poly, molding the viticulturists of the future and has appeared on radio to talk wine with the Cork Dorks.

Proulx is located at 5424 Vineyard Drive in Templeton. Tasting room hours are Thursday through Monday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit proulxwines.com or call 226-2800.

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WINEMAKER

KEITH ROBERTS OF MYSTIC HILLS

A Winemaker in Farmer’s Clothing One With the San Miguel Vineyard

By HAYLEY THOMAS FOR VINO

W

inemaker Keith Roberts and his boyhood pals loved riding their bikes from their small Monterey County hometown of Greenfield to the Arroyo Seco Gorge. The three-hour trek was arduous indeed, but the payoff — jumping into the cool water surrounded by craggy wilderness — was well worth the sunburn.

In high school, Roberts forged an even closer relationship with the unique landscape, tending to various Arroyo Seco AVA vineyards as “Chief Weeder” and “C.E.O. of Gopher Patrol.”

Although much of his initial vineyard work was certainly of the grunt variety, Roberts loved getting his hands dirty and watching vines take root. He still does, and he’s got the 40-year record to show for it.

This is why if you simply call Roberts a “winemaker,” he’ll correct you.

“I became addicted to growing grapes after my first harvest, which is why I call myself more of a ‘wine grower’ than a winemaker,” Roberts said. “It was my first love and I really feel that the winemaking process is really the byproduct of doing a good job in the vineyard.”

Regardless of what you call the grape guru, Roberts has most certainly earned his title as winemaker. His work crafting Bordeaux-style wines for Mystic Hills Vineyard recently earned the San Miguel winery one gold and two silver medals from the recent 2015 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

“Keith is the backbone and soul of the winery,” said Mystic Hills Vineyards Owner Joel Cox. “We had the idea, and he had the incredible knowledge to bring the dream to fruition. It has been the most phenomenal

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collaboration.”

Roberts met Cox in 2005, planting their vineyards for them a year later. Nearly 15 years later, it is the winery’s very first vintage that has garnered an impressive buzz at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Roberts’ 2011 Unforgiven red blend won gold; his 2011 Sequel red blend and 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon won silver.

When asked just why this wine has resonated with the public, Roberts — the farmer that he is — turns his attention to the unique eastside San Miguel location.

“We get warm weather, but are comforted by Monterey breezes,” the winemaker said. “Combined with the great soil, I am given the opportunity to build the wines Joel and his wife, Judy, seek. We desire to minimize excessive oak flavors, with just enough micro oxidation to express the grape. We believe that if we take care of the soil and canopy, and give nature what it wants, great flavors will flourish.”

Roberts knows a thing or two about coaxing intense and delicious flavors out of wines. That’s partly thanks to his robust and long-lived relationship with Wente Vineyards.

In 1974, Roberts was hired by the celebrated family-owned winery.

Established in 1883, the winery is one of the oldest continually-run operations of its kind in California, with vineyards in Arroyo Seco and Livermore Valley.

“I got into the wine industry when wine-growing production was relatively new. There were a lot of vineyards being planted in the area, but only few at fruition, and Wente was one of them,” Roberts said.

“I’ve had the pleasure to work with four generations there.”

Aside from helping build a modern winemaking facility for the company, Roberts learned from a handful of old school Published by the

Paso Robles Press

farmers and engineers. Deep amongst the rows of famous Wente Chardonnay grapes, he earned a rich education.

“I planted my first 25-acre vineyard in 1975 with little experience, and have planted many more since then,” Roberts said.

That’s quite the understatement, as Roberts is known throughout California for his extensive vineyard work, including serving as Wente Senior Viticulture Manager for a decade.

The Paso Robles resident currently oversees 900 vineyard acres in production.

It’s no wonder then, that the grower still laughs when he thinks back at his rationale that the wine biz would be a “part-time” gig.

“It’s been a large learning curve with so many new developments over the years,” Roberts said. “On the Wente side, I still farm vines as old as 50, but then I also manage vines that are as new a one year old.”

In 1996, Roberts and his wife planted eight acres of a 40-acre Monterey area parcel at high altitude. The result: High quality Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Merlot, which he then crafted into wines under the label Bailey Hill and Reliz Canyon Vineyards.

It was a natural step — moving from grower to winemaker.

“We made the wine, bottled, marketed it, all of it,” Roberts said. “I got to see the other side of wine, but I was working seven days a week, nights, and weekends while trying to raise a family. I knew I had to make a decision.”

After selling the vineyard to his friends at Wente, Roberts continued to manage the grapes, which now go into the winery’s “Nth Degree” program. The winemaker said he’d love to have his own label again — that is, when he and his wife, retire.

Until then, there is still much work to be done: The husband-and-wife duo own KLR Enterprise, which manages special winery Central Coast Edition

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MYSTIC HILLS

Mystic Hills Vineyard Winemaker Keith Roberts is proud of the fact that the San Miguel winery’s first vintage earned two silver and one gold medal from the 2015 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. The winemaker boasts about four decades as a wine grape grower in the Arroyo Seco AVA, which gives him a unique insight into the life of the vine.

projects from root to wine. As for Mystic Hill Vineyard, the winery’s 2012, 2013, and 2014 vintages are currently in barrel, and Roberts is eager to share the new offerings with the world.

“The 2012 makes 2011 look like the stepchild — and that’s saying a lot,” Roberts said with a laugh. “We are very excited with our vision: to make wine that is close as natural as possible, without greed.”

Cox, a Hollywood film editor recently nominated for an Academy Award for his work on the Clint Eastwood film, “American Sniper,” has said that his friend Clint is also in love with the burgeoning San Miguel wines.

Roberts’ expertise, along with a little help from Mother Nature, can take much of the credit for that. It is the winemaker’s farming roots — and his straightshooting determination — that truly shine through each sip.

“I have this saying, ‘If you can’t do it, you can’t tell someone how to do it,’” Roberts said. “That’s just the kind of person I am. When it comes to making better and better wines, you’ve just got to do it. And that’s exactly what I intend to do.”

For more information about Mystic Hills Vineyard, visit mystichillsvineyard.com.

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FEATURE

Photos by Allyson Oken

FEATURE

A Grape Encounter Offering 50 Shades of Grape

By ALLYSON OKEN OF VINO

A

bottle of wine for everyone and for everyone the freedom to taste is the uncorked philosophy of wine adventure guides, David and Annie Wilson, owners and creators of Grape Encounters Em-pour-ium, where they do more then just pour. This new Atascadero hot spot offers visitors an assault on the senses.

Owner David — like a harpist — plucks every divine string of a personality just so to allow for full development of communication, expression of emotion and understanding that conjures a connection with the wine. Combining atmosphere, with specific lighting motifs, art on the walls, comical puns with mood music, their jovial persons and, of course, one of the most exclusive and tantalizing collections of wine

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for purchase on the Central Coast to evoke a memory.

David and Annie have the place racked to the rafters with everything from Pinot for Pinot haters and Merlot that will convert any Syrah or Zin-fanatic, sharing what they coined as the “50 Shades of Grape” with anyone willing to take a taste drive. Many of their wines rotate in and out with availability and their tasting list is ever revolving and evolving. So one trip for a sip will only touch the tip of what your tongue can be exposed to.

Though, for all who venture forth with grape expectations be prepared for shock and awe as David switches hats transforming himself into a mad scientist and wine mixologist. The only tasting of its kind, David will take his graduated cylinder and a smattering of carefully selected wines, measuring each one with intent and pouring Published by the

Paso Robles Press

each into a decanter. Then the magic happens, he pours it into a glass, the person puts it to their lips and presto-change-o, an instant convert to the madness in a glass that is wine mixology.

The philosophy behind this revolutionary approach to the wine experience stems from David’s six years as radio personality and producer, heard coast-to-coast on his show Grape Encounters Radio. On the air he is known for his uncanny ability to make wine language translatable to the everyday person, explaining that wine is not just an alcoholic beverage, it tells a story and provides an experience that will make a lasting impact, a memory.

“The experience that they have and associate with the wine is everything,” he said with a smile. “I remember being 13 years old and seeing Linda Ronstadt and Jackson Brown for my first show ever. There Central Coast Edition

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GRAPE ENCOUNTERS EM-POUR-IUM

David and Annie’s Grape Encounters Em-pour-ium is home to more than just coveted wines, they have accessories to fit any party or patron.

For those that like to recline and drink wine Grape Encounters Em-pour-ium is the place to be where the atmosphere speaks volumes and the wines are free to tell their story.

was a very attractive 20-something girl and she was wearing a perfume called Cache and for my whole life that experience that I had is so imprinted because of that perfume that when I smell it I am transported to that concert and it is incredible to me. The experience that someone has with wine is the same. You go into a tasting room and if they don’t care about you or are to busy they just give you a splash and little attention that is imprinted on the person, too. Many people buy wine because of the association that they have with it. So it is really important that we give people a really fun experience. “ David and Annie are not just invested in their business, but in the betterment of Atascadero. David’s family has owned the El Paseo Plaza for decades. Now under his management, the complex is quickly becoming a cultural hub in a vast wilderness of empty or nearly empty strip malls.

With a vision to revitalize the Atascadero downtown area, he and Annie will be creating the first outdoor wine-sipping

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Grape Encounters Em-pour-ium also offers visitors tasty treats that pair perfectly with the wines they provide.

venue in Atascadero. It has already been approved by the City Council. David said that they would be constructing a low-level, fenced-in area just along the sidewalk out in front of their tasting experience.

“We are looking at the big picture,” David said. “When we decided to create Grape Encounters Em-pour-ium we saw that we were filling a need a community that is starved for culture and nightlife.

We only have one location still open in the Plaza and have it reserved for a bistro to round out the experience.”

A fascinating part of the experience, adventure really, that David and Annie take their patrons on is that if the conversation is flowing like the wine you may be invited to join David for a prerecorded session in his studio right next door to the tasting experience to talk shop. He will even show interested visitors his white board of fame, full of some heavy hitters, where all his guests leave their mark.

“An important part of this operation is our studio,” he said with a bounce in his step. “If you look at this board you will see Published by the

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some very high-profile people, both in the community and outside of the community.

You can see there are about 70 or so signatures up here from Sunset Magazine Editor Sarah Schneider, a regular guest, to Wilfred Wong, some of the best chefs in the area like Robin Cuvee, Justin Picard and Neal from Morro Bay Oyster Company. There are tons of them. We have the biggest recording studio that I know of in the county and have had as many as 12 people in the wine biz at any given time just rapping about wine.”

If you are looking for an intelligent conversation about wine, David and Annie can provide that and more.

Grape Encounters is open Tuesday through Saturday and occasionally Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. with special events on the horizon. Stop by for a sip at 5816 Traffic Way in Atascadero or visit grapeencountersradio.com to learn more.

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FEATURE Photo Courtesy of Ancient Peaks

FEATURE

Sustainable Winegrowing: ‘It’s the Right Thing To Do’ Local Vineyards are Passionate About Farm, Family and Future

By SKYE RAVY OF VINO

F

or a growing number of North County winegrowers, farming “sustainably” is no longer a matter of choice; it’s a necessity. They are shying away from the practices of years past, and turning to a holistic way of operating, one that respects the land, the fruit and the workers.

“It’s a no-brainer,” said Castoro Cellars’ Luke Udsen. Luke’s father, Niels, was one of the first vineyard owners to sign up with the Sustainability in Practice Certification program through the Vineyard Team. The Vineyard Team is a group of winegrowers that focus on promoting sustainable winegrowing practices.

The organization was formed almost 20 years ago, “Before ‘sustainable’ was really a thing,” said Vineyard Team Executive Director Kris Beal. SIP Certification was something that the Team started seven years ago.

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“We wanted to create a rigorous certification process as a facet of the Vineyard Team, and SIP was the answer to that,” Beal said.

“It’s actually what we were already doing. When I realized that we were pretty much already following the standards, I told my dad, ‘we’ve got to tell people!’” Luke said.

In addition to being fully SIP Certified, 350 acres of Castoro’s estate vineyards are Certified Organic. In order to be certified organic the vineyards must be farmed without the use of pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers. The farmers must go through a lengthy certification process to verify that their grapes are grown and processed in compliance.

“It’s a long and pricey process, but it is something that we are very proud of,” Luke said.

Castoro has made a number of other sustainable efforts as well, from discontinuing the sale of water in plastic Published by the

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bottles, to installing 42 solar panels in its vineyards and another large panel on the roof of its events room. The winery’s popular Summer Concert Series is run entirely on solar power.

Oso Libre is another vineyard that champions sustainability, and like Castoro, was also among some of the first vineyards in the North County to do so. Oso Libre, (which is Spanish for ‘Free Bear’) was the first vineyard in the area to install a wind machine.

“It was actually a bit of a fight to get the wind machine,” said Jeff Freeland, the general manager, winemaker and son of owner Chris Behr. “Our neighbors at the time thought it would be unsightly, and we really fought for it. After we won, we kinda looked around and thought, ‘what else can we do?’”

Oso Libre is famed for its wines, and also for its grass-fed beef. They too are certified under the SIP label. In winter months, they bring in sheep to help clear Central Coast Edition

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NORTH COUNTY WINEGROWERS Photo by Skye Ravy/VINO

Courtesy of Castoro Cellars

Castoro Cellars recently installed 42 solar panels on its land, as well as one large one on the roof of its events building. Their popular Summer Concert Series is 100 percent solar powered.

Oso Libre uses sheep instead of weed killers in its vineyards. In winter months, the sheep roam the rows, eating weeds and old fruit. The animals also aerate the soil with their hooves.

Photo by Skye Ravy/VINO

Oso Libre Vineyard uses both solar and wind to help power its operation.

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old fruit and weeds: an easy, cost effective, albeit ancient alternative to using chemicals.

Another alternative to pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers is the use of cover crops. Cover crops enrich the soil, help to create a balance of “good bugs” and are also an important food source for bees and butterflies.

According to some experts, the colony collapse disorder seen in California and beyond was a direct effect of nonsustainable practices, such as destruction of natural habitats and harsh pesticide use. If the bee problem goes unfixed, food chain collapse could be imminent.

SIP Certified vineyards also employ the use of owl and bat boxes. Owls and bats are an important part of maintaining healthy land, as they are natural pest controllers. All in all, sustainable farming really comes down to working with the land, rather than against it.

Another fa c e t of sustainability is fair treatment for workers. Ancient Peaks Vineyard grows its wine under the SIP guidelines.

“There are three tiers of sustainability,” explained Doug Filliponi, one of Ancient Peaks’ owners. “It’s about being environmentally friendly, economically feasible, and there is also the human aspect.”

Paso Robles Press

Ancient Peaks and other SIP vineyards guarantee their workers a living wage.

“They are like a part of our family,” Filliponi said. “We even have a staff garden for them to use.”

Ancient Peaks also creates its own compost for the vines and for the garden, and they even have a worm farm. Worms are another natural alternative to chemical farming, and are an important factor in soil health.

The third facet of sustainability is economic sustainability. It’s believed that growers, who become a caring steward of the land, are repaid with longevity and consistency.

Sustainable farming guarantees a richer soil, and usually a better fruit. In times of drought, water-conscious farming is important. Sometimes methods that conserve water mean lower yields, but farmers have found that it also equates to higher quality.

SIP started with only 14 vineyards, and it has grown in the last seven years to nearly 200.

“I think it comes down to it just being the right thing to do,” said SIP Certification Manager Beth Vukmanic Lopez. In fact, every vineyard when posed the question of, “why grow sustainably’ gave that same exact answer; that simply put, “It’s the right thing to do.”

Winter/Spring 2015

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FOOD & WINE Photos courtesy of Vineyard Events

FEATURED CHEF

Chef Jeffery Scott Sips First, Then Cooks Vineyard Events Owner Builds Flavors Around the All-important Bottle

By HAYLEY THOMAS FOR VINO

C

hef Jeffery Scott believes that cooking is a lot like dancing.

“You either understand the rhythm of the kitchen, or you don’t,” he said.

A natural culinary creative and intuitive peopleperson, the chef reaches deep to create fresh, wineryspecific menus that groove to just the right beat.

Through his catering company, Vineyard Events, the chef tailors just the right flavors to just the right wines, while also considering the setting and guest list, too. No detail is too small for Scott and it shows. The result is a harmonious dining experience that brings each element into balance.

“It’s not surprising that my business has done so well, but it’s certainly a gift,” Scott said. “Working with owners and winemakers is key. I see the personality of the property and the personality of the wines, and take inspiration from that to do something interesting with the food.”

A recent meeting at Denner Winery in Paso Robles led Scott to sit down with winemaker Anthony Yount, who had recently released a Grenache-based blend as well asa Mourvèdre-based blend. The Basqueinspired “country foothills”-style wine lamb and mushrooms were discussed and needed something equally rustic, yet tested in varying combinations. The chef complimentary. believes wholeheartedly that his job isn’t This is the kind of puzzle the chef lives to simply show off his knife skills. It is, for. instead, “to make the wines look great,” “From there, we decided to do a modern by building the perfect menu around each take on peasant-style dishes,” Scott said, bottle. adding that sweetbreads, pork belly, stewed Whether echoing food and wine flavors

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or playing up the difference in texture and taste for maximum wow factor, Scott’s mind is continually churning with fresh ideas that bring zing to each meal. It’s no wonder, then, that he is in high demand, both north and south of the grade.

Wine country certainly loves the chef, but he didn’t start here. In fact, his career began Central Coast Edition

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VINEYARD EVENTS

Chef Jeffery Scott of Vineyard Events crafts each menu with wine at the heart of the meal. Whether creating multi-course winemaker dinners or fun, rustic dining for private events, Scott believes that each meal is unique and deserves a nuanced approach. The result is a memorable dining experience that takes into account each element of the experience, from wine to setting.

miles away, in Southern California.

His story is an interesting one, indeed: Scott worked his way up in the food industry and was eventually hired as Chef de Cuisine at the Playboy Mansion, where he cooked with the very best ingredients from around the world.

In 2006, after years of private cheffing for a range of clients, Scott moved to the Paso Robles area, lending his expertise to a handful of local wineries.

“I started off, like many chefs, living in L.A. and cooking in L.A., and eventually falling in love with the dream of living and cooking in wine country,” Scott said. “I really got into the idea of treating wine as the sauce of the dish — and by cooking like that — you understand you need to make room for the wine.”

“Making the wine explode,” as the chef is known to say, takes quite a bit of trial and

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error. Scott considers this part a necessary evil of the job.

“It’s grueling, grueling research,” he said with a laugh, adding that his hardworking staff of three year-round sous chefs are happy to lend a hand.

Vineyard Events, which began to pick up real steam in 2009, is now booking out two years in advance. Most dinners are created for wineries and winemaker dinners, although the chef is also known to cater a smattering of private soirees and weddings. Scott calls his fare “antiwedding food,” and — as always — aims to twist convention on its head.

Scott said he loves the handful of core wineries he works with consistently. Every year, the relationship deepens with layers of joy and complexity — and so do his menus.

“By the fifth year, we really start Published by the

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kicking into gear, and even the wine club membership knows me,” Scott said.

“By then, we are really entertaining. I enjoy pushing forward to always put out something new.”

Whether presenting a fancy multicourse, fine-dining experience nestled within the west Paso hills or serving up a free-wielding pan of spicy paella in San Miguel’s winding backroads, one truth remains: Chef Scott puts all of himself into his flavors.

“The challenge is always to put out something unique — it’s a big fun party we put on,” Scott said. “It requires some research, but in the end, that is what truly inspires me.”

Visit chefjefferyscott.com for more information about Vineyard Events.

Winter/Spring 2015

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FOOD & WINE Photos by Sharen Rund Bloechl For VINO

FEATURED OLIVE OIL

Trabia Farms and Atypical Place The Foundation For Healthy Living

By SHAREN RUND BLOECHL FOR VINO

H

idden in the westside hills off Highway 46 and Las Tablas Road, at the end of Township Road in Templeton is an olive ranch, Trabia Farms, which not only produces olives but uses the proceeds to establish and support Atypical Place.

For over a century, the Piazza family has been following farm fresh produce to the table practices, which started in Trabia, Sicily and contined when family immigrated to California.

“My grandparents, Nanu John Piazza and Nana Petrina, with their six children, grew olives, figs and other various fruits in Trabia, Sicily. He pressed olives for olive

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oil and milled his way into becoming one of the finest olive oil providers of the Palermo region,” Ben Polando said. “At this time, the powers that be had control over the olive oil market and kept raising the ‘oil taxes’ until finally, in 1933, Nanu said ‘I quit!’ sold them his farm and moved to America, settling in San Francisco, Calif.”

They started a corner grocery store and a Christmas tree lot, before moving on to growing fruit trees in Suisun. By the 1960’s, Piazza Brothers’ Fruit Drying Yard was the largest in California, Polando said.

After graduating from college, Ben with his sisters, Adele and Donna, started their high-tech packaging company. Moving forward 30 years, they felt the pull of nature and decided to return to their family’s farming roots.

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While searching for a place, a friend from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo suggested they check out the Paso Robles area where they found the perfect spot in the Templeton Gap. To Ben, the site was a wonderful gift from God, a special place on a hilltop with fertile soils, sweet waters and mild Mediterranean climate. Naming it Trabia Farms, after the town in Sicily, it is home to over 4,700 Koroneiki, Arequipa, and Tuscan olive varietals and heirloom fruit trees using organic, biodynamic farming practices. They also plant specialty herbs and vegetables each season as part of Atypical Place. In addition to the olives, fruits and vegetables, Polando has Pinot Noir vines entering their fifth leaf — its showing good. With several friends, he will be harvesting, crushing and pressing and creating his first bottling.

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VINO

TRABIA FARMS Atypical Place provides farm-based developmental programs for children and adults with cognitive disabilities and their caregivers at Trabia Farms. Working with Daniels Woodlands, they’re creating an Exploratorium that will include a 12-foot whale carcass, a labyrinth maze, ancient ruins, archeology “digs” and science experiments like carbon sequestration. When completed, Trabia’s indoor and outdoor facilities will support treatment for sensory and social development and learning activities, including occupational training.

Farm animals, gardens and orchards provide interactive experiences and farm-raised toxin-free products for their special families and the community. They have also been contacted by Animal Planet to document the project from beginning construction to completion. Polando’s working with the local school districts to bring special needs classes to Trabia Farms to interact not only with animals but to learn about growing vegetables. Last year, each student was given a pumpkin seed to grow and by harvest they had over 280 pumpkins. In addition, Trabia donated over 5,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables to the food banks and another 1,000 pounds to the participating families.

In the midst of planting Trabia’s first olive orchard, the old well went nearly dry.

“Knowing I had to find a new water source or the farm would fail,” Ben said, he listened to a number of naysayers who said it would be a matter of luck and suggested hiring a water witcher. Polando said that, “Together, Tom, the local water witcher, and I crisscrossed the farm. The rods remained still

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while my despair grew with each step, until I found we had come to the exact spot where I had felt the life force calling me to the land. I grabbed the rods from Tom and they crossed with a strong and definite movement.”

Trabia’s new well sits on this exact spot — it taps a sweet water source discovered in a fissure nearly 400 feet deep.

Polando firmly believes eating right should be a fun exploration of the “rainbow of foods” — using the color of foods as a guide to getting the full ranges of vitamins and minerals that you need.

Red and pink: lycopene, vitamins A and C, potassium; tomatoes, cranberries and watermelon, red bell peppers, red apples, raspberries, strawberries Orange and yellow: betacarotene (vitamin A), vitamin C, fiber, potassium: mangoes, papaya, bananas, butternut squash, cantaloupe, pumpkin, apricots, carrots Green: vitamins C and K, folic acid, potassium, omega-3 fatty acids; olives, olive oil, kale, spinach, mustard greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, green beans, peas, celery Blue, purple and violet: vitamins C and E, anthocyanin’s, antioxidants, potassium, fiber; olives, eggplant, blueberries, blackberries, boysenberries, plums, pomegranates, prunes.

Look for Trabia Farms Olive Oil products online and at local Olive Oil festivals in Paso Robles, San Benito County, San Jose Mission and more.

Dr. Ben Polando, Ph.D., Head Farmer

After-harvest parties are enjoyed in the Tuscan-themed bunkhouse overlooking the countryside.

After water witching the entire property, water was found here at the top of the winding drive up the hill at Trabia Farms.

For more information, call 855-663-0800 or e-mail customerservice@ trabiafarms.com or visit their website at www. trabiafarmsinc.com.

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This will soon be filled with a rainbow of crops.

Winter/Spring 2015

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FEATURED LODGING

A hilltop Tuscan retreat nestled a few miles west of downtown Paso Robles, Belvino Viaggio offers couples a chance to relax, renew and discover theCentral area’sCoast vibrant wineVINO culture.

Edition Published by the Paso Robles Press 24 Winter/Spring 2015

BELVINO VIAGGIO

Photos courtesy of Studio West

FEATURED LODGING: BELVINO VIAGGIO

Invites Visitors on ‘Beautiful Wine Journey’ Bed and Breakfast is Dream of Lois Wilson and Her Late Husband

By HAYLEY THOMAS FOR VINO

O

ftentimes, the biggest revelations in life are revealed in small, intimate moments. Lois Wilson’s big revelation came one evening in the late 1990s while exploring Santa Barbara tasting rooms with her sister.

Somewhere between their second and third wine tasting, the conversation came around to the age-old question, “What would you do career-wise if it, money, wasn’t a factor?”

At the time, the Orange County native worked as a corporate executive vice president for a real estate management company. She considered the question seriously.

“I didn’t really have an answer for

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myself,” Wilson said. “My sister knows me so well, and she said, ‘You’re great with people, you love entertaining, and you love to cook and decorate. You should be an innkeeper.’”

In that moment, Wilson’s life was given new purpose.

“I had an epiphany — it really hit me that that’s what I wanted to do,” she said.

“From that moment on, I kept my new dream in mind.”

A serendipitous trip to oak-studded Paso Robles with her soon-to-be-husband in 1999 exposed Wilson to what would become her dream inn location.

“I looked around and I knew this was where I would do my bed and breakfast. I just felt it,” Wilson said, adding that only a handful of small inns existed in the area during that time. One year after that fateful trip, Wilson married her fiancé and Published by the

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purchased a 40-acre parcel in Paso Robles.

The dream was becoming reality, and the couple happily broke ground on their new bed and breakfast in 2005.

The fantasy would take a twist, however.

Five months after the first shovel had dug into that now-famous Paso soil, Wilson’s husband was diagnosed with cancer. Although he would go on to lose his battle with the disease, she takes solace in the fact that her late husband saw the inn, Belvino Viaggio, completed in 2008.

“It became his dream as much as mine,” Wilson said. “The name means ‘beautiful wine journey.’”

Located just two miles west of downtown, the lodging is close enough to restaurants and shops for a no-fuss drive into town, yet tucked far enough away to feel rural and peaceful. The hilltop property Winter/Spring 2015

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BELVINO VIAGGIO

The Tuscan architecture of Belvino Viaggio harkens back to owner Lois Wilson’s love of travel and intention to craft a warm, inviting space for couples to relax. The innkeeper said people come for the peace and quiet, but stay for the wines.

The combination of cozy atmosphere and nearby wine opportunities has made Belvino Viaggio a magnet for couples looking to reconnect in a romantic setting.

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showcases expansive views, including Epoch Winery’s breathtaking 60-acre vineyard.

“It’s a spectacular view,” Wilson said.

“It was really the views that drew me to this land, and now, we have vineyards all around the area. I know what it’s like working in the corporate world. You need those breaks and you need to recharge your batteries. A lot of people feel that simply walking out onto our balcony and looking out at the views is restorative.”

The Tuscan architecture harkens back to Wilson’s love of travel and intention to craft a warm, inviting space for couples to relax. The innkeeper said people come for the peace and quiet, but stay for the wines. Thankfully, the west Paso hills are bursting with tasting experiences.

The combination of cozy atmosphere and nearby wine opportunities has made Belvino Viaggio a magnet for couples looking to reconnect in a romantic setting.

Most travelers come from Southern and Northern California, with about 15 Published by the

Paso Robles Press

percent hailing from across the nation and the world.

“We have visitors from Finland and Australia and all countries of Europe, China, Hong Kong,” Wilson said. “Paso Robles has really landed on the map.”

The innkeeper said she was surprised to find that so many of her guests — whether they hail from her old stomping grounds of Southern California to a foreign country — become friends.

Although running the retreat takes quite a bit of work, keeping Wilson busy from daybreak to sundown, she said that interacting and getting to know her guests is a reward well worth the effort.

“I meet the nicest people and it is amazing to be part of,” Wilson said.

“We’ve seen seven marriage proposals; we’ve had anniversary celebrations and lots of birthdays and reunions. You get to witness some of the happiest times in peoples’ lives. That, in itself, is such a blessing and a joy.”

For more information, visit belvinoviaggio.com or call 237-8895.

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Mention this ad at time of reservation and receive a 10% discount.

Offer not valid on holiday or festival weekends and expires May 31, 2015.

NORMAN

V I N E Y A R D S Bring in this ad and receive 15% OFF purchase and a complimentary tasting

Belvino Viaggio is a luxury Tuscan style Bed and Breakfast perched upon an impressive and picturesque hilltop in the Paso Robles wine region.

Come stay with us and experience breathtaking views, personalized hospitality, gourmet breakfasts and comfortable elegance.

B E LV I N O V I A G G I O . C O M 1985 Peachy Canyon Rd, Paso Robles, Ca | 805-237-8895

3502 Dry Creek Rd Suite B1 Paso Robles, CA 93446 805-237-0138 wineclub@normanvineyards.com

Rent Me, Drive me! as low as $199 per day

Book your fun transportation today!

Wine Tasting Beer Tasting The Mid-State Fair

Concerts Mommy Group Events Wedding Guest Transportation

Call us: (805) 309-0320 www.BusOfFun.com

FEATURE

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Winter/Spring 2015

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VINO

NORTH COUNTY WINEGROWERS COVER FEATURE

Decision on Paso Robles AVA Districts Applauded Locally Sub-regions Recognize Diversity While Still Preserving the Greater Paso Robles Brand Staff Report

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ast November’s ruling by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, establishing 11 new viticultural areas within the Paso Robles AVA, was applauded by wine growers and officials.

The announcement is the culmination of a seven-year process by a diverse group of growers, vintners and owners from across the Paso Robles American Viticultural Area as well as the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance.

The new districts are based on mesoclimactic, geological and historical information which highlight each individual district to be unique as a winegrape growing area, according to the PRWCA. The 11 AVAs are as follows: Adelaida District, Creston District, El Pomar District, Paso Robles Estrella District, Paso Robles Geneseo District, Paso Robles Highlands District, Paso Robles Willow Creek District, San Juan Creek District, San Miguel District, Santa Margarita Ranch District, and the Templeton Gap District.

“Our AVA is an incredibly diverse region that has taken its rightful place on the world wine stage,” said Steve Lohr,

Consumer Impact he addition of sub-districts opens the T door to more area-specific labeling, but it’s likely the changes won’t be seen until new

releases come out this year.

In order for the sub-district to be added to the label it will need to ultimately be approved by the governing federal agency.

They basically know down to the “last drop” how much wine is at the disposal of each winemaker at their respective properties, said PRWCA Communications Director Chris Taranto. The rules that govern the labels have been around for years.

Simply put, “as long as the fruit used in the wine is 85 percent from that particular AVA then you can put it on your label,” Taranto said. For example, if a winery,

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chairman and CEO of J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines, and former chairman of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance.

“These sub appellations will allow growers and vintners to tell their stories more clearly, which in turn will give consumers and the trade a much greater understanding of Paso’s diversity and complexity. Prior to this, Paso Robles was the largest noncounty California AVA not currently subdivided. It is also an area with more diversity of rainfall, soils and climate than almost any other comparably sized region. We have been a great believer in this initiative since the beginning, and are proud that it has been accomplished in a way that will strengthen the Paso Robles brand with conjunctive labeling.”

AVA labeling provides information to consumers and trade about what is in the bottle, helping them make a better informed buying decision based on expectations of the region.

Thanks to a conjunctive labeling law spearheaded by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance in 2007, the Paso Robles AVA retains top billing on a wine label with the individual districts serving as a way to fine-tune location and potential character of wines.

While Paso Robles wineries are not required to use the sub-region on the label, when they do, Paso Robles will be printed with equal or more significance.

“These new AVAs will be a powerful tool for wineries to explain why certain grapes are particularly well suited to certain parts of the appellation, and why some wines show the characteristics they do while other wines, from the same or similar grapes, show differently,” said Jason Haas, general manager of Tablas Creek Vineyard and Paso Robles AVA Committee member. “Ultimately, the new AVAs will allow these newly created subregions to develop identities for themselves with a clarity impossible in a single large AVA.” The petition for the 11 new AVAs was filed in the spring of 2007 by the specially formed Paso Robles AVA Committee. A group of 59 vintners and growers, with the assistance of experts in a variety of fields, methodically crafted the submission with science as its standard. The petition proved to be the single largest AVA proposal ever filed with the United States Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) due to the scale and scientific data assembled to substantiate the request.

regardless of what district they reside in, wants to put Estrella District on its label then 85 percent of the fruit that went into making the wine would have to come from the Estrella District.

Due to conjunctive labeling, the wineries are still required to have Paso Robles on the label as well.

The new districts and subsequent labeling options are the next natural step in the growth of the Paso Robles AVA and another tool at the disposal of the wineries and consumers, Taranto said.

“Wine drinkers in general like to learn about where their wine comes from so this if anything lends itself to that habit of wine drinkers,” Taranto said.

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Winter/Spring 2015

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CALIFORNIA US

101

San Miguel San Miguel District

Paso Robles Estrella District

46

Adelaida District

Paso Robles Geneseo District

Paso Robles

Paso Robles Willow Creek District

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El Pomar District

Templeton Gap Templeton District

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Atascadero

Creston 229

CALIFORNIA

1

US

101

Cayucos Santa Margarita

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Santa Margarita Ranch

Morro Bay 1

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E CALIFORNIA US

101 S

Cre Dis

Paso Wine QUICK FACTS

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Shandon San Juan Creek

Produces more than 40 wine grape varietals

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eston strict

Named Wine Region of the Year in 2013.

Paso Robles Highland District

1st

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Paso Robles AVA Sub Appellations - Map A

G A ZI NE

Home of over 200 Wineries

Consists of 32,000 vineyard acres

FEATURED TASTING ROOM

Photos courtesy of Tooth & Nail Winery

FEATURED TASTING ROOM

Tooth & Nail Winery the First Castle on the Right Historic With a Dash of Wicked Wonder

By HAYLEY THOMAS FOR VINO

W

ith its grand, medieval architecture, serene moat and pastoral vineyard setting, “the castle” located off Paso Robles’ Highway 46 West has always been an obvious wine tourist’s stop. Now, Tooth & Nail Winery, which moved into the iconic building in September of 2014, has pushed the picture book dreamscape into far edgier territory.

Much like their bold, moody “Force of Nature” wine labels — which depict sea monsters, volcanos and rouge tidal waves — the tasting room takes “historic” and adds a dash of wicked wonder. With dark walls, clean lines, and a plethora of unadorned

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wood and metal surfaces, the décor is Old World French chateau meets new industrial.

“We love this neighborhood; we are amongst some of Paso Robles’ most well respected wineries,” said Joe Armstrong, who serves as vice president of direct to consumer sales. “The castle offers up an incredible way to showcase our wines as well as a way to really get to know the people who love our wine.”

Before creaking open the castle door to the public in November of 2014, the building underwent massive renovations that have certainly helped to differentiate the winery from its previous owners, Eagle Castle.

Still, much toil has also taken place behind the scenes. The location includes 20,000 feet of cellar space, including a Published by the

Paso Robles Press

fermentation bay, barrel room and case storage. More work is being executed to add a new temperature control system, fermentation bays, catwalk and updated winery equipment.

“We offer a tasting bar for those that come in and want to learn about wine, but we also have many areas for private seated tastings, food pairings and just hanging out and listening to music,” Armstrong said. “We also offer beautiful terraces outside with comfortable furniture to enjoy the amazing weather in Paso Robles. Great wine and food, mixed with some live music and sunshine, makes a pretty awesome way to spend a day.”

The winery and its four labels, Tooth & Nail, Force of Nature, Stasis and Amor Fati, are owned by the larger umbrella company, Central Coast Edition

VINO

TOOTH & NAIL WINERY Rabble Wine Company. All four Tooth & Nail labels are unique in terms of price point and style, yet there is a common thread.

That unifying characteristic is visible right on the bottle, which are a sight to behold. Tooth & Nail labels are sourced from original artwork crafted by the naturalist John James Audubon in the early 1800’s, with the constant theme of “the struggle to survive.” Force of Nature labels feature old wood block prints depicting the wrath of nature, and Stasis and Amor Fati — the winery’s two reserve labels — showcase 1800s-era sketches of Romeo and Juliet created by William Blake.

“We wanted labels that engaged our consumers, evoking emotion and causing discussion — not from a shock value standpoint, but rooted in history,” said Andrew Nelson, partner and vice president of national sales and marketing.

“We put as much energy into the outside of the bottle as we do to the wine on the inside.”

When it comes to what’s “on the inside,” no man knows more than Rabble Wine Company owner and longtime Central Coast viticulturist Rob Murray. Wellknown for his expertise as a farmer and wine grape grower, Murray sources fruit from four of his own vineyards: Three in Paso and one in Santa Maria.

“By owning and managing our vineyards and producing at our winery we have total control over the entire process. This allows us to be very selective in what grapes go into our brands and deliver a product at great value,” said Nelson. “We have something for everyone.”

At under $20, the winery’s Force of Nature red blend offers up a fruit-driven Merlot with a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petite Sirah. On the other side of the spectrum, you’ll find the $60 Amor Fati Pinot, a cool climate

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Central Coast Edition

whole cluster ferment bursting with white pepper and bing cherry.

The winery also offers up unique varietals including Tempranillo, cool climate Grenache and Syrah as well as an Alsace-style Pinot Gris.

“We add variety to the neighborhood, both in wines and ambiance,” said Murray. “We make clean, balanced wines, showcasing some of the best blocks off of our vineyards. Balance is the theme throughout, keeping alcohol levels below 15 percent and managing tannins to deliver a lush, fullbodied wine with balanced acidity.”

Added Murray, “There are no tricks going on in the cellar.

We’re starting with the best fruit and making that our first priority throughout the process.”

At Tooth & Nail, tasters can experience a fast-paced, fun experience at the indoor bar or cozy up to more calm private events in the library. If you’re interested in checking out an outstanding view, climb the grand staircase to the westside terrace for a panoramic sunset.

“We offer an experience to talk about,” Murray said. “We are a different kind of winery, owned and managed vineyards, delicious wines with crazy fun labels, and it’s all served up in a castle.”

It is evident that Murray and his team are embracing the legendary building — and their new home — wholeheartedly.

“Our labels and wine are a modern approach with an authentic nod to history, much like the castle building,” Armstrong said. “We like to say that we’re located off of 46 West from the 101 — the first castle on the right.”

For more information, visit t o o t h a n d n a i l w i n e c o m p a n y. com or call 369-6100. Tooth & Nail Winery is located at 3090 Anderson Road in Paso Robles.

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Tooth & Nail Winery’s West Terrace is an incredible spot to take in the fiery sunset sinking behind west Paso Robles hills.

With large windows filtering the Paso Robles sun, Tooth & Nail’s Amor Fati room is perfect for winemaker dinners, winery events, weddings and more.

Cozy up to a crackling fireplace and sip on Tooth & Nail Winery’s four labels while surrounded by Old World French chateau meets new industrial style.

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FEATURED WINERY EXPERIENCE Photos by Luke Phillip

FEATURED WINERY EXPERIENCE

Halter Ranch Vineyards Offers Something Old, Something New

By LUKE PHILLIPS OF VINO

H

alter Ranch Vineyards, in the heart of the Adelaida wine district west of Paso Robles, is all about contrast and balance — the old and the new, technology and tradition, development and nature.

The vineyard is the largest in the Paso Robles AVA west of Highway 101 and is separated into two distinct areas. The first, on the south side of Adelaida Creek, features a historic Victorian-style farmhouse dating back to 1885 along with a large barn that is even older and several other small out buildings.

Original property owner Edwin Smith built the house and barn in the mid- to late1800s. He built the barn first, using it to house teams of draft horses he used to cart

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goods over the coastal mountain range to the Hearst dock in San Simeon where they would be shipped to San Francisco. On his return trips, he would bring back lumber for more building projects.

He first built the farmhouse in 1881, but it burned down in a lantern fire in 1885 and was immediately rebuilt. Much of the house today is still made up of the original 1885 rebuild with the exception of a second story that was added in the 1980s along with a new porch, and a laundry room and basement that were added as part of an extensive renovation in the early 2000s.

Although the building has undergone extensive renovations and alterations, Halter Ranch Tasting Room Sales Manager Nick Mays says that it still retains much of its original character, has always had the same color schemes and even features original stained glass work from the 1880s. The Published by the

Paso Robles Press

ornate, gingerbread decorations on the front of the house are also original.

Although the house has been fitted with a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen, it mostly lacks electronic elements to retain the “homestead” feel. Halter Ranch hosts open house events for wine club members during the holidays inside the house and it’s also used to entertain wine industry guests, but it’s not generally open to the public.

“To be a bed and breakfast would destroy a lot of the original elements to bring it up to code and since it’s a historical landmark we didn’t want to do that,” Mays said.

The original barn structure also received a facelift recently, with crews disassembling the building piece-by-piece before putting it back together again on top of a brand new concrete foundation and with new support beams. The barn, one of the last three Central Coast Edition

VINO

HALTER RANCH VINEYARDS remaining structures from the Adelaida settlement, is currently open during wine festival weekends and once a year for a concert by Symphony of the Vines, but will be utilized much more in the future for different types of special events, Mays said.

Smith’s time on the ranch came to an unfortunate end, as his transport business was made obsolete when the railroad was built through area in the early 1900s.

Smith ended up penniless and buried in an unmarked grave in at the Paso Robles Cemetery.

The property passed through the hands of two different anonymous owners over the next few decades before being bought by the MacGilliavray family in the 1940s.

The ranch was owned by the MacGilliavray family for more than 50 years, during which time they ranched cattle and grew grains, threw lavish parties that sometimes drew half the population of Paso Robles, and even built a runway on the property for use by their celebrity and politician friends. According to May, Ronald Reagan landed on the ranch in the late 1960s to announce his second bid for governor. The MacGilliavrays also planted the first 40 acres of grapes on the property in 1996 and changed the face of the ranch by selling 1,600 acres of the original 3,600acre parcel to the adjacent Tablas Creek Vineyard in 1989.

In 2000, the ranch was bought by Swiss businessman Hansjörg Wyss who, in addition to renovating the property’s historic structures south of the creek, also began a methodical build-out of the property immediately north of the creek starting in 2009, which included the construction of a state-of-the-art winery, a 20,000 square-foot wine cave and a new tasting room, which is still under construction and scheduled to be finished this June.

The new facilities required a new bridge across the creek for access by emergency vehicles and Wyss decided to install a beautiful covered bridge, reminiscent of the type common around his hometown of Bern, Switzerland.

“It’s also symbolic of the transition from the historic barnyard into the winery portion,” Mays said.

Mays said that former Halter Ranch winemaker Bill Sheffer spent six years

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This covered bridge, which spans across Adelaida Creek, was added to provide access for emergency vehicles. The bridge is in the style commonly found near the hometown of Halter Ranch owner Hansjörg Wyss in Bern, Switzerland.

Reclaimed water is sent back to Halter Ranch’s holding pond, which is stocked with fish.

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Winter/Spring 2015

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FEATURED WINERY EXPERIENCE

Halter Ranch Tasting Room Sales Manager Nick Mays says that the production facility’s central barrel staging area is one of the most important factors for the efficiency of the winery.

Halter Ranch has an extensive, 20,000 square-foot wine cave, able to hold two entire vintages at once.

The clubhouse at Halter Ranch offers wine club members outstanding views of both the vineyards and the production facility.

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Published by the

designing the new winery using three guiding principals; cleanliness, efficiency and flexibility.

The production facility is designed to produce a maximum of 40,000 cases of wine per year and Mays says that it’s built so efficiently that the entire operation can be run by just seven people.

Fit with the TankNet system, the fermentation process can even be controlled remotely by smartphone.

Mays says one of the most important elements of the design is the large, centrallylocated barrel-stating area, complete with nitrogen hoses strung from the ceiling to leave the floor clear for forklift traffic.

“It’s located between the tank farm and the internal cave entrance, loading dock and barrel alley,” he said. “So we can bring barrels or wine from any of those locations, barrel down and do any cleaning here.”

Halter Ranch Wine Club members can get an upclose look at the production process at the member’s club house, located in a bright, cheerful room on the second floor of the winery with large windows looking out on both the production floor and the beautiful vineyards outside.

Members are encouraged to entertain guests at the clubhouse, with free tastings and tours available and cheese platters for sale.

The entire Halter Ranch property is also designed to be as environmentally friendly as possible. The wine cave, which is large enough to store two entire vintages, and the production facility are both cooled using a system that draws in cool night air and stores it for use during the day, saving on energy costs.

Paso Robles Press

Wyss, an avid land conservation enthusiast, also set aside more than 1,300 acres of land on the ranch for a wildlife sanctuary that is currently home to two separate populations of elk, along with a number of other native plants and animals.

The animals can access the sanctuary and Adelaida Creek by way of a wildlife corridor built around the property. The 281-acre vineyard is also home to beneficial native gardens, owl boxes and raptor perches, Mays said.

Especially important during the current drought, the vineyard uses dry farming techniques; the winery roof doubles as a rainwater collection surface and the entire facility is designed to reclaim the 8,000 to 10,000 gallons of water used per day during production season.

Mays says that Wyss has been working on the “methodical build-out of the property and his legacy” so that he can someday leave the ranch to his grandchildren in lieu of a cash inheritance.

“He plans to donate all of his wealth back to society,” Mays said.

Halter Ranch is located at 8910 Adelaida Road in Paso Robles, near the intersection of Adelaida Road and Vineyard Drive. The ranch offers free tours of the vineyard, winery and wine caves, which includes sips of wine at each location and a chance to glimpse the Ancestor Oak, the largest living Live Coastal Oak in the world, which is located on a hill overlooking the vineyards.

For more information on Halter Ranch Vineyard, visit their website at halterranch. com or give them a call at (888) 367-9977.

Central Coast Edition

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The BARN is FULL Great views, Picnic area, dog friendly and award winning wines

Take HWY 41 through Atascadero and just 7 mi from the 101

THE BARN ANTIQUES & UNIQUE

NEW TREASURES Arriving Daily

22390 El Camino Real Santa Margarita, CA 93453 (805) 438-5329

Located in the heart of the Central Coast’s famous wine country. t y tr

Hidden Oak Winery

4671 So. El Pomar, Templeton 805 237-9315 www.HiddenOakWinery.com Tasting Room Hours Fri– Sun11-5

FEATURE FEATURE

A Club For Every Member and For Every Member a Different Experience

By ALLYSON OKEN OF VINO

V

ariety is said to be the spice of life.

Here in the North County of San Luis Obispo with 250-plus wineries and growing, a visitor can be overwhelmed with the variety of wine experiences offered. Joining wine clubs is one way to tackle the challenge of winetasting in the

Castoro Cellars Cobble Creek Club

C

astoro Cellars, owned by the Udsen family offers club members much more than its Dam Fine Wine. When joining the club, people get a taste of the good life in

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Paso Robles AVA. With big-lot producers, mid-lot producers and small lot, or boutique wineries, not only offering just a taste, but a lifestyle and perks to boot, it is hard to know where to begin.

As there are so many wonderful clubs to choose from, joining one can provide insight into others as well. Here are three that illustrate what wine clubs in the area offer to members.

A big winery like Castoro Cellars in

Templeton can offer its wine club members more in the way of events, because it has more space to work with, and amenities.

Then there are mid-lot wine producers like Niner Wine Estates can offer intimacy as well as high-end amenities to members.

The small-lot producers like ONX offer exclusivity and an educational experience in wines with their winemaker. All three illustrate the immense variety of wine clubs in the region.

Templeton, says Wine Club Manager Ryan McGuire.

“Our wine club shipments are wines that you can’t get anywhere else,” he said.

“We offer pre-releases of wine that only wine club members are privy to. It is a good value for $100 per shipment. We also host many events like Beaver Stock our two-day outdoor music festival and wine

club members are given two complimentary tickets for this event. There were well over 1,000 members out at Beaver Stock last year so it is not an event to miss. We also host pickup parties, music events, grape stomps, benefits for local organizations and schools as well as club-exclusive dinners and educational experiences. We offer about 15 to 20 different varietals that we

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Paso Robles Press

Central Coast Edition

VINO

WINE CLUBS produce. So sometimes club members will get a Charbono. This is coveted because there are only 80 acres or so grown in the United States and we have 10 or so of them. Our Falanghina and Tempranillo are also very popular and we give those to our club members almost exclusively. We also offer special promotions every Wednesday with discounts and we choose something different every week it is very popular.”

Castoro is also in a state of evolution.

According to McGuire, they have recently put in a Frisbee golf course and purchased a new lot to grow grapes to make spirits.

He said that this was a natural progression for the owners’ sons, Luke and Max Udsen, who have been working to create a public

house and meeting place for 30-somethings in the area.

“In Whale Rock Vineyard, we opened up an 18-hole disc golf course,” McGuire said.

“It is just $5 to play and it is a challenging course that changes monthly. Our goal is that we have something for everyone.

We wanted to bring in a younger crowed.

The owners’ sons are about my age, in there 30’s, and one of the things that we have talked about is that there is very little for young people to do. It has been very successful and brought a completely different demographic and offers something new to existing club members that they would have never done before.

Across the street we purchased Veris

Cellars, the building and vines, and we will be producing artisanal grappa and winebased spirits. We hope to be doing tasting and distilling out there and it will be part of the Castoro family. We are going to call it the Bethel Road Public House and Max and Luke Udsen will be taking that on to offer a fun place to serve spirits and create a place for young people to hang out.”

Niner Wine Estates Club 9

“Club members come to our tasting room and it’s like they are home,” she explained with a smile. “When I first started here, we were right around 200 club members and now we are at about 2,150, so it is exciting to see it grow. We still want to give them that family feel with exclusive club parties. As we are growing to maintain that exclusivity, we will be starting to split into two club parties. When they come in, we offer complimentary wine, beautiful food

paired by Maegan Loring, music; we try to make it a fun occasion and make them feel like they are coming back home.”

They also offer complimentary tastings based on the club level they choose. They get four to six complimentary tastings as well as one free tour of the production facility on Heart Hill for barrel tasting with tour guide Jay Nicodemus. They are also hoping to host more private events in the future.

W

hile at Niner Wine Estate a club member can enjoy the beauty of the facility cozied up to a nice warm fire and feel as though they are at home. Wine Club Manager Alicia Wooten says members are really part of the family.

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Central Coast Edition

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Paso Robles Press

To learn more about Castoro Cellars and join the Udsen family wine club, visit castorocellars.com. Anyone may also contact McGuire to learn more about wine clubs by calling 888-DAM-FINE.

Winter/Spring 2015

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FEATURE “We are planning our Niner Nights where we do cocktail hour for our new club members,” Wooten said. “Obviously getting the kitchen in and getting that up and running has been exciting for us. We are also making new estate grown reserve wines that will be exclusive to club members only. They are all very small production wines that are of the highest quality. We have released them in the

last two shipments and they have been very well received; we can’t keep them in stock.

We also offer discounts to club members for our cooking classes and discounts to eat in our wonderful restaurant. Being a club member here you get special treatment and have fun learning in the process.”

To learn more about Niner Wine Estates and join Club 9, contact Wooten or Heather Lane, the director of hospitality, by visiting ninerwine.com. The tasting room is also open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located at 2400 Highway 46 West in Templeton. For more information, call 239-2233.

ONX Collective Wine Club

get to explore the vineyard itself. Day-Wills said they don’t have a tasting room, but they do have the beauty of the vineyard and hideaways throughout to stop and enjoy a sip under the old oak trees.

“We don’t have a public tasting room yet so we greet all of our gests at the tractor shed,” Day-Wills said. “There is an authenticity to being out in the vineyard.

Our experience just starts in the tractor shed and we typically only see guests in groups of six or less in a tour. We load them into an off-road vehicle and we go out and do all of our tastings in the vineyards and each stop is a different educational experience. Right now, if people come and visit, the vines

are dormant, making this is a great time to look a trellising techniques. We really like to teach people that come out what is happening in the vineyard, how the grapes are grown and why we plant certain varietals in certain plots on the property. We spend and hour with each group and take them on our tour to what we call an embedded oasis.”

While touring throughout the vineyard, visitors will come upon beautiful settings.

Each has a different theme and name like the Twin Oaks or the Meadow Oasis, where they have a gorgeous old farm table, a chandelier hanging from an old oak tree, just beautiful settings where visitors can get out of the vehicle, taste wine, enjoy the educational

At ONX it’s about experiencing the nature of a working farm while sipping some hard-to-get wines. As Winemaker Brian Brown only produce 2,500 cases a year, being a wine club member at ONX means exclusivity.

Ann Day-Wills, Director of Sales and Marketing at ONX, said joining this club opens up a world of exploration. Not only do wine club members get the first pick of the limited-production wine, but also they

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Paso Robles Press

Central Coast Edition

VINO

WINE CLUBS segment and go on to the next space. These oases are designed for comfort and are open to members to reserve for the day.

Currently the typical wine club member at ONX is from the Los Angeles area because that is where the owner is from.

Day-Wills said that they would like to expand the membership over time to include more people from San Francisco to Santa Barbara.

“We are not widely distributed. You won’t find ONX outside of the state of

California,” she said. “So there is some exclusivity. One of the perks of being a wine club member is actually having access to the wine. With the exception of two wines in our portfolio, we make fewer than 250 cases when produced. We do two wine club shipments a year, one in the fall and one in the spring. We really only make seven wines right now and the Rose we make is not included in shipments.

Typically you will have two bottles of each of the new releases so you can drink one

and save one. We have about 350 wine club members and growing quickly, but again we only see so many people a week so we are a well-kept secret.”

ONX vineyard tour days are Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday with slots at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. ONX is located at 1200 Paseo Excelsus in Templeton and for more information about the club, visit ONXWINES.COM or call 434-5607.

IN THE NEWS

Robert Hall Winery Wins ‘Pink’ Sweepstakes

R

By SKYE RAVY OF VINO

obert Hall Winery was the 2015 recipient of the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition’s ‘Pink’ Sweepstakes. They received the honor for their 2014 varietal, ‘Rose de Robles.’ The also received a gold medal for their Sauvignon Blanc and a double gold medal for their Cuvée.

“We’ve been making rosé since 2001.

We have entered it a few times into the competition,” said Robert Hall winemaker Don Brady, “But this is the first time that we have entered it in a while. Are we known for it? I’d say yes.”

The sweepstakes winners are what the judges distinguish to be the best of the best. According to their website, ‘The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (SFCWC) is the largest competition of American wines in the World and broke records again last year with an astonishing 5,800 entries.”

The judges are carefully selected to represent the modern wine market. Brady said that, “one of the most important things regarding this contest is the judges. These judges really reflect the market.”

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Central Coast Edition

Brady went on to say that, “The Chronicle Wine competition is one of the best if not the best National competitions we The sweepstakes winners for the 2015-year, including Robert Hall Rose. have available to $25.00 to $29.99 category, Still Waters showcase our efforts with a group of savvy judges that well Vineyards won with their 2010 Estate represents the desires of the wine market.” Merlot, in the Cabernet Sauvignon: $25.00 Hundreds of Paso Robles and Central to $29.99 category Jeff Runquist Wines Coast vineyards were recognized this year. won with their 2012 Colina Poca Cabernet For the complete list, go to winejudging. Sauvignon, in the Cabernet Franc category, Hearst Ranch Winery won with their 2010. com.

In the Bordeaux Blends group: $20.00 The winners of the Best of Class category from Paso Robles were as follows: to $29.99 Cinquain Cellars won with their In the Viognier: $20.00 & Over category, Independence Red 2011 vintage from their Clautiere Vineyard won with their 2012 Nagengast Estate Vineyard, in the Bordeaux Estate vintage, in the Sangiovese category Blends: $50.00 & Over category, J. Lohr Opolo Vineyards won with their 2012 won with their 2011 Red Wine blend, in vintage, in the Pinot Noir: $50.00 & Over the Tempranillo category, Bushong won category Kenneth Volk Vineyards won with their 2013 vintage from their Spanish with their 2012 Steiner Creek vintage, in Castle vineyard, Per Cazo Cellars won the the Petite Sirah: $20.00 & Over category All Other Red Varietals category with their Tackitt Family Vineyards won with their 2012 Touriga Nacional from their Glenrose 2012 vintage, in the Merlot: $15.00 to Vineyard, and in the All Red Blends: Over $19.99 category, Liberty School Vineyard $35.00 category, Treana Vinyard won won with their 2012 vintage, in the Merlot: with their 2012 Treana Red. Published by the

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Winter/Spring 2015

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ART & WINE

FEATURED LABEL

4 Lanterns Winery Illuminating Each Bottle Through Art

By ALLYSON OKEN OF VINO

P

roviding enlightenment to wine aficionados through the art of a wine label has become the mission of many in the wine industry. At Four Lanterns Winery in Paso Robles, label art is literally about illumination.

Artist, winemaker and owner Steve Gleason and his daughter and artist Christina Gleason started creating label art at the dining room table. Steve said that they just

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took out the collection of family art supplies and went for it. After creating a number of different works, a theme began to emerge.

As the name of the winery is Four Lanterns, light quickly became the inspiration for the art.

“We chose Four Lanterns because we have four daughters that light up our lives,” Steve said. “Just last night we started creating the artwork for the label for the next bottling.

One of my favorite labels is Apricity, which means the warmth of the sun in winter. This is reminiscent of my childhood on the North Published by the

Paso Robles Press

East Coast where the light of winter is dulled by the distance away from the Earth but is still warming. Many of the labels represent a time in our lives as well as the wines.”

Steve described the art as representative of the wine, choosing color variations that matched with the hue of the wine and the tone of the flavor. Even the names of the wines themselves follow the same theme.

The Sunset Rosé, Apricity Picpoul Blanc, Lamplight Viognier, Lights Out Grenache and Fire Light Syrah all depict a variety of artistic styles using mostly watercolor as the Central Coast Edition

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4 LANTERNS WINERY medium.

“The Sunset label looks like the sunsets that we used to get from the back of our house in Southern California,” Steve said. “With Fire Light, all I did was a dark color wash background and took globs of paint and with a flick of the wrist I was able to make these fire shapes. Then for the Apricity, I did a whitewash background, a yellow wash and let those dry, respectively, then adding red and blue. Then, I took a wet piece of paper towel and dabbed at it, removing paint as I went. I was happy with it.”

Christina created the labels for the Lamp 2f Light and the Lights Out. She said that she and her father spent some time at the dining table creating and then he chose the ones that represented the wines and the theme best.

“The Lamp Light, I was surprised to see that my dad had chosen it, but it worked out,” said Christina with a modest smile. “Lights Out, this is really nerdy, but one day I was watching a lot of ‘Dr. Who’ and I drew this. I just really liked working on this cityscape. It is nice to be able to work like this with my family.”

The art is as beautiful as the wines. Though Steve is new to the region as a winemaker, he has a flair for creating wines that are easy on the tannins and open wide at the back of the mouth.

Light is the operative word when describing his wines and art.

To learn more about the Four Lanterns Winery and the Gleason family, visit the tasting room located at 2485 Highway 46 West, online at fourlanternswinery.com or email Steve@fourlanternswinery.com.

The new location is ready to go and Steve Gleason, who is the winemaker and owner, will be releasing his new line of wine with homemade label art in the next few months.

These five wines are the first of Four Lanterns Winery with art created to go with the theme for the labels.

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Central Coast Edition

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Father and daughter duo Steve and Christina Gleason worked together to create art for the family wine label at Four Lanterns Winery a new addition to the North County wine culture.

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Bristols Cider House

BIRRA

FEATURE

Bristols has Something For Everyone Brainchild of Neil and Marci Collins and Jackie Meisinger

By LUKE PHILLIPS OF VINO

W

ith a full and flavorful lineup of crisp and refreshing hard ciders in a variety of interesting flavors, Bristols Cider House in Atascadero has something to please just about any palate.

Bristols Cider is the brainchild of brother and sister duo Neil Collins and Jackie Meisinger, along with Neil’s wife Marci, the same team behind the acclaimed Lone Madrone wine label.

Jackie and Neil grew up in the town of Bristol in western England where crisp, dry

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apple cider is a common drink of choice, but when Neil moved to California he wasn’t able to find anything that was comparable.

“We grew up in cider country in Summerset,” Jackie said. “We were right in harvest cider country and (when Neil moved to California) he couldn’t find any cider that he liked because they were all too sweet, so he just decided to make his own and it kind of grew from there.”

Neil started making small batches of cider under the Bristols name in 1994, but it wasn’t until more than a decade later, in 2006, that the product went on sale at the Lone Madrone tasting room and became a smash hit.

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The company started looking for a larger space for their production facility and found a new home in Atascadero this past June and started mass production. The company now serves multiple commercial accounts across the county and has welcomed both tasting tourists and local regulars to the location, which also serves as the Bristols tasting room.

“It was a good response and then it’s just grown and grown,” Jackie said. “Now we’re doing kegs and bottles and growlers and we have lots of wholesale accounts in the area.”

For many years the company only produced Bristols Original Hard Cider, Central Coast Edition

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BRISTOL CIDER HOUSE which offers a clean, dry taste, but since opening the new facility they’ve expanded to include a variety of fun flavor infusions. Known as the Pirate series, each cider is named after a different pirate — including Black Beard, who also hailed from Bristol — and offers a twist on the original formula.

“We’re kind of having fun, just playing around with different styles and finding out what we like and what the public likes,” Marci said.

Bristol’s Brigstock cider offers a slightly sweeter version of the original blend for palates that might not be accustomed to the dry English-style cider, but Jackie says that most people tend to enjoy the dryness of the original.

“We know that some of our public are used to it being a little sweeter, so this is a sweetened version of the Bristol’s original,” she said. “But to be honest, I think the majority of people are pleasantly surprised that we’re not sweet like all the others because it tastes better, brighter, fresher.”

Bristol’s two dry-hopped ciders, Rackman and Blackbeard have a slightly bitter, beer-like flavor, while the Anne Bonny and the Black Beard are aged in bourbon casks, giving them a distinct whiskey-like flavor.

Among the newest offerings at Bristols is a beet-infused cider called Mangelwurzel, created by adding Bull’s Blood Beets to the batch of Granny Smith apples being juiced.

The result is an earthy cider with a hint of beet flavor.

For first-time custumers who might be overwhelmed at the variety of flavors available, Bristols recommends ordering a flight, which includes a 1-ounce pour of each of the eight ciders available. Customers can then order a full pint or halfpint of their favorite. And that’s an English pint, which is 20 ounces instead of the traditional 16-ounce American pint.

“We want to educate people,” Jackie said. “We want people to

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come in and learn about our cider and cider in general. “So we’ll talk to people about the ciders and where they come from and how they’re made. A lot of times people will either stay and have a half-pint of their favorite or take a growler for home.”

Bristols tasting room is cheerful and comfortable and customers are encouraged to make themselves at home and bring in outside food if they like. The clientele tends to change depending on the time of day.

A variety of Bristols products are sold in bottles at local “A lot of our costumers in the retail outlets. afternoon will be tasters, people coming to taste cider, learn about cider and that continues through the afternoon,” Jackie said. “But then in the evening we get a lot of locals who want to come in and have a pint or a half-pint and they know our ciders really well — they’re big fans. So it’s very casual, fun and family friendly.”

Bristols is planning a slow expansion of its production and distribution, but Bristol products can currently be found in Albertson’s in Paso Robles, Villa Creek Restaurant in Paso Robles, Second Press Wine Bar in Paso Robles, Monterey Street Wines in San Luis Obispo, on tap at Molly Pitcher in Atascadero and, of course, at Bristols Cider House.

Customers can also plan on seeing new twists on the original cider recipe as Neil continues to tinker and experiment.

“That’s what’s fun about cider,” Maci said. “It’s sort of a blank slate in that way, that you can add different things, change things. We will be coming up with different things, so The production tanks at Bristol Cider House are colorfully decorated with chalk art. definitely, we’ll be doing new things in the future.”

Bristols Cider House is located at 3220 El Camino Real and is open Thursday through Saturday from 1 to 8 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, visit the Bristols Cider House website at bristolcider.com, email info@ bristolscider.com, or call 400-5293.

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FEATURE

Photos Courtesy of Serena Friedman

FEATURE

Take Two Bottles of Red and Call Me in the Morning Dr. Serena Friedman Talks Health Benefits of Red Wine

By SKYE RAVY OF VINO

W

ine has played an important part in human history.

“In Vino veritas,” the Greeks said, which translates to, “In wine there is truth.”

Perhaps the phrase should be adapted to, “In vino sanitas” or, “In wine there is health,” because in cultures where a glass of wine with dinner is a custom, rates of coronary heart disease plummet.

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Here on the Central Coast, people have the opportunity to acquire some of the finest wines available. As it turns out, these wines may make for more than just a great dinner party or a pleasant afternoon of tasting, they could tack a couple of years onto their lives as well.

Doctor Serena Friedman is one of the owners of Four Sisters Ranch in Paso Robles. She has been a keynote speaker at the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair and is passionate about staying on top of the most recent studies and research on Published by the

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the topic of red wine and health.

Once a General Practitioner, this clever cowgirl donned her signature red cowboy hat and slid into her favorite pair of boots to talk about something she has become very passionate about: the health benefits of red wine.

Friedman explained that there is, in fact, a host of different compounds and plant nutrients present in red wine that produce health benefits. She calls it an, “alphabet soup,” which includes: catechins, gallic acid and epicatechin, hydroxtyrosol, flavanoids, Central Coast Edition

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BENEFITS OF RED WINE

Dr. Friedman’s vineyard is the Four Sisters Ranch in Paso Robles, which gets its name from her and her husband’s four daughters.

anthocyanins, procyanindin, flavnoles, quercetin, and more. These compounds can help to reduce cardiovascular disease and improve cognitive function, and can lower the risk of some cancers.

The television show, “60 Minutes,” in a special report entitled, “The French Paradox,” reported that the French, who eat 3.8 times as much butter and 2.8 times as much lard as Americans, have a higher serum cholesterol level and higher blood pressures, yet Americans have a 2.5 times higher death rate attributed to coronary heart disease.

Why is this? Studies have attributed the difference to the French’s wine consumption. They reported that the traditional Mediterranean diet, which included moderate intake of red wine, reduced these risks by up to 70-67 percent.

Red wine can also help to prevent memory problems. According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2005, “women consuming up to one glass of wine per day had less cognitive decline, meaning lower rates of dementia and memory loss.”

In an article in Reuters in February of 2006, a British study found that obese mice

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that were given resveratrol (a compound in red wine) had extended life spans and were healthier. It was reported that these mice had a lower death date and lived, “10-20 percent longer despite a high-calorie diet.”

“I suppose it is those flavanoids, the free radical scavengers which are so prominent in red wine, that contribute to longevity and lowered cardiovascular risk,” Friedman said. “The flavanoids induce vascular relaxation, so that the blood vessels are not so tight. They inhibit much of the inflammation of arteries.”

Another perhaps better known benefit of wine is that it is a, “social lubricant,” and can cut rates of depression and anxiety.

“I had an older patient, who was in a nursing home and they told her she couldn’t have a glass of wine with dinner.

So I snuck it to her and it really helped her emotionally,” Friedman said.

Here in the North County, people have an advantage when producing wine for health.

“When we are making the wine, one of the secrets of getting a lot of polyphenols is stressing the grapes,” she said. “Here in Paso Robles, we have a huge temperature swing. Some of the hottest days and Published by the

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the coldest nights make for some of the healthiest grapes.”

But before you go out and stock up on dozens of cases of great local wine, keep in mind that too much wine can actually be a bad thing.

“When a man drinks more than two glasses a day, or a woman drinks more than one and a half, then the benefits disappear and the propensity of disease actually increases,” she said.

And what about beer, liquor, or grape juice?

“They just aren’t the same,” says Friedman. Many of the health-improving compounds are present in the skins of red grapes, which is why the same health benefits are not present in white wines or other types of alcohol.

“How funny would it be to write people a prescription for wine?” she said.

“I think it would be funny to have a waiting room like a doctor’s office and write orders on a prescription pad.”

The “wine doctor” will be seeing patients soon. The Friedman’s recently purchased the former Silver Horse facility and will be remodeling the tasting room and grounds in the coming months.

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M

A

’S

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G A ZI NE

& s e i er n i W sting Rooms Ta

Adelaida Cellars

Anglim Winery

August Ridge

5805 Adelaida Rd., Paso Robles.

805-239-8980. www.adelaida.com

740 Pine St., Paso Robles.

805-227-6819. www.anglimwinery.com

8790 East Highway 41, Creston.

805-239-2455. www.augustridge.com

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AronHill Vineyards

B&E Vineyard and Winery

Located in the west hills of Paso Robles, Adelaida Cellars is a family-owned and operated winery established in 1981. They specialize in estate-grown Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Rhones and specialty Cabernet Sauvignon from their Viking Vineyard. Their tasting room also offers a unique open viewing of the day’s winemaking process.

Featured Wine: 2011 Syrah Block 5 Reserve.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Alta Colina 2825 Adelaida Rd., Paso Robles.

805-227-4191. www.altacolinewine.com

Producing world-class estate wines exclusively from Rhone varietals, Alta Colina grows every grape on the Westside of Paso Robles. They savor the journey and remain committed to maintaining their core values of integrity and respect for the people, partners, patrons and natural environment.

Featured Wine: Toasted Slope Estate Syrah.

Located in the historic downtown Paso Robles train depot, the Anglim Winery tasting room casually showcases their selection of elegant, balanced wines. Producing only up to 2,000 cases each year, the family-owned winery focuses on handcrafting their vineyard-designate Rhone varietals and blends as well as a limited release Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir.

Featured Wine: 2012 Grenache.

3745 West Highway 46, Templeton.

805-434-4333. www.aronhillvineyards.com

Notes:________________________________________

Located in the Templeton Gap, AronHill Vineyards offers wines that are 100% dry farmed, 100% varietal and low yield, including a recent gold winning 2007 vintage varietal Cabernet Sauvignon. Fruit-forward, full bodied, and rich in color, AronHill totes an award-winning Primitivo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and three Best of Class vintages.

Featured Wine: 100% Varietal Primitivo.

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AmByth Estate

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510 Sequoia Lane, Templeton.

805-319-6967. www.ambythestate.com

Arroyo Robles Winery

One of the few Demeter certified wineries in the county, AmByth Estates offers 100% biodynamic wines that are unfiltered, unfined, dry-farmed and aged in Amphora using native yeasts. Love of the Land is the estate’s philosophy and it is reflected in holistic, natural farming approach that emphasizes conservation, animal and plant integration, biodiversity and prohibition of chemicals and pesticides.

Featured Wine: Priscus Blend, culmination of estate white wine, Grenache Blanc 63%, Marsanne 16%, Viognier 14%, Roussanne 7%.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Ancient Peaks 22720 “B” El Camino Real, Santa Margarita.

805-365-7045. www.ancientpeaks.com

Nestled in the Santa Lucia Mountain Range, Ancient Peak’s estate Margarita Vineyard is the southernmost vineyard in the Paso Robles wine region. Their wines are natural in character and complexity because of the five distinct soil zones in which the vines are grown. The family-owned and operated winery also offers winery tours and a zipline canopy tour through their affiliated Margarita Adventures.

Featured Wine: 2012 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.

1317 Park St., Paso Robles.

877-759-9463. www.arroyorobles.com

As a family operated Paso Robles Winery, Arroyo Robles Winery is committed to making your wine tasting experience a memorable one. Their passion is to create the best expression of an exceptional vineyard, using intensive growing practices and handcrafted winemaking.

Arroyo Robles invites visitors to come taste the lush flavors of Arroyo Robles Winery.

Featured Wine: La Roja

August Ridge produces wines that combine the robust styling of California wines with the restrained elegance of Italian classic wines. John and Jill Backer’s passion for cooking, eating and sharing meals with friends inspires the August Ridge wine style. Located inside the winery, their tasting area affords visitors views of the winemaking process.

Featured Wine: Sangiovese.

10000 Creston Rd., Paso Robles.

805-238-4815. www.bevineyard.com

Growing since 1984, B&E Vineyards is a small familyowned vineyard and winery featuring estate wines of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and some red blends. Their wines are carefully handcrafted for 20 months in French oak barrels and they produce up to 2,500 cases. They offer a taste of several award-winning wines at their dog-friendly tasting room.

Featured Wine: 2010 Red Rhythm Bordeaux blend, 50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon.

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Barr Estate Wines 6950 Union Rd., Paso Robles.

805-286-5835. www.barrestatewines.com

Barr Estate Wines has been growing vines making wine with the guidance of legendary winemaker Signe Zoller since 2007. Family-owned and operated, family members pour in the tasting room — a more personal experience.

The winery also offers a scenic area to picnic with a view of their hand-grown vineyards.

Featured Wine: 2010 Estate Malbec.

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Asuncion Ridge Winery

Bella Luna Estate Winery

725 12th St., Paso Robles.

805-237-1425. www.AsuncionRidge.com

Asuncion Ridge Vineyards is a boutique Westside Paso Robles winery specializing in hand-crafted estate Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and red blends made with Rhone and Bordeaux varietals. Located at an elevation of 2,000 ft. just a few miles from the ocean, our cool climate is perfect for growing Pinot Noir as well as other varietals.

Featured Wine: Pinot Noir.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

1850 Templeton Rd., Templeton.

805-434-5477. www.bellalunawine.com

With 35 years of experience producing dry-farmed, ultra-premium red wine, Bella Luna Estate produces less than 2,000 cases including their rare dry-farmed Sangiovese. Their wild yeast fermentation style yields unfined and unfiltered wine of immense character and boldness including handcrafted estate super-Tuscan blend, Tempranillo, Barbera, Estate Sangiovese, and world-famous “Fighter Pilot Red” Zinfandel.

Featured Wine: Estate Riserva, 68% Cabernet Sauvignon & 32% Sangiovese.

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Central Coast Edition

VINO

Bianchi Winery

Wineries & Tasting Rooms Brecon Estate

Calcareous Vineyard

338 Branch Rd., Paso Robles.

805-226-9922. www.BianchiWine.com

7450 Vineyard Dr., Paso Robles.

805-239-2200. www.breconestate.com

3430 Peachy Canyon Rd., Paso Robles.

805-239-0289. www.calcareous.com

Producing wines in Paso Robles since 2000, the Bianchi family has been producing California wines since 1974.

Bianchi Winery’s estate vineyards produce varietal grapes that are best suited for Paso Roble’s rolling hills and dissected uplands such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Zinfandel and popular wines from high-quality sourced grapes along California’s Central Coast.

Featured Wine: Best in State 2011 Zen Ranch Zinfandel.

Brecon Estate is an award-winning boutique estate winery nestled in the rolling hills outside of Paso Robles. With an internationally acclaimed winemaker, they strive to produce exquisite and inviting wines that are small-batch ferments. Each wine has an individual story to tell and sold exclusively through the tasting room.

Featured Wine: Petite Sirah.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Black Hand Cellars 766 Main St., Ste. B, Cambria.

805-927-9463. www.blackhandcellars.com Our vineyard, Torie Ranch is located on the Westside of San Miguel with nearly three acres planted in the Estrella River with French clones of Syrah. We farm our vineyard by hand, using the latest vineyard practices to produce quality grapes for our Syrah. Tom is our winemaker, whose background includes over 15 years experience with the Central Coast’s most prestigious wineries, such as JUSTIN, Treana, Zenaida and Paso Robles Wine Services.

Featured Wine: The Flapper.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Bodegas Paso Robles 729 13th St., Paso Robles.

805-237-3780. www.bodegaspasorobles.com Bodegas Paso Robles makes wine using grapes native to Spain and Portugal and grapes that have been used for centuries in Iberian winemaking. All Bodegas wines are handcrafted and aged in premium French and American barrels.

Featured Wine: Iberia.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Bon Niche Cellars 2627 Golden Eagle Way, San Miguel.

805-286-7798. www.Bonniche.com

Meaning a good niche, Bon Niche has found a good niche in wine making and produces single varietals of outrageously good Malbec, and Petit Verdot along with traditional Bordeaux-style blends. The rich soiled hills, and the hot days and brisk nights are perfect for the French varietals that grow so well in the Paso Robles terroir.

Featured Wine: 2010 L’Entrée Malbec.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Booker Vineyard and Winery 2640 Anderson Rd., Paso Robles.

805-237-7367. www.bookerwines.com

Different, minimalist and a bit funky, Booker Vineyard and Winery has been creating unique, inspired red and white wine since 2005 and has been growing fruit for top local wineries since 2001. Now a biodynamic operation, Booker Winery and Vineyard constantly seeks to create the most unique wine in the region.

Featured Wine: Oublie’ Red Blend.

Brian Bensen Cellars Tasting room is at Darkstar Cellars

Run exclusively by owner and winemaker Brian Benson, Brian Benson Cellars is truly a one-man army focused on making intense, unique and extremely high-quality custom wines. Benson, also an avid lover of custom cars and hot rods, released the first of his Kustom series and designed it to match his custom, pinstriped ’35 Ford.

Featured Wine: Shop Truck Red 10 Year Anniversary Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Brochelle Vineyards 6996 Peachy Canyon Rd., Paso Robles.

805-237-4410. www.brochelle.com

Brochelle is a small family-owned vineyard and winery featuring estate wines of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and some red blends. Their wines are carefully handcrafted for 20 months in French oak barrels and reflect the proprietor’s desire to express their artistic voices and provide wines that share a part in life’s simple pleasures.

Featured Wine: Zinfandel.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Broken Earth Winery 5625 Highway 46 East, Paso Robles.

805-239-2562. www.brokenearthwinery.com

Rancho Tierra Rejada, Spanish for “land of worked earth,” is the original name of the 2,500-acre ranch that is now home to the vineyards of Broken Earth Winery.

The wines reflect winemaker Chris Cameron’s passionate approach to winemaking. Each unique, estate-grown wine is harvested and bottled in Paso Robles.

Featured Wine: 2010 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Burbank Ranch Vineyard and Winery 5685 El Pomar Dr., Templeton.

805-227-4538. www.burbankranch.com

Burbank Ranch produces handcrafted, high-end wines that are clone and block specific. All fruit is meticulously hand harvested, hand sorted in the vineyard, and then hand sorted twice again in the winery prior to press. All wines are available to taste at their Downtown tasting room and restaurant in Paso Robles.

Featured Wine: 2012 Grenache “Morning Fog”.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Named as a tribute to the limestone soil and varied microclimates, Calcareous Vineyard believes in letting the soil speak. Striving to bring the best out of the soil profiles and cool ocean breezes, they produce Bordeaux and Rhone varietals simultaneously. Their wines are rich in herbal and fruit aromas, perfectly balanced and elegantly refined.

Featured Wine: Tres Violet.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

CaliPaso Winery 4230 Buena Vista Dr., Paso Robles.

805-226-9296. www.calipasowinery.com

A luxurious private inn and winery nestled in the rolling hills and vineyards of Paso Robles, CaliPaso Winery produces wine for every taste and occasion. CaliPaso’s goal is to deliver superior value and experience to consumers each and every time they enjoy their wine and they are committed to constantly improving their products.

Featured Wine: Y Line Merlot Reserve.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Caliza Winery 2570 Anderson Road.

805-237-1480. www.calizawinery.com

The rocky limestone soil of west Paso Robles is a key component to Caliza’s unique wines. Caliza, Spanish for limestone, specializes in the Rhone varieties such as Syrah, Grenache and Viognier along with non-Rhone varieties such as Tempranillo and Primitivo, all of which are grown onsite in their hillside vineyard.

Featured Wine: Syrah.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Caparone Winery 2280 San Marcos Rd., Paso Robles.

805-467-3827. www.caparone.com

Recognized as an American pioneer of the production of Nebbiolo, Sangiovese and Aglianico as varietals, Caparone Winery has developed a reputation for rich, long-lived reds. The unfined and unfiltered, intensely elegant big reds have established a cult-like following over the years and most tastings and tours are given by the winemakers.

Featured Wine: 2011 Aglianico.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Carina Cellars 3525 Adelaida Rd., Paso Robles.

805-325-9461. www.carinacellars.com

Carina Cellars strives to produce wines worthy of being placed among the stars. Their goal is to grow some of the best Rhone grapes available on the Central Coast.

Crisp Viogniers full of tropical fruit and spring flowers, dark Syrahs loaded with spice and lush fruit, earthy Mourvedres and bright and fruity Grenaches.

Featured Wine: Iconoclast, blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

Notes:________________________________________

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Cass Winery

Wineries & Tasting Rooms

7350 Linne Rd., Paso Robles.

805-239-1730. www.casswines.com

Situated along Paso Robles’ beautiful “Back Roads” countryside, Cass Winery features award-winning estate grown Rhone wines. Cass Winery specializes in Rhone varieties such as Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache, Viognier, Roussanne, and Marsanne and all of which are ENTAV clones. Cass’ also offers a variety of food parings to accompany wine tasting seven days a week.

Featured Wine: Viognier.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Christian Lazo 7235 Non Pariel Rd., Paso Robles.

805-727-1803. www.christianlazowines.com

Notes:________________________________________

Our small family-owned and operated label focus is red wine varietals that thrive from our estate vineyard, west of the Salinas River. We appreciate that the best wines are made in the vineyard. We let our wines express flavors of the Earth, Sun, wind, rain and the care our grapes receive.

Featured Wine: Zinfandel

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Notes:________________________________________

Castoro Cellars

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1315 North Bethel Rd., Templeton.

805-326-3463. www.castorocellars.com

Chronic Cellars Winery

Offering a spectacular array of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Rhone varietals, special blends and dessert wines, Castoro Cellars, has been family-owned with the same gold medal winemaking team for over 30 years. Enjoy a stroll up their grape arbor, beautiful vineyard views, gourmet foods, wine-related gifts and find out why they make “Dam fine Wine.”

Featured Wine: 2012 Reserve Zinfusion.

2020 Nacimiento Lake Dr., Paso Robles.

805-237-7848. www.chroniccellars.com

Aiming to target a casual lifestyle, Chronic Cellars provides a tasting room and tasting experience quite unlike any other with an emphasis on unique blends. Used to describe anything likable, the name Chronic is the brainchild of winery owners Josh and Jake Beckett, Paso Robles Wine Country natives.

Featured Wine: Sofa King Bueno.

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Notes:________________________________________

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Cayucos Cellars

Cinquain Cellars

131 North Ocean Ave., Cayucos.

805-995-3036. www.cayucoscellars.com

6404 Independence Ranch Rd., San Miguel.

805-400-5978. www.cinquaincellars.com

Clayhouse Wines Paso Robles.

805-238-7055. www.clayhousewines.com

Inspired by their estate Red Cedar Vineyard and the historic, clay adobe on the property, Clayhouse Wines carefully pursues a time-honored, traditional approach to winemaking. They offer three wine series, Estate, Vineyard and Adobe.

Featured Wine: Estate Fume Blanc.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Clos Solene 3050 Limestone Way, Paso Robles.

805-296-0027. www.clossene.com

Winemaker and owner of Clos Solene, Guillaume Fabre is a small-lot vintner who is challenging the traditional winemaking style. Driven by energy to seek out better terroirs, fruit, and barrels, Guillaume makes the best possible blends under the successful boutique label, named for his love, his wife, Solène.

Featured Wine: Hommage Blanc.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Croad Vineyards 3550 Vinedo Robles Lane, Paso Robles.

805-226-9899. www.croadvineyards.com

Focusing on Estate Zinfandel and Rhone blends, Croad Vineyards offers a winetasting experience at their mission-styled tasting room and inn. At Croads, “Come on up for a Downunder experience”, where you will find a blend of California wines, Spanish architecture, and Kiwi hospitality.

Featured Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon.

History, tradition and curiosity have always been an important inspiration to Cayucos native Stuart Selkirk, owner of Cayucos Cellars. Mostly self-taught, Stuart loosely follows an inspired benign winemaking style, (“let the grapes make the wine”), that uses wild yeast, neutral oak barrels and little intercession with the natural process of wine development.

Featured Wine: Pinot Noir.

Cinquain Cellars creates poetic wines from 100% estategrown Bordeaux, Rhone and Port varieties. Located just minutes off Highway 46 East, a complimentary, private tasting can be reserved with winemaker and owner, David Nagengast. The Nagengast estate vineyard was planted in 2002 with nine varieties including traditional Bordeaux, Syrah and Port.

Featured Wine: Estate Reserve Malbec.

Notes:________________________________________

Notes:________________________________________

Cypher Winery

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Chateau Lettau

Clautiere Vineyard

3750 Highway 46 West, Paso Robles.

805-237-0055. www.cypherwinery.com

840 13th St., Suite G, Paso Robles.

805-238-6800. www.chateaulettau.com Founded in 2001 in California’s bountiful Paso Robles wine region, the family-owned boutique winery Chateau Lettau is committed to making exceptional, hand-crafted wines like delicious Albariño, Stiletto Tempranillo, their flagship Rockstar and more using premium grapes from the Paso Robles area — including Rhône, Bordeaux and Spanish varietals.

Featured Wine: Rockstar.

1340 Penman Springs Rd., Paso Robles.

805-237-3789. www.clautiere.com

Clautiere Vineyard creates wines that showcase the fun side of wine. The liveliness of the vineyard is reflected in wines made from Syrah, Grenache, Viognier, and Counoise vines as well as Portuguese varietals used for vintage-style Port. To the owners, the winery reflects the motto “Live the best life you can.”

Featured Wine: Estate Malbec Reserve.

Notes:________________________________________

Notes:________________________________________

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Clavo Cellars

Chateau Margene

315 S. Main St., Templeton.

805-226-0174. www.clavocellars.com

4385 La Panza Rd., Creston.

805-238-2321. www.chateaumargene.com

Chateau Margene is a boutique, micro-winery that uses extreme viticulture practices to grow superior quality grapes that are hand picked, hand sorted and then gently moved through a gravity flow processing system. Chateau Margene produced their first Cabernet Sauvignon in 1997 and now produces small lots of luxury wines that exhibit intense varietal character.

Featured Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon.

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Created with the intent to showcase the qualities of the Paso Robles appellation, Clavo Cellars specialized in terroir-driven, single-varietal wines that are thoughtfully and carefully handmade. Owner Neil Roberts, one of the area’s premier viticulturists, creates wines that are lightly pressed allowing fruit to shine in the finished wine.

Featured Wine: Malbec.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Evolutionary, sophisticated and a little bit mad, Cypher is extreme regarding vineyards and wines and specializing in Rhône and Spanish varietals, Petite Sirah and Zinfandel.

They offer “Freakshow” line of wines: Heretic, Anarchy, Monarchy, Loco and Peasant.

Featured Wine: Zinbitch.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

D’Anbino Vineyards and Cellars 710 Pine St., Paso Robles.

805-227-6800. www.danbino.com

Founded by a family of professional musicians, D’Anbino Vineyards and Cellars strive to blend wine with live music.

Their tasting room doubles as a live-music venue that features the “Family Band” as well as other jazz musicians.

The tasting room also features music memorabilia, gold records, Emmy statuettes, and a bar built out of pianos.

Featured Wine: Portamento.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________ Published by the

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DAOU Vineyard

Wineries & Tasting Rooms

2777 Hidden Mountain Rd., Paso Robles.

805-226-5460. www.daouvineyards.com

Founded in 2007 by brothers Daniel and Georges Daou, DAOU Vineyards primarily focuses on Bordeaux varieties and also features Zinfandel and Rhone blends.

DAOU Vineyards exquisite terroir with its calcareous, high percentage limestone soils, maritime influence and unique climate represent the perfect storm for creating classic wines that can rival the world’s best.

Featured Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon.

Domaine Degher Wines

Dunning Vineyards Estate Winery

8650 Centra Rd., Paso Robles.

805-296-2562. www.mojocellars.com

1953 Niderer Rd., Paso Robles.

805-238-4763. www.dunningvineyards.com

Using minimalist intervention, vinification in small lots and sustainable farming practices, Domaine Degher Wines strives to shape the raw life force of ever-changing vintages into graceful, beautiful wines. Owner and winemaker Dennis Degher uses the love of music as an inspiration for his red Rhone blends and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Featured Wine: Mojo Estate.

Notes:________________________________________

Notes:________________________________________

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Dark Star Cellars

Donati Family Vineyard

2985 Anderson Rd., Paso Robles.

805-237-2389. www.darkstarcellars.com

The focus of Dark Star Cellars is producing small lots of ultra-premium handcrafted red wines. Their dedication to “synthetic gravity” and non-intrusive style of winemaking is essential to their success. With microscopic production levels, every bottle of wine becomes an extension of their small family winery.

Featured Wine: Ricordati.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Denner Vineyards

2720 Oak View Rd., Templeton.

877-511-9463. www.donatifamilyvineyard.com

With an ingrained Italian love for wine, Ron Donati and son Matt set out to make fine wines from the 9th oldest California AVA, the Paicines. The vineyard is planted to various select clones of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Syrah, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc and Petite Verdot.

Donati Family Vineyard now serves their wine at their tasting room in Templeton where they can better serve their faithful customers.

Featured Wine: Naughty Donati Red Wine Jug Notes:________________________________________

5414 Vineyard Dr., Paso Robles.

805-2394287. www.dennervineyards.com

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Denner Vineyards features a gravity flow winery nestled in the rolling hills of west Paso Robles. A 156-acre estate vineyard, with rocky calcareous soils and cooling Pacific breezes, the winery yields Rhone-style wines: Syrah, Grenache, Viognier, Theresa (Viognier and Roussanne), and The Ditch Digger (Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre).

Featured Wine: Dirt Worshipper.

After relocating the winery from just outside LAX to Paso Robles, Donatoni Winery has been making and pouring Paso Robles wine since 1978. Their varietals include Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Sangiovese, Viognier, two Zinfandels including Richard Sauret Vineyard Zinfandel.

Featured Wine: Estate Zinfandel.

Donatoni Winery

Inhabiting the “Willow Creek” AVA District located on the Westside of Paso Robles, Dunning Vineyards produces an array of award-winning, private-reserve estate wines including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Meritage, Petite Sirah, Grenache and Pasostyle red blend Vin De Casa. The winery produces in small batches to ensure closeness with visitors and wine members.

Featured Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Eberle Winery 3810 Highway 46 East, Paso Robles.

805-238-9607. www.eberlewinery.com

Gary Eberle, founder of Eberle Winery, has been a pioneer of Paso Robles appellation wine since 1979.

As “The Godfather” of Paso Robles wine, Eberle helped create the AVA as well as plant the first Syrah vines. The winery continues to produce ultra-premium wines and remains in the top 10 of gold-medal winning wineries in the country.

Featured Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Ecluse Wines 1520 Kiler Canyon Rd., Paso Robles.

805-238-4999. www.eclusewines.com

Notes:________________________________________

Notes:________________________________________

Named for French canal locks and also for the last name of owners Steve and Pam Lock, Ecluse is a boutique winery that oversees growing from their 30-acre Estate Lock Vineyard to the bottling of Ecluse Wines. The on-site Lock Vineyard allows the winemakers to pick and crush peak fruit in small lots ensuring highest quality in the wines.

Featured Wine: Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.

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Notes:________________________________________

Derby Wine Estates

Dover Canyon Winery

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4520 Vineyard Dr., Paso Robles.

805-237-0101. www.dovercanyon.com

Edmond August

525 Riverside Ave., Paso Robles.

805-238-6300. www.derbywineestates.com Established by long-time farmers Ray and Pam Derby, Derby Wine Estates creates fine wine using 20 select acres from their four estate vineyards. The diversity of the grapes is essential to the making of Derby wines. Their tasting room is located in the renovated historic Paso Robles Almond Growers Building.

Featured Wine: FIFTEEN 10.

Named for the canyon in the northwest corner of the appellation, Dover Canyon Winery has been producing wine in Paso Robles for 15 years. Producing Zinfandel and Rhone wines from specific microclimates, winemaker Don Panico creates small batches of wine topping at 2,500 cases per year.

Featured Winery: Cujo.

Notes:________________________________________

Notes:________________________________________

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Doce Robles Winery

Dubost Winery

2023 Twelve Oaks Dr., Paso Robles.

805-227-4766. www.docerobles.com

Meaning 12 oaks in Spanish representing the 12 oaks on the property, Doce Robles began as the first winery on Highway 46 West. Harvesting grapes and making wines since 1998, Doce Robles produces small batches of Barbera, Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc as well as Primitivo, Petite Sirah, and Malbec.

Featured Wine: Zinfandel.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

9988 Chimney Rock Rd., Paso Robles.

805-226-8463. www.dubostwine.com

Family-owned and operated, Dubost Winery is dedicated to the production of premium, limited quantity wines handcrafted from grapes grown locally and in their own vineyards. Their tasting room and straw bale winery, a model for sustainable production, are situated on the Dubost Ranch in the historic Adelaida area west of Paso Robles.

Featured Wine: Alexandrine, Rhone white blend Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

1140 Pine St., Paso Robles.

805-712-4363. www.edmondaugust.com Edmond August specializes in Rhone varietals and produces rich, flavorful wines from low-yield, intensequality grapes sourced from west Paso Robles. Founded

by Paso native Edmond August Sauret, Edmond believes Paso Robles is best at growing Rhone varietals and he hopes to please wine tasters with the help of winemaker Jacob Toft.

Featured Wine: Implication.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

ENFOLD WINES 805-239-2856. www.enfoldwines.com

Made for the wine aficionado, ENFOLD WINES is a small, family-owned, sustainably farmed vineyard in Paso Robles. They produce between 300-400 cases of wine a year and each bottle is handcrafted, blended and sophisticated. The wines are made to be paired with food and are drinkable now but will improve with age. Call ahead for a free tasting and vineyard tour.

Featured Wine: Anita’s Blend Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

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Winter/Spring 2015

57

Eos Winery

Wineries & Tasting Rooms

2300 Airport Rd., Paso Robles.

805-591-8050. www.eosvintage.com

Be Seduced! Eos, the Greek Goddess of Dawn, was cursed by Aphrodite for having an affair with Ares. Her punishment was an insatiable appetite for young men.

At Eos — the winery — they are just as passionate as their namesake, but their insatiable appetite is more wholesomely geared toward the production of dense reds, complex whites and luscious dessert wines.

Featured Wine: Petite Sirah.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Epoch Estate Wines 7505 York Mountain Rd., Templeton.

805-237-7575. www.epochwines.com

Founded in 2004, Epoch Estate Wines creates smallproduction, handcrafted, artisanal wines with big personalities. Epoch strives to make wines that are deliciously complex, memorable and seriously fun to drink while also being “interestingly iconoclastic, seductively hedonistic and thought provoking.”

Featured Wine: Rosé.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________ Falcon

Nest Vineyard & Winery

5185 Union Road, Paso Robles.

805-266-0227. www.falconnestwinery.com

Family-owned and operated, Falcon Nest Vineyard & Winery is proud of the land from which their grapes are grown. Owning 149 acres of prime viticulture land, of which 55.5 acres are planted in grapevines, importance is placed on meticulous vineyard management. Vines are managed to produce small yields, small berries and intense flavors to make wines of distinction.

Featured Wine: 2003 Zinfandel Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Field Recording 460 Marquita Ave., Paso Robles.

805-503-9660. www.fieldrecordingswine.com

Developing a knack for finding unknown and underappreciated vineyard sites, Field Recordings winemaker Andrew Jones creates wines from places he values most.

Working as a vine nursery fieldman by day, Jones has an eye for great grape potential and creates small quantities of soulful wines from unusual, quiet vineyards.

Featured Wine: Fiction.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

First Crush Cellars 2975 Limestone Way, Paso Robles.

805-434-2772. www.firstcrushcellars.com

Offering a different kind of wine club experience, First Crush Cellars offers educational winemaking experiences, tasting classes and tours as well as a fall harvest crush experience that includes custom wines. Along with the inside, winemaking experiences, First Crush also produces and bottles their own wine available for tasting and purchase.

Featured Wine: Custom Wine.

Four Lanterns Winery

Giornata

2485 West Highway 46, Paso Robles.

949-300-5437. www.fourlanternswinery.com

470 Marguita Ave., Paso Robles.

805-434-3075. www.giornatawines.com

Specializing in Rhone varietals, Four Lanterns Winery is a family-owned boutique winery whose wines are made to highlight the unique flavor of the grapes while complementing food pairings.

Featured Wine: Picpoul Blanc.

Notes:________________________________________

With an Enphasis on Italian-style winemaking, Giornata makes wines that are balanced and subtle with grapes that are picked at lower sugar levels. Using clone material grape vines of the best producers in Italy, Giornata wines are ample in acidity and tannin and perfectly pair with Italian food.

Featured Wine: Angelico Luna Matta Vineyard.

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Notes:________________________________________

Four Sisters Ranch

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6961 Estrella Rd., San Miguel.

805-526-9242. www.foursistersranch.com

Glunz Family Winery & Cellars

Notes:________________________________________

Started by third- and fourth-generation descendants of an immigrant wine, beer and spirit merchant in Chicago, Glunz Family Winery and Cellar has been in the wine business since 1888. With the establishment of their 20acre winery in 1992, the Glunz family specializes in making small-batch, fortified wine.

Featured Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon.

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Notes:________________________________________

Fratelli Perata

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1595 Arbor Rd., Paso Robles.

805-238-2809. www.fratelliperata.com

Graveyard Vineyards

Notes:________________________________________

Named for the historic Pleasant Valley Cemetery near the site of the vineyard, Graveyard Vineyards is a testament to all who came and worked the land before them. Owners Ron and Paula Campbell-Taylor bought the vineyard in 2003 and started bottling their own wine in 2006. Their winery offers a picnicking area, a dock on the pond and events year-round.

Featured Wine: Paso Tombstone Red.

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Frolicking Frog Cellars

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739 12th St., Paso Robles.

805-235-8264. www.frolickingfrogwine.com

GreMarK Vineyards

Located on the hills hugging the Estrella River bed, Four Sisters Ranch enthusiastically planted Syrah and Cabernet grapes using sustainable farming techniques.

Four Sisters is hands-on in the vineyard and they work with their winemakers to produce outstanding, award-winning, world-class premium Paso wines.

Featured Wine: Serena Vineyard Sirah

Meaning Perata Brothers in Itallian, Fratelli Perata was started by brother Gino and Joe Perata with the establishment of their vineyard in 1980. The brothers specialize in growing small fruit that produces more flavorful wines and they produce up to 2,000 cases of estate wine annually. The winery includes 10 different red varietals, three red blends, and a rosé.

Featured Wine: Tre Sorelle.

With a tasting room location in downtown Paso Robles, Frolicking Frog Cellars offers a taste of their wines in a central location while the Frolicking Frog vineyard and wine production site is located on scenic Highway 41 West in Atascadero. Founded in 2003, Frolicking Frog only produces 450 cases of savory reds and crisp whites.

Featured Wines: 2010 Frogmen.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Gelfand Vineyards 5530 Dresser Ranch Place, Paso Robles.

805-239-5808. www.gelfandvineyards.com

A small and family-operated boutique vineyard and winery, Gelfand Vineyards specializes in award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Zinfandel, and Petite Sirah.

Located in Paso Robles’ limestone-rich hills, they produce some of the richest, darkest wines in the area. They are only open for tasting during the Zinfandel Festival, Harvest Festival and Wine Festival.

Featured Wine: Lajur.

8331 East Highway 46, Paso Robles.

805-238-1400. www.glunzfamilywinery.com

6994 Estrella Rd., San Miguel.

805-467-2043. www.graveyardvineyards.com

5325 Rancho La Loma Linda Dr., Paso Robles.

805-237-0154. www.gremarkwine.com

Greg and Marina Keezer, owners of boutique winery GreMarK Vineyards, create wines from a passion for having a hand in the entire process of their winemaking.

Greg started planting the vineyard in 2000 and creates Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux-style blends as well as Zinfandel.

Featured Wine: Viognier.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Grey Wolf Cellars

Notes:________________________________________

2174 Highway 46 West, Paso Robles. 805-237-0771. www.greywolfcellars.com A family affair from the beginning, Grey Wolf Cellars has been creating quality wine since 1994. In 1998, with their son Joseph’s help, Joe and Shirlene Barton, owners of Grey Wolf, planted their first vineyard. Now two more brands come from the Bartons, the eclectic Barton Family Reserve and the experimental and fun Occasional.

Featured Wine: 2010 The Dance.

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Winter/Spring 2015

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Grizzly Republic Wines

Wineries & Tasting Rooms Harmony Cellars

Hoyt Family Vineyards

3255 Harmony Valley Rd., Harmony.

805-297-1625. www.harmonycellars.com

Notes:________________________________________

Nestled in the quaint town of Harmony, population 18, Harmony Cellars produces buttery Chardonnays, crisp Rieslings, spicy Zins and voluptuous Cabs that reflect the serene and unpretentious beauty of Harmony. Harmony Cellars, established in 1989, sits on the land that has belonged to the family since 1910.

Featured Wine: Zinfandel

2015 Township Rd., Paso Robles.

310-457-3832. www.hoytfamilyvineyards.com

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Notes:________________________________________

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Guyomar Wine Cellars

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1825 Las Tablas Road, Templeton.

805-400-1616. www.guyomarwine.com

Hearst Ranch Winery

Hug Cellars

442 SLO San Simeon Rd., San Simeon.

805-467-2241. www.hearstranchwinery.com

2323 Tuley Rd., Suite 120, Paso Robles.

805-226-8022. www.hugcellars.com

Notes:________________________________________

Notes:________________________________________

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Hearthstone Vineyard & Winery

Hunt Cellars

5070 Vineyard Dr., Paso Robles.

805-238-2544. www.hearthstonevineyard.com

2875 Oakdale Rd., Paso Robles.

805-237-1600. www.huntcellars.com

840 13th St., Suite F, Paso Robles.

559-696-5078. www.grizzlyrepublicwines.com

With a tasting room in downtown Paso Robles, Grizzly Republic showcases their award-winning wine from around the state, including their Paso Robles Petite Sirah and 18-month barrel-aged Zinfandel.

Featured Wine: 2010 Zinfandel.

Established in 1998, St. Peter of Alcantara, Guyomar Wine Cellar’s Estate vineyard, sits in western Paso Robles in the Templeton Gap. New to winemaking, but intimately familiar with farming, the proprietors of the estate believe that complex, age-worthy wines start in vineyards with character and integrity. The vineyard is dry-farmed to produce these vines of great character and depth.

Featured Wine: Petite Sirah.

Halter Ranch 8910 Adelaida Rd., Paso Robles.

805-226-9455. www.halterranch.com

A 250-acre vineyard with a past rooted deep in the Paso Robles community, Halter Ranch stands as a tribute to the Paso Robles wine-growing region. Fervently committed to quality, boasting over 20 varietals, and sustainably farmed, Halter Ranch crafts quality estate wine with rich flavors and bright acidity.

Featured Wine: Cotes De Paso.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

HammerSky Vineyard and Inn 7725 Vineyard Dr., Paso Robles.

805-239-0930. www.hammersky.com

Uncompromising sustainability in viticulture practices, purposeful low-yields, and vineyard location contribute to HammerSky’s distinct, estate-grown Cabernet, Merlot, and Zinfandel grapes that make up the “Bordeaux Centric” wines. Believing that quality over quantity is the best avenue to winemaking, HammerSky’s quality wines have been featured in top publications such as the NY Times.

Featured Wine: Red Handed.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Producing fine wines from the Central Coast’s finest vineyards, Hearst Ranch Winery upholds a “Legacy of Quality.” With zebras and elephant seals for neighbors, Hearst Ranch Winery has a unique location to produce their many fine wines including Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petite Sirah, Tempranillo, Late Harvest Zinfandel, and a Barrel Select Cuvée “The Point”!

Featured Wine: Randolph

Established in 1999, Hearthstone Vineyard & Winery specializes in refined Rhone, super Tuscan and Meritage blends. They also craft Pinot Noir, Italian varietals, and Zinfandel, and other original blends. From their 40-acre vineyard in Paso Robles’ Adelaida District, Hearthstone produces handcrafted, expressive wines.

Featured Wine: Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Herman Story Winery 1227 Paso Robles St., Paso Robles.

805-237-2400. www.hermanstorywines.com

Located in downtown Paso Robles, Herman Story Winery produces eclectic wines from Paso Robles to Santa Barbara vineyards. Produced in small batches, tasting and club membership are only available at the downtown tasting room. Created by winemaker and proprietor Russell Form, Herman Story wines are fun and unique.

Featured Wine: White Hawk Vineyard Syrah

Hansen Vineyards & Winery

Notes:________________________________________

5575 El Pomar Rd., Templeton.

805-239-8412. www.hansenwines.com

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A small boutique winery, Hansen Vineyard & Winery is dedicated to aging their handcrafted wines for long periods to produce wines that are deep, rich and elegant. Only producing up to 2,500 cases per year, Hansen processes everything by hand with no filtering or blending. Serious about wine, but laid back about life, Hansen Winery believes in having serious fun.

Featured Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon.

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Hidden Oak Winery 4671 South El Pomar Rd., Templeton.

805-237-9315. www.hiddenoakwinery.com

Growing grapes since 1995 and making wine since 2009, Hidden Oak Winery has remained a family operation since its founding. Specializing in high-quality estate wines, their location offers great views and picnic and dog areas.

Featured Wine: Merlot Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

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Initially establishing a vineyard and winery in Malibu, it wasn’t long before Hoyt Family Vineyards started producing Paso Robles sourced wines. Now, with a 30acre vineyard on Paso’s Westside, Hoyt offers a variety including Tempranillo, Cabernet, Viognier, Grenache and Petit Verdot as well as their award-winning Chardonnay.

Featured Wine: Decoupage

Specializing in crafting small lots of ultra-premium wine, Hug Cellars believes in allowing each vineyard to express its own virtue through low manipulation, the use of whole clusters and indigenous yeast in fermentation and by using a measured hand in winemaking. Hug produces 2,000 cases annually and they are proud to be in Paso Robles “Rhone Zone.”

Featured Wine: Booker Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

At Hunt Cellars, their goal is to create “memorable wines” that help one remember the wine, the meal and the great company one was with when drinking their wine.

An optimal place for growing, Hunt’s 550-acre estate vineyard boasts a variety of terrain and soil types and multiple microclimates. Handcrafted in small lots, the winemakers are ardently committed to quality.

Featured Wine: Bon Vivant Cabernet Sauvignon Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

J Dusi Wines 1401 Highway 46 West, Paso Robles.

805-226-2034. www.jdusiwines.com

With a local Zinfandel planting history dating back to the 1920’s, J Dusi Wines focuses on quality established by their Northern Italian great-grandparents. Specializing mainly in Zinfandel and Zinfandel blends, J Dusi Wines is a family tradition with a new perspective.

Featured Wine: Zinfandel Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

J&J Cellars 2850 Ranchita Canyon Rd., San Miguel.

805-467-2891. www.jjcellars.com

From Estate wines from the Paso Robles region, to other wine offerings from central coast vineyards, J&J Cellars is a family winery with a bit of something for everybody.

From fine to affordable, J&J also has four other brand labels: Julie Fiero, James Judd & Son Vineyards, Autumn Flight, Vintage Flight and A Cellar Full Of Noise. At J&J Cellars, “wine is a way of life.”

Featured Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Winter/Spring 2015

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J Lohr Vineyards & Wines

Wineries & Tasting Rooms

6169 Airport Rd., Paso Robles.

805-239-8900. www.jlohr.com

Founded more than four decades ago by Jerry Lohr, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines crafts an array of internationally recognized, award-winning wines from their estate vineyards. Bring a picnic lunch, sit on our patio and enjoy the vineyard views.

Featured Wine: Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Kaleidos

Law Estate Wines

3770 Willow Creek Rd., Paso Robles.

805-226-0828. www.kaleidoswine.com

3885 Peachy Canyon Rd., Paso Robles.

805-226-9200. www.lawestatewines.com

Established in 2004, Kaleidos is a family-owned and operated winery and vineyard. Nestled in the Templeton Gap of the Santa Lucia Mountains in Paso Robles, the vineyard sits atop two south facing slopes. The winery and vineyard were established with the mission of producing the finest premium handcrafted wines.

Featured Wine: Morpheus Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Jack Creek Cellars 5265 Jack Creek Rd., Templeton.

805-226-8283. www.jackcreekcellars.com

Quality and close personal attention are what distinguish Jack Creek Cellars from small, family-owned wineries.

Winemaking is a labor of love for proprietors Doug and Sabrina Kruse and the family loves working together to develop their world-class wines. Located in the Templeton Gap, the 40-acre Estate Kruse Vineyard sits in a unique microclimate perfect for their Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Grenache.

Featured Wine: Estate Pinot Noir Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Jacob Toft P.O. Box 799 Cayucos.

805-550-8007. www.jacobtoft.com Specializing in Rhone-style blends, Jacob Toft limited availability wines can be purchased through their online ordering form. Private tastings available by appointment.

Featured Wine: Mary Jane Cuvée

Jada Vineyard & Winery 5620 Vineyard Dr., Paso Robles.

805-226-4200. www.jadavineyard.com

Located in an incredible pocket of the Templeton Gap, Jada Vineyard & Winery produces exquisite, handcrafted Rhone and Bordeaux style wines. The full tasting experience is offered with wine and cheese pairing, top-notch customer service, and a breathtaking view. Get a taste of the good life!

Featured Wine: 1149 Rosé Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery 11680 Chimney Rock Rd., Paso Robles.

805-238-6932. www.justinwine.com

Ideally suited in fossilized limestone to create big, Bordeaux-style reds, JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery combines Old World practices with new innovative designs to produce excellent wines. Dreaming up such innovative methods as the “Air Knife,” JUSTIN winemakers are on the leading edge of creating processes that boost grape quality and efficiency.

Featured Wine: Isosceles Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Kenneth Volk Vineyards 2485 Highway 46 West, Paso Robles.

805-237-7896. www.volkwines.com

Veteran winemaker Ken Volk has returned to Paso Robles with a second tasting room in the same building with Four Lanterns. Come and enjoy Ken’s diverse portfolio of wines in a beautiful garden setting. Featuring Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and many rare varieties seldom encountered elsewhere.

Featured Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon

Located in West Paso Robles at top of Peachy Canyon, Law Estate Wines has a sharp focus on producing ultrapremium Rhone-style blends using sustainably farmed, hand-picked and hand sorted estate grapes. Their vineyard was designed with minimal intervention in order to honor the distinct microclimates that embody the elevated terroir.

Featured Wine: Audacious Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Le Vigne Winery 5115 Buena Vista Dr., Paso Robles.

805-227-4000. www.levignewinery.com

Notes:________________________________________

Le Vigne Winery offers warm hospitality & handcrafted French & Italian varietal wines and reserve lots and Ports are produced in limited quantities. The tasting room doubles as a gourmet food shop, housing a large selection of gourmet meats and cheeses along with many unique gift items. Explore their classic Pullman rail cars plus amphitheater and park for weddings.

Featured Wine: Della Ranchita Vista Petite Sirah

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Kiamie Winery 9750 Adelaide Rd., Paso Robles.

805-226-8333. www.kiamiewines.com

Blending grapes from distinctive Westside Paso Robles mountain vineyards into wines of expression and uncompromising quality, Kiamie’s proprietors, Aram and Greg, have grown fond of the Adelaida and Templeton gap sub-appellations, which they feel, makes the best and most award-winning wines.

Featured Wines: Kiamie Kuvee Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Locatelli Vineyard & Winery 8585 Cross Canyon Rd., San Miguel.

805-467-0067. www.locatelliwinery.com

Family-owned and operated, Locatelli Vineyards & Winery specializes in handcrafted full-bodied estate wines including wine Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Sirah and others. Paso Robles’ northern most winery, Locatelli overlooks the peaceful Salinas River Valley and historic Old Mission San Miguel. Come and “Experience the Taste of Tradition.”

Featured Wine: Luna Piena Notes:________________________________________

Kukkula 9515 Chimney Rock Rd., Paso Robles.

805-227-0111. www.kukkulawine.com

Rhone focused, dry-farmed, and organic, kukkula, Finnish for “high place,” sits in the Westside hills of Paso Robles overlooking Adelaida and Adelaida schoolhouse.

Offering estate wines and artisanal blends, awardwinning winery and tasting room architecture and Friday thru Sunday lunch, kukkula has much to offer.

Featured Wine: sisu Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

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Lone Madrone 5800 Adelaida Rd., Paso Robles.

805-238-0845. www.lonemadrone.com

Founded in 1996, this family-owned and operated winery works to be a distinct winery. Lone Madrone wines are produced predominantly from small, westside Paso Robles vineyards. their primary focus is sourcing highquality, dry farmed, head trained varietals that translate well in a hands-off winemaking style.

Featured Wine: Tannat Notes:________________________________________

L’Aventure 2815 Live Oak Rd., Paso Robles.

805-227-1588. www.aventurewine.com

After starting and managing vineyards in the Bordeaux region of France for a number of years, Stephan Asseo, Proprietor of L’Aventure, brought his winemaking skills to Paso Robles. Now L’Aventure makes small quantities of high quality wine with their blended varietals the cornerstone of their work.

Featured Wine: Optimus Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

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LXV Wine 1306 B Pine St., Paso Robles.

805-296-1902. www.lxvwines.com LXV is a premium California wine inspired by the 64 arts of Kama Sutra. Crafted by astute winemaker, Amy Butler, the style of the winemaking is rooted in Old World philosophy expressed through contemporary blends, showcasing the uniqueness of Paso Robles AVA. Every release of LXV showcases a small-lot, handcrafted, luxury wine.

Featured Wine: Summer Satine Notes:________________________________________

60

Winter/Spring 2015

Published by the

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VINO

McClean X Vineyards

Wineries & Tasting Rooms Midnight Cellars

Nichols Winery & Cellars

4491 South El Pomar Rd., Templeton.

805-441-7514. www.mccleanxvineyards.com

2925 Anderson Rd., Paso Robles. www.midnightcellars.com

4615 Traffic Way, Atascadero.

805-466-7278. www.nicholswinery.com

Focused on providing quality, McClean X Vineyards offers a small selection of fascinatingly fun blends; Clemence, a Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc blend, Simone, a Zinfandel and Petite Sirah blend, and the 100% Syrah, One Last Syrah. Owner Steve McClean can often be found bouncing off the walls at work or lamenting the need to wear shoes in the office, but he is determined to provide his clients with smiles, laughs and great wine.

Featured Wine: One Last Syrah

Family-owned and operated, Midnight Cellars’ awardwinning wines include exemplary Syrah, Zinfandel, extraordinary red blends, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Picnic in the backyard and enjoy a moment with Midnight’s friendly hosts. You may even run into their superlunary winemaker!

Featured Wine: Merlot Notes:________________________________________

Established in 1991, Nichols Winery & Cellars are award-winning, world renowned with international acclaim including their Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Meritage. Soleil & Terroir, Silver Fox and Paso de Vinas are also Nichols brands. Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir are well rounded while the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Zinfandel are soft and round out their tannins.

Featured Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon

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Minassian-Young Vineyards

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McPrice Myers

4045 Peachy Canyon Rd., Paso Robles.

805-238-7571. www.m-yv.com

Niner Wine Estates

3525 Adelaida Rd., Paso Robles.

805-237-1245. www.barrel27-mcpricemyers.com

With a focus on Rhone varietals, McPrice Meyers, Barrel 27’s small lot, reserve label, purchases fruit from select vineyards throughout San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. Owner/Winemaker Mac Myers makes wines for McPrice Myers and Barrel 27 with the goal to make Rhone wines that work hard at helping hardworking America relax for a minute. Stop in, relax for a minute, taste through the line up and remove your nose from the grindstone.

Featured Wine: Head Honcho Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

MVC Wines 2975 Limestone Way, Paso Robles.

805-712-4647. www.mcvwines.com Established in 2011, MCV Wines strives to produce the highest quality, boutique wines available. Their focus is on Petite Sirah, especially used to create uniquely fascinating, highly acclaimed blends including multiple 90+ scoring wines in major magazines.

Featured Wine: Petite Sirah

With a philosophy to “produce wines in a consistent manner,” Minassian-Young Vineyards takes a minimalistic, scientific approach to winemaking. Wines from the vineyard are produced without blending fruit from multiple vineyards ensuring each vintage is representative of the vineyard’s terroir.

Featured Wine: Estate Zinfandel Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Mitchella Vineyard & Winery 2525 Mitchell Ranch Way, Paso Robles.

805-239-8555. www.mitchella.com

Founded in 1997, Mitchella Vineyard & Winery is a family-owned estate committed to making small lots of premium handcrafted Paso Robles wines. Their 20-acre vineyard is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache, and Port varietals Tinta and Touriga.

Featured Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

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Moonstone Cellars

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801 Main St., Cambria.

805-927-9466. www.moonstonecellars.com

Michael Gill Cellars 4125 Peachy Canyon Rd., Paso Robles.

805-239-1668. www.gillcellars.com

Nestled among century oaks, Michael Gill Cellars’ west side Paso Robles coastal estate vineyard takes full advantage of the excellent natural conditions: the mountainous terroir is known for its rocky, calcareous soil, and differing levels of hillside sun exposure allow vineyards to be specifically suited for each varietal. This gives founding vintner, Michael Gill, the opportunity to cultivate luxurious wines unmatched in quality.

Featured Wine: Counoise Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Conceived in a basement overlooking Moonstone Beach, Todd Clift and dad, Muril began making wine in 1998. The hobby quickly got out of control, and blossomed into a full-time passion which Todd quickly left his corporate job to pursue. Todd now proudly introduces his wines made from Central Coast grapes.

Featured Wine: Pink Elephineaux Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Nadeau Family Vintners 3860 Peachy Canyon Rd., Paso Robles.

805-239-3574. www.nadeaufamilyvintners.com Nadeau Family Vintners is a micro-winery specializing in huge, mountain-grown Zinfandels and intriguing Rhone varietals. Handmade to taste, Nadeau takes pride in picking the best fruit to create the best wine.

Featured Wine: Critical Mass Zinfandel

2400 Highway 46 West, Paso Robles.

802-239-2233. www.ninerwine.com

As a family company built on three unique vineyards, Niner Wine Estates prides themselves on world-class winemaking and hospitality facilities. Niner Wine farms three separate estate vineyards: Bootjack Ranch on the eastern side of the Paso AVA, Heart Hill Vineyard on the western side, and Jespersen Vineyard nestled in the Edna Valley AVA to the south. Each vineyard has very different soil profiles and climates resulting in three very unique representations of terrior.

Featured Wine: Sangiovese Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

ONX Wines 1200 Paseo Excelsus, Templeton.

805-434-5607. www.onxwines.com

Driven toward creating avant-garde wines that express a sense of place, ONX Wines is a collective with the shared vision of respect for the land and an unwavering attention to detail. ONX utilizes all 13 varieties on their Estate to craft a portfolio of blends that are a bold yet pure expression of Westside Paso Robles. Located in the heart of the Templeton Gap District AVA, ONX estate is one of the coolest locales in Paso Robles.

Featured Wine: Praetorian Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Opolo Vineyards 7110 Vineyard Dr., Paso Robles.

805-238-9593. www.opolo.com

They say good fences make good neighbors, but it was a love of wine and winemaking that was the entrée between Opolo owners Rick Quinn and Dave Nichols.

Discovering Opolo Vineyards is to uncover a place where the passion to create an unforgettable experience and offer outstanding customer service is equally important as crafting award-winning wines.

Featured Wine: Mountain Zinfandel Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

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Central Coast Edition

Published by the

Paso Robles Press

Winter/Spring 2015

61

Oso Libre Winery

Wineries & Tasting Rooms

7383 Vineyard Dr., Paso Robles.

805-238-3378. www.osolibre.com

Unique, progressive and delicious, Oso Libre Winery specializes in distinct and sustainable wine growing practices that make for an unforgettable wine tasting experience. Established in 1996, Oso Libre, meaning “Free Bear” in Spanish, represents the spirit of the early California pioneers and their estate labels include limited production of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Mourvedre as well as distinctive red blends and rare late harvest dessert wines.

Featured Wine: Quixotic Cabernet Sauvignon Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Parrish Family Vineyard 1220 Park St., Paso Robles.

805-286-4028. www.parrishfamilyvineyard.com

With a deep-rooted family history in Paso Robles and Atascadero, Parrish Family Vineyard has an appreciation for history and tradition. Specializing in Bordeaux, Burgundian and Rhone varietals, their new tasting room in downtown Paso Robles offers a taste of their rich, family tradition.

Feature Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Paso Port/Per Cazo Cellars 95 Booker Rd., Templeton.

805-239-2229. www.pasoportwine.com

A small, family-owned winery dedicated to producing the finest table wines and fortified dessert wines, Paso Port is driven by their passion and commitment to express the potential of the region to produce port wines with particular distinction and unparalleled quality.

Featured Wine: Ruby California Style Dessert Wine

Pelletiere Estate Vineyard & Winery

Powel Mountain Cellars

3280 Township Rd., Paso Robles.

805-239-9432. www.pelletiere.com

3050 Blue Rock Rd., Paso Robles. www.powellmountaincellars.com

Janis Denner and the entire Pelletiere Family share a love and respect for wine, especially italian varietals, and they believe wine should be delicious and representative of its origin. Distinctive wines, relaxed atmosphere, breathtaking setting, and passionate crewmembers, make Pelletiere Estate truly worth the visit.

Featured Wine: Montepulciano Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

1985 Penman Springs Rd., Paso Robles.

805-237-7959. www.penmansprings.com An artisan wine farm, Penman Springs Vineyard offers estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot and Muscat Blanc handcrafted into varietals, blends and dessert wines. “Taste the art” and enjoy the hospitable and relaxing tasting room with picnic tables and spectacular views of Paso Robles.

Featured Wine: Estate Petite Sirah Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Pianetta Winery 829 13th St., Paso Robles.

805-226-4005. www.pianettawinery.com

Locally sourced, family made and fruit forward, Pianetta Winery delivers balanced wines that have a lasting smooth finish. Not easily found in other places, Pianetta produces only 2500 cases produced annually including flagship Estate Cabernet, and award-winning estate Syrah and Petite Sirah.

Featured Wine: Estate Petite Sirah Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

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Pipestone Vineyards

Peachy Canyon Winery

2040 Niderer Rd., Paso Robles.

805-227-6385. www.pipestonevineyards.com

With nearly 100 acres of Estate vineyards while still remaining a family affair, Peachy Canyon Winery specializes in Zinfandel and other award-winning handcrafted small-batch wines, including: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petite Sirah.

Featured Wine: Mustang Springs Zinfandel Notes:________________________________________

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Pear Valley Vineyard & Winery

Pomar Junction Vineyard and Winery

Creating unique vintages that reflect vibrant fruit nourished by ancient soils under ideal climate conditions while leaving little impact on the environment is the impetus behind Pear Valley. The Maas family cordially offers novice wine drinkers, enthusiasts and connoisseurs a taste of the naturally good life captured in each bottle of Pear Valley wine.

Featured Wine: Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

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Winter/Spring 2015

Pozzouli Vineyard & Winery 15481 Red Hill Ave., Ste C, Tustin.

714-258-8817. www.pozzouliwinery.com

Pozzouli Vineyard and Winery is a family owned and operated boutique winery with a vineyard and winery in Paso Robles and a tasting room/bottling facility in Tustin.

Producing about 500 cases/year specializing in red varietal blends, Rosato & white wines, Pozzouli offers a wine club and can also host your small wine event.

Featured Wine: 2012 Sangiovese Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Proulx 5424 Vineyard Dr., Paso Robles.

805-706-0425. www.proulxwines.com From the vineyard to the bottle, Proulx Wines is a family operation that has been carefully tended and nurtured by owners, Genoa and Kevin Riley, since the beginning.

Proulx Wines produces 1500 cases yearly with a tight focus on creating high-quality, approachable wines that are ready to drink at an early age.

Featured Wine: Dimples Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Tucked into a secluded peaceful valley in the coastal ranges, Pipestone Vineyards is dedicated to hand-made estate grown Rhone-style wines including Syrah, Viognier and Grenache blend. Family-run, sustainably farmed, and managed according to the ancient principles of Feng Shui! Relax and enjoy the quiet surroundings or picnic on the patio.

Featured Wine: Reserve Syrah

4900 Union Rd., Paso Robles.

805-237-2861. www.pearvalley.com

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Penman Springs Vineyard

Notes:________________________________________

1480 N. Bethel Rd., Templeton.

805-239-1918. www.peachycanyon.com

A small, handcrafted wine production, Powell Mountain Cellars is a unique brand producing Zinfandel as well as Rhone and Bordeaux blends that display varietal character and sense of place. Wine lovers will appreciate the handcrafted wines produced by meticulous winemakers and farmers who work together taking pride in honing their craft.

Featured Wine: Rhone and Bordeaux Blends

5036 South El Pomar Rd., Templeton.

805-238-9940. www.pmarjunction.com

Pomar Junction Vineyard & Winery is a family-run winery featuring wines from the Merrill family’s estate vineyard in Templeton and sits at the “junction” of El Pomar and South El Pomar Drives. Pomar Junction Estate wines are bottled from the finest blocks of fruit grown on our own vineyards and all have signature softness to the palate.

Featured Wine: Zinfandel

Rabbit Ridge Winery — The Rabbit Hole 1172 San Marcos Rd., Paso Robles.

805-467-3331. www.rabbitridgewinery.com

Founded in 1981 by Erich Russell in Healdsburg, Rabbit Ridge Winery and Vineyards and Russell Family Wines quickly became known for some of the best value wines, as well as many highly acclaimed luxury wines in California. Rabbit Ridge established a vineyard in Paso Robles in 2001 and also owns The Rabbit Hole tasting room in downtown.

Featured Wine: Allure de Robles Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Ranchita Canyon Vineyard 3439 Ranchita Canyon Rd., San Miguel.

805-467-9448. www.ranchitacanyonvineyard.com

Notes:________________________________________

Overlooking beautiful Pleasant Valley, the Ranchita Canyon Vineyard and boutique winery is family-owned and operated and produces rich, concentrated, bold fruit for our estate wines. The vineyard is hand pruned and hand harvested, and their farm plan emphasizes sustainable practices. At Ranchita Vineyard, they are “taking wine to greater heights.”

Featured Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon

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Notes:________________________________________

Published by the

Paso Robles Press

Central Coast Edition

VINO

Rangeland Wines

Wineries & Tasting Rooms RiverStar Vineyards

Roxo Port Cellars

10425 Klau Mine Rd., Paso Robles.

805-674-9232. www.rangelandwines.com

7450 Estrella Rd., San Miguel.

805-467-0086. www.riverstarvineyards.com

6996 Peachy Canyon Rd., Paso Robles.

805-238-1600. www.roxocellars.com

Offering a bit more than the average winery, Rangeland Wines offers handcrafted wines, vineyard tours, ranch tours and grass-fed beef and lamb clubs. Set in the limestone hills of west Paso Robles, the 1,500 acre Adelaida Springs Ranch estate offers sweeping views and quiet landscapes.

Featured Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon

Family owned and operated, RiverStar Vineyards was established with family members in 2003 after having raised wine grapes in the Paso Robles area since 1986. RiverStar grows Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon on 75 acres located on the eastside of Airport and Estrella roads.

Featured Wine: Twilight Vintner’s Reserve

Roxo Port Cellars is a family-owned winery specializing in ultra-premium Port-style wines. Roxo makes Portstyle wine using only traditional methods with minimal interference and their grapes are exclusively handpicked and sourced from esteemed Paso Robles and Cienega Valley vineyards in California.

Featured Wine: Magia Preta

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Rasmussen Vineyard & Winery

RN Estate Vineyard & Winery

San Antonio Winery

100 Harvest Ridge Way, Paso Robles.

805-648-1234. www.rasmussenvineyards.com

7986 North River Rd., Paso Robles.

805-610-9802. www.rnestate.com

2610 Buena Vista Dr., Paso Robles.

805-226-2600. www.sanantoniowinery.com

Growing in Paso Robles for over 17 years, Rasmussen Vineyard and Winery now offers a tasting of their own highly acclaimed wine including a three year vertical Syrah 2002 vintage exhibiting soft rounded tannins.

Rasmussen provides a rare opportunity to taste and purchase a 10-year-old wine that has been carefully aged in a tightly controlled environment.

Featured Wine: Bang Cabernet Sauvignon Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Red Soles Winery & Stillhouse 3230 Oakdale Rd., Paso Robles.

805-226-9898. www.redsoleswinery.com

A small, family-owned and operated winery on California’s beautiful, Central Coast, Red Soles Winery offers an experimental turned successful take on wines.

The founding owners, Randy and Cheryl Phillips, crushed their first batch with their own feet and winery has proven a natural extension of the farming company that the two have owned since 1991 when they first began growing wine grapes.

Featured Wine: Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Notes:________________________________________

Dream of a former restauranture, RN Estate strives to create “food friendly” wine. Specializing in red Rhone and Bordeaux varietals, estate-grown on a small hilltop vineyard, RN’s limited production allows them to meticulously hand craft premium boutique wines with a subtle harmony of flavors.

Featured Wine: Cuvée des Artistes Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Robert Hall Winery 3443 Mill Rd., Paso Robles.

805-239-1616. www.roberthallwinry.com

Tucked into the hillsides east of Paso Robles, Robert Hall Winery is a dream 40 years in the making. Years of hard work and infinite attention to detail are invested into every bottle of wine and, as farmers first, they strive to nurture the land and coax from it the finest fruit possible from the sustainably farmed vineyards on the Hall Ranch.

Featured Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Rocky Creek Cellars

With 98 years of rich family tradition, San Antonio Winery continues to create award-winning wines from select area vineyards. From downtown Los Angeles to spacious Paso Robles, San Antonio Winery is “Your Urban Winery.”

Featured Wine: Opaque Malbec Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

San Marcos Creek Vineyard 7750 North Highway 101, Paso Robles.

805-467-9260. www.sanmarcoscreek.com

Specializing in small lots of finely-crafted, singlevineyard, estate-grown and produced varietals, San Marcos Creek Vineyard is family-owned and operated “where fine wines begin at the vines.”

Featured Wine: Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Sarzotti Winery 180 Bella Ranch Rd., Templeton.

805-226-2022. www.sarzottiwinery.com

Residing on the west side of York Mountain, Rocky Creek Cellars is a small family-owned and operated winery established in 1999. Rocky Creek’s handcrafted premium red wines are barrel aged for 3 years resulting in a smooth and delicious drinkable wine.

Featured Wine: Estate Syrah

A fourth-generation Italian winemaking family, Sarzotti Winery is a completely hands-on operation. Sarzotti manages all aspects of their vineyard and winery production and their family has a commitment to crafting wines that are consistently high in quality at an exceptional value and they hope visitors become a part of their family of friends.

Featured Wine: Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Reserve

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ROTTA Winery

Saxum Vineyards

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250 Winery Rd., Templeton.

805-237-0510. www.rottawinery.com

Paso Robles. 805-610-0363

RIO SECO Vineyard & Winery

ROTTA Winery, founded in 1908, is the oldest originally family-owned winery in San Luis Obispo County. Mike Giubbini and Mark Caporale have combined their talents to bring the historic and rustic winery back to life. In doing so, ROTTA Winery has won several gold medals, including old vine Zinfandel and Dessert Sherry.

Featured Wine: Black Monukka Dessert Wine

Saxum Vineyards focuses on producing Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre based blends from the Templeton Gap/ Willow Creek area of Paso Robles. Production is kept at 3000-4000 cases a year divided between seven different Cuvées, Broken Stones, James Berry Vineyard, Bone Rock, Booker Vineyards, Paderewski Vineyard, Heart Stone Vineyard and Terry Hoage Vineyard.

Featured Wine: James Berry Vineyard

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Rendarrio Vineyards 2323 Tuley Court, Suite 110, Paso Robles. www.rendarrio.com

Committed to producing wines of quality and distinction, Rendarrio Vineyards creates small production wines that are handcrafted to demonstrate true quality. Rendarrio wines can be found in various restaurants in Paso Robles and Morro Bay as well as at The Jefferson in Washington D.C. and Union Square Café in New York.

Featured Wine: The Rocker Cabernet Sauvignon

4295 Union Rd., Paso Robles.

805-237-8884. www.riosecowine.com Family-owned vineyard grows award-winning Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Viognier! Join us here for wines, friendly people, smoked olives, barbecue and, of course, a memorable experience on your next wine country adventure!

Featured Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon

8687 Apple Rd. Highway 46 West, Templeton.

805-238-1919. www.rockycreekcellars.com

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VINO

Central Coast Edition

Published by the

Paso Robles Press

Winter/Spring 2015

63

Sculpterra Winery

Wineries & Tasting Rooms

5015 Linne Rd., Paso Robles.

805-302-8881. www.sculpterra.com

Sculpterra Winery & Sculpture Garden offers a wine tasting and art viewing experience in the hills of Paso Robles. Sculpterra offers a variety of services including five distinct wine club options for a variety of wine aficionado. They also display the works of numerous artists including world-renowned sculptor John Jagger.

With such a large pool of local talent, Sculpterra Winery has truly brought the concept of art and wine full circle.

Featured Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Sextant Wines 2324 West Highway 46, Paso Robles.

805-542-0133. www.sextantwines.com

With a proprietary relationship with the French, Portuguese and Spanish governments, Sextant Wines imports certified rootstock that can be traced back to the original mother block in those countries. These certified clones planted throughout three vineyards, along with a charismatic blending style put Sextant on the cutting edge of winemaking practices.

Featured Wine: Holystone Zinfandel Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Shadow Run 2720 La Panza Rd., Creston.

805-227-0554. www.shadowrunvineyards.com

Shadow Run is a 150-acre ranch and vineyard offering varietals of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Viognier and Malbec.

Much of the ranch is home to wildlife and will remain in its natural state, conserving the rugged beauty of this part of California’s Central Coast.

Featured Wine: Cellar Door

Silver Horse Winery

Still Waters Vineyards

805-467-9463. www.silverhorse.com

2750 Old Grove Land, Paso Robles.

805-237-9231. www.stillwatersvineyards.com

Taste exceptional Bordeaux and Spanish varietal wines from family-run Silver Horse Winery. Sitting atop a hill in the Pleasant Valley, Silver Horse is a tasting experience unique to the central coast. With three patios, bocce courts and horseshoe pits, you’re sure to have a memorable time.

Featured Wine: The Main Thing Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Stacked Stone Cellars 1525 Peachy Canyon Rd., Paso Robles.

805-238-7872. www.stackedstone.com

Stacked Stone Cellars began in 1998 when owner, Donald Thiessen, united his love of fine craftsmanship with a love of wine. Stacked Stone Cellars produces small quantities of handcrafted wine. Donald named his “liquid assets” after the elaborate stacked stone landscaping adorning the winery grounds and estate vineyard. The winery also rocks the canyon with live concerts every summer.

Featured Wine: Zin Stone Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Stanger 5225 Highway 41, Paso Robles.

630-461-8602. www.stangervineyards.com

Never releasing a wine prematurely, Stanger waits up to 4 years after bottling to release wine at the proper time. Major wine critics have stated that Stanger wines will peak in 7 to 9 year, therefore the STANGER Reserve wines are released after they have sufficiently matured in the bottle. STANGER Ultra-Premium Reserve wines can be tasted at our original “Old World style” tasting room.

Featured Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Notes:________________________________________

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Starr Ranch Vineyards and Winery

Shale Oak Winery

9320 Chimney Rock Rd., Paso Robles.

805-227-0144. www.starr-ranch.com

3235 Oakdale Rd., Paso Robles. www.shaleoakwinery.com

With a keen eye on sustainability in every facet, Shale Oak Winery was created out of careful respect for the natural resources on the west side of Paso Robles and they are proud to present their limited-production wines, the result of a holistic vision.

Featured Wine: Ku

A stunning, crooked road leads to the secluded Starr Ranch winery where the adjacent vineyard basks on the slopes of the Adelaida Hills, backed by the Santa Lucia Range. From the vineyard, our raison d’être, we retain the pick of the crop for our winemaking artistry, producing very small lots of Bordeaux-style, Rhone and Tempranillo wines.

Featured Wine: Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

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Sharp’s Hill

Steinbeck Vineyards

1085 Ambush Trail, Paso Robles.

805-237-2005. www.sharpshill.com

Located high in elevation above the renowned Highway 46 West near the Santa Lucia Mountain Range in the Templeton Gap, Sharp’s Hill’s landmark property is an ideal site for growing exceptional wine grapes. Enjoying maritime weather influences and prime calcareous soil, this family owned vineyard produces, classic, award winning wines Featured Wine: Reserve Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Notes:________________________________________

5940 Union Rd., Paso Robles.

805-238-1854. www.steinbeckwines.com

Specializing in Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier and Zinfandel, Steinbeck Winery meticulously crafts 1,000 cases of premium wine. The varietals are blended into The Crash, better known as “Steinbeck in a Glass.” Their second blend, The Voice, reflects the voice of Steinbeck Vineyards.

Featured Wine: The Crash

Winter/Spring 2015

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Stolo Family Winery 3776 Santa Rosa Creek Road, Cambria.

805-924-3131. www.stolofamilywinery.com Stolo Family Vineyards and Winery is a welcomed addition to the hidden gem, Cambria. With the addition of the new rustic tasting room and winery, visitors are treated with the full winery experience. Planted in 1998 and less than three miles from the Pacific Ocean, the vineyards thrive in Cambria’s unique microclimate. The beautiful location produces unmatched coastal style Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. These award winning boutique wines capture the coast in a bottle.

Featured Wine: Pinot Noir Hillside Reserve Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

SummerWood Winery 2175 Arbor Rd., Paso Robles.

805-227-1365. www.summerwoodwine.com SummerWood invites you to drop by and discover their artisan crafted Rhone and Bordeaux wines, including the proprietary blends Diosa Blanc, Diosa and Sentio.

Reserve a tour with winemaker Mauricio Marchant, where he will take you through his winemaking process, including a peek at the winery’s use of concrete for some white wines, and the Solera method used for the non-vintage Zinfandel Port.

Featured Wine: Private Reserve Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Tablas Creek 9339 Adelaida Rd., Paso Robles.

805-237-1231. www.tablascreek.com Founded by the Perrins (Chateau de Beaucastel) and importer Robert Haas, Tablas Creek produces estategrown, internationally recognized Rhone varietals and Chateauneuf-du-Pape style blends from grapes including Syrah, Mourvedre, Viognier and Roussanne. A unique tour showcases the on-site grapevine nursery, organic vineyard, winery and tasting room with Provencal gifts.

Featured Wine: Roussanne Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Tackitt Family Vineyards 6640 Von Dollen Rd., San Miguel.

805-467-9490. www.tackittfamilyvineyards.com

Notes:________________________________________

A small family venture dedicated to high quality wines for all to enjoy, Tackitt Family Vineyard’s love of wine is apparent in their pursuit creating truly wonderful wines.

Featured Wine: Sauvignon Blanc

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A family-owned and run vineyard dedicated to producing small lots of premium estate wines, Still Water Vineyards produces 14 different 100% estate varietals including Bordeaux, Rhone, Zinfandel and Primitivo. Estate olive oil is also available.

Featured Wine: Reflections

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Voted “Best Sunday Brunch Buffet”

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Terry Hoage Vineyards

Tolo Cellars

Vantage Vineyards & Winery

870 Arbor Rd., Paso Robles.

805-238-2083. www.terryhoagevineyards.com

9750 Adelaida Rd., Paso Robles.

805-226-2282. www.tolocellars.com

1111 Riverside Ave., Paso Robles.

805-238-2720. www.vantagewines.com

TH Vineyards is a small, family-owned vineyard and boutique winery located off Highway 46 West in Paso Robles. Our special climate, terroir and dedication to fastidious, sustainable farming practice produce exceptional fruit that is forward and focused. Terry and Jennifer Hoage’s winemaking approach is to produce minimally processed wines that show intense fruit and complexity showcasing their passion for excellence.

Featured Wine: The Edge Syrah Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Thacher Winery 8355 Vineyard Dr., Paso Robles.

805-237-0087. www.thacherwinery.com Since 2004 Thacher Winery with the grasshopper label, has been handcrafting wines from superb vineyards found on the Westside of Paso Robles and in Southern Monterey County. Our boutique production of Rhone blends and Zinfandels demonstrate local subtleties and true Westside terroir.

Featured Wine: Syrah Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

The Farm Winery 10920 Chimney Rock Rd., Paso Robles.

805-400-3276. www.thefarmwinery.com

Way out along Adelaida Road stands a little red farmhouse, home to Tolo Cellars. Josh Gibson, proprietor and winemaker, offers a sumptuous array of wines — Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and exotic Rhone blends — all sourced from vineyards tucked away in the rustic hills, where once frolicked the pioneers of the Adelaida township.

Featured Wine: Chardonnay Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Tooth & Nail Winery 3090 Anderson Rd., Paso Robles.

805-369-6100. www.toothandnailwinery.com

Established in 2009, Tooth and Nail Winery proudly pours four labels: blends under Tooth & Nail; Grenache, Syrah, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay under Amor Fati; Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Tempernillo, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay under Force of Nature; and Pinot Noir and Chardonnay under Stasis.

Featured wine: Cabernet Sauvignon

Torrin Vineyard

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2945 Limestone Way, Templeton.

805-550-2058. www.torrinwine.com

Victor Hugo Winery

The Rabbit Hole

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1244 Pine St., Paso Robles.

805-286-4692. www.therabbitholepasorobles.com

Turley

Tobin James Cellars 8950 Union Rd., Paso Robles.

805-239-2204. www.tobinjames.com A visit to Tobin James Cellars Winery and Tasting Room has enthusiastic tasters enjoying unforgettable “Paso Robles in a Glass” wines at the notorious, grand, 150-year-old bar. Tobin James creates fruit-driven wines that include Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay, Merlot, “Liquid Love” Dessert Zinfandel, and many others.

Bring your picnic. Join the legendary James Gang!

Featured Wine: Ballistic Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

1795 Las Tablas Rd., Templeton.

805-369-0127. www.venteuxvineyards.com

Notes:________________________________________

Notes:________________________________________

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Venteux Vineyards

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Notes:________________________________________

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Notes:________________________________________

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Home to the only Bubbly Bar in Paso Robles, The Rabbit Hole is a wine bar and gift shop experience that is sure to ignite the imagination. Serving wine from their parent winery, Rabbit Ridge, The Rabbit Hole is a whole lot more that a simple tasting room experience. Go in and get lost at The Rabbit Hole where “We’re all mad here.”

Featured Wine: Bling Sparkling Brut

Notes:________________________________________

Venteux Vineyards is suitably named as this exceptional estate is perfectly sited in the renowned “windy” Templeton Gap. The dry-farmed, head-trained vines are planted exclusively to Rhone varietals. From soil to bottle, their sustainable hands-on approach allows them to uphold the highest level of care in the winemaking process.

Featured Wine: Estate Syrah

Meaning “of the hills,” Torrin Vineyard is aptly located in the hills of Santa Lucia. With 10 acres planted on rugged hillsides of high lime calcareous shale and siliceous shale, they are located a prime, growing sweet spot.

The vineyard is planted with multiple clones of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvedre with small blocks of Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon. Not made the right way or the wrong way, Torrin wines are simply made their way.

Featured Wine: The Vineyard Series

The Farm Winery seeks to make wines that best express the character of Westside Paso Robles. Admiring and respecting what has been done here before, they wish to bring a nuance — the same intensity along with greater elegance.

Featured Wine: The Big Game

Vantage Vineyards & Winery occupies a unique niche in California wine history. Begun as a dream in the soul of a European immigrant in the 1930’s, it has matured into one of the largest and most significant wineries in the state. In the decades since the establishment of this wine country landmark it has consistently produced award-winning wines and become a favorite destination for visitors from all over the world.

Featured Wine: Beau Vantage Cabernet Sauvignon

2900 Vineyard Dr., Templeton.

805-434-1030. www.turleywincellars.com Turley Wine Cellars was founded by former emergency room physician Larry Turley in 1993. Because Larry has never met an old vine vineyard he didn’t like, Turley now makes 28 separate wines from 35 different vineyards, mostly Zinfandel and Petite Syrah, with many vineyards dating back to the late 1800’s. By focusing on old vine vineyards in particular, Turley aims to both create and preserve California’s unique winemaking culture.

Featured Wine: Zinfandel

2850 El Pomar, Templeton.

805-434-1128. www.victorhugowinery.com A small family-owned and operated winery in a renovated 100-year-old redwood barn in Templeton, Victor Hugo produces award-winning wines focusing on intense hand-crafted reds including Petite Sirah and Opulence.

Featured Wine: Opulence Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Villa Creek Cellars 5995 Peachy Canyon Rd., Paso Robles.

805-238-7145. www.villacreekwine.com In the spirit of the great wine producers of the southern Rhone and the bodegas of Rioja and Priorat, blending is what Villa Creek does best. The area’s finest Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Tempranillo Vineyards are just a stone’s throw from the west Paso Robles winery where these blends are lovingly produced by winemaker Cris Cherry and his wife JoAnn. Featured Wine: Damas Noir Notes:________________________________________

Notes:________________________________________

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Villa San-Juliette Winery

Twin Coyotes Winery

6385 Cross Canyon Rd., San Miguel.

805-467-0014. www.villasanjuliette.com

2020 Main St., Cambria.

805-927-9800. www.twincoyotes.com

“Come Howl with us!” Proudly using only sustainably farmed grapes, twin brothers Steve and Stu started Twin Coyotes Winery with the idea that wines should be fun and environmentally sound. Protecting the land, employees and economic viability of the vineyard is a priority and the brothers look at the vineyard as a longterm investment that must be treated right.

Featured Wine: Vermentino

Villa San-Juliette Vineyard and Winery is a luxurious destination, offering premium wines and scenic views enhanced by a Tuscan-style setting on the 168-acre estate.

Featured Wine: Chorum White Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

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Winter/Spring 2015

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Villicana Winery

Vista Del Ray Vineyards

Wild Horse Winery & Vineyard

2725 Adelaida Rd., Paso Robles.

805-239-9456. www.villicanawiery.com

7340 Drake Rd., Paso Robles.

805-467-2138. www.vdrvineyards.com

1437 Wild Horse Winery Court, Templeton.

805-788-6310. www.wildhorsewinery.com

Villicana winery was created as the result of a culinary school pursuit when Alex Villicana decided to pursue his love of food and wine and enrolled in a culinary program in Los Angeles. There his love for food and wine pairings led him to create his own wine. Villicana Winery is also home to RE:FIND Distillery, Paso Robles’ first craft distillery.

Featured Wine: Estate Grown Zinfandel Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Vina Robles 3700 Mill Rd., Paso Robles.

805-227-4812. www.vinarobles.com

Meaning King’s View in Spanish, Vista Del Rey Vineyards is named for the panoramic view of the Santa Lucia Mountains and founder Dave King. Experience the many styles of Zinfandel, Barbera and more, from this acclaimed dry-farmed vineyard. Gourmet food products, local wine country art items and Zinfandel educational materials are available.

Featured Wine: Zinfandel Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Founded in 1981, Wild Horse Winery & Vineyards is named after the mustangs that once roamed the hills east of the vineyard estate. The mustangs represent the free and noble spirit that embodies their winemaking and wines. They source Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from the best vineyards throughout the Central Coast — from Santa Barbara to Monterey.

Featured Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

WCP Cellars Paso Robles. www.wcpcellars.com

Windward Vineyard 1380 Live Oak Rd., Paso Robles.

805-239-2565. www.windwardvineyard.com

Vina Robles crafts wines that represent a stylistic bridge between the Old and New worlds. Specializing in varieties that excel in the complex soils and nuanced microclimates of Paso Robles, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah, Vina Robles also embraces unconventional blends as an opportunity to create wines of distinctive quality and character.

Featured Wine: Signature Estate Cuvée

Specializing in rich, bold wines, WCP Cellars create handcrafted, artisanal style wines that are enjoyable paired with food or sipping with friends, many varietals being Spanish and Italian favorites. Private tasting can be arranged while their new tasting room is being set up in Templeton. At WCP Cellars they believe in “Passionate wines from dynamic vines.”

Featured Wine: The 46 Cabernet Blend

Notes:________________________________________

Notes:________________________________________

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Named for the cool ocean winds that breeze through the Templeton Gap, Windward Vineyard Pinot Noir is a testimony to the area’s unique microclimate and terroir.

Windward Vineyard has been producing exclusive 100% Estate-grown, Burgundian-style Pinot Noir for over 20 years. Their tasting room offers daily vertical tasting of four vintages.

Featured Wine: 100% Estate-grown and produced Burgundian-style, handcrafted Pinot Noir.

VinAlegre Winery

Whalebone Winery

Notes:________________________________________

Paso Robles. 805-400-8829. www.vinalegre.com With a belief that the land is everything and that keeping vines happy makes for the best wine, VinAlegre creates100% Cabernet, a 100% Merlot, and a 100% Primitivo. For the white/light red enthusiasts, they make a dry Bordeaux-style Rosé from the Cabernet and Merlot with a little Primitivo using the saigneé method of extracting the rosé juice.

Featured Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon

8325 Vineyard Dr., Paso Robles.

805-239-9020. www.whalebonevineyard.com

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Vines on the Maycrest

Wild Coyote Estate Winery

5076 Mustard Creek Rd., Paso Robles.

805-237-0378. www.vinesonthemaycrest.com

Vines on the Marycrest is the name behind Rhone blends such as “Heart of Glass”,”’Round Midnight”, “Satin Doll” and their multiple Gold Medal winning Zinfandel blend, “My Generation”. Varietal releases include Syrah, Petite Sirah, Mourvedre, Zinfandel from the Remo Belli Vineyard, and ultra small lots of Barbera, Tempranillo, Grenache and Late Harvest Syrah dessert wine.

Featured Wine: ‘Round Midnight Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Whalebone Vineyard is a family owned and operated winery on the Vineyard Drive wine trail in Paso Robles.

Specializing primarily in red wines, especially Cabernet Sauvignon, the vineyard is 100% dry-farmed in limestone and calcareous soil laden with fossilized whalebones and seashells.

Featured Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

3775 Adelaida Rd., Paso Robles.

805-610-1311. www.wildcoyote.biz

Family owned and operated since 1995, Wild Coyote Estate Winery was one of the first 20 wineries in the region. Known as the “House of Reds” for their big, bold, unfiltered wines, Wild Coyote is limited estate grown, dry-farmed and one of the few 100% pure varietal regional producers.

Featured Wine: Zinfandel Port Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Zenadia Cellars 1550 Highway 46 West, Paso Robles.

805-227-0382. www.zenadiacellars.com

Zenaida Cellars wines are made using only the highest quality fruit from our estate vineyard and our small group of Paso Robles AVA growers. The winery occupies the original homestead of the property, dating back over 100 years and utilizes the same low-impact philosophy in the vineyard and in the winery, that farming and living sustainably will produce higher quality wines and leave the land in better condition.

Featured Wine: Wanderlust Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

ZinAlley 3730 Highway 46 West, Templeton.

805-238-0959. www.zinalley.com Planted in 1996, Zinalley is dry-farmed and uses no sprays, pesticides or fertilizer. 500 out of their annual 950 case production is dedicated to Zinfandel.

Featured Wine: Cellar Dreams, 50% Pinot Noir, 50% Zinfandel Notes:________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Highway One Vacation Rentals “Fulfilling Your Vacation Dreams for 18 Years”

Vacation and Beach Rentals www.HighwayOneRentals.com

805-995-3678

148 N. Ocean Ave., Cayucos

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FEATURED EVENT Janell Dusi, winemaker at J. Dusi Wines, is famous for her old-vine Zinfandel. J. Dusi will be on the panel at this year’s Zinposium.

Photo Courtesy of J. Dusi Wines

FEATURED FESTIVAL

Vintage Paso Festival Returns for Annual Weekend of Zinful Fun New This Year: Zinposium

By SKYE RAVY OF VINO

Z

infandel was one of the first varietals of wine grown in the Paso Robles region, with the first vines being planted as early as the 1900s.

“Zin does really well in our environment here,” said Janell Dusi ,of J. Dusi Wines.

“Our temperature swing, our climate and our soil are all perfect.”

J. Dusi’s vineyard has some old-vine Zinfandel grapes, and they have made

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Winter/Spring 2015

a name for themselves in the California Zin market. Dusi will be one of the panel members for the Zinposium this year, which will feature two different seminars.

Vintage Paso: Zinfandel and Other Wild Wines is an annual weekend celebration that is put on by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. Chris Taranto, the Communications Director of the Wine Alliance, explained how they came up with the idea.

“We thought, instead of just having another walk-around tasting tour, it would

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be nice to provide a learning opportunity for attendees. They will be able to sit down and see some great winemakers showcasing their practices in an educational way.”

The first seminar will feature 100 percent Zinfandel wines, and will be held on Friday, March 20 at 5:30 p.m. Six wineries were selected to serve on a panel discussing what makes their Zin a great example of the varietal, as well as speaking about their winegrowing process. J. Dusi will be one of the featured vineyards in first seminar, as well as Peachy Canyon Vineyard &

Central Coast Edition

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VINTAGE PASO: ZINFANDEL AND OTHER WILD WINES Winery, Pomar Junction Vineyard & Winery, Tobin James Cellars and Turley Wine Cellars.

On S a t u r d a y, March 21 at 10 a.m., seminar two will feature a different panel of winemakers, including: Castoro Cellars, Chronic Cellars, Cypher Winery, Kukkula and Zenaida Cellars. The second seminar will focus on Zinfandel blend wines.

“Here in Paso we are known for some of our unconventional blends,” Taranto said.

In a press release Photo Courtesy Hearts and Horseshoes Photography submitted by the Wine Alliance, they stated Pictured here are some of J. Dusi’s old Zinfandel vines. that the seminars will, “feature a panel of six the culture and traditions winemakers that will lead the seated audience through a tasting of the area and has deep of Zinfandel and Zinfandel blended wines. roots here at Castoro.”

Their tasting room Six wines at each seminar will reflect on will be open both the history of the region and tell a story Saturday and Sunday of Paso’s reputation for high-quality Courtesy of Castoro Cellars from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., wines.” They stated that, “Both seminars promise to be entertaining, educational and they will be having Castoro Cellars will be one of the six panel members that barrel samples, where and delicious.” will speak at this year’s Zinposium on the topic of Zinfandel The Zinposium will be held in the attendees can sample blends. Featured here is their popular Zin blend, ‘Zinfusion.’

Paso Robles Inn Ballroom on March what they have coming 20 and 21 as part of Vintage Paso: out next year, as well as paired with its Paderewski Zinfandel Zinfandel and Other Wild Wines weekend local vendors, wine specials, a special from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, on Saturday it celebration. Tickets to each seminar are Zinfandel inspired tasting menu and live will be hosting its own blending seminar $35 and are available on the Paso Robles music on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. and lunch, finishing the day with blind featuring The Nataly Lola Trio, as well as Wine Alliance website at pasowine.com. tasting and judging. The winning team The weekend will also have over lunch available from Higgie’s BBQ. will take home a bottle of Cass Wine Club Ancient Peaks Winery in Santa 120 wineries hosting a wide variety of Blend. On Sunday, they will be hosting Margarita will be hosting a special events. a complimentary sparkling and vineyard J. Dusi will be debuting its 2013 Zinfandel and Santa Maria style barbecue, tour.

Zinfandel vintage that weekend, “We will and will pair its latest vintage with tri-tip “They will receive a glass of sparkling have a tent up and there will be a walk- beef sandwiches on both Saturday and wine and then follow me for a tour of the Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. They stated around tasting,” Dusi said. vineyard,” said owner Steve Cass. “We Castoro Cellars will be hosting a that, “Our estate Margarita Vineyard participate every year, in fact, we created special open house for $5 or free to is renowned for producing one of the a Zinfandel specifically for the event.” wine club members. Castoro stated that, Paso Robles region’s most acclaimed A complete list of events is available “With its depth of character and boldness, Zinfandels.” on the Wine County Alliance’s website, At Cass Winery, local Chef Jacob Zinfandel is the proud heritage grape of pasowine.com.

Lovejoy will be preparing rack of lamb Paso Robles Wine Country, personifying

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Calendar of Events March 14, 2015 Eric Brittain in Concert

Asuncion Ridge Vineyards will host musician Eric Brittain on Saturday, March 14, from 5-8 p.m. Wine is available by the glass or bottle for purchase in the downtown tasting room lounge. For more information, call 805-237-1425 or visit asuncionridge.com.

Broken Earth Winery will host Liv and Rob at the winery from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, April 11. Wine is available by the glass or bottle for purchase. Food will be available from Gusto Cafe. For more information, call 805-239-2562 or visit brokenearthwinery.com.

March 20-22, 2015 Vintage Paso: Zinfandel and Other Wild Wines

April 18, 2015 Lobster Feast at Robert Hall Winery

Vintage Paso: Zinfandel and Other Wild Wines Weekend will be held March 20 through 22. More than 130 wineries will offer a selection of barrel tastings, winemaker dinners, vineyard tours, laid-back barbecues, live music and much more. For more information, go to pasowine.com.

March 28, 2015 Charly Maxx in Concert

Asuncion Ridge Vineyards will host musician Charly Maxx on Saturday, March 28, from 5-8 p.m. Wine is available by the glass or bottle for purchase in the downtown tasting room lounge. For more information, call 805-237-1425 or visit asuncionridge.com.

Fresh Seafood & Shellfish | Over 125 Tequilas 1244 Park St. @ 13th, Downtown Paso Robles FishGaucho.com | 805.239.3333

Live Music Saturdays

Broken Earth Winery will host Natalie Haskins at the winery from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, March 28. Wine is available by the glass or bottle for purchase. Food will be available from Gusto Cafe. For more information, call 805-239-2562 or visit brokenearthwinery. com.

April 4, 2015 SLOfolks presents Anna Chovstek

Annabelle Chvostek, a Canadian singer-songwriter based in Montreal, will be performing at Castoro Cellars at 7:30 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $20 per person. For more information, call 888-326-3463 or visit castorocellars.com.

Simple Food Done Amazing!

Saturday Live at Vina Robles

Vina Robles Winery will host Chris Beland from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, March 7 at the Vina Robles Hospitality Center. Wine is available by the glass or bottle for purchase. For more information, call 805-227-4812 or visit vinarobles.com.

Adult Easter Egg Hunt at Robert Hall Winery

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April 11, 2015 Live Music Saturdays

Drop by anytime between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during this weekend and find one of the eggs hidden inside the tasting room or on the Terrace. Each egg contains a special discount that can be applied to wine purchase. For more information, call 805-239-1616 or visit roberthallwinery.com.

Live Music Saturdays

Broken Earth Winery will host James Rivers at the winery from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, April 4. Wine is available by the glass or bottle for purchase. Food will be available from Gusto Cafe. For more information, call 805-239-2562 or visit brokenearthwinery.com.

Art After Dark Paso

The first Saturday of each month, downtown businesses and wineries hold artists receptions with live music and wine tasting from 5 to 8 p.m. as part of ARTS Obispo/San Luis Obispo County Arts Council. Many wineries offer free snacks and some offer free wine tasting. For more information, call 805-544-9251 or go to artsobispo.org.

April 10, 2015 From the Barrel

From the Barrel — 7-10 p.m. Friday, April 4 at Santa Margarita Ranch — is one of the most unique events that celebrates the end of Prohibition. It features some of the finest bourbons, ports and barrel-aged beers paired with bites from outstanding chefs and music to benefit Woods Humane Society. Price is $80-$100 per person. For more information, call 805-595-4000 or visit firestonebeer.com.

Robert Hall Winery will host a traditional New England lobster boil from 6-9 p.m Saturday, April 18. Cost is $90 per person or $72 for club members. For more information, call 805-239-1616 or visit roberthallwinery.com.

Earth Day Food & Wine Weekend

The ninth annual Earth Day Food and Wine Festival main event will take place on Saturday, April 18 at 2 p.m. at Castoro Cellars in the meadow in Templeton. More than 200 purveyors of sustainably produced foods and wine will be on-hand. For more information, call 805-369-2288 or go to earthdayfoodandwine. com.

Live Music Saturdays

Broken Earth Winery will host Robi Duganne at the winery from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, April 18. Wine is available by the glass or bottle for purchase. Food will be available from Gusto Cafe. For more information, call 805-239-2562 or visit brokenearthwinery. com.

April 25, 2015 Annual Wine 4 Paws

The annual Wine 4 Paws fundraiser will take place on April 25 and 26 throughout San Luis Obispo County. Pet-loving wine drinkers can help their four-legged friends by visiting any of the participating wineries throughout the weekend when a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Woods Humane Society.

Print a free map/passport from the website, or grab one at any participating winery during the event. Get the passport stamped when you help generate a donation and you’ll be entered in a raffle. For more information, go to wine4paws.com.

May 9, 2015 SLOfolks presents Patchy Sanders

Family folk band Patchy Sanders will be performing at Castoro Cellars at 7:30 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $20 per person. For more information, call 888-326-3463 or visit castorocellars.com.

May 10, 2015 Mother’s Day Brunch at Cass Winery

Treat mom to a brunch at Cass Winery. Brunch includes one free mimosa and a chair massage. Cost is $20 per person or $16 for wine club members. For more information, call 805-239-1730 or visit casswines.com.

Mother’s Day at Robert Hall Winery

Free wine tasting to moms and discounts on wine purchases from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 805-239-1616 or visit roberthallwinery.com.

May 14-17, 2015 Paso Robles Wine Festival

The 33rd annual Wine Festival will be held May 14-17 with the downtown wine tasting event taking place on Saturday, May 16 in Downtown City Park. The 33rd Annual Wine Festival kicks off Thursday, May 14 with a selection of Winemaker Dinners. On Friday, May 15, select wineries feature their library, reserve, white/rosé, and futures complemented by fresh and local gourmet bites at the RESERVE event. On Saturday, May 16, more than 60 wineries come together in the Paso Robles Downtown City Park to showcase their wines alongside culinary samplings, special tastings and seminars during the Grand Tasting. Wineries at the Grand Tasting will be arranged by five “regions” for a seamless and focused tasting experience: Bordeaux-style, Rhônestyle, Zinfandel, Burgundian-style and Other Wild Wines. Price is $20 to $135 per person. For more information, call 805-239-8463 or visit pasowine.com.

The hottest wine bar on the Central Coast is in Morro Bay. Come choose from over 100 LOCAL and International Wines along with a variety of local and imported Beer.

Daily tastings, and wine by the glass, as well as Panini Sandwiches, Gourmet Meats and Cheese Plates, plus Amazing Chocolates and Live Entertainment weekly.

OPEN FOR LUNCH & DINNER Mondays

$2 Mimosas ALL DAY LONG

Tuesdays

Buy 1 get 1 1/2 off food until 6pm

Wine Down Wednesdays

2 for 1 Wine Tasting

Thursdays

LIVE MUSIC

Five Dollar Fridays

$5 Glasses of Wine & $5 Panini’s

Saturdays

10% off any bottle of wine and $1 Oysters

Champagne Sundays

Unlimited House Bubbles, for $20, Bubble tasting, LIVE MUSIC

(Gourmet Grilled Cheese & P & P) until 5pm

www.STAXWINE.com (805) 772-5055

1099 Embarcadero Morro Bay, CA 93442