Vina Robles 2019 Newsletter | Issue 02

n e w s l e t t e r vintage 2019 / issue 02

Innovative SMART TANKS

Inside this

ISSUE 3 A Note from Our Owners 4 Featured Wine 5 New Release 6 Behind the Vine 8 From the Cellar 9 Happenings 10 Recent Accolades

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DEAR FRIENDS, We are excited for the 2019 vintage to come.

Our vineyards look happy and healthy after plentiful winter rains brought a resounding end to the California drought.

While we fared well during the dry years, the wet winter was exactly what our vines needed. Mother Nature always seems to come through in the end, thank goodness!

Harvest will be here soon enough. The canopies and clusters on the vine appear to be beautifully balanced, and we are confident that the quality will again be high this year.

In the meantime, we hope that you will come spend a relaxing afternoon with us this summer.

Best regards, Hans Nef and Hans –R. Michel

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FEATURED WIN

Featured Wine

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2018 VIOGNIER

HUERHUERO VINEYARD, PASO ROBLES Our Viognier vines are strategically planted along the highest point at our estate Huerhuero Vineyard. Here, they benefit from the cooling Pacific breezes that billow in from the Templeton Gap each afternoon—allowing our Viognier fruit to retain bright flavors and luscious acidity.

In 2018, these signature qualities were accentuated by cold-fermenting the wine in stainless steel tanks, all with a selected yeast strain designed to complement the expressive varietal fruit. The wine was then cold-aged sur lie in small tanks to enhance the mouthfeel and preserve freshness.

TASTING NOTES The 2018 Viognier bursts from the glass with bright aromas of stone fruit, orange zest, honeysuckle and ginger. The initial impression on the palate is soft and rounded, with notes of pear and mineral. Lively acidity emerges toward the finish, accompanied by lush, vibrant flavors of peach and nectarine.

PAIRING RECOMMENDATIONS The soft fruit and lively finish of the 2018 Viognier make it a perfect match for grilled chicken, baked crab, spicy Asian fare and fruit-glazed pork chops.

2017 THE ARBORIST PASO ROBLES

A caretaker of trees, The Arborist pays homage to the iconic Paso Robles oaks.

This estate blend is made mainly of varieties grown in our Huerhuero Vineyard, located directly behind our winery in the rolling hills of Paso Robles. Here, warm afternoons and cool evening breezes shepherd the grapes to perfect ripeness.

The clusters were picked during the cooler morning temperatures and cold soaked for two days prior to fermentation. Various pump-over techniques were implemented during progressive stages of fermentation to enhance fruit extraction and balance out the tannin structure.

The wine was then aged in both small and large format French, Hungarian and American oak barrels for 18 months in order to add complexity while enhancing a soft, velvety finish.

A natural go-to for just about any meal, this fruit-forward blend offers aromas of blackberry jam and sandalwood followed by flavors of blueberry, black cherry, cedar and earth, all converging into a smooth, juicy finish.

TECHNICAL NOTES BLEND:

AGING:

BOTTLING DATE: RELEASE DATE: ALCOHOL:

44% SYRAH, 32% PETITE SIRAH, 18% GRENACHE, 6% MOURVÈDRE 18 MONTHS IN FRENCH, HUNGARIAN AND AMERICAN OAK BARRELS 04.17.19 07.01.19 14.5%

NEW RELEAS

New Release

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Behind the Vine with Vineyard Operations Manager Carter Collins

ADELAIDA DISTRICT It is no secret that the Adelaida District is leading the charge in Paso Robles when it comes to ultrapremium Cabernet Sauvignon—and we are proud to be right in the heart of the action.

The Adelaida District is located in the coastal Santa Lucia mountain range west of Paso Robles. To me, this is one of the most beautiful places in the region. It is wild and rugged, and studded with oak woodlands.

We have been making wines from the Adelaida District for almost 20 years, starting with Adelaida Springs Ranch Vineyard and continuing more recently with our estate Terra Bella Vineyard.

Moving forward, our focus will be on Terra Bella Vineyard, which we have owned since 2014. Here, we have added 22 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec to the original plantings of Syrah and Grenache.

Terra Bella Vineyard features everything that makes the Adelaida District special: high elevation, coastal proximity, steep slopes and calcareous soils. These are all key ingredients for growing exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines, such as our Mountain Road Reserve.

The vineyard’s elevation rises to 2,200 feet above sea level. Our Bordeaux varieties are planted on steep slopes along the crown of the vineyard, while the Syrah and Grenache thrive amid the heavier soils of the lower blocks.

The Pacific Ocean is just 19 miles to the west. The pronounced marine influence helps maintain acid and tannin structure, while warm afternoons foster the development of rich, ripe flavors.

The calcareous soils at Terra Bella are perfect for Cabernet Sauvignon. They contribute to yields of small, perfectly formed berries that produce concentrated wines with high phenolic character—which is exactly why we are vested so deeply in the Adelaida District.

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From the Cellar with Winemaker Kevin Willenborg INNOVATIVE SMART TANKS With the 2019 harvest set to commence toward the end of summer, Winemaker Kevin Willenborg is already paving the way for the coming new vintage.

Winemaking yeasts are being ordered, and the grape receiving equipment is being polished. Meanwhile, a recent round of bottling helped clear the decks, and fermentation space was just added with the installation of new state-ofthe-art stainless steel tanks.

One key innovation with these tanks is the incorporation of heating technology, which is a newer complement to the traditional cooling capabilities of standard wine tanks. With the ability to both warm and cool different wines during fermentation, Kevin gains yet another tool for maximizing quality.

“The warming capability can make a substantial difference to our red wine fermentations,” he says. “It keeps the yeasts really active toward the latter half of fermentation, and it ultimately helps bind color and tannin to achieve a rich, round mouthfeel.”

At the beginning of fermentation, the yeasts generate an abundance of natural heat. Toward the end of fermentation, however, this effect wanes—and any residual heat begins to dissipate.

This is when Kevin takes advantage of our heating technology, maintaining temperatures in the 80s to gain optimal flavor, color and tannin extraction through the end of fermentation.

Conversely, the cooling technology can come in handy if a red wine fermentation gets too hot at the start. If temperatures rise into the 90s, the yeasts can die off, resulting in a “stuck” fermentation. Therefore, with the ability to both cool and heat our tanks, we can keep red wine fermentation temperatures optimal from start to finish.

The cooling technology is also instrumental for managing our white wine fermentations. We typically cold-ferment our white wines at a steady temperature of just 55 degrees—just warm enough to keep the yeasts active, and cold enough to preserve the delicate aromatics and flavors.

“If you are not careful, the aromas can take a one-way trip out of your white wines,” Kevin says. “Keeping things cold from the start ensures that everything stays fresh and vibrant.”

In short, with complete temperature control now at his fingertips, Kevin is able to maximize the potential of our fermentations and, by extension, our wines.

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Happenings NEWS & HAPPENINGS WIND DOWN YOUR WEEK WITH “SATURDAY LIVE” Transform your Saturday into a getaway as you kick back during our “Saturday Live” music performances that take place at our luxurious Hospitality Center—all while savoring award-winning Vina Robles wines. No reservations are required for these complimentary events, just come relax and enjoy the show. Tastings, wines by the glass and food offerings are available for purchase. Upcoming performances include the virtuoso 12-string guitar and vocals of Andy Scott, and the soulful tunes of singer-songwriter Kenny Taylor.

Visit VinaRobles.com for the complete schedule.

SUMMER SINGS AT THE VINA ROBLES AMPHITHEATRE The Vina Robles Amphitheatre is where the oak trees hold storybook poses; the landscape undulates with vineyard backdrops; and the late afternoon ocean air steals the day’s heat—leaving in its wake perfect evenings for summer concerts. Don’t let the season slip away! Our summer 2019 concert season continues with exciting acts including the mesmerizing rhythms of the Gypsy Kings; the sensational country music of Kacey Musgraves; and classic performers such as Counting Crows, The Steve Miller Band, Ringo Starr and Earth Wind & Fire. Visit VinaRoblesAmphitheatre.com for the complete schedule.

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Recent Accolades AS THE 2019 WINE COMPETITION SEASON COMES TO A CLOSE, WE ARE PROUD TO SHARE THIS PARTIAL LIST OF NEW AWARDS WON: 2018 SAUVIGNON BLANC, JARDINE VINEYARD Gold Medal – Sunset International Wine Competition, Central Coast Wine Competition Silver Medal – Sommelier Choice Awards, Los Angeles International Wine Competition, Orange County Fair Commercial Wine Competition

2018 VIOGNIER, HUERHUERO VINEYARD Double Gold Medal, Best of Class – Orange County Fair Commercial Wine Competition Gold Medal – Sunset International Wine Competition Silver Medal – Sommelier Choice Awards, Los Angeles International Wine Competition, Central Coast Wine Competition

2018 ROSÉ, HUERHUERO VINEYARD Gold Medal – Critics Challenge International Wine Competition Silver Medal – Sommelier Choice Awards, Sunset International Wine Competition, Orange County Fair Commercial Wine Competition

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Recent Accolades

2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON Double Gold Medal – Central Coast Wine Competition Gold Medal, Best of Class – Los Angeles International Wine Competition Silver Medal – Sommelier Challenge International Wine Competition, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, Winemaker Challenge International Wine Competition, Sunset International Wine Competition, Critics Challenge International Wine Competition, Orange County Fair Commercial Wine Competition

2015 PETITE SIRAH Gold Medal – Critics Challenge International Wine Competition Silver Medal – Sommelier Choice Awards, Sunset International Wine Competition, Central Coast Wine Competition, Orange County Fair Commercial Wine Competition

2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON, MOUNTAIN ROAD RESERVE Gold Medal – TexSom Wine Competition Silver Medal & Reserve Regional Class Champion – Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Wine Competition *Available only in select markets

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ABOUT VINA ROBLES Growers and makers of expressive, approachable estate wines from Paso Robles, California, Vina Robles owns and farms six estate SIPÂŽ Certified Sustainable vineyards in five sub-districts in the region. First class hospitality service is offered by way of unique, memorable experiences with wine, food and music at their core. The vineyards & winery are owned and managed by two Swiss families who have been farming winegrapes in Paso Robles for more than 20 years.

P.O. Box 699 Paso Robles, CA 93447 805-227-4812 VinaRobles.com