The Vineyard Team is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving resources and promoting sustainable farming practices. Their Mission Statement: “The Vineyard Team will identify and promote the most environmentally safe, viticulturally and economically sustainable farming methods, while maintaining or improving quality and flavor of wine grapes. The Team will be a model for wine grape growers and will promote the public trust of stewardship for natural resources.”
Annually, around Earth Day, the members hold a weekend long series of events to raise funds for their organization. The main event this year was held on the Meadow at Castoro Cellars in Paso Robles. There was a veritable who’s-who of wineries and food purveyors represented. Eve has already reported on this event, but I wanted to mention some wineries that I really enjoyed:
Castoro Cellars
One of the pioneering Paso Robles wineries that is still going strong. Also, one of the first I visited in the area. I remember buying their 10th-anniversary blend, and now they are selling their 30th anniversary wine. Their Tempranillo, Syrah and Zinfandel were all tasting great.
Guyomar Wine Cellars
Ishkar and Mareeni Stanislaus established their vineyard in 1998. Their first release was the 2010 vintage, at the end of 2013. They have three wines, all blends with all of the following in varying percentages: Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah and Zinfandel. Well made wines – I am looking forward to what this winery does going forward.
Mitchella
Mitchella has been on the east side of Paso Robles since 1997. I’ve known about them but somehow managed to never taste their wines before. The Grenache-Syrah-Mourvedre blend was outstanding.
Venteux Vineyards
I haven’t visited Venteux in a while, so it was nice to see them pouring at the festival. And, an added plus was they were pouring Tache Le Verre Syrah, always one of my favorites from previous visits to their tasting room.
Villa San Juliette
You don’t often find a single varietal bottling of Alicante Bouschet. This one was great!
Wrath
I first tasted the Wrath wines at the Rhone Rangers event last year. It was nice that they made the trip down from Soledad and even nice than the San Saba Syrah was as excellent as I remembered.
