Prestigious Wine Region Celebrates 20 Year Anniversary of AVA Status

August 1, 2021 by evebushman

The Sta. Rita Hills AVA, established in 2001, is located on the central coast of California in Santa Barbara County. The Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance is preparing to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the AVA designation with a series of educational events planned for the weekend of August 12^th through the 15^th. The events will pay tribute to the first planted vineyard, Sanford & Benedict, as well as honor the founding pioneers of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. The annual Wine and Fire celebrations will culminate with a Grand Tasting at the beautiful La Purisima Mission located just outside of Lompoc’s Santa Rita Hills.

Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, 135 acres, was planted in 1971 by Richard Sanford and Michael Benedict. Through research and development, they determined what wine grape varieties were best suited for the area. Earthy soils, containing large deposits of limestone and diatomaceous earth, to sandy loam, coupled with daily ocean winds that tunnel up the transverse valley from Point Conception create the perfect environment to grow Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Lafond Vineyards and Winery followed suit in 1972 but it was not until the early eighties that additional plantings ensued. Over the next 20 years approximately 1,100 acres were planted, predominantly to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In 1999 winegrowers began the pursuit of establishing the Santa Rita Hills as a distinctive growing region, and submitted their application in 2000 to the TTB to be recognized as an American Viticultural Area (AVA). Granted recognition in 2001 the rest is history, the region is currently planted to just under 4,000 acres of vineyards.

The 20 year anniversary weekend celebration will kick off Thursday night with a tasting at the first vineyard planted and winery established in the Sta. Rita Hills, Sanford & Benedict. The iconic vineyard offers stunning vistas of Fiddlestix and Sea Smoke vineyards. Ten producers will pour Sanford & Benedict vineyard wines ranging from current to library offerings.

Production of sparkling wine is on the rise in the region and Friday morning’s event will be an opportunity to meet some of those producers and sample the wines. Moderator Adam Lee will lead the discussion followed by a walk around tasting.

Friday evening the celebration continues at the beautiful Alma Rosa Vineyard as the Pioneers of the Sta. Rita Hills are honored La Paulee style. Richard Sanford was inducted into the California Vintner’s Hall of Fame in 2012 and was honored as Vintner of The Year for 2020 by the Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance will be one of 6 honorees.

Saturday morning’s event “Time in a Bottle” will delve into the aging potential of Sta. Rita Hills wines. Gregory Brewer, Wine Enthusiast’s Winemaker of the Year, will join 5 other long-time producers for this intimate event that will take place at Spear Vineyards and Winery.

The Saturday evening Grand Tasting at the stunning La Purisima Mission will be the finale of the Alliance events and will showcase 40 wineries, local farmers, caterers, and BBQ chefs for a taste of the Sta. Rita Hills.

Tasting Rooms will be welcoming Passport holders for a weekend of specials and wines.

For more details visit staritahills.com / Wine and Fire 2021.

SLO Coast Wines’ Roll Out the Barrels Celebration Is Back — Refreshed and Reinvented for 2021

June 15, 2021 by evebushman

The longtime regional wine experience returns after a Covid hiatus, offering its first-ever auction of rare bottles and a series of new, exclusive experiences at the wineries.

The SLO Coast Wine Collective’s annual Roll Out The Barrels celebration, which has drawn thousands of wine lovers to San Luis Obispo’s wine country since 1990, returns this year with an all-new format: A series of exclusive events held at member wineries throughout the Central Coast, and for the first time, an auction of rare bottles curated by the winemakers.

All of the events and the auction will take place June 24 through June 28.

As the region emerges from the 2020 Covid-19 shutdown, the SLO Coast Wine Collective is committed to restarting its popular yearly event, but in a way that is safe and comfortable for participants and winemakers. “Roll Out the Barrels is the perfect opportunity to taste new wines and say hello to our winemakers as Covid restrictions loosen up,” says Stephen Ross Dooley, President of the group’s Board of Directors. “We’re excited about being open again and seeing the people who’ve enjoyed our wines all these years.”

Roll Out the Barrels 2021 will offer unprecedented opportunities for wine lovers throughout the long weekend: Most events will be limited to 10 to 25 participants, allowing plenty of individual interaction with winemakers — and giving winemakers the chance to pour wines made in limited quantities and older bottles pulled from deep in their cellars.

Among the wineries offering tasting flights of older vintages are Laetitia, Baileyana Wines, Edna Valley Vineyard, and Absolution Cellars. Other wineries will extend their hours into twilight, with tastings and tours that immerse you in the beauty of Edna Valley as the sun goes down. Sinor-LaVallee in Avila Beach will be featuring freshly shucked Pacific Gold oysters from Morro Bay Oyster Co, and at Center of Effort Winery, attendees will be guided through every step of the winemaking process — from grape to glass — while sipping current releases in the newly renovated facility.

Because attendance is limited and available by reservation only, we strongly suggest checking out the event list on the SLO Coast Wine Collective website at https://bit.ly/2TaC5Dp to secure reservations as soon as possible.

For the first time in history, Roll Out the Barrels will include an auction of exclusive wine lots curated by our members. And you don’t have to attend an event to bid: Anyone can take home our stellar selections of vintage Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Albariño, Grenache, Zinfandel, and more. Among the lots: large format bottles from Tolosa Winery, Biddle Ranch Winery, and Stephen Ross Wine Cellars; vertical collections from Talley Vineyards and Timbre Winery; mixed assortments from Croma Vera Wines, Absolution Cellars, Autry Cellars, and Saucelito Canyon Vineyard; plus some surprising bottles and limited releases.

To view the lots and place bids, go to https://bit.ly/3hKXhKy. The auction site goes live 9 a.m. June 24 and closes at noon June 28.

Previously Roll Out the Barrels centered on a grand tasting in downtown San Luis Obispo featuring all of the wineries pouring their latest releases. This year, the SLO Collective emphasizes the one-on-one relationship wine lovers have with the wineries. Says Kathleen Naughton, the Executive Director of SLO Coast Wines: “We are ecstatic about the return of the event. We’ve put safety at the top of our list by shifting all of our events to the individual tasting rooms — with the happy result of everyone having a better chance to connect.” This year’s event also arrives as the region is on the verge of a new AVA (American Viticultural Area) designation, a coveted classification awarded by the Federal government that recognizes the distinct character of a region’s wines. It will put wines grown and made on the Central Coast in the company of AVA designates such as Napa Valley, Sonoma Coast, and Sta. Rita Hills.

“The SLO Coast is gaining great momentum as a wine region due in large part to the influence of the many incredible things to offer in San Luis Obispo,” Dooley says. “We’ve missed so much since the start of COVID and we urge all attendees to also explore the restaurants, shops, and galleries in the area when they’re visiting the wineries. We do hope you’ll come, enjoy the wines, stay and explore and fall in love with the SLO Coast.”

About The SLO Coast Wine Collective: SLO Coast Wine Collective is where the coast meets the vines. Our 30 wineries are in San Luis Obispo County on California’s Central Coast, encompassing vineyards and wineries along a 60 mile-long, 15 mile-wide stretch of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Lucia Mountain Range. This is the coolest-climate winegrowing region in California and has long been the source of some of the state’s most respected Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. It has recently won renown for its production of aromatic grape varieties such as Albariño, Grüner Veltliner, and Grenache. Website: https://slocoastwine.com/

Miller Family Wine Company Collaborates With Joey Tensley to Launch optik Wines

June 7, 2021 by evebushman

SANTA MARIA, Calif./PRNewswire/ — Miller Family Wine Company, a division of the industry-leading Thornhill Companies, is excited to announce the launch of optik, a new brand featuring a collection of vineyard designated wines from Bien Nacido Vineyard, crafted by acclaimed Santa Barbara winemaker Joey Tensley.

Bien Nacido Vineyard, planted in 1973 by brothers Bob and Steve Miller, is widely recognized as one of California’s most iconic vineyard sites, long revered for producing exceptional wines that epitomize the distinct characteristics of the Santa Maria Valley AVA. Looking to honor this heritage while revealing the vineyard’s special qualities through a new and unique lens, the Miller family teamed up with Tensley to create optik, a brand designed to showcase a fresh take on Bien Nacido Vineyard.

Throughout his career, esteemed winemaker Tensley has established a reputation for preserving the best characteristics of vineyards by minimizing winemaker manipulation and oak treatment – a signature style that has earned him over 200 90+ ratings from the wine industry’s most esteemed publications, including six wines on Wine Spectator‘s prestigious Top 100 lists. By intersecting Tensley’s masterful approach with the elegant strength of Bien Nacido fruit, optik aims to open eyes to the new possibilities of this long-established vineyard.

“For nearly 50 years, our family has continued Bien Nacido’s legacy as one of the most well-respected vineyards in California, and we are incredibly proud to be stewards of this land,” says Nicholas Miller, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “That said, we are always looking for ways to showcase the diversity and complexity of Bien Nacido, and introduce it to new consumers in new ways. By collaborating with Joey – a talented winemaker whom we’ve always held in very high regard – we knew we could present a different slice of Bien Nacido in an unexpected way.”

“I’ve always felt the most important part of my role as the winemaker is to let the vineyard and the unique qualities of the fruit shine through in the wine,” says Tensley. “In order to emphasize the special characteristics of Bien Nacido, a special place that produces exceptional fruit, I make sure to use a gentler approach in the cellar, trying to let the terroir be the star. And working with individual blocks across the vineyard allows me to showcase diversity of site, which translates into wines with a true sense of identity.”

The optik portfolio includes vineyard designated wines sourced from single blocks on the estate, featuring six small-lot wines across three varietals: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah – priced between $35 – $45. Representing the power of new perspectives, optik’s unique and contemporary packaging symbolizes the empowerment of the winemaker’s hand to convey what his eye sees. “Our label is designed to bring the optik concept to life, visually representing a new interpretation of Bien Nacido Vineyard through the lens of an incredibly accomplished outsider looking in,” says Tommy Gaeta, Director of Marketing. “It offers a deeper level of storytelling perhaps not expected of the wines typically produced from Bien Nacido, while the price points make these wines accessible to a broad audience of both aspiring and established wine enthusiasts.”

optik wines will be available at select fine wine retailers and restaurants in cities across the country and online at www.optikwines.com.

Miller Family Wine Company
Miller Family Wine Company is a division of the Thornhill Companies – the industry-leading umbrella brand of one of California’s premier winegrowing families, the Miller Family, who have been farming California’s Central Coast for five generations. The Thornhill Companies includes the prestigious Bien Nacido Estates and Miller Family Wine Company, which itself includes the management of acclaimed national branded wine labels, including Butternut, optik, J. Wilkes, Ballard Lane, Smashberry, Barrel Burner, and Volunteer wines, control label brands for prominent retailers across the U.S. and the French Camp vineyard in Paso Robles. For more information on Miller Family Wine Company, please visit www.millerfamilywinecompany.com.

Perlises Pick: What Wines We Are Drinking At Home – Part 3

April 24, 2021 by Michael Perlis

When I started writing this series of articles about the lighter wines Karen and I have been drinking recently, I hadn’t really thought that so many of them would be from Paso Robles. After all, Paso’s reputation [at least in my mind] is for big delicious Reds, and there certainly are a lot of those coming from this area. And we don’t limit ourselves to PR’s AVAs, as I expect you know. But, as I’ve said, great winemakers make great wine, regardless of color, and here are three more wineries that produce some of our favorite lighter wines from the area. As an added bonus, they are all somehow connected to each other.

We’ve actually known Guillaume Fabre of Clos Solene www.clossolene.com the longest of these three, having met him at an event back in 2009. He was pouring his first vintage – a delicious Roussanne – and was still assistant winemaker at L’Aventure. But 2009 was long ago. We’ve followed him to the shared Paso Underground tasting room in downtown to Paso Robles and then to Tin City just south of downtown Paso. Now he and his wife Solene have their own property in the Willow Creek District of Paso Robles, from which they are creating some of the best wines in the region. I’ve always felt that his Red wines did a great job of showing how their inherent power could be softened into elegance without losing the characteristics of Paso.

The lighter wines are equally as stylish. Karen loves all of them when “paired with our “Snacks– Hunkered Down” nights of charcuterie and/or smoked fish, various cheeses, dried and fresh fruit, followed by lemon cookies or a scoop of ice cream.”

The pink La Rose is a Rhone blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, Cinsault and Syrah, made from grapes specifically farmed for rosé – no saignee here! Very pale in color that belies the complexity of the wine itself.

Clos Solene’s Hommage Blanc is a classic white Rhone blend of mainly Roussanne plus Viognier and Grenache Blanc. Karen found it to be “full bodied…flowers, fruit, spices…”

Finally, En Coulisse is 100% Chardonnay from Santa Maria Valley’s Bien Nacido Vineyards. A nice rich Chard, and [per Karen] “not overpowering with oak, vanilla or butter but fruit forward…”

Guillaume is also partner in another Paso Robles winery with his brother Arnaud –

Benom Wines www.benomwines.com. They originally took over Clos Solene’s spot in Tin City, although I believe they have now moved to a larger space in the same area.

The name Benom is a riff on the French word “binôme” which translates to “a project together”. These French brothers have successfully combined their homeland’s heritage with all that Paso has to offer, with their blends showing what can be done by them in a place with no rules. No surprise, again, that the red wines are great, but this article is focusing on these lighter wines.

The L’Essor rosé combines Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon and Contrast is a blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Neither of these could be made back home due to the rules about combining grapes from different regions. And they clearly should be. Karen loved the “bright fruit” of the L’Essor and found the Contrast to be “crisp, clean, full of fruit…”

As I mentioned at the start, this article is about three wineries that are somehow connected. Arnaud Fabre of Benom is also marketing director at Law Estate Wines www.lawestatewines.com, another winery that we first tasted at a festival. This time it was the Ojai Wine Festival back in 2013, when Karen came up to me and said “you really have to try Law”. As always, she was right and we have been big fans since. We met GM Oliver Esparham at the Ojai Festival and have visited him and the rest of our friends at Law at the state-of-the-art winery and tasting room many times – once even before it was complete. The winery and vineyards high up on Peachy Canyon are amazing in their own right. But, that would mean nothing if the wines didn’t match. And they definitely do. The Law wines are truly some of the best ones around.

With regard to lighter wines, Law makes two. The Rosé blend is typically Grenache based while the white Rhone blend Soph [named after the Laws’ granddaughter] is usually about half Roussanne. The exact blends vary from year to year for both of these, but they are always stunning and are present on our table [and in our glasses] often. I love that the description on the website refers to Soph as “an extremely moreish wine”. We definitely agree on that.

Next article, we’ll finally leave Paso Robles and look at wines from farther north. Unless I change my mind.

Clos Solene

www.clossolene.com

Benom

www.benomwines.com

Law Estate Wines

www.lawestatewines.com

Michael Perlis has been pursuing his passion for wine for more than 30 years. He has had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show him the way, as well as a wonderful wife who encourages him and shares his interest. After a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as he possibly could, he had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Now, as Contributing Editor for Eve’s Wine 101, he does his best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers. Michael is also President of MCP Financial, which provides outsourced controller services. Michael can be contacted at michaelthezinfan@aol.com or mcpfinancial@aol.com.

Vintage Eve Circa 8/2018: And the Best of Show Goes To…?

February 23, 2021 by evebushman

By now you’ve (hopefully) read my two articles on judging the first annual Global Wine Awards; you may have even seen a third installment on the winners. But what you haven’t seen, or had your virtual taste of, is the wine the judges awarded a Gold, then a Double Gold, and then finally the Best of Show to: Martellotto 2016 Il Cappocia Riserva (Barrel Aged) from Happy Canyon, Santa Barbara.

So, I’m here to rectify that. I ordered a bottle for myself, just for a little R and D, and to give me a full opportunity to savor over. For good measure I thought it wise to try another red from the same winery and same AVA, the 2016 La Bomba Cabernet. So, without further adieu, here are the results:

2016 Martellotto Il Cappocia Riserva

(Barrel Aged)

Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec

Happy Canyon, Santa Barbara

Best in Show and 97 points at the Global Wine Awards

https://martellotto.com/products/2016-martellotto-riserva-il-capoccia-happy-canyon-of-santa-barbara

Color: Dark purple with some raisin-coloring on the edge.

Aroma: Crushed black cherry, blueberry, char, dark chocolate, cream, cigar, dried leaves and the tiniest whiff of menthol.

Flavor: Blue to black fruit, cracked black pepper, dark chocolate again, velvety at the start and then a great bite of spice and tannin, yet balanced and just as good as I remembered. Excellent blend of Bordeaux grapes.

Pairing: Cheese and charcuterie board was our dining choice for the evening but this would pair well with anything from a juicy steak, Bolognese pasta to chocolate crème Brûlée.

Conclusion: As I noted when I had my taste: just as good as I remembered and well deserving of the Best of Show award we gave it. I was really looking forward to trying the Cab next…

2016 Martellotto La Bomba Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc.

Happy Canyon, Santa Barbara

Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition; Double Gold and Best of Show at the Central Coast Wine Competition.

https://martellotto.com/products/martellottocabernet

Color: Beautiful opaque blackberry.

Aroma: So, knowing that La Bomba translated is The Bomb I was looking forward to what I would find on the nose: a LOT of fresh and ripe blueberry, plum, green peppercorn, rich, spicy, coffee bean and no nose burn. The nose definitely called you in for the taste.

Flavor: bold red fruit followed by dark fruit in luscious layers and incredible balance, nice spicy qualities that lingered in the palate, both green and black pepper with the same velvety quality on the palate as the Il Cappocia Riserva.

Pairing: I had this with a bacon-wrapped filet mignon smothered in sweet onion and sautéed mushroom. Yea, that was pretty great. But I also imagined this with a robust charcuterie board filled with Mortadella with pistachio, chorizo and both hard and soft cheese.

Conclusion: I found both an unexpected flavor and balance – akin to a young Napa Cab – for a SBC Cabernet. Very well done. Makes me want to seek out Happy Canyon and the winery to learn more.

From the Winery

Martellotto Wines is the only winery in Santa Barbara County to be winning this many awards for Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varietals, specifically from Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara.

The Rise of Santa Barbara Wines

As you know, this area is already well regarded for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay production (which I also make). However, were you aware that our region is also producing some outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varietals? The TTB established the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA in 2009 given its distinctive climate in the far eastern part of the Santa Ynez Valley. This warmer climate is proving to be fertile ground for high quality Bordeaux varietals, especially since the diurnal temperature changes are so dramatic.

Today, a handful of producers are leading the way. I’m pleased to report Martellotto Winery is one of those wineries. In fact, Martellotto is one of the few wineries in California bottling varietally labeled wines of each of the five noble Bordeaux varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.

Martellotto Winery

100 Los Padres Way #7

Buellton, CA 93427

(619) 567-9244

*Tastings Available by Appointment Only

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Perlises Pick What Wines We Are Drinking At Home – Part 1

January 30, 2021 by Michael Perlis

I’ve seen many wine article titles referencing the pandemic, many with riffs on Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s Love In The Time of Cholera or even One Hundred Years Of Solitude. I didn’t want to go down that road, but I did want to share what wines Karen and I have been drinking over the last several months.

Karen Perlis, Heidi Wiedeman, Carey Babcock and Janell Dusi — photo by Mike Ortiz (2012, photo from this website.)

Our wine habits had actually shifted a couple of years ago. This may come as a shock for regular readers of this ZinFan, but we have been trying to practice eating a lighter diet and the color of the wines followed suit – mainly Whites and Pinks with Reds reserved for less frequent heavier meals and restaurant dining.

Fortunately, there are lots of great W&Ps to choose from, many from wineries that are already our favorites. Because it turns out, great winemakers make great wine, period.

J Dusi Wines (www.jdusiwines.com) is a great example. We’ve been fans of Janell Dusi’s wines ever since we tasted her first commercial vintage of Zinfandel from the iconic Dante Dusi Vineyard in Paso Robles. She makes several other great Reds as well, including various red blends, a Carignane and a Zinfandel from the Benito Dusi Vineyard, some only available to club members.

But for white wine, we really often look no further than what has become somewhat of our house wine, the J Dusi Pinot Grigio – crisp, clean and a great accompaniment to all manner of seafood and pasta dishes. And while I try not to focus too much on price, this wine is extremely well-priced, even more so by the case [and even more so if you are a club member].

And if it is Rosé that you are craving, Janell makes a fine one, a Rhone blend that is as complete as you’ll find anywhere.

The above two wines are both great for any occasion, but if you are looking for something a little more upscale, try the Paper Street Clairette Blanc.

Paper Street is definitely not a second label to J Dusi. Rather, it is a label in its own right, as well as the name of the Paper Street Vineyard, a property on the west side of Paso Robles in the Willow Creek AVA, acquired, cleared and planted by the Dusi family in 2013. Wonderful wines are coming from this vineyard, not just from Janell but from other Paso Robles wineries too, to great accolades. Currently, Janell makes a Zinfandel, a red Rhone blend and a 100% Mourvedre from this vineyard, as well as the aforementioned Clairette Blanc. Clairette Blanc is one of the lesser known [at least to me] white Rhone grapes but it shouldn’t be – this version is as rich and elegant as anything you could ask for.

We’ve been drinking a lot more wines at home, which I’ll write about soon.

THE BECKETT FAMILY NAMED THE 2020 PASO ROBLES WINE INDUSTRY PERSONS OF THE YEAR

January 25, 2021 by evebushman

Just announced, the Beckett Family, founders and owners of Peachy Canyon Winery, have been named the 2020 Wine Industry Person of the Year. This award, bestowed by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance (PRWCA), annually recognizes an individual(s) who exemplify the spirit of Paso Robles Wine Country with outstanding leadership, vision, and stewardship. This award is typically presented at the PRWCA’s Annual Gala, which will not take place this year due to limitations on large gatherings. Instead, the Beckett Family, including Doug and Nancy Beckett, Jake Beckett, and Josh Beckett, will be honored in an upcoming Where Wine Takes You podcast as well as an episode of the weekly Paso Wine Zoom Hangout. An in-person celebration to honor the Beckett family will take place in the future once large gatherings are able to take place.

“We would like to thank the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, its members and associates, for recognizing the Beckett family and our involvement in promoting Paso Robles Wine Country,” said Doug and Nancy Beckett, Founders of Peachy Canyon Winery. “Together, we sincerely appreciate this honor.”

Nancy and Doug Beckett moved to Paso Robles in 1982 seeking a life in the country. In 1984, Doug’s love of wine led him to a job making wine with Pat Wheeler at Tobias Winery. In 1988, Doug and Nancy founded Peachy Canyon Winery. Over the years Peachy Canyon Winery grew into a multi-state distributed brand, bringing the Paso Robles American Viticultural Area (AVA) name to many markets both nationally and internationally.

“Thank you to everyone in the Paso Wine community. My family and I are grateful to be a part of something very special. We will carry this special recognition as a part of who we are for generations to come. Cheers!” said Josh Beckett, Winemaker, and Director of Viticulture. Jake Beckett, General Manager, followed up, “This is a huge honor. I am humbled and thankful to be a part of this community.”

Brothers Josh and Jake Beckett returned to join the family business after college, Josh in 1998, and Jake in 2000. Josh took on winemaking duties at the family brand and Jake manned the tractor in the vineyard as well as took to the road further establishing Peachy Canyon Winery as a national brand. In 2008, Josh and Jake partnered together to start their own winery, Chronic Cellars. In 2010, they left Peachy Canyon to dedicate themselves to Chronic Cellars full-time. Their success was swift and quickly recognized, attracting WX Brands to purchase Chronic Cellars. The timing was serendipitous when Doug decided he was ready to retire and his sons returned to take the reins in April of 2019. Jake Beckett now serves as Peachy Canyon’s General Manager and Josh has reprised his former role as Winemaker and Director of Viticulture.

The Beckett family is committed to the local community as well as the greater wine industry. Doug and Nancy Beckett are dedicated to the arts in Paso Robles with both serving on the board and supporting the Paso Robles Youth Arts Foundation (PRYAF). Nancy has served as the President of the PRYAF in the past and is still actively involved in their leadership. Doug and Nancy are also larger contributors and supporters to the Cancer Support Community – California Central Coast. Doug, Josh, and Jake have all served on the board of directors for the Zinfandel Advocates & Producers, an organization that promotes and protects California’s heritage wine grape variety.

The annual Paso Robles Wine Industry Person(s) of the Year award is voted on by the membership of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. Members are comprised of wineries, vineyards, and related businesses. The PRWCA Board of Directors is the nominating body for this annual honor that was established in 1990.

Also announced today is the installation of the Alliance’s 2021 Board of Directors, executive committee, and recognition of departing board members. The incoming Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance Board of Directors (in alphabetic order) are as follows:

Molly Scott – Chairperson, JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery
Tyler Russell – Vice-Chairperson, Cordant | Nelle
Randy Heinzen – Treasurer, Vineyard Professional Services (VPS) & Coakley Vineyard
Austin Hope – Secretary, Treana and Hope Family Wines
Chloé Asseo-Fabre – Director, L’Aventure Winery
Josh Beckett – Director, Peachy Canyon Winery
Cris Cherry – Director, Villa Creek Cellars
Noreen Martin – Director, Martin Resorts
Faith Wells – Director, Fedex

Malani Anderson of Turley Cellars, Sarah Kramer of Umpqua Bank, and Jason Haas of Tablas Creek Vineyard depart the board. Newly joining the board is Chloé Asseo-Fabre, of L’Aventure, Cris Cherry of Villa Creek Cellars, and Noreen Martin of Martin Resorts. Changes to the executive committee include Molly Scott of JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery as the Chairperson, Tyler Russell of Cordant | Nelle and former Chairperson becomes the Vice-Chairperson, and Randy Heinzen of VPS & Coakley Vineyard becomes the Treasurer.

ABOUT PASO ROBLES WINE COUNTRY ALLIANCE
The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance is the official trade and marketing organization that represents wineries, growers, and businesses in the Paso Robles American Viticultural Area. Centrally located between San Francisco and Los Angeles, along California’s Central Coast, Paso Robles Wine Country encompasses more than 40,000 vineyard acres and 200 wineries. For more information, visit pasowine.com. Facebook – @PasoRoblesWine, Instagram and Twitter – @Pasowine, #pasowine.

Discovering Wines: Two Excellent Examples From Texas…TEXAS! By Mike Fraschilla

January 23, 2021 by evebushman

Snobs are sure to dismiss Texas wines as wines made by local “Philistines”. They should note the Dave Phinney: Yeah THAT Dave Phinney who created the now legendary Orin Swift wines such as: The Prisoner, Saldo, Pappillon, Mercury Head, Machete, & D2…Phinney has made his statement that Texas can and does grow and produce world class wine.

Phinney’s Locations TX 7 is a phenomenal Red Blend made in collaboration with local grower and producer Kim McPherson. A “Rhone” blend of Shiraz/Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan, Grenache…

Locations TX is made in signature Dave Phinney style: rich and fleshy filled with notes of dark berry fruit with a bit of pepper and spice. It’s an under $20 retail steal of a wine!

Also tried the 2017 McPherson “Les Copains” (The Friends) Texas Red Blend. A Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cinsault, Counoise and Syrah. The McPhersons have been making wines in the panhandle for over 40 years. These are serious wine people working to bring the right grapes to the multitude of microclimates in the Panhandle AVA.

Les Copains offers up rich notes and flavors of ripe cherries, raspberry, blackberry…add to that hints of lavender backed by black pepper and spice, while supple tannins provide a pleasant lingering finish. A real pleasure at $20-25 retail.

Both the Location TX and McPherson wines get their grapes grown in the McPherson vineyards located in the highlands AVA of the Texas Panhandle, eight million acres at an elevation of 3-5,000 feet, one of the largest AVAs on the planet is in and around the Texas cities of Amarillo and Lubbock.

In a short number of years Texas has created a wine industry that’s soon being recognized as world class. Yeah the Cali and Euro snobs will poo poo the notion!

Just as they did for Oregon, Washington, Argentina, Australia, Chile, South Africa, and New Zealand!

Always wanting to remind folks that there are a host of new locales developing world class wines. Just a few of mention to watch:

Idaho

Arizona

New Mexico

New York

Virginia

Canada

Israel

Slovenia

Uruguay

And yes… Texas! Wine is coming of age throughout the world!

Lake County Wines Reach New a Pinnacle

November 14, 2020 by evebushman

KELSEYVILLE, Calif., PRNewswire — Lake County received the highest rating ever achieved by a wine from its region – receiving a 96 point rating for the 2016 Sol Rouge Petite Sirah from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

Lake County, a small wine growing region directly north of Napa, used to be part of Napa County and was said to have grown as many grapes as Napa in the 1900s. However, the 1920 Prohibition brought an end to Lake County wine production as vines were removed and planted with other crops.

Lake County’s re-emergence in the wine industry began in the 1960s and grew from less than 100 acres in 1965 to nearly 10,000 acres today. Although large premium Napa Valley grape growers like Beringer and Beckstoffer Vineyards established themselves in the county, few wineries included “Lake County” on their labels, as most wine was often blended into that of Napa Valley and Sonoma wines.

In 2007, a dozen wineries in Lake County including Sol Rouge Winery, established the Lake County Winery Association to promote awareness. At the time, Lake County wines were relatively unknown or reviewed by the top wine magazines with only a few wines receiving a 90+ point rating. Most of these wines were made by Napa winemakers like Thomas Rivers Brown, maker of the Schrader Cellars Double Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon from Beckstoffer’s Amber Knolls Vineyard.

Today, the Lake County Winery Association has over three dozen vintners like Shannon Ridge, Gregory Graham, Brassfield, Hawk & Horse, and Obsidian Ridge, who commonly make wines in the 90-95 point range. “We’ve seen a trend in higher ratings from all of our Lake County wineries and this rating is just another example of how wineries are producing world-class wines from Lake County,” said Helena Walsh, Director of Lake County Winery Association.

The 2016 Sol Rouge Petite Sirah put Lake County in a completely different league, scoring a 96 point rating by one of the top wine review magazines – the highest in the county’s 50+ year history of winemaking. “I actually never checked on how rare that rating was. I tasted the Sol Rouge Petite Sirah blind of course, along with a few other Petites from Lake and two other appellations, so when I scored it I didn’t know the AVA. It’s a magnificent wine and a great example of how good the Lake County terroir can be,” said Jim Gordon, Contributing Editor, Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

“When we planted the Sol Rouge Vineyard, we sought to grow the best possible grapes to make the finest wine we could,” said Bryan Kane, Co-Owner & Winemaker of Sol Rouge Vineyard & Winery. “When we came to Lake County, the highest rating from one of the Big 3 (Spectator, Enthusiast & Parker) was 92 points. So far, we’ve earned 90–94 points on 44 of our 51 Lake County wines, with the majority scoring 92-94 points.” Bryan attributes the higher scores amongst Lake County wines both improved winemaking and the excellent growing conditions.

“Lake County produces some of the most distinct winegrapes in the world, and over the years, we’ve seen a steady increase in recognition of the region’s wines,” said Debra Sommerfield, President of the Lake County Winegrape Commission. “This impressive rating further substantiates Lake County’s position as a top-tier winegrowing region.”

With all the recent devastation to the Napa and Sonoma wine growing regions caused by the Glass and LNU Lightning Complex fires, wineries have been looking to Lake County for grapes. Jim Smith of Case by Case Wine Brokers states, “We have been challenged as of late with the soaring demand of winegrapes from Lake County. I believe the work is out on what winemakers can expect from our wine growing region.”

“We are honored and excited to have received such a high rating on our 2016 Petite Sirah and expect that Sol Rouge and others will continue to aspire to make highly rated world class wines,” stated Jill Brothers, Sol Rouge Co-Owner and Winegrower.

ABOUT SOL ROUGE

Sol Rouge is a family estate located in the Mayacamas Mountains at elevations averaging over 1800 feet. North of Napa in the foothills of a dormant volcano which formed the North Coast wine country in the Red Hills Appellation of Lake County, this land contains rich, red volcanic soil and, from this unique profile, Sol Rouge derived its name – translating to “Red Soil” in French. This 70 acre estate is planted with Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsaut, Counoise, Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc in a “high vine density” configuration allowing each vine to focus on fewer clusters of fruit, leading to greater complexity. Nestled between Mt. Konocti and Benson Ridge, this aggressive sight is all hillside with slopes up to 60% and is said to be the most aggressive and tightly planted vineyard in the Red Hills, with nearly 6000 vines per hectare in some blocks. For more information, see http://www.solrouge.com

2016 Sol Rouge Petite Sirah Wine Enthusiast Magazine Review: https://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/sol-rouge-2016-petite-sirah-lake-county/

CAINE THOMPSON, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF ROBERT HALL WINERY, NOMINATED FOR WINE ENTHUSIAST’S “INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR” WINE STAR AWARD

November 12, 2020 by evebushman

Paso Robles, CA – Robert Hall Winery in Paso Robles, California, is pleased to announce new hire, Caine Thompson, has been nominated for Wine Enthusiast magazine’s “Innovator of the Year” Wine Star Award.

Thompson is being recognized for his achievements in virtual currency and augmented reality during his time as President of Paso Robles winery, Rabble Wine Company. Thompson led the winery to accept over 40 forms of virtual currency in 2019. In 2018 the winery launched an augmented reality app that brought to life the historic woodblock carving labels from the 1400th century Nuremberg Chronicles, being one of the first US owned wineries to do so.

Thompson joined Robert Hall Winery as Managing Director in October 2020, working with the hospitality, tasting room, wine club, and winemaking teams to evolve the winery’s direct-to-consumer sales, consumer experience, and community relations. Thompson will also work closely with the winemaking team on the winery’s tasting room only wine offerings. O’Neill Vintners & Distillers, based in Larkspur, California, purchased Robert Hall Winery in 2016. Thompson joins the executive leadership team at O’Neill as the company looks to continue its rapid growth in the US.

“We are excited to have Caine join our O’Neill and Robert Hall family at such a pivotal point for the winery. Wine Enthusiast’s recognition of his innovative achievements at Rabble demonstrate what a strong choice Caine is for Robert Hall and for O’Neill,” comments Christine Moll, VP of Marketing at O’Neill Vintners & Distillers.

Each year, the Wine Enthusiast editorial team selects the wine and spirits industry’s top individuals and businesses. Thompson is honored to be nominated for “Innovator of the Year” by Wine Enthusiast magazine. O’Neill Vintners & Distillers CEO, Jeff O’Neill, is also honored this year with a Wine Star nomination for Person of the Year, making two 2020 Wine Star nominations for O’Neill Vintners & Distillers.

About Robert Hall Winery

Founded in 1999 by the late entrepreneur Robert Hall, Robert Hall Winery showcases the best Paso Robles has to offer. The winery has three estate vineyards in the Geneseo and Estrella Districts, totaling 136 planted acres of fruit. In addition to growing Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Syrah, the winery also sources grapes across the Paso Robles AVA. This provides Head Winemaker Don Brady with a broad range of soils and micro-climates that, together, create optimal fruit for the beautiful wines that capture the essence of Paso Robles.

Brady has been with the winery since its inaugural vintage. Under his winemaking expertise with Winemaker Amanda Gorter, Robert Hall continues to promote the Paso Robles wine region as one of the top winegrowing regions in California. Together, Brady and Gorter craft wines inspired by the pioneering spirit of the winery’s founder and the honest pursuit of The Good Life. Well-Earned. Visit Robert Hall Winery online at www.roberthallwinery.com.

About O’Neill Vintners & Distillers

O’Neill Vintners & Distillers was founded in 2004 by industry veteran and entrepreneur Jeff O’Neill. The vertically integrated winery has grown to become the seventh largest winery in California with a reputation for producing high quality wines from the North Coast, Central Coast and Central Valley. Through its extensive vineyards and modern production facilities, O’Neill provides premium winemaking services to the industry as well as its growing portfolio of national brands. The company’s national brands portfolio includes Line 39, Robert Hall, Harken, Exitus, Day Owl Rose, Allegro and Charles Woodson’s Intercept. For more information, please visit www.ONeillWine.com.