The photo above encapsulates it all: blue skies, green vines and warm sunny days. It’s officially summertime in Paso Robles! Click here to schedule your visit, and read on to learn about what’s happening around here.
Included in this newsletter: 2022 Vineyard Update, a New Food & Wine Menu, Updated Aging Chart & more.
VINEYARD UPDATE
The short answer: Despite the ongoing drought and warmer temperatures our grapes are looking good. All signs are pointing to the potential for rich, powerful wines from the 2022 vintage.
The longer answer: The 2022 vintage began with below-average winter rains, but some well-timed Spring sprinkles. Since then, we’ve experienced a steady climb in temperatures. As an example: in June, we had the same amount of 95-degree days as last year, but twice as many days over 90 degrees. This ‘easing’ into higher temperatures allowed our vines time to build up their heat tolerance, and should result in rich, powerful flavors this vintage. We still have a few months to go, but are hopeful that our vines can thrive during these last few months and bring us a fantastic harvest.
NEW FOOD & WINE MENU
Our Chefs & Winemakers deserve a round of applause for our newest pairing menu, available daily with all reservations. A few highlights from this season:
- 2021 Rosé with Fried Chicken / shio koji & buttermilk brined chicken
- 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon with Chilled Wagyu Roast Beef / Mishima 5‑star striploin with cucumbers, sweet onions, fresh horseradish & anchovies
- 2021 Albariño with our Market Seafood Plate / currently ahi tuna with pistachio oil, castelvetrano olives, chives ‘for days!’ with Aleppo & a lemon spray
This summer, we are offering a combination of shaded outdoor and indoor seating. The Craft Winery (shown above) will also be open until Harvest season begins in September!
WINE AGING CHART
In Spring of 2022, our Winemakers sat down and tasted every single bottle we’ve ever made. The results can be found in our updated Aging Chart, designed to help you navigate how to enjoy each of our estate wines in their prime drinking window. Download the aging chart here »
UPCOMING EVENTS
On August 20th we’re hosting our annual “Sunset Dinner in the Olive Grove” with special large format bottles, a live band and al fresco, family-style dining.
On September 23rd we have a new event: our “Chef’s Garden Gala.” Get ready for an evening of sipping wine and wandering the garden followed by a dinner designed completely around what we’re harvesting at the time.
And Club Members, don’t miss our last two Wine Club Happy Hours of the year! We’ll have live music, special tasting flights & snack boards on August 5th and September 2nd.
TAKE A WINERY TOUR
If you’ve been lucky enough to go off-roading through the vineyards on a winery tour with Craig, you know that he has a wealth of knowledge on all things wine. He has a degree in philosophy, a Masters in Agriculture and a Ph.D. in Sociology (yes, really). He’s been a University Professor, a Technical Program Manager for the Vineyard Team, a podcast host and a professional musician.
Now we’re lucky to have him here as our Critical Resources Manager, where he works on sustainability and vineyard projects AND ALSO heads up our tour program. Most days he is the friendly face who guides you through our entire vineyard & winemaking ops
Our Private Winery Tours are offered daily and can be booked online. And they are complimentary for our Wine Club Members once a year!
SUMMERTIME SIPPERS
Our 2021 White & Rosé wines are definitely this stars of the season. As an all estate winery, we can only make what we grow so shop 2021 Albarino, Sauvignon Blanc & Rose here before they’re gone. We will sell out!
On the red side, our 2019 Reserve Pinot Noir and 2018 Malbec have been popular in the tasting room of late.
We also released our 2021 Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil last month! It’s available online here or in the tasting room.
