distinct. different. PASO ROBLES WINE COUNTRY DISTINCT AND DIFFERENT • Centrally located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles along California’s Central Coast. • Largest and most diverse wine region in California – distinct soils, many microclimates, unique topography. • Fastest growing American Viticultural Area (AVA) in California: 26,000 vineyard acres and more than a five-fold increase over the past decade from 35 to over 180 bonded wineries ranging from nationally distributed, mid-size to boutique. • Greatest diurnal (day to night) temperature swing (typically 40 to 50 degrees during the growing season) of any appellation in California due to cooling marine air of Pacific Ocean. • One of the longer and most consistent growing seasons for wine grapes in California, giving Paso Robles vines plenty of time to produce fully mature fruit, while overnight cooling keeps the grapes’ acid chemistry in balance. • More calcareous soils than any other California AVA. • Zinfandel, the heritage wine grape variety. • Cabernet Sauvignon, the AVA’s largest planted wine grape variety with diversity of distinct gold medal winning styles found throughout the region. • California’s “Rhône Zone,” an important AVA for premium Syrah, and largest coastal acreage of Syrah, Viognier, and Roussanne in California. • Known for its proprietary Paso Robles blends -- innovative Bordeaux, Rhône and Zinfandel blends. • An estimated 58 percent of Paso Robles wine grapes are sold to wineries outside the area, making them the secret ingredient in other California wines.
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distinct. different.
PASO ROBLES WINE COUNTRYDISTINCT AND DIFFERENT
• CentrallylocatedhalfwaybetweenSanFranciscoandLosAngelesalongCalifornia’sCentralCoast.
• LargestandmostdiversewineregioninCalifornia–distinctsoils,manymicroclimates,uniquetopography.
• FastestgrowingAmericanViticulturalArea(AVA)inCalifornia:26,000vineyardacresandmorethanafive-foldincreaseoverthepastdecadefrom35toover180bondedwineriesrangingfromnationallydistributed,mid-sizetoboutique.
• Greatestdiurnal(daytonight)temperatureswing(typically40to50degreesduringthegrowingseason)ofanyappellationinCaliforniaduetocoolingmarineairofPacificOcean.
• OneofthelongerandmostconsistentgrowingseasonsforwinegrapesinCalifornia,givingPasoRoblesvinesplentyoftimetoproducefullymaturefruit,whileovernightcoolingkeepsthegrapes’acidchemistryinbalance.
• MorecalcareoussoilsthananyotherCaliforniaAVA.
• Zinfandel,theheritagewinegrapevariety.
• CabernetSauvignon, theAVA’s largestplantedwinegrapevarietywithdiversityofdistinctgoldmedalwinningstyles foundthroughouttheregion.
• California’s“RhôneZone,”animportantAVAforpremiumSyrah,andlargestcoastalacreageofSyrah,Viognier,andRoussanneinCalifornia.
• KnownforitsproprietaryPasoRoblesblends--innovativeBordeaux,RhôneandZinfandelblends.
• Anestimated58percentofPasoRobleswinegrapesaresoldtowineriesoutsidethearea,makingthemthesecretingredientinotherCaliforniawines.
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PASO ROBLES WINE COUNTRYVITICULTURAL OVERVIEW
Number of WiNeriesInthelastdecade,PasoRobleshasseenmorethanafive-foldincreasefrom35toover180bondedwineries.Abouttwo-thirdsofPasoRobleswineriesproducelessthan5,000cases.Morethan95%oftheregion’sbrandsarefamilyownedandoperated.
Number of GroWersInadditiontowinerieswithestatevineyards,therearenearly120PasoRoblesWineCountrygrapegrowerswhoselltheirfruittowineriesbothwithinandoutsidethePasoRoblesAVA.
VarietiesThemostwidelyplantedvarieties in thePasoRoblesappellationareCabernetSauvignon,Merlot,Syrah,Chardonnay,Zinfandel,PetiteSirahand
SauvignonBlanc.
WithItalian,SpanishandRhônevarietiesontheupswing,morethan40othervarietieswith300tolessthananacreplantedintheregioninclude
CabernetFranc,CheninBlanc,PetitVerdot,MuscatCannelli,Sangiovese,PinotNoir,Grenache,Viognier,Malbec,Mourvèdre,Barbera,Tempranillo,
Semillon,PinotGrigio,Roussanne,Nebbiolo,Riesling,Lagrein,Counoise,Marsanne,Refosco,Cinsault,OrangeMuscat,Tannat,Carignane,Primitivo,
Touriga,Vermentino,TintoCão,PinotBlanc,Souzão,PicpoulBlanc,AlbariñoandDolcetto.
Variety % Total CabernetSauvignon 38% Merlot 15% Syrah 10% Zinfandel 9% Chardonnay 8% PetiteSirah 4% SauvignonBlanc 3% CabernetFranc 2% OtherVarieties 11%
Paso Robles AVA Total 26,000
38%
15%
8%
4%
9%
10%
3%
4%
11%
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ECONOMIC IMPACTPASO ROBLES AVA & GREATER SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTYVibrant and growing, the Paso Robles wine industry has a significant impact on the local economy ofSanLuisObispoCounty.
• SanLuisObispoCounty’swineindustryislargelyconcentratedinNorthCounty,whichisprimarilythePasoRoblesAVAandaccountsformorethan90percentoftheacreageand90percentofthenumberofwineriesinthecounty,about82.4percentofthecounty’swineryrevenueand82.5percentofcountywineproduction.Fifty-eightpercentofPasoRoblesgrapesaresoldoutofthecounty,withmorethantwothirdsofthemgoingintovaluewinesdesignatedforCaliforniaandCentralCoastAVAs.
• Wine,vineyardsandrelatedindustries,productsandservicesgenerate$1.785billionineconomicvalueinSanLuisObispoCounty,includingemploymentofmorethan8,100persons,wagesof$241millionandmorethan$86millioninstateandlocaltaxes.Thesejobsrepresent7.5percentofcountyemployment,9.2percentofprivatesectoremploymentandamajorshareofjobscreatedinthecountyinrecentyears.
• TheeconomicimpactofwineandwinegrapesinthePasoRoblesAVAisestimatedat$1.467billion,employing7,000personswithatotalpayrollof$182million.
• Winegrapes,nowSanLuisObispoCounty’shighestvaluecrop,representsonethirdofthecounty’stotalagriculturalproductionvalue.Withmorethan29,000acresplantedintowinegrapes,SanLuisObispoCountyproducedanestimated148,000tonsofwinegrapeswithanestimatedvalueof$151millionin2006.
• InSanLuisObispoCounty,wineriesareanimportanttouristdraw,attractingover1.2millionvisitsbytouristsspendinglocallymorethan$113millionandcreatingmorethan1,800jobs.
• Wineries,vineyardsand related industriespay$10.5million inproperty taxes. Wineriesandvineyards inSanLuisObispoCountyhaveatotalassessedvalueofmorethan$1billion,reflectingtheveryhighcapitalrequirementsofthisindustry.
• Inaveryconservativeestimate,charitablecontributionsbytheindustryexceed$1.1million,notincludingmanyoftheindividualwinerycashandin-kindcontributionsormanyoftheeventsinwhichwinebecomesavehicleforraisingfundsforcommunityorganizations.
Source:MKFResearch,St.Helena,CA,“EconomicImpactofWineandWinegrapesinthePasoRoblesAVAandGreaterSanLuisObispoCounty2007.”
FULL ECONOMIC IMPACT WINEGRAPES & WINE IN THE PASO ROBLES AVA AND GREATER SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY $1,785 Billion
Paso Robles AVA +Greater San Luis Obispo Wine Economic Impact
Full-timeEquivalentJobs 8,114
WagesPaid $241million
RetailValueofPasoRoblesAVAWine $657million
RetailValueofGreaterSanLuisObispoCountyWine
$803million
NumberofBondedWineries 217
WineProduced(9litercases) 3.2million
WinegrapeBearingAcres 29,000
ValueofWinegrapeCrop $151million
AlliedIndustryRevenues $51million
TourismExpenditures $113million
WineryTouristsVisits 1.2million
CharitableContributions $1.1million
TaxesPaid(StateandLocal) $86million
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WHAT WINE EXPERTS ARE SAYINGABOUT PASO ROBLES WINE COUNTRY“Bestfestival.PasoRoblesWineFestivalinPasoRobles,Calif.Thislaidback,down-to-earthCaliforniatownistheanti-Napa.OnthethirdweekendinMay,itholdswhat’sbilledasthestate’slargestoutdoorwine-tastingevent,where$55getsyouunlimitedsamplesfrommorethan100producers.Bookaroom…forthisyear’sfestMay15-17orheadoverMarch20-22forthetown’sequallylaudedZinfandelFestival.”
Lori Rackl, “The year’s best. 2008 in Review. Some ups and downs during 12 months of globe-trotting,” CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, December 31, 2008.
“There’sanotherCaliforniaregionthathasnotgottenasmuchattentionasasourceoffinezinfandel,butmaybeitshould.That’sPasoRobles.…Acoupleofyearsago,thewinepaneltriedtoorganizeatastingofPasoRobleszinfandels,butwewerenotabletofindenoughbottles.Thistimearoundwehadnotroubleassemblingagroupof20bottles.…Idon’trecalltastingsomanywell-balancedzinfandelsatonetime,whichismoretheresultofcareful,conscientiouswinemakingthanitisthecharacteroftheregion.”
Eric Asimov, “Wines of the Times: Search Party Roams Paso Robles,” NEW YORK TIMES, October 15, 2008
“Afteraneasy3½-hourdrivefromLosAngeles,weexploredPasoRobles’marketsandhillsides,seekingoutlocalflavorsinoneoftheGoldenState’s‘lastfrontier’wineregions.PasoRobles,nestledbetweentheSantaLuciaMountainsandtheCholameHills,isanidealplacetogrowRhônegrapeslikeSyrah,Mourvèdre,andGrenache.AmyButler(Winemaker)toutedthemineral-richsoilanddaily50-degreetemperatureswingsasexactlywhathergrapesneedtomakeearthy,smokywines.Havingtasted…weheartilyagreed.”
Daniel Schumacher, “It’s the undiscovered wine country,” COTTAGE LIVING, October 2008
“Bestknownasthehometoworld-classRhônevarietalwines,thissmalltownalongtheCentralCoastofCaliforniafeelslikeNapaValley25yearsago.Therearestandoutrestaurants,excellentoliveoils,award-winningcheesesand,ofcourse,greatwineries.ThisisthenextgreatCaliforniafoodtown.
Andrew Knowlton, “America’s Foodiest Small Town,” BON APPETIT, October 2008
“Inthelastsixyears, thenumberofwineries inPasoRobles–halfwaybetweenSanFranciscoandLosAngeles–hasmorethanquadrupled,from50tomorethan200.EdgyRhônevarieties(Syrahandcousins)arecomingonstrong,andnewplacestoenjoythem–winebars,restaurants,tastingrooms,andinns–arekeepingpace.Putatriphereonyourshortlist.”
“Western Wine Awards 2008. Most Exciting New Wine Region: Paso Robles,” SUNSET, September 2008
“PasoRobles’ small-towncharmevokesagentler,quieterCalifornia.Withmore than170wineries, however, El PasodeRobles,midwaybetweenLosAngelesandSanFrancisco,isalsoquicklybecomingknownasthehomeofthestate’sfastest-growingwinecountry,nottomentionameccaforfoodies.”
Beth Fhaner, “Travel Day-Tripping: Paso Robles,” WESTWAYS, September 2008
“PasoRobles,America’shottestwinedistrict…thoughoftenoverlookedbycasualconsumers,theregion’swineshaveearnedacclaimfromcriticsandfilledtrophycaseswithprestigiousawards.Ifyou’veneverpoppedthecorkonsomethingoutofPaso,itwon’tbelongnow.Thiswine-producingregionisthethird-largestinCalifornia,afterNapaandSonoma,andthefastest-growinginthestate.…Theregion’semergencehaspromptedsometohailitasthe‘nextNapa,’whichismeantaspraise,evenifitmakesPasovintnerscringe.Everyappellationpridesitselfonitsuniqueness.WhileNapabuiltitsnameonburlyCabernets,PasoRoblesrestsislaurelsonRhônevarietals:Grenache,Mourvèdre,andespeciallySyrah,aversatilegrapethatflourishesinPaso’salluvialsoil.”
Josh Sens, “Que Syrah, Syrah,” Outside’s GO Magazine, August/September 2008
“MentionPasoRoblestosomepeopleandtheyonlyrememberthetownasthatHighway101skirts.…Notanymore.Inthelastfewyears…PasoRobleshasbecomeadestinationforwinelovers.…TheentirePasoRoblesareaisrefreshinglycasual.Dogsattastingroomsareplentifulandthereisseldomafeefortastingeventhemostcovetedwines.Keepinmindthatthisregionhasembracedthemakingoffinewine,andnowfinediningandlodgingaswell,withaseriouspassion.Yetwhatmakesavisittothissomewhatdistantspotsuchatreatisthefactthelocals…seektoimproveandtochange,butnotatthepriceoftheirheritage.Asaplacetospendaweekend,orevenlonger,itisveryhardtoimproveupon.” Charles Neave, “Destination: Paso Robles. New energy transforms an old wine region,” NAPA VALLEY REGISTER, April 11, 2008.
“TheCentralCoastcontinuestobeanenormousworkinprogresswithmanynewvineyardsaswellassomeemergingsuperstars.Yet,byandlarge,itrevealsmorepromisingpotential thancurrentdaysizzle.Thereisnoquestionthatsomefabulousterroirsexistinthisareafromsucholder,moreestablishedregionsasPasoRoblesandtheSantaYnezValley.NewerthrillingsitesincludetheSantaRitaHillsandthelimestonehillsideswestofHighway101.…Havingintensivelytastedandstudiedthesewinesforanumberofyears,itappearstomethatwhilesinglevarietalwinescanachievespecialheights,thefinestofferingstendtobeblends,inthecaseoftheRhôneRangers,blendsofSyrahwithGrenache,Mourvèdre,andoccasionallyPetiteSirah.…WhilethequalityofthewhitesisstillbehindtheRhôneRangerreds, thepotential forstunningblendsofMarsanne,Roussanne,Viognier,andGrenacheBlancisundeniable,asevidencedbythedrywhitesfromLinneCalodo…andTablasCreek.…IsuspectourgovernmentisgoingtobreakuptheCentralCoastintosmallerappellations,whichitcertainlymerits.ThiswillhelpconsumersunderstandoneofthemostexcitingwineregionsintheUnitedStates,ifnottheworld.”
Robert M. Parker, Jr., “Recommended New Releases: California’s Rhône Rangers (Primarily from the Central Coast,” THE WINE ADVOCATE, June 30, 2008.
“Reportersarealwaysonthelookoutforthenextnewthing.…SowhenIheadedlastmonthtoPasoRobles–California’sfastest-growingwineregion–Ihadmyheadlinealreadywritten:‘TheNewNapa.’…‘PeopleinPasocan’tstandbeinglabeled‘thenewNapa’…Thesearesmall-townfolkswhodon’tlikecommercializationorthewholehoity-toitything.Whenyouwalkintothewinerieshere,ninetimesoutof10you’redealingwiththepeoplewhoownthem,thepeoplewhoarecominginfromthevineyardandwashingtheirhandsbeforetheypouryoutheirwine.Thatdoesn’thappentooofteninNapa.’”
Lori Rackl, “Travel: ‘New Napa’? Not,” CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, June 18, 2008
“Twohundredthirty-fivemilessoutheastofNapaand90milesnorthoftrendySantaYnezValley(glorifiedinSideways)liesoneofAmerica’slastwinesecrets:PasoRobles,California.…Pasohasblossomedintoafull-fledgedwineregion…HotdaysandcoldnightsgivetheZinfandels,CabernetsandSyrahsproducedbytopwineries…goodacidityandadeep,almostopaquecolor.”
Claire Martin, “Travel: New Wine Vacations. From India to Patagonia, vintners are breaking ground in some surprising, and adventure-friendly, locales,” MEN’S JOURNAL, May 2008.
“(PasoRobles)isoneofthenewestgetawayspotsonCalifornia’smap.…WhatwineenthusiastsgetsoexcitedaboutisthevastdiversityofsoilandclimateconditionsthatcanbefoundwithintherelativelysmallboundariesofPasoRobles,andalsothehugetemperatureswingsthatchallengethevines.”
Jolene Thym, “Paso Robles ripe and ready. Wineries turn slumbering cowtown into cool getaway,” OAKLAND TRIBUNE, January 9, 2008
“Vintage2005providestheperfectopportunityforexploringthediverseterroirexpressionsofCalifornia’sCentralCoast…OneofthemoreintriguingaspectsoftheCentralCoastisthefactthat…therearemanyinstanceswheremultipleproducersworkwithfruitfromthesamevineyard.Wineloverscanthusactuallysearchfor,andidentify,individualvineyardexpression,ashasbeenthecaseforgenerationsinmanyOldWorldregions.”
Josh Raynolds, “Focus on the Central Coast,” STEPHEN TANZER’S INTERNATIONAL WINE CELLAR, November/December 2007
“Inadecade,PasoRobleshastransformedfromawell-situatedpitstopformotoristsplyingHighway101(withwineriesscatteredamongcowpastures)tothefastestgrowingwineappellationinCalifornia.IsitdestinedtobecomethenextNapa?Notiflocalscanhelpit.…Paso,atitscore,isstilldressed-downwinecountry–withoutthelesspalatablenotesofattitudeandhypercommercialism.”
Andy Isaacson, “The Next Napa?” NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER, November/December 2007
“Manyof thevineyardsandwineriesofCalifornia’sCentralCoastarestillyoung,but theirpotential toproducegreatPinotNoir,Chardonnay,andSyrahisenormous.Inadecade,thetopviticulturalareasofSantaBarbara,theSantaRitaHills,andthelimestonehillsideswestofPasoRobleswillbeaswellknownastheNapaandSonomaValleys.”
Robert M. Parker, Jr., “A Taste of California’s Future,” BUSINESS WEEK, August 7, 2006
“Thewineries,whichrangefromextremelyfancytowinsomelydown-home,arethebestreasontovisitthearea,andifyoulikefull,richwines,you’llbewellrewarded.Rhônevarietalsexcel,asdoesZinfandel.”
James Rodewald, “Now: Napa Next: Paso Robles,” GOURMET, December 2005
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VINTAGESWEATHER AND HARVEST OVERVIEW, 2000-2008
20002000 was a slightly below average rain season, with the majority of rain coming in December andJanuary.Earlyspringtimeweatherwarmedquicklywithaveragehighsnear80degrees.Budbreakwasabouttwoweeksearlierthanmostyears,butthemonthofMaycooledsignificantly,stallingbloomandberrysetforafewweeks.Summerdaytimetemperaturesreturnedtonormalwhilecoolerthanaveragesummernightshelpedmaintaingoodacidityinthegrape.Intheend,harvestwasjustabouttwoweekslaterthaninmostyears.
2001The2001growingseasonstartedwithacoldwinterwithlessthanaveragerainfallthatledtobudbreakinlateMarchandalatefrostthatloweredyields.Bloomoccurredunderwarmconditionsfollowedbyverywarmwindsthatcausedclusterdamageinsomemicroclimates.Aprotractedheatwaveintheearlysummerkeptvinesunderextremestress,resultinginasmallercropsize.Summerandfalltemperaturesremainedconsistentlywarm,providinganoptimalgrowingseason,thoughyieldsweredown50percentbelownormalforsomevineyards.
2002The2002growingseasonbeganwithawarm,drywinterthatyieldedthelowestrainfallinfiveyears.BudbreakoccurredinMarchwithnaturallyreducedbudcountinthegrapevines.Springremaineddryandcool.June,JulyandAugustwerethewarmestsummermonthsinfiveyears.Thecombinationoflowrainfallandaverywarmsummerresultedinunusuallysmallberriesandclusters.Veraisoncameearly,andthemonthsfollowingconsistedofmoderatetemperaturesidealformaturinggrapesoveralonggrowingseason.
2003Thewintermonthsofthe2003growingseasonwerewarmanddry.Thismildwintertransformedintoawarmspring,whichbroughtbudbreakinMarch.Normalhotsummertemperaturesheldthroughoutfruitsizing,veraisonandmaturation.Byharvestinlatefall,fruitripenedintoaperfectbalanceofBrixandpH.
20042004waslookingtobeanidealseasonwithawarmspringandsubsequentveryearlyfloweringunmarredbyfrost.AfairlymildsummerfolloweduntiltheendofAugustandbeginningofSeptember,whenperiodsoftemperaturesinthehigh90scausedrapidsugarjumpsinthegrapes.AfterSeptember,coolerweatherallowedfruittohanganddevelopflavor,andtheacceleratedharvestprovidedprotectionagainst theearliestonset (mid-October)of therainyseason inyears.Manyvarieties reachedmaturity inmid-August,oneoftheearliestharvestsonrecord.
20052005’srainfallranksastheeighthwettestyearsince1869-1870whenofficialrecordsbegantobepublishedinPasoRobles.Thecool,wet springwas followedbyasunnyanddrybut relativelycoolearly summer,until July,whendaytimehighs reached100degreesandstayedthereforaperiodoftwoweeks.HarvestbeganaroundthebeginningofSeptemberandendedthefirstweekinNovember.Althoughthisharvestresultedinthelargestcrushonrecordinthestate,winemakerswerethrilledwiththeconsistenthighqualityofwinegrapesreceived.
2006Aboveaveragewinterrainsandacoolspringgot2006vineyardsofftoawetandlatestart.AfteranunusualheatwaveInlateJuly/earlyAugust,coolerthannormalsummerweather(high80stolow90s)returneduntilSeptemberwhenacoolingtrendandcloudyskiesdelayed the last stageofgrapematuritybyat least10days.Mid-Septemberwarmedagainand the resultingharvestwasdelayedbutunhurriedwithbeautifulweatherpersistingintoNovember.Winemakersreportedahigherthannormalcrop(perhapsashadebelow2005’slevels)withnotableelegance,pureflavors,mediumbodyandcomparativelyloweralcohollevels.
2007The2007vintagewasdominatedbythecold,drywinterthatprecededit.TemperaturesdroppedintosingledigitsinJanuary,whichdelayedtheonsetoffloweringandreducedthevigorofthevines.Rainfalllevelsjust40percentofnormalfurtherstressedthevines.Thesummerwasmoderateintemperature,producingalong,slowharvestwithyieldsdown15to30percentfrom2005and2006.Thewineswereintenselyflavored,darkincolor,withsurprisinglygentletanninsforsuchapowerfulvintage.Winemakersreportthatthe2007vintagehasthepotentialtobeaclassiconeforthePasoRoblesregion.
20082008 was a challenging vintage for most of California, with a very cold April resulting in widespread frost damage, windduringfloweringcausingunevenfruitset,aheatspikeinAugust,andanunusualfreezeinearlyOctober.GorgeousweatherinlateOctobersaved thevintage formanyproducers.Resultswillvarydependingonvarietiesplanted,withBordeauxvarietiesparticularlyaffectedbyshatterandverylowyields,andearly-ripeningvarietiesimpactedbytheAugustheatspike.Overallyieldswerebelowthelowlevelsof2007(asmuchas50percentlessthannormal),butthewines,particularlylater-ripeningvarieties,provingtobegenerousinflavorandbeautifullybalanced.
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PASO ROBLES WINE COUNTRYGEOGRAPHICAL OVERVIEWPasoRoblesWineCountryiscentrallylocatedbetweenSanFranciscoandLosAngelesalongCalifornia’sCentralCoast.AsCalifornia’sfastestgrowingwineregionandlargestgeographicappellation,theterritoryencompassesmorethan26,000vineyardacresandmorethan180wineries.Withagreaterday-to-nighttemperatureswing thananyotherappellation inCalifornia,distinctmicroclimates,diversesoilsanda longgrowingseason,PasoRoblesisauniquewineregionblessedwithoptimalgrowingconditionsforproducingpremiumandultrapremiumwines.Morethan40winegrapevarietiesaregrowninPasoRobles,rangingfromCabernetSauvignonandMerlot,toSyrah,ViognierandRoussanne,toZinfandel,thearea’sheritagewinevarietal.
LoCatioNPaso Robles Wine Country is situated along U.S. Highway 101 in the center of California’s Central Coast, halfway betweenSanFranciscoandLosAngeles.
Paso robLes VitiCuLturaL areaEstablishedin1983,andexpandedin1997thenagainin2009,thePasoRoblesAmericanViticulturalArea(AVA)isalarge,diverseappellationlocatedwithinnorthernSanLuisObispoCounty,comprisedofanumberofdistinctivegrapegrowingregionsgenerallycharacterizedbyrollinghillseastoftheSalinasRiverandsteeperhillsides,cutbysmallcanyons,westoftheSalinasRiver.
ThePasoRoblesAVA’swesternboundaryisjustsixmilesfromthePacificOcean.TheappellationliesontheinlandsideoftheSantaLuciacoastalmountainsinSanLuisObispoCounty,androughlyformsarectangle35milesfromeasttowest,and25milesfromnorthtosouth.ItextendsfromtheMontereyCountybordertothenorth,totheCuestaGradebelowSantaMargaritatothesouth,andfromtheSantaLuciaMountainstothewest,totheCholameHillstotheeast.
Theappellationcomprises614,000acresofwhichmorethan26,000acresareinwinegrapevines.ItisthefastestgrowingandlargestbyfarofthreeAVAsinSanLuisObispoCounty,andthemainreasonthatthecountyranksbehindonlyNapa,SonomaandMontereycountiesinplantedacreageamongthestate’scoastalgrowingareas.
toPoGraPHYThePasoRoblesAVAisalandofdiversityandcontrastthatencompassesriverbottomstorollinghillsandflatlandstomountains.ThemajorgeographicalfeaturesoftheareaaretheSantaLuciaRange,theSalinasRiverValleyandtheTempletonGap.
SAN FRANCISCO
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LOS ANGELES PACIFIC OCEAN
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soiLsCalifornia’sCentralCoastisgeologicallydifferentfromotherCaliforniawinegrowingregions.Unlikeotherswithdeep,richfertilevalleysoils,over45soilseriesarefoundinthePasoRoblesAVA.Theseareprimarilybedrockderivedsoilsfromweatheredgranite,oldermarinesedimentary rocks,volcanic rocksandyoungermarinesedimentary rocksof theMioceneageMontereyFormationfeaturingcalcareousshales,sandstoneormudstone.Soildiversityisthenormandavineyardblockmaycommonlycontainseveraldifferentsoiltypes.
WhatisreallyuniqueaboutPasoRoblesAVAsoilsisthepredominanceofdesirablecalcareoussoilsfoundthroughouttheregionandthehighsoilpHvaluesof7.4to8.6thatarenottypicalofCalifornia’sotherviticulturalareas.Duetogeologicuplift,calcareousshaleisplentifulinPasoRobles’west-sidehills,wheredenseclay-basedsoilscombinewithrelativelyplentifulrainfalltomakeitpossibleforsomevinestobedry-farmedwithoutsupplementalirrigation.MoregranularformsofbrokendowncalcareousshaleisfoundontheeasternhillsandvalleyoftheAVA.OnbothsidesoftheSalinasRiver,gentlyrollinghillsarecoveredwithsandy,loamysoils.Inthewatershedareas,particularlytheEstrellaRiverplain,loamandclayareoverlainwithsand.
CLimateTheproximityof thePacificOcean,orientationofnumerouscanyonsandvalleys,andvaryingelevationsproducemanydifferentdistinctmicroclimatesinthePasoRoblesAVA.
TheareabenefitsfromthelargestswingbetweenhighdaytimeandlownighttimetemperaturesofanyregioninCaliforniaasaresultofthecoolmarineairthatflowseastthroughtheTempletonGapandsouthalongtheSalinasRiverValleyfromtheMontereyBay.Theregion’ssummerischaracterizedbywarm,cleardays,generallyunencumberedbyclouds,fogorseverewinds.Daytimehightemperaturesinthesummertypicallyfallbetween85and105degreesFahrenheit,butnighttimelowtemperaturesusuallycandropby40to50degrees,cooledbyamarinelayerthatmovesovertheregioninthemidtolateafternoon.Thisdiurnalfluctuationisconsideredakeybywinemakersandwinegrapegrowerstoattaintheintensevarietalcharacterdisplayedinwinegrapesfromthearea.
September,OctoberandthefirsthalfofNovemberaretypicallyrain-freeandwarm,givingPasoRoblesvinestheadvantageoftimetoproducefullymaturefruit,whiletheovernightcoolingkeepsthegrapes’acidchemistryinbalance.ThefirstrainfalloftheseasonistypicallyabouttwoweekslaterthanNapaorSonoma,andamonthlaterthanMendocino,givingwinemakerstheluxuryofwaitingforoptimalripeness.Wintertemperaturestendtodipintothelowtwentiesinthecoolerregions,withmostvineyardsbecomingfullydormantbymid-December.Frostisapotentialthreatthroughmid-May,especiallyfollowinganorthernweathersystem.
raiNfaLLTherainfalloftheregion,likeitsclimateandsoils,variesgreatlydependingonthevineyard’sproximitytothePacificOceanandtheTempletonGap.AverageannualrainfallfortheCityofPasoRoblesis15.5inches,butrainfallrangesfromeightinchesintheeasternportionsoftheAVAtoasmuchas45inchesonthefarwesternridges.Thefirstrainstypicallyarriveinearly-to-midNovember,withtheheaviestamountsusuallyoccurringJanuarythroughMarch.Theseraintotalsaretypicallydominatedbyrelativelyfew,butsubstantial,Pacificstormsthatcancontributeseveralinchesofraininjustafewdays.
eLeVatioNTheCityofPasoRoblesrestsat740feetabovesealevel.PasoRoblesvineyardseastoftheSalinasRiverrangefrom700to1,200feetinelevationwhilethosetothewestrangefrom850to2,000feet.
GroWiNG seasoNDuetocoolnights,warmdays,andtypicallylaterains,PasoRoblesvinestendtohavealongergrowingseasonandgrapeshavemorehangtimecomparedtootherwineregions,resultinginfullymaturefruitwhoseacidchemistryiskeptinbalancethroughthearea’sovernightcooling.
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HISTORYEARLY YEARS THROUGH 1980sPasoRobleswasnamedforitslocaloaktrees,ElPasodeRobles,“ThePassoftheOaks.”Thenamewasrecordedin1828asaranchowherethepadresofSanMiguelsowedwheat,andthecitywasfoundedontheranchoin1886andincorporatedin1889.Todaythecity’snameiscommonlyshortenedtoPasoRobles.
ThePasoRoblesAmericanViticulturalAppellation(AVA) ishometomorethan180wineriesand26,000vineyardacresfocusingonpremiumwineproduction.Thedistinctmicroclimatesanddiversesoils,combinedwithwarmdaysandcoolnights,makegrowingconditionsidealforproducingmorethan40winevarietalsfromCabernetSauvignonandMerlot,toSyrah,ViognierandRoussanne,toZinfandel,thearea’sheritagewinevariety.
earLY YearsThegreaterPasoRoblesregionhasarichhistoryofwinemakingandwinegrapegrowingthatwasintroducedbytheFranciscanFriarsbeginningcirca1790attheAsistencialocatedontheSantaMargaritaRanch,anassistantchapeltoMissionSanLuisObispothatstillstandspreservedtoday,andatMissionSanMiguel,foundedin1797byFatherLasuen,whosucceededFatherSerra(1713-1784)asPresidenteofthemissions.In1815grapeswereplantedon22acresatthemissionvineyardsthreemilesnorthofMissionSanMiguel(today’sVineyardCanyon).ThePadresproducedwineforsacramentalpurposesandmadebrandyforexport.
AfterMexico secularized theCaliforniamissions in the1830s, themission vineyardswereabandoneduntil European immigrantfarmersstartedtoarriveinthemid1850sfollowingCalifornia’sstatehoodonSeptember9,1850.ThefirsttofarmwinegrapeswasaFrenchman,PierreHypoliteDallidet,whoarrivedinSanLuisObispoin1853,wherehepurchasedlandatwhatisnowonthecornerofPacificandToroStreets,plantedacommercialsevenacrevineyardandlateraddedawinery.Eventuallythevineyardgrewto16acresandincludedsomeoftheoriginalmissionplantings.MoreEuropeansemigratedtothearea,includingEnglishmanHenryDitmas,whobeganthearea’sfirstvineyardwith importedZinfandelandMuscatgrapesfromFranceandSpainforhis560acreRanchoSaucelitoinnearbyArroyoGrande.
1880s to 1920sCommercialwinemakingwasintroducedinthelate1870swhenIndianarancherAndrewYorkbeganplantingvineyardsonhis240-acrehomestead.Withinafewyears,hefoundthatthevineswereyieldingmorethanhecouldmarket,promptinghimin1882toestablishAscensionWinery,knowntodayasYorkMountainWinery.Thefamilyplantedsomeofthearea’searliestZinfandelvines,makingPasoRoblesfamousforthisvariety.YorkinitiallysoldhiswinesinSanLuisObispoandeventuallyasfarawayasSanFrancisco.Today,YorkMountainWinery(locatedwithintheYorkMountainAVA,adjacenttothePasoRoblesAVA)remainstheoldestwineryincontinuousoperationinthecounty.
FollowingYork’searlysuccessinthewinebusiness,immigrantfarmingfamiliessettledinthearea.In1884theErnstfamilyarrivedfromGeneseo,Illinois,andoverthenext20yearsplanted25varietiesofwinegrapesmadeintowinesreceivingwideacclaim.In1886,GerdKlintworthplantedavineyardintheGeneseo/Linneareaandproducedthefirstwhitewineintheregion.In1890,FrenchmanAdolfSiotplantedZinfandelwestofTempleton.Inthe1920s,ItalianfamiliesstartingvineyardsincludedDusi,Martinelli,Busi,VostiandBianchi–manyofwhicharestillbeingfarmedtodaybythefamilies’thirdandfourthgenerations.
1920s aND 1930s: ZiNfaNDeLTherewasaflurryofviticulturalactivityintheearly1920swhenseveralfamiliesimmigratedtotheareatoestablishfamilyvineyardsandwineries.TheDusifamilypurchasedavineyardin1924;theseoldhead-prunedZinfandelvinesarenowownedandcultivatedbytheirson,Benito.FrankPesentialsoplantedZinfandelonhispropertyin1923,withtheguidanceoftheirneighborSiot,althoughthePesentiWinery(nowTurleyWinery)wasnotbondeduntil1934.
ThePasoRobleswineregiongainedmorenotorietywhenIgnacePaderewski,thefamousPolishstatesmanandconcertpianist,visitedPasoRoblesforthehotspringsthatbroughtrelieftohisailinghands.Hebecameenchantedwiththeareaandpurchased2,000
acres.Intheearly1920s,heplantedPetiteSirahandZinfandelonhisRanchoSanIgnaciovineyardintheAdelaidaarea.WhenProhibitionended,Paderewski’swinewasmadeatYorkMountainWinery.ThewinesproducedfromgrapesgrownonRanchoSanIgnaciowentontobecomeaward-winnersandPasoRobles’reputationasapremierwineregiongrew.
Ofanyvariety,ZinfandelhadastronginfluenceontheearlygrowthanddevelopmentofthewineindustryinPasoRobles.Itremainsakeywinevarietalforseveralwineries,including,amongothers,PeachyCanyonWinery,TurleyWineCellars,TobinJamesCellars,NormanVineyards,FourVinesWinery,CastoroCellarsandNadeauFamilyVintners.
1960s aND 1970s: CaberNet sauViGNoN, LarGe PLaNtiNGsThelate1960sandearly1970ssawanewgenerationofvineyardpioneers in thePasoRoblesarea,bringinguniversity trainingandfinancialresourcesforlargeplantings.Dr.StanleyHoffman,undertheguidanceofU.C.DavisandlegendaryenologistAndréTchelistcheff,plantedsomeoftheregion’sfirstCabernetSauvignon,PinotNoirandChardonnayonhis1,200-acreranchnexttotheoldPaderewskiRanchinthehillsofAdelaida,aboutfivemileswestoftown.HisHoffmanMountainRanchWinery(aportionnowownedbyAdelaidaCellars)wasthefirstlarge-scalemodernfacilityintheareaandonethatcreatedastirininternationalwinecirclesinthe1970swithhisPinotNoirandCabernetSauvignon.
CabernetSauvignonremainstheleadingvarietyforthePasoRoblesappellation,accountingfor38percentoftheregion’splantedwinegrapeacreage.Duetotheintensevarietalcharacterofwinegrapesgrowninthisdiverseappellation,PasoRoblesCabernetSauvignonwinesconsistentlygarnernationalandinternationalacclaim,including,amongothers,J.LohrVineyardsandWines,TreanaWinery,AdelaidaCellarsandChateauMargene.
NewwinegrapegrowersalsobegantocultivatethefirstlargeplantingsontheeastsideoftheSalinasRiver.BobYoungplantedthearea’sfirstlargescalecommercialvineyard,nowknownasRanchoDosAmigosonShandonHeights.HermanSchwartz,managingpartnerforagroupofinvestors,plantedthe500-acreRanchoTierraRejadain1973(purchasedin2006itisnowknownasShimminCanyonVineyard).From1973to1977GaryEberleandCliffGiacobineplanted700acres,includingthefirstmoderncommercialacreageofSyrahinthestateandestablishedEstrellaRiverWinery,thelargestwineryinthearea(purchasedin1988byNestle/Beringer).
1980s: LarGe sCaLe WiNeriesRecognizingthearea’suniqueyetverydiverseterroir,the617,000-acrePasoRoblesAVAandadjacent6,400-acreYorkMountainAVAwereestablishedin1983.
LargervineyardsandwineriescontinuedtobeestablishedinPasoRoblesinthe1980sasgrowersrecognizedthatfavorablesoilandclimateconditions, combinedwith reasonablypricedandavailable land,allowed them togrowhigh-qualitywinegrapesatmorecompetitivepricelevelsthanwaspossibleinotherappellations.In1988,J.LohrVineyards&WinesexpandedintoPasoRoblestofocusonCabernetSauvignon,Merlot,Syrahandotherredvarietals.J.LohristheleadingproducerofPasoRoblesAVAwineswithanannualproductionofover500,000casesfromover2,000acresofvineyardsthatitownswithintheappellation.MeridianVineyards,nowownedbyFostersWineEstates,wasalsoestablishedin1988andisoneofthemostwidelynationallydistributedbrandsbasedinPasoRobles.
Mid-sizewinerieswerealsoestablishedduringthisperiod.In1982,ArcieroVineyardsandEOSEstateWinery,nowwithover700acresandproductionat160,000cases,pioneeredtheplantingofseveralpremiumItalianvarietals,aswellassubstantialplantingsofZinfandelandPetiteSirah.NowownedbySapphireBrands,EOSEstateWineryisoneofmanywineriesreducingitscarbonfootprintinPasoRoblesbybecoming100%solarpowered.In1983,WildHorseWineryandVineyardswasestablishedbyKennethVolk.NowownedbyConstellationBrands,itproduces150,000caseswithanaverageof15differentvarietalwineseachyear,includinganumberofheirloomvarietals--thelargestspectrumofvarietalwinestobefoundinanytastingroominthearea.TreanaWinery,ownedbytheHopefamily,wasestablishedin1996andnowproduces300,000casesbetweentheTreanaandLibertySchoolbrands.OriginallycalledHopeFarms,thefamilyplantedCabernetSauvignoninPasoRoblesin1978andsourcedtheirfruittoNapa.
WiLD West footNotePasoRoblesissometimesreferredtoasthewildwestoftheCaliforniawineindustry.OutlawsFrank&JesseJames’uncleDruryJameswasaco-founderofthetownofElPasodeRoblesandwaspartowneroftheoriginalhotspringshotel,aswellasaco-ownerofthefamousLaPanzaRanch40mileseastofPasoRobles.AfterholdingupabankinRussellville,Kentucky,onMarch20,1868theJamesboysworkedtheirwaytoPasoRoblesandstayedattheLaPanzaRanchuntilDecemberof1869.Jessevisitedhisuncleatthehotspringstoheallungproblemsfromhisgunshotwoundsunderthealias“Howard”.In1882,JessewasmurderedbyhisfriendBobFordinMissouriandFrankeventuallyturnedhimselfintoservethreeyearsinprison.Uponhisreleasehelivedaquiet,straightlifeoftenvisitinghisAuntandUncleinPasoRobles.
distinct. different.
HISTORY1990s TO PRESENT
1990s to PreseNt: iNterNatioNaL iNVestmeNt, rHÔNes aND borDeauXGaryEberleplantedSyrah in themid1970s,andprovidedplantmaterial from thatvineyard tomanywinemakersinthestate,butRhônevarietalsdidnotformanimportantpartofPasoRobles’identityuntil1989.Thatyear, thePerrin family (of theRhôneValley’sChateaudeBeaucastel, reveredproducerofChateauneuf-du-Pape)andtheirAmericanimporterRobertHaasestablishedtheirinternationaljointventure,TablasCreekVineyard,inthecalcareoushillsoftheAdelaidaregionnorthwestoftown.With80acresplantedtothetraditionalvarietiesofChateauneuf-du-Pape,TablasCreekimportedexclusiveclonalmaterialfromtheRhôneValley,andmadethoseclonesavailabletootherinterestedgrowersaroundthestate.
Since1989, PasoRobles has seenanexplosionof plantingsof Rhône varieties.Now, inaddition to the first Syrahplantings inCalifornia, it also has the largest acreage of Syrah, Viognier and Roussanne. Acres planted under Rhône varieties jumped fromfewerthan100acresin1994tomorethan2,200in2006.Duringthattime,atleast10wineriesfocusingonRhônevarietieswereestablished.TheemergingPasoRoblesRhônemovementreceivedaboostin1993withHospiceduRhône,theworld’slargestRhônewinecelebration.PasoRoblesnowplayshosttomorethan3,000Rhônewineenthusiasts,internationalmediaandanA-listofRhôneproducersfromallovertheworld.
Sincetheearly1990s,PasoRobleswineshaveprovenconsistentgoldmedalwinnersandhavebeenfeaturedregularlyinthetoprankingsofnationaland internationalwinereviews.Amilestone in theworldwiderecognitionofPasoRoblesWineCountryasapremierwineregioncamein2000whenJUSTINVineyards&Winery’sBordeaux-styleISOSCELESwasnamedoneofthetop10winesintheworldbytheWineSpectator.
2000s: boutiQue WiNeries, DoWNtoWN tastiNG rooms, HosPitaLitY CeNtersSince2000,thenumberofbondedwineriesinPasoRoblesWineCountryhasmorethantripledfrom50tomorethan180,mostlyduetoaninfluxofboutiqueandsmallfamily-ownedvineyardsandwineries.Theappellation’sburgeoningreputationhasenticedwellknownCalifornianwineriesfromotherwineregions,suchasFirestoneVineyard(nowownedbytheFoleyWineGroup)andTurleyWineCellars,tomakesizeableinvestmentsinPasoRobles,andalsoseducedanumberofwinemakersfromFrance,Australia,SouthAfricaandSwitzerlandeagertofindNewWorldapplicationsfortheirwinemakingskills.
The result is many young boutique wineries are quickly gaining recognition and a following for their innovative and proprietaryPasoRoblesblendsofBordeaux,RhôneandZinfandelvarietals, including,amongmanyothers,L’Aventure,LinneCalodoCellars,AnglimWinery,HalterRanchVineyard,MidnightCellars,PipestoneVineyards,VillicanaWineryandWildCoyote.Withthedramaticincreaseofsmallwinerieshascomeafocusondowntowntastingrooms,includingAnglimWinery,ArroyoRoblesWinery,ClayhouseVineyards,D’AnbinoVineyards&Cellars,EdwardSellersVineyards&Wines,TheMidlifeCrisisWinery,OrtmanFamilyWinery,PianettaWineryandVihuelaWinery.
Severalmid-to-larger sizeoperationsalsohavebeenbuildingahospitality focus for their showcasewineries. Inaddition to theirtastingfacility,Justin’scomplexincludestherecentlycompletedIsoscelesCenter,JustInnandDeborah’sRoom.OthersincludetheJ.LohrWineCenter,RobertHallWineryHospitalityCenter,VinaRoblesHospitalityCenter,NinerWineEstates,EagleCastleWinery,FirestoneVineyardandthecavesatEberleWinery.AndthefuturelooksbrightwithsomeofthemostinfluentialmembersofthewinepressurgingtheirreaderstodiscoverthewinesfromPasoRobles.IntheJune30,2005issueofWineAdvocate,RobertM.Parker,Jr.asserts“thereisnoquestionthatadecadefromnow,thetopviticulturalareasofSantaBarbara,SantaRitaHillsandthelimestonehillsideswestofPasoRobleswillbeaswell-knownastheglamorousvineyardsofNapaValley.”
distinct. different.
WINESPasoRobleswinemakersandwinegrapegrowersareinaccordwhentheysay“Qualitywinebeginsinthevineyard.”PasoRobleswinestendtobedeeplycoloredandrichduetotheintensityofthesun,withfairlybrightacidityduetothecoolnights.However,beyondthesegeneralizations,theregion’sdiversitypreventseasycharacterizationofitswines.
DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF PASO ROBLES VARIETAL WINES
ThewinegrapesofthePasoRoblesAmericanViticulturalAppellation(AVA)displayintensevarietalcharacterdueinparttothelargeswing
betweenwarmdaysandcoolnights.Withalongergrowingseason,PasoRobleswinegrapeshavemorehangtimecomparedtootherwine
regions,resultinginmaturefruitwithbalancedacidchemistry.
AsdescribedinhisbookMattKramer’sNewCaliforniaWine:Making
SenseofNapaValley,Sonoma,CentralCoastandBeyond(2004),
“Youcanpick justaboutanyPasoRobles red,whetherCabernet
Sauvignon,Syrah,Zinfandel,MerlotorPinotNoir,andyouwill
findthefollowing:
• Soft,sometimesseeminglynonexistent,tannins.• Intense,deepcolorvergingontheopaque.• Anunmistakablescentandtasteofdarkchocolate.• Asoftlushnesswithavelvety‘mouthfeel.’• Aboveall,a rich,opulent, voluptuous fruitiness,often
withawhiffofviolets.”
These distinct characteristics are found throughout the
region’s most widely planted grapes. Aromas typically
associatedwiththesevarietalsinclude:
• Cabernet Sauvignon — black raspberry, blackcherry,cassis,tobacco/cedarandcocoa.
• Merlot—cherries, sweet spice, fresh/driedherbs,olives,redandblackberriesandcocoa.
• Syrah — blackberry, white pepper, black pepper,smoky,tar,blueberry,violets,roastedgame,leatheranddriedherbs.
• Zinfandel—blackpepper,sweet“zin”spice,red/blackberries,jammy,fruitbomb,wildbrambleberry,raisinsandprunes.
PasoRobleswhitescanbedistinguishedwiththefollowingflavors.
• Chardonnay—floral,peach,apricot,nectarine,lightlyspicedpearandlightminerality.• Viognier—peach,apricot,citrusblossom,floral,wetstone,honeysuckleandsweetspice.• Roussanne—honey,lemon-lime,floral,apricot,corn,pear,allspiceandlanolin.
distinct. different.
PASO ROBLES WINE COUNTRY ALLIANCE The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance – www.pasowine.com – is responsible for marketing andpromotionalprogramsdesigned tostrengthenbrandawareness locally, regionallyandnationally,andattract wine enthusiasts to Paso Robles Wine Country. Focusing on both grower and vintner interests,WineCountryAllianceefforts include tradeandconsumeroutreach,media relationsand visits,buyertours,educationalandresearchprograms toensurequalitywinegrapegrowingandwineproduction,legislativemonitoringandsupportoftheWineInstitute’sinternationaloutreachprograms.TheAlliancealsopartnerspromotionsandactivitieswiththeWineInstitute,CaliforniaWinegrapeGrowers(CAWG),CentralCoastVineyardTeam(CCVT),FamilyWinemakersandZinfandelAdvocates&Producers(ZAP).TheAlliancerepresentsnearly500members,includingwineries,winegrapegrowers,hospitality partners and related associate businesses. In addition to four annual consumer events that showcase the region, theorganizationproducesanannualTourBrochureandannualMembershipDirectory,TheWineCountryNews,andTheClusterTimes-Herald(aquarterlynewsletterfortheWineCountryAlliance’sambassadorprogram).Startingin2005,theWineCountryAllianceinitiatedanationalmarkettourtopromotePasoRoblesWineCountry.ThesenationalGrandTastingstargettradeandmediaintoptierU.S.markets–todate:Atlanta,Austin,Boston,Chicago,Dallas,Denver,Ft.Lauderdale,Houston,KansasCity,LosAngeles,NewYork,OrangeCounty,SanAntonio,SanDiego,SanFrancisco,Seattle,St.Louis,TampaandWashington,D.C.–withanaverageof30participatingwinerieswhoshowcasequalitywinesoftheregion.
ANNUAL EVENTSThePasoRobleswinecommunityworkstogethertowelcomewineenthusiaststhroughouttheyearwithfourannualeventsthatfocusontheregion.
• Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival,acelebrationofPasoRobles’heritagegrapeandthesecondlargestZinfandeltastingintheworld,isheldthethirdweekendinMarch.TheGrandTasting,heldonSaturdayevening,spotlightslocallyproducedZinfandelsandacollectibleWinemakersMasterZinfandelBlendthatisonlyavailableattheliveauction.TheZinfandelFestivalkicksoffFridayafternoonwithaRESERVEeventfeaturingbarrelsampleandreservetierwines.AportionofproceedsfromtheannualliveandsilentauctionSaturdaybenefitslocalvineyardworkersandtheirfamilieswithhealth,educationandsocialservices.
• Paso Robles Wine Festivalgarnersbothregionalandnationalattentionasthelargestoutdoorwinefestivalbyasinglewineregion inCaliforniawithover6,000tickets typicallysold.Theevent,heldannuallyat thePasoRoblesCityParkon the thirdSaturdayofMay,offerswineenthusiaststheopportunitytotastewinefrommorethan80PasoRobleswineriesandtoenjoytheregion’sepicureandelights includingorganic,sustainableandartisanal foods.ThefestivalkicksoffFridayafternoonwithRESERVE,aspecialeventofferingatastingofbarrel,reserveandlibrarywinesandaliveandsilentauction,withaportionofproceedsbenefittinglocalvineyardworkersandtheirfamilieswithhealth,educationandsocialservices.Theentireweekendisframedbyindividualeventsbyover100ofthearea’swineries.
• Harvest Wine Weekend,heldthethirdweekendinOctober,providesanopportunityforconsumerstoenjoyself-guidedtoursofwinerieswhocelebratethevintagewithacornucopiaofactivities,includingspecialwinemakerdinners,exclusivebarrelsamples,seminars,barbeques,livemusicandwinerytours.
• CRAVE–APasoRoblesWineExperience.Aneweventin2008,CRAVEtargetsthe“millennial”demographic(ages21-29)–thenextgenerationofwineconsumers--withaneducationalandfunvarietalwinetastingexperiencewith65wineriesparticipatinginacontemporarylounge-likeatmosphere.
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