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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
PASO ROBLES
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.
