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These grapes were picked at full ripeness from carefully selected vineyards renowned for their strong pepper and raspberry character. Dove Pond, Bella, and Dusi vineyards are all low production, high quality vineyards in west Paso Robles. Dove Pond and Bella are both on Vineyard Drive, and Benito Dusi’s 80-year-old vineyard is on the west side of the Estrella River, easily viewed from Highway 101. The lots were fermented separately in small open top fermentors, with yeasts specifically designed for high sugar zinfandel, then aged for 16 months in new and seasoned American and French oak, to give the wine structure with a gentle perfume of oak that would not overwhelm its spice. Ten percent syrah was added to emphasize the smoke and licorice character in this year’s vintage. A blast of blackberry and raspberry flavors, with anise, sage and black peppercorn

Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre, all from Alto Pomar Vineyard in the stony shale hills of the Templeton microclimate, were combined at the crusher in this splendid vineyard blend of small clustered and deeply pigmented Rhône varieties from a small, organic vineyard. The grapes were fermented in small open tops with a Rhône-style yeast to enhance and focus the meaty flavors of the Syrah, and the deep plumminess of the Mourvedre. The wine was then aged for 22 months in French and American barrels to integrate the layers and add a framework of oak. Forest aromas of wild strawberry, oak, pine, humus and violets are followed by flavors of strawberry and cinnamon, with a hint of mace, in this incredibly complex and layered wine

Bella Vineyard, located on north Vineyard Drive in the cool hills of the Willow Creek microclimate, produced a mere 1 ton per acre in 2003. Bordering on the hilly Adelaida microclimate, where Pinot Noir and Bordeaux varieties thrive due to the very cool oceanic influence in western Paso Robles, Bella’s east facing slope is protected from the afternoon and evening breezes and enjoys consistently warm days in the high 80’s and nights in the 50’s. . The grapes were fermented in small open tops and punched down by hand for gentle yet thorough extraction. A Rhône-style yeast enhanced flavors of strawberry, pepper, and violets. Aged 16 months in American oak. Aromas of spice and cherry precede flavors of wild berries and blackberry, followed by a pepper and spice finish and gentle tannins in this soft, silky zinfandel. The delicate tannins and rich fruit are a perfect companion for a wide range of foods, from grilled meats to rich sauces

This wine is a reserve selection from Hansen Vineyard, in the Templeton microclimate and El Pomar district of Paso Robles. Attention to detail in every level of this vineyard results in consistently superior quality. The grapes were fermented in large open top fermentors with a Bordeaux-isolate yeast, punched down by hand, and given extended maceration for three weeks. The wine was then aged for eighteen months in new French oak, to give it a splash of vanilla character with a refined and subtle perfume of oak. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. A portrait of terroir in blackberry, black cherry, anise, chocolate and toasty oak.

These grapes came from Jack Ranch in the cool Edna Valley region. The grapes were whole cluster pressed, and barrel fermented with a Rhone yeast known to emphasize pear, hazelnut and almond characters. The wine was aged for ten months in new French oak, second fill, to lend structure and to emphasize the vanillin spice. Aromas of cream and butter pour from every glass of this rich, silky chardonnay. A luxuriant texture pulls together flavors of Fuji apple, vanilla and oak.

Sangiovese from Nona Vineyard in the northwestern San Miguel microclimate, and cabernet from Francis James Vineyard in the eastern Estrella Bench were picked at optimum ripeness, with richly pigmented skins, and toasty seeds which contribute ripe, spicy tannins. Both vineyards produced a mere 2 tons per acre in 2002, resulting in fabulous fruit and layers of spice. The wine was fermented in small open tops with a Rhone yeast that enhances black cherry character, and punched down by hand. It was aged for 22 months in neutral French and new American barrels for gentle perfumes of oak, vanilla and spice. Aromas of tarragon and cinnamon precede flavors of sweet cherry and licorice in this smoothly-textured sangiovese blend.

A reserve selection of vineyard and barrel lots from 2001, the Cabernet Franc came from De Rose Vineyard in the Cienega Hills, an historic, practically Pleistocene Age vineyard and winery on an earthquake fault near Santa Cruz. Merlot and Cabernet were contributed by Cougar Ridge Vineyard, a limestone and shale vineyard with steep slopes, sitting at 1600’ elevation in northwest Paso Robles. Petite Verdot came from the immensely popular Fralich Vineyard in the stony shale hills of Templeton. All lots were aged for 28 months in new French or American barrels, then bottled unfined and unfiltered. Aromas of elderberry, sage and anise lead into intriguing flavors of black cherry, peppercorn, spice and herbs—in a ménage of Bordeaux varieties.

These Merlot grapes came from Cougar Ridge Vineyard, a ridgetop vineyard in the mountainous Adelaida Hills microclimate, where the Santa Lucia mountain range begins. High ocean breezes sweep through the ridgetops, bringing cooling oceanic influence without fog. The exceptional quality of these high-elevation grapes resulted in a wine with exceptional clarity, depth, and flavor. The wine was aged for 28 months in new French, Hungarian and American oak, and underwent natural malolactic fermentation. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. Deep color and aromas of blackberry, herbs and cherry blossoms introduce a merlot with crisp, bright flavors of plum and blackberry overlying complex notes of tea, anise and leather

Benito Dusi’s eighty-year-old vineyard is planted entirely to zinfandel, rare for a vineyard of that age. His vineyard is located on the west side of Estrella River in the cool and windy Templeton Gap corridor. The heavy, gnarled, and head-pruned vines are visible from Highway 101, but don’t expect to see a sign. Benito figures, if the vineyard’s been there for eighty years, who needs a sign? The fruit was a select pick with full flavor development and toasty seeds. It was fermented in small open tops with a Rhône isolate yeast specifically chosen to emphasize the wine’s deep fruit and smoke characteristics. Its smooth, gentle tannins and natural complexity are augmented by sixteen months in French oak. Aromas of white pepper and cherry lead into a satisfying core of raspberry, blackberry, nutmeg and chocolate in this vintage from Benito Dusi’s eighty-year-old vines.

A free-thinking American blend of rich cabernet, gypsy sangiovese, rustic barbera and fruity grenache. The fruit was whole berry fermented , with a yeast that emphasizes black cherry and berry elements, in small open tops to retain exuberant fruit flavors, and aged in a selection of French, American and Hungarian oak, individually selected for each vineyard and vintage lot. Our current Renegade features aromas of chocolate, raspberry and cherry, followed by flavors of black cherry, roast beef and spicy tannins.

This Roussanne came from Starr Ranch, in the Adelaida Hills district of northwest Paso Robles, where the Paso Robles region receives the most rain, yet high elevations hold the vineyards up to dry in the stiff ocean breezes, and sharply inclining terroir offers rocky eroded hillsides of etched limestone. The grapes were hand-picked, whole cluster pressed, and barrel fermented. The wine was aged sur lies for six months in neutral French oak to give it an elegant creaminess and gentle perfume of oak and pastry. Aromas of spice and butter pour from every glass of this rich silky Roussanne. A luxuriant texture pulls together flavors of Fuji apple, vanilla and oak.

The wine is a combination of fruit from Jimmy’s Vineyard and Fralich Vineyard, both in the windy Templeton Gap microclimate. The vineyard we call “Jimmy’s” is actually Jim Jacobsen’s Doce Robles Vineyard, located in the Templeton Gap wind corridor of Paso Robles. Jimmy’s fruit is consistently excellent, with deep pigment and balanced fruit flavors. Harry Fralich’s shale, limestone and gravel vineyard is planted to Viognier, Roussanne, Syrah, Zinfandel, Petit Verdot and Verdelho, all producing small lots with limited tonnage. Its location in the Templeton Gap microclimate insures good wind movement and 40º-50º nighttime temperature drops. The wine was aged for 22 months in neutral French and new American barrels for gentle perfumes of oak, vanilla and spice. Aromas of blueberry, chocolate and violets precede a fruit bomb of blueberry flavors followed by a roast beef finish and gentle tannins in this soft, silky syrah. The delicate tannins and rich fruit are a perfect companion for a wide range of foods, from grilled meats to rich sauces.

Dove Pond, located at the junction of Vineyard Drive and Highway 46 West, enjoys crisp Templeton Gap breezes flowing inland from the ocean and Estero Bay. Owned by Rich and CriCri Easton, this young vineyard produced only one-half ton per acre in 2002, resulting in delightful blackberry fruit and promising aromas. The wine was produced using small open top fermentation with Rhone-style yeast, and aged for eighteen months in new American oak. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. Bonbon flavors of blackberry, coconut and cherry liqueur are augmented by aromas of blackberry, chocolate and espresso in this decadent Syrah

Blueberries, chocolate, plum and oak are evident in your first whiff of Starr Ranch syrah, followed by flavors of blueberry, smoke, and licorice in this heavy, succulent selection from a beautiful ridgetop vineyard in the Adelaida Hills district of west Paso Robles. The wine was produced using small open top fermentation with Rhône-style yeast, and aged for sixteen months in new French oak. Bottled unfined.

The viognier grapes are from Hansen Vineyard, in the Templeton microclimate and El Pomar district of Paso Robles. Attention to detail in every level of this vineyard results in consistently superior quality, and 2004 resulted in a low-tonnage and exceptionally high quality vintage. The grapes were whole cluster pressed, barrel fermented, and aged sur lies for six months in seasoned French oak, to give the wine a gentle perfume of oak without overwhelming its exotic fruit flavors. Tropical and floral aromas are followed by peach and citrus flavors in a creamy yet exotic style that appeals to red and white wine drinkers alike.

Dove Pond Vineyard sits at the intersection of Highway 46 West and north Vineyard Drive, in the windy Templeton Gap of west Paso Robles. Dove Pond is a family-owned vineyard with low production and attention to quality and detail. Owner Rich Eastin, a professor of economics at USC, regales his students with stories of viticultural misfortune, but in fact his fruit is high quality, and the 2002 Dove Pond syrah was a Dover Canyon wine club selection. These grapes were cold soaked to 32% sugar, then cold fermented with a Rhone-isolate yeast to emphasize aromas of cassis and violets, and aged for sixteen months in both French and American oak., for balanced nuances of spice and vanillin. Aromas of spice and cherry liqueur lead into classic zinfandel flavors of raspberry and wild berry, with strong elements of pepper, nutmeg and toasty oak.