The Best Vineyards of Paso Robles

July 2, 2012 - PRLog -- By Emmanuel Lupe
Image courtesy of Ron Bez photography, www.ronbez.com

Halfway between the two main California metropolises of Los Angeles and San Francisco lies Paso Robles wine country. Located along California's famed Central Coast, the Paso Robles wine grape growing region's climate is perfect for the production of award-winning premium wines. A long growing season of warm days and cool evenings give rise to vibrantly ripened fruit with dynamic flavor profiles that translate beautifully in your glass of Paso Robles wine. Traversing the landscape, you will find 26,000 vineyard acres, producing more than 40 wine grape varieties - from Spanish to Italian and Bordeaux to Rhône, including the area's heritage variety Zinfandel. The distinct microclimates and soils, combined with warm days and cool nights, make growing conditions ideal for producing these diverse styles of wine.

Paso Robles was named for its local oak trees, El Paso de Robles, or "The Pass of the Oaks." The name was recorded in 1828 as a rancho where the padres of San Miguel sowed wheat, and the city was founded on the rancho in 1886 and incorporated in 1889. Today the city's name is commonly shortened to Paso Robles. The Paso Robles American Viticultural Appellation (AVA) is home to more than 180 wineries. In the June 30, 2005 issue of Wine Advocate, Robert M. Parker, Jr. asserts "there is no question that a decade from now, the top viticultural areas of Santa Barbara, Santa Rita Hills and the limestone hillsides west of Paso Robles will be as well known as the glamorous vineyards of Napa Valley."

Among all the vineyards, it was difficult to select the top five of Paso Robles, but after several visits to the area and meetings with the winemakers, looking at their wineries, terroirs, and of course tasting their most famous vintages, we came up with a list of five vineyards.

#1: L'AVENTURE:
Five years after his first 98 ratings by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate for his 2004 L'Aventure Red Estate Cuvée, Asseo continues to go from strength to strength, producing a fabulous portfolio of wines that makes L'Aventure one of the bright, shining reference points for the region. This is one of the California Central Coast Superstars, and the wines are worth every cent.

Stephan Asseo, owner and winemaker at L'Aventure Winery, began making wine in 1982, following his education at L'Ecole Oenologique de Macon, Burgundy, France. In that same year, Stephan established Domaine Courteillac in Bordeaux. He and his family later purchased Chateau Fleur Cardinal, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, and Chateau Robin, in the Cotes de Castillion, Bordeaux. Over the next 15 years, Stephan developed into an artisan winemaker of fastidious craftsmanship, and gained a reputation as a maverick vigneron. However, his true desire was to be more innovative than AOC law would allow.

In 1996, this led him on a quest for a great terroir, where he could pursue his ideal as a winemaker. After searching for over a year among the world's great wine fields, ranging from South Africa to Lebanon, and Argentina to Napa, Stephan found Paso Robles. Stephan immediately "fell in love" with the unique terroir. All L'Aventure vineyards are located on the western side of Highway 101. The rolling topography of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range, the deep calcareous soils, and the maritime influence of the renowned Templeton Gap, all combine to produce a world class wine country, with the potential to craft some of the world's greatest blends. It is here, in Paso Robles, that Stephan began his adventure, "L'Aventure."

In order to maximize quality in L'Aventure's harsh terroir, Stephan has established a high density plantation scheme of 2,100 vines per acre. A meticulous regimen of leaf pulling, shoot thinning, and cluster dropping result in benchmark yields of two to two and a half tons per acre. This equates to one bottle of wine per vine. In addition, Stephan's drive for fully mature fruit allows the grapes to fully express their character in the form of intense, concentrated wines. After the painstaking labor in the vineyard, quality selection is continued by hand sorting the grape bunches as they come in. The grapes are then destemmed and vinified in small lots to maintain the integrity of each source or parcel. Thermostatic control enables them to manage premaceration and fermentation flawlessly, with silky, rich wines as the result. Furthermore, aging in French oak, and a minimal racking program contribute much to Stephan's artisan, handcrafted style.

The spirit of L'Aventure is most evident in Stephan's "Paso blends" such as Optimus and Estate Cuvée. Both wines are Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah blends. In these wines, as well as in the Rhône blend Côte à Côte, the blending of premium varietals increases the authenticity, complexity, and balance of the wines. In this adventurous spirit is found the future of Paso Robles wines…great, balanced red blends. The winery reflects L'Aventure's commitment to excellence. All of the equipment is state of the art, a perfect blend between technology and tradition. In the spirit of sustainable agriculture, L'Aventure winery runs on solar power installed by Premier Power.

#2: WINDWARD VINEYARD:
Pinot Noir is the driving passion of Marc Goldberg and Maggie D'Ambrosia, husband and wife owners of Windward Vineyard. Windward Vineyard is dedicated exclusively to producing Burgundian style Pinot Noir. To make the "Great American Pinot Noir," one that rivals those produced in Burgundy, is the couple's passion.

Marc and Maggie purchased and planted the vineyard in 1989 based upon the terroir and microclimate of the Paso Robles west side. The combination of the cooling Pacific breezes, the calcareous soil and the 50 degree daily drop in temperature produce exemplary Pinot Noir. With the Burgundian French term, "Monopole" vision of total control over both the vineyard and the winemaking, the 15-acre vineyard is planted with four notable French clones.

Windward Vineyard is dedicated to putting Paso Robles' Pinot Noir back on the map. Since the 1993 debut in 1995, each of Windward's SOLD OUT vintages have achieved inspiring acclaim, particularly within the community of wine aficionados who appreciate the layered complexity of Burgundian-styled Pinot Noir.

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