Paso Robles Willow Creek District - Wine Region of the Day

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Paso Robles Willow Creek District

Just west of the City of Paso Robles and located between the Adelaida District and the Templeton Gap District is the Paso Robles Willow Creek District.  Marine breezes are a strong force in the district with substantial rainfall (24-30 inches per year) and fog commonly found in the area.  The temperatures in the region are cooler than the majority of the main viticultural area, averaging 2,900 growing degree days.  The coolness of the area, slows down the speed at which the fruit ripens allowing the maximum of flavors and sugars to develop.  The Willow Creek District is located around three tributary creeks of the Paso Robles Creek.  These creeks have helped erode and blend the shales, mudstones and sandstones of the Monterey Formation with the coarse sands and gravels of the Paso Robles Formation.  This alluvial mix is slightly alkaline with low water holding potential and of moderate nutrient value.   

Bordeaux and Rhone grape varietals are the most commonly grown in the Paso Robles Willow Creek District.

Los Olivos District - Wine Region of the Day

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Los Olivos

The Los Olivos District is located in Santa Barbara County of California within the townships of Ballard, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and Solvang.  The general formation of the district is the wide alluvial plain formed by the Santa Ynez river that slopes gently southward.  The climate is moderate with little marine influence.  Grapes grown in the region are from Bordeaux and Rhone.

Adelaida District - Wine Region of the Day

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Adelaida District

One of the eleven sub-appellations of the Paso Robles AVA, the Adelaida District is located in the northwestern portion of its parent.  Famously farmed by Polish musician and statesman, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Adelaida experienced its post-prohibition rebirth in the 1960s.  Largely mountainous, this geography has helped create a unique location by protecting the district from cool ocean breezes and allowing cool evening air to slide down the slopes.  These protection gave Adelaida a consistent daytime temperature while preventing overnight frosts.  Tectonics introduced a portion of limestone from the coast to be mixed into the sandstones, mudstones and slates to create colluvial soils that allowed good drainage that could hold sufficient moisture to encourage growth. Temperatures are similar to those of Bordeaux and the Rhone and grapes from those regions thrive here.

Inwood Valley - Wine Region of the Day

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Inwood Valley is located in Shasta County in Northern California in the shadow of Mount Lassen which is approximately 15 miles to the east.  The closest major city is Redding and the closest town is Shingletown.  Given its proximity to an active volcano, it is no surprise that igneous rocks are prominent in the area.  Mt. Lassen, the southernmost volcano in the Cascade Range, last erupted over the period 1915-1917 and that ejecta flowed to the east.  However, the geology of Inwood Valley includes lava and pyroclastic materials from earlier eruptions that have since become to be known as the Tuscan Formation which overlays older, Cretaceous rocks referred to as the Chico Formation.  The valley runs east-west with elevations around 2,000 ft above sea level and are part of transitional zone between the valley floor such as in Redding and the higher mountains to the west.  The Inwood Valley is located between 1,000 - 3,000 feet above sea level where the the slopes are gentler for easier cultivation. 

Geography also effects the climate allowing the flow of cool breezes down the mountainsides and niches where the sun does not overheat slowly maturing grapes.  The area is considered to have a Mediterranean climate, suitable for Bordeaux and Rhône varietals.  The climbing elevation in the region also assures increased precipitation, with the majority falling during the cool season and the geology of the region allows for ground water to be readily accessed.  

 Modern viticulture began in the area began in the late 1970s.  Well before Prohibition, Agoston Hraszathy, in his 1862 book, Grape Culture, Wines and Wine-making with Notes Upon Agriculture and Horticulture indicates that wine grapes were being produced all over California from “San Diego up to Shasta, have given magnificent results”.   One of those early settlers in the Inwood Valley, Elijah Boots planted the first vineyards in 1864. While Mission grapes were initially cultivated, the local wineries now grow Chardonnay, Merlot and Viognier.

2013 Nobelle Wines Roussanne - Wine of the Day

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2013 Nobelle Wines Roussanne

$24

The Monterey County grapes were picked by hand at night in late September.

The fruit came to the winery early morning in perfect condition, and after an immediate press, the juice was settled overnight. The next morning we racked the the lees and moves the fresh juice to french neutral oak barrels. Fermentation went smoothly, and Rhone yeast was used to enhance the aromatic charecteristics of the varietal. A daily “batonnage” made a big difference to increase the creaminess and glycerol level of this wine.

Well known for its aromatic characteristics, this roussanne starts with a mild quince bouquet, followed by a pleasant and crisp mid-body. This Monterey grape is more on the light and citrusy side than full bodied and oaky.

2013 Nobelle Wines Belle Rivière - Wine of the Day

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2013 Nobelle Wines Belle Rivière

$36

Marsanne, the most underestimated Rhone white varietal, expresses its full potential here, with a traditional rhone yeast and a classic batonnage twice daily for six weeks. It can take as much aging in oak as a chardonnay, up to 36 months in big vats! Some of the most exclusive Marsannes in the world are made this way.

This vintage reminds me of white fruit: peach, pear and especially quince which is my favorite fruit. As you taste it, a fresh zest apple comes up front, followed by a dense mouth feel with a lot of weight. Served chilled at 45F, this 2013 Marsanne can age beautifully for the next 10 years.

El Dorado - Wine Region of the Day

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EL DORADO

Photo of the El Dorado wine region by David Toomey for Qorkz. 

El Dorado received its designation as an AVA in 1983. Situated on 410,115 acres, El Dorado is located in the Sierra Nevada Foothills in El Dorado County. Vineyards sit at a variety of elevations between 1,200 and 3,500 feet. There are three basic soil types determining the characteristics of the region: fine-grained volcanic rock decomposed granite and fine-grained shale. Each soil offers good drainage and the nutrients needed to encourage vines producing rich, deeply flavored grapes. El Dorado's mountain vineyards are perched at elevations high above the valley, where cooling breezes off the Sierra Nevada cool the vines. The high elevations mean the grapes receive more direct sunlight, thus ripening fully without retaining excess herbaceous characters or acidity that is out of balance with the fruit flavors. The region is known for its production of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Rhône varietals such as Syrah.

2013 Oak Cliff Cellars Rogues Blend - Wine of the Day

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2013 Oak Cliff Cellars Rogues Blend

$29

A proprietary red blend that marries three primary varietals native to the Rhone Valley of France: Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre (GSM). This classic-style blend resembles the Southern Rhone Chateauneuf du Papes blends in which the spice of the Grenache, lavender fragrance and perfumed berries of the Mourvedre and the dense, tannic fruit of the Syrah are united in a way that creates an earthy, yet explosive combination of flavors suitable for pairing with a wide variety of savory dishes or by itself.

2013 Ascension Cellars Trinity GSM Grenache, Syrah & Mourvèdre - Wine of the Day

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2013 Ascension Cellars Trinity GSM Grenache, Syrah & Mourvèdre

$56

Our vibrant, ruby red gemstone wine is a beautifully bodied southern Rhône-style Grenache blend. Roses, red strawberries and bing cherries encompass the classic elements and style of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, swirling with sour jamminess and spontaneous bursts of rose water, crushed blood red oranges and white pepper on the finish.  

Trinity GSM is an enjoyable companion for medium bodied cheeses but our wine is invariably invited to stay for dinner with entrees of salmon, duck, pheasant, goose, pork, turkey and pasta.

Paso Robles Estrella District - Wine Region of the Day

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PASO ROBLES ESTRELLA DISTRICT

Photo of the Paso Robles Estrella District by David Toomey for Qorkz

The Paso Robles Estrella District is another of the eleven sub-appellations of the Paso Robles viticultural area.  The AVA is located in the northeastern portion of its parent and surrounds the Estrella River. The topography of the region begins mountainous and elevations decrease and even out into the floor of the river valley.  The elevations in the District range from 745 to 1,819 feet above sea level though the wineries are largely found from 1,000 to 1,600. 

The climate is moderately warm making the region ideal for Rhone varietals.  Marine influences and air flows due to elevation also moderate the temperatures which makes the region good for Bordeaux grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  The rainfall amounts range from 12.5 to 15.5 inches per year but are supplemented by the fogs brought into the region from the ocean air. The soils of the District are also effected by the its topography.  The soils of the region are alluvial and have low fertility but enough drainage to allow the roots of the vines to establish themselves and enough clay to help maintain moisture.