Palate

The 2012 Tempranillo conjures up all the melancholic, deliciously shiver-inducing sentiments of a perfect autumn day – dried leaves on forest floor, red plum compote, sweet leather and pipe tobacco. This new vintage has all the unforgettable and endearing sides of our beloved Spanish cowboy, while also displaying a soft youthful approachability. Layers of red fruit, brown spice and earth tumble around the front to mid-palate, gently leading to enough tannin on the finish to know this wine is Tempranillo without overdoing it.

Growing Conditions

Birthplace: Paderewski Vineyard

Stomping Grounds: One southwest sloping limey hillside

Paderewski Vineyard:

Travel just west of Paso Robles, and you will find Paderewski Vineyard: 67 acres of undulating, steep, limestone rich hillsides within 570 rural, spring-fed acres. In the early 1900’s, this vineyard was cherished and farmed by world-renowned pianist, Polish diplomat, and vintner, Ignacy Jan Paderewski. Fast forward a century, and this property stood forgotten and fallow. Lucky for us, in 2004, we became the stewards of this amazing piece of property.

Planted: 2004 Acreage: 95 under vine, 570 total Soils: limestone, calcareous, rocky pH: low to mid 8 AVA: Paso Robles District: Willow Creek Red Varietals: Grenache, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Zinfandel White Varietals: Grenache Blanc, Picpoul Blanc, and Viognier

Bottling

Trade: Cowboy | Aspirations: Dude Ranch Owner

Graduation: Bottled June 2014 | Debut: Released Fall 2015

Winemaking

Gender: Male | Eye Color: Hazel | Hair: Sandy brown | Body Shape: Muscular from roping cattle

Languages: English and Spanish spoken with a southern accent | Hobbies: Rodeo

Rearing: Fermented ~15% whole cluster in stainless steel tanks

Aging

Aged for 19 months in 66% New French oak barrels