Palate

A white for all seasons (and all meals!), and don’t be afraid to hide some in your cellar for a while. Grenache Blanc has found such a sweet spot fermenting and aging in concrete that we had to try our hands at Viognier in concrete as well. We love the results and depth of character that intertwine in this bold yet light-on-its-feet Southern Rhône-inspired blend, loaded with citrus, pineapple, cream and a touch of barrel spice from the Roussanne.

Growing Conditions

Parentage: 61% Catapult and 39% Paderewski Vineyards

Stomping Grounds: North and east-facing shale and limestone-studded hillsides

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

Catapult Vineyard:

Directly in the heart of the Paso Robles’ Templeton Gap, near the acclaimed L’Aventure and Booker Vineyards, sits our Catapult Vineyard. In 2008 we came across 45 barren acres of extreme rocky soils packed with silicious shale and little limestone content. Just the type of soils we love; soils that encourage the vines to struggle while finding nourishment deep within the ground. The reward of this hardworking vine are berries packed with wicked complexity and intense flavors.

Though barely three miles from our Paderewski Vineyard, the pH level at Catapult Vineyard is in the high 5’s. A nice complement to the dirt over at “Rewski”. This pH difference, coupled with the cooler mesoclimate at Catapult allows for different flavor profiles from the fruit produced.

Planted: 2008 Acreage: 28 under vine, 45 total Soils: shale, clay, silt, rocky pH: high 5s AVA: Paso Robles District: Willow Creek Red Varietals: Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Tempranillo White Varietals: Grenache Blanc,Roussane, and Viognier

Bottling

Graduation: Bottled March 10, 2017 | Debut: Released Spring 2017

Winemaking

Rearing: Fermented cool in concrete eggs, concrete tulips, and barrels with weekly batonnage. No malolactic fermentation.

Aging

Aged five months sur lie: 61% concrete and 39% in French oak barrels (10% new)