Red Wines

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Cinquain Cellars

Painting by Agata Zaborowski - Woman enjoying wine

Ciento Cellars is a charming boutique winery with an incredibly small yet dedicated team: Dave, Tonia, Jake, and their beloved dog, Oakley! While they may be few in number, the beauty of their wines and the quality of their fruit are the results of a collaborative effort that extends far beyond their small crew.

At the heart of their success are the tireless vineyard crews led by second-generation grape growers Mia and Juan Nevarez, whose hard work nurtures the vines that produce Ciento's exceptional grapes. Equally important are the mentors, teachers, and friends from the vibrant Paso Robles community, whose wisdom and support have shaped their winemaking journey.

And let’s not forget the families and friends whose love and encouragement fuel their passion for winemaking year-round. Ciento Cellars’ estate vineyard spans 14.4 acres, nestled between 1,200 and 1,400 feet above sea level. Here, gently rolling terrain meets steep hillsides, creating a diverse landscape that enhances the complexity of their wines.

The vineyard's soils are rich in calcareous limestone shale, characteristic of Paso Robles' westside terroir. With just the right amount of clay to retain moisture and loamy soils that provide essential nutrients, the ground is perfectly suited for growing premium grapes. Wine lovers are invited to visit the tasting room and check out samples of the limestone shale that contributes to the unique character of their wines!

Most of Ciento's estate vineyard was planted in the spring of 2019, with the Cinsault and Petit Verdot blocks added in 2021. As these blocks come into production in 2024, the team is thrilled to introduce new, intriguing components to their wine portfolio. The Viognier block, situated just below the tasting patio, was planted in 2023, so it will be a couple of years before this block begins to yield fruit.

For those seeking an intimate wine experience filled with passion and community spirit, Ciento Cellars is a must-visit destination in Paso Robles!

Blankiet Estate Winery

wine barrel room - PIxabay

Blankiet Estate is nestled high on the western foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains above Yountville. The vineyard, named Paradise Hills, is planted on one of the most acclaimed viticultural areas of the Napa Valley. The Estate was created in 1996 by Claude & Katherine Blankiet with the single vision of producing wines in the tradition of the great Bordeaux First Growth.

D'Art Wines

red wine pouring into glass

Helen and Dave Dart started their dream as home winemakers with a passion for great wines. After winning several awards in that category, they decided to make small lot commercial wines to share with like-minded enthusiasts.

What does a Spanish dancer have to do with a winery that has a French name? Absolutely nothing and everything. It was one of the first artworks created by Dave around the same time he and Helen began making wine at home. This piece has served as the winery's logo since their days as garagistes. Their journey began when they took Best of Show at the Sacramento Home Winemakers wine competition with their very first wine, a 2000 Syrah, igniting their passion for winemaking. Although Helen has French heritage, the name Dart is purely English.

Now residing on their Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard, where the winery is located, the tasting room is a feast for the eyes. Dave and Helen have adorned the space with Dave's photo art, reflecting their travels around the world. Most days, Helen is present in the tasting room, eager to share her special wine-pairing recipes and insights into winemaking.

Through the tasting room lies the barrel room, where Dave and his daughter, Jessie, handle the winemaking process. They divide their responsibilities, with Jessie managing fermentation and barrel aging while Dave focuses on master blending and bottling.

The d’Art team is their most valuable asset. Visitors are warmly welcomed in the tasting room, where the couple loves getting to know their customers.

San Joaquin Wine Company

looking out at the vineyards - Pixabay

Steve Schafer, along with wife Cindy Schafer, founded San Joaquin Wine Company in 2005 as the fulfillment of a personal passion. Growing up in a family farm business and having the experience of growing 12 varietals of wine grapes along with almonds for over 40 years, Steve wanted to see his grapes go full circle! This sparked the idea to start a winery right here in their backyard in the heart of Madera County!

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

wine corks and glass - Pixabay

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars offers unparalleled hospitality. Secure a reservation to discover iconic Napa Valley wines, refined food and wine pairing experiences, and stunning views of the famous FAY and S.L.V. vineyards set against the backdrop of the Stags Leap Palisades.

Opolo Vineyards

wine dancing in wine glass - Pixabay

Rick Quinn and David Nichols started as neighbors, became friends, and eventually joined forces to fulfill their shared dream of creating a winemaking legacy in Paso Robles.

In 1997, Rick and David began planting vineyards, and by 1999, they established their family winery in the coastal mountains of the Willow Creek District. They chose the name Opolo to honor Quinn's Serbian heritage, referencing a rosé-style wine native to the Dalmatian Coast.

Although the modern winemaking era in Paso Robles was just beginning, Rick and David recognized the region’s immense potential. They focused on Zinfandel, a heritage grape of Paso Robles, as well as Bordeaux and Rhône varieties that would come to define the area's reputation.

Since then, Opolo has become a cornerstone of the Paso Robles experience, known for its widely acclaimed estate wines, warm hospitality, and legendary wine club. Today, Opolo offers a diverse selection of wines, including the iconic Mountain Zinfandel, limited-release reserves, and vineyard designates. Visitors are invited to explore the world of Opolo at their tasting room.

Buccella Wines

wine corks and glass - Pixabay

Buccella, under the guidance of well-known winemaking consultant Celia Masyczek has fashioned brilliant Cabernet Sauvignons in both 2006 and 2007 and the 2008 continues their success. The 2008s are slightly more powerful, backward wines but they have enough structure as well as sensational concentration and depth to support the tannins. ROBERT PARKER RATING: 95

Bond Estates

grape cluster - Pixabay

Bond offers four Napa Valley Red wines, Melbury, St. Eden, Vecina, and Pluribus. The wine not utilized for the final blends of Bond, then goes to create a second wine under the Matriarch label. I tasted a bottle of Matriarch recently and was very impressed with its silky nature.

Bokisch Vineyards

wine and cheese

Bokisch Ranches has been in the business of developing vineyards and selling grapes to other wineries throughout California since 1996. Bokish management company farms 1,000 acres of winegrapes within the Lodi Appellation. Bokisch Ranches grow several white varieties including Albarino, Pinot Grigio, Verdelho, Johannesburg Riesling, Viognier and Chardonnay. Our red grape varieties include Tempranillo, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Graciano, Grenache, Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon and customizes their farming to match theirr buyers needs. Bokisch Ranches partners with small and large wineries located in many wine regions throughout California including Napa, Sonoma, Marin, Amador, Santa Cruz and, of course, Lodi!

Waugh Cellars

barrel room - PIxabay

Waugh Cellars, Ryan Waugh founded this winery in 2001 at the young age of 25. Many 25 year olds are still trying to figure out what to do with their careers. At the time of our visit Ryan is project manager for his own 22,000 square foot completely underground-contained cave winery (including the crush pad) 900 feet above the valley floor in the famed Stag's Leap District. Ryan is one of the new generation of Napa winemakers - young, lots of enthusiasm, with initiative, International wine experience and an unbridled passion for working with vineyards. He was bitten with the wine bug while studying to be a Doctor at Santa Clara University.

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