Cheers to “Paso” and its 26,000 acres and over 200 Wineries. Located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles off Highway 101, the countryside amazingly produces the largest variety of red and white wines from most of the world’s grape varietals due to an extraordinary set of sub-climates. Over 40 different grape types get along with each other.
Winemaker Patrick Muran recently presented Paso Robles
favorite Niner wines at Firenze in Encinitas.
favorite Niner wines at Firenze in Encinitas.
Paso’s rich history began in the 1790’s and hasn’t looked back.
The area flourished when low production, boutique style, family-owned vineyards and wineries multiplied in the 1990s and early 2000s, favoring the land just east and west of the 101, just a few miles from the cool coast with its ocean breezes.
One such family saw the future in the wine industry and acted on their beliefs. Richard and Pam Niner founded Niner Wine Estates in 2001, a 148 vineyard acre plantation, and called it Bootjack Ranch. Later they would increase their holdings and added Heart Hill Vineyard, 46 acres west of the 101, then recenty Jespersen Vineyard, 77 acres in the south and along the coast in Edna Valley, San Luis Obispo , for the express purpose planting Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The present winery, off highway 46 west of the 101, was built in 2009 and is a two level, gravity-fed, all indoor production building with natural light, energy efficient and environmentally conscious.
Niner winemaker Patrick Muran is an avid surfer and sailor who grew up near Paso and Niner. “I surfed all over the world and gained great respect for the raw power in nature,” he said.
“We are well known for our Cabernet, Bordeaux and Rhone Valley French blends, and we are going full throttle, romancing Pinot Noir, that we are growing in the Edna Valley . We brought in a new winemaker whose an expert on making Pinot, Molly Bohlman. She was from Paul Hobbs Winery in Sonoma. She is devoted to this style of grape.”
I asked Muran how the vintages were for him since he became Niner’s winemaker. “2011 was a scary challenge with frost on the vines and lack of long periods of sun. 2012, which is the year for most of our current releases, was a much happier time.
There is now a Pinot Noir cycle. We are on top of it with our 2012 from Edna Valley vineyard, and Molly’s credentials.”
The principal wine served at the recent Firenze Encinitas dinner was the 2010 Twisted Spur blend, served with Lamb Osso Buco and grilled asparagus. It consisted of: 39% Merlot, 37% Petite Sirah, 22% Syrah and 2% Cabernet,with 18 months in oak barrel and 2,286 cases made. I would recommend it at $35. retail. This is a big and bold flavor with rich blueberry and plum.
Other Niner wines poured at this event were: 2012 Grenache Rose’, 2012 Edna Valley Pinot Noir and the 2012 Estate Petite Sirah. A food and wine pairing cruise is planned by Niner Saturday June 20 from 1 to 4pm around Morro Bay . Call 805-226-4882 for details; and visit ninerwine.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment