Paso Robles Wine Country Levels the Playing Field For California Cabernet

by Frank Mangio
It’s been a well deserved 50 some years of Napa Valley excellence in growing and producing California ’s finest, Cabernet Sauvignon.  Some would go further and say the world’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon.  In the 60’s, just 25 Napa wineries were operating, and now there are over 400 and land can be over $500,000. an acre.

Daniel Daou has led the charge for Cabernet quality in Paso Robles with
a collaborative association, the Cab Collective.

While Napa  was solidifying its position as the premium Cab country in California, a pocket of this state, between  San Francisco and Santa Barbara , was slowly gathering momentum from key owners, emigrating from other lands and careers.  Paso Robles was harvesting quality wines, first in the 70’s with Gary Eberle and his Syrahs and Cabs, then in the 80’s with Ken Volk and Jerry Lohr with a distinctly Rhone Valley French footprint.

As Paso was examined by more interested wine investors, it became clear that this vast area of some 32,000 acres could be not only a growing grounds for Rhone style wines, but, despite the occasional drawback of heat, a potential garden for Cabernet Sauvignon, the core varietal for the great Bordeaux style of winemaking. My first taste of Paso was with Justin Vineyards and Winery. With its high elevation off Highway 46 close to the coast, it is a natural for the Bordeaux style of Cabernet, mirrored by the venerable star of the winery, Isosceles, popular since the 80’s. ($70)

Fast forward to 2007, when the Daou brothers, Daniel and Georges, after whirlwind fast-track success in technology, purchased and settled into the highest elevation vineyard in the area at 2,200 feet, and a maker of Cabernet.  Their French background and compelling love for Cabernet, pointed the way for their goal of making the best Cabernet in California .

In 2012, the Cab Collective was formed to market the trend. In a recent issue of Wine Spectator, Daniel Daou predicted that “I believe I can make Cabernet here to compete with wine from anywhere in the world. My heart is with Cabernet.  Its complex, structured, it ages and I love the taste of it.”

His 180 acres under vine has produced Daou’s best harvest ever in 2013.  The Daou 2011 Reserve Cabernet scored 95 points in Tasting Panel Magazine. ($53.)  Other Paso Cabs of note that I have tasted and recommend include:  Adelaida Cab Reserve 2011 ($75.), Hunt Cellars Cab 2009. ($75.), Jada Passing By Blend 2011. ($46.), J. Lohr Cuvee 2010. ($50.) and Chateau Margene Cab 2011. ($72)  For more visit www.pasoroblesCAB.com.

Cab Collective at Vin Diego
The major all-wine event in San Diego is Vin Diego, coming Friday April 4 and Sat. April 5 to Liberty Station in San Diego ’s Pt. Loma, the first appearance by the Cab Collective in this town.
Producer David Raschetti is welcoming the group with a panel discussion

The 2nd annual Vin Diego is in San Diego Friday and Saturday April 4th and 5th
with 75 all west coast wineries and some 300 wines.

Friday the 4th from 1:30 to 3pm.  Other Friday events include:  the Pinot All Stars from California and Oregon from 12 Noon to 1:15pm, and a Special Sunset Rare and Reserve Tasting from 6 to 7:30pm. Saturday is the Grand Tasting Event with VIP from 3 to 7pm and General Admission from 4 to 7pm.

Raschetti is amazed by the enthusiasm of the wine community for this 2nd annual show. “Wineries love this format. It’s all about wine.  We went from 40 wineries to 75 this year. The word is out.  They love this show. It gives them a better opportunity to present their wine flavors.
The large, plush conference rooms and patio areas are the best in town for this kind of show.” Prices vary and start with $60. each  for the Friday afternoon conferences and tastings.  Get the full story and tickets at www.vindiego.com.

Wine Bytes
North County Wine Company pours 7 delicious wines in its “rookie” event Fri. March 28 from 4 to 10pm in San Marcos .  Cost is $15. including appetizers.  Big name wines like King Estates, Rombauer and Niner.  Call 760-744-2119.

Vigilucci’s Seafood and Steakhouse in Carlsbad presents Antinori Italian wines and a classic Italian dinner Sat. March 29 at 6:30pm.   $120. pp. RSVP at 760-434-2580.

South Coast Winery in Temecula brings you its 10th annual Blessing of the Vines Wine & Music Festival, Sun. March 30 from 4 to 7pm.  Plenty of great food and Latin jazz for dancing. $45. pp. RSVP at 800-539.1375 x 7234.

Park Hyatt Aviara Carlsbad  has a Cakebread wine dinner Thurs. Apr. 3 from 6 to 9pm.  Cost is $130.  RSVP at 760-448-1234 x 6011.

Howell Mountain: Where it’s at in Napa Valley

by Frank Mangio
Millions of wine lovers, touristy types and California back-country drivers are driven to explore a revered 44,000 acres of wineries ands vineyards known as the Napa Valley . It makes only 4% of the wines in California , but produces 20% of wine sales in this state. Its reputation really took off when Robert Mondavi established his Robert Mondavi Winery. The rich tastes and ripe tannins of the signature Cabernet Sauvignon resemble the Bordeaux wine making area of France , and has demonstrated and was judged, to be superior to the French version.

Highway 29, which cuts through the Valley and routes the traveler to some 400 wineries and 700 grape growers, is a miniature Interstate 5 with traffic woes increasing to the boiling point.

Those in the know have known for some time that the Silverado Trail, which parallels Highway 29 to the east, is a more beautiful, pristine route that takes the traveler to some of the best brands in Napa Valley . Its crown jewel is Howell Mountain , a gentle, rural incline which begins at the 1,400 foot level. It also happens to be the fog-line boundary. Any grapes grown above that level are subject to sunnier days and cooler nights, the holy grail for excellence in wines. The soil is rockier and porous allowing for drainage of the heavier rainfall that they experience. The bottom line is a rich complexity and flavor.
The view from Viader, one of the wineries at the base of Howell Mt. It makes superb examples of Cabernet & Cab Franc.

The Howell Mountain appellation was the first to be recognized as a distinct growing region within the Napa Valley . The family style wineries often have small, hard-to-obtain quantities and are respected for their Cabs and Zins.

The Howell Mountain Wine Tasting for the public and the trade is traveling to Los Angeles and the Peterson Auto Museum on Wilshire Boulevard Monday March 15 from 2 to 6pm . More than 25 select wineries will be pouring. It will be a rare occasion.

Some names to know include: Cakebread, Atlas Peak , Beringer, Duckhorn, O’Shaugnessy, Robert Foley and many more. Tickets for the public are $45. each and can be processed at www.howellmountain.org. Public hours are 4 to 6pm . The info line is: 707-965-2665.

La Costa Wine Company Ramps Up Events
Kris Garrett is a man on a mission. He purchased the former Wine Street in Carlsbad not too long ago from Tanya Kinberg, a popular wine entrepreneur, and proceeded to move into the down economy with an added value and special event mentality.

The name was changed to La Costa Wine Company and the interior was re-modeled into a clean, upscale style that made wines easier to find. An imported cheese section was added to compliment the increase in events at the comfortable bistro style, marble bar. Tanya’s unsurpassed experience in the Napa Valley was enlisted for key “A-List” selections from small producers.
La Costa Wine Company owner Kris Garrett pours Italian wines at a recent tasting event.

The biggest, most exciting news yet is just around the corner on the calendar as Kris and his North County Wine Company host the two legendary wineries in Paso Robles wine growing history: Justin Winery on Friday February 26 from 5 to 8pm and the man that put the appellation on the map, Gary Eberle of Eberle Winery, on Thursday March 4 from 5 to 8pm with a charge of $20.

Eberle is considered to be the pioneer in the making of fine wine in Paso Robles Wine Country with over 30 years of production. His winery tastings are still complimentary, including cave tours. Learn more at www.eberlewinery.com.

At the Justin tasting, wines include: Chardonnay, Cabernet, Savant, Justification, Tempranillo and Obtuse. Fee is $30. Their site is www.justinwine.com. For more on La Costa Wine Company, access www.lacostawineco.com or call 760-431-8455.

Wine Bytes
Firefly Grill and Wine Bar in Encinitas is hosting an Amglin Winemaker Dinner Thurs. Feb. 25, 6:30pm . Cost is $75. ea. Amglin of Paso Robles focuses on the Rhone Varietals and will be pouring Viognier, Pinot Noir, a Rhone blend and a Syrah. To RSVP call 760-635-1066.

Cicciotti’s Trattoria in Cardiff is staging a benefit Opera Concert Thurs. Feb. 25 at 7pm and 9pm . Entrance fee $20. Two internationally known tenors will sing. Gaetano Cicciotti, the owner, has a new cookbook out featuring Italian food specialties. Call 760-634-2335.

Bacchus Wine Market in the Gaslamp District San Diego presents its next “Drink Yourself Blind” bagged wine tasting Fri. Feb. 26 form 4 to 8:30pm. Eight wines to try. Guess right and win prizes. Details at 619-236-0005.

A ZD Napa Valley Wine Tasting is planned for 21 Oceanfront Restaurant in Newport Beach Fri Feb. 26 from 6:30 to 10pm . Four course dinner with perfectly paired wines for $95. Learn more at 949-673-2100.

The Hilton Anaheim hosts a Chalk Hill Wine Dinner Fri. Feb. 26 at 6pm for $75. pp. Main entrée is Herb Roasted Lamb with Salsa Verde and Black Truffles, matching up with the ’06 Estate Cabernet. Call for RSVP’s at 714-740-4412.