Wineries

Parr Collective (Phelan Farm, Brij Wines, & Scythian Wine Co.)

3776 Santa Rosa Creek Road, Cambria, CA 93428
parrcollective.com

Region: SLO Coast AVA

Owner: Rajat Parr

Winemaker: Rajat Parr

About: We farm and make wines from Phelan Farm, Stolo Vineyards in Cambria CA. We also enjoy a project in the Cucamonga Valley and Temecula (Scythian Wine Co.) where we rehabilitate long forgotten vineyards of Mission/Pais grapes.

What is your favorite forgotten grape? Gringet

What was your first experience with a forgotten grape? A difficult question to answer, by nature I’m drawn to the road less traveled, or in this case wine grapes obscured from popular enjoyment over time. In my earliest days exploring wine grapes I had a keen interest in lesser-known varieties. Gringet really piqued my interest then, and I’m still fascinated by it today. So much so that I’ve planted it in my vineyards along the California Central Coast in Cambria and San Simeon. When I taste Gringet it takes me back to my visits to the Savoie, where for literally centuries Gringet was misunderstood to be a Traminer variant. It wasn’t until the advent of DNA testing that we were able to confirm our suspicions that Gringet is a distinct variety, with very unique properties.

What do you love most about the forgotten grapes? In North America, maybe not my first experience, but definitely the most interesting. Forgotten grapes aren’t one single variety, it’s really more about a region and the varieties grown there. Specifically, the historic vineyards of Los Angeles, the Cucamonga Valley, and the Native American lands of the Pachanga. Most of which were largely ignored and abandoned in the late 1800’s and early 20th century. My good friend Abe Schoener and I have slowly discovered small patches of these vineyards still surviving wildly for over a hundred years. We’re on a journey to discover more varieties there including Palomino, Alicante Bouschet, Mission/Pais, and a couple of others still hiding somewhere out there.

PasoSecco

1244 Pine Street, Suite 101B, Paso Robles
www.pasosecco.com

Region: Paso Robles/Central Coast

Owner: Chris Kern

Winemaker: Elizabeth Kuhlemann

About: PasoSecco is the first and only Prosecco-style sparkling wine produced in Paso Robles made exclusively from Paso Robles grapes. Crafted by vintner Chris Kern and winemaker Elizabeth Kuhlemann, PasoSecco is 100% Grenache Blanc harvested in the El Pomar District on Paso Robles’s East Side that undergoes the Charmat, or secondary tank fermentation, method used by the top Prosecco producers in Italy. The Charmat method ensures bright, citrusy aromatics; crisp, refreshing, mouth-watering flavors; and a cavalcade of rich, elegant bubbles that dance across your tongue and leave you wanting more.

With our signature Mediterranean blue label and double ribbon design, PasoSecco combines Portofino chic with Palm Springs cool, while always being exclusively Paso Robles. Savor PasoSecco ice-cold with friends, loved ones, or on any regular weeknight when you need a little sparkle. Pair PasoSecco with hand-cut potato chips, oysters on the half-shell, or even fried chicken. And enjoy PasoSecco in a spritz, Kir Royale, French 75, or your favorite sparkling wine cocktail; it was built to be mixed into libations! PasoSecco is not just your

Everyday Bubbles, PasoSecco is the Best Bubbles in Paso!

What is your favorite forgotten grape?  Cinsault

What was your first experience with a forgotten grape? My second favorite wine ever when I started drinking wine was a Grenache and Mourvedre heavy E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone

What do you love most about the forgotten grapes? I love how passionate those who produce them are about seeing them survive, and showcasing them to wine drinkers who are not familiar with them and watching their eyes light up and dispositions change.

Post & Vine Wines

PO Box 5142, Napa CA 94581
www.postandvine.com

Region: North Coast

Owner: Rebekah Wineburg

Winemaker: Rebekah Wineburg

About: Post & Vine is a North Coast-based winemaking project focused on sustainably-produced wines from historic vineyard sites. Founded by Rebekah Wineburg in 2012, Post & Vine works exclusively with sustainably-farmed old vines and implements a meticulous, low-intervention mentality in the cellar to produce small amounts of artisanal, site-specific wines that deeply reflect the unique places from which they come. All of our wines are produced from hand-harvested fruit, indigenous yeasts, and are bottled unfined and unfiltered. The resulting wines are joyful, honest, and deeply speak to their place of origin.

What is your favorite forgotten grape? Carignane

What was your first experience with a forgotten grape? I was first introduced to Carignane early in my career while working in the cellar at Rudd Winery in Napa Valley during the 2003 harvest. One day, I noticed a darkly colored variety with large clusters and small berries being brought across the crush pad, destined for a port-style wine for their Edge Hill project. Intrigued by the bright acidity and the unique blend of fruit and spice flavors, I felt compelled to learn more. It turned out that the grapes were from old-vine Carignane grown at the Testa Vineyard in Redwood Valley, Mendocino. I reached out to the Testa (Martinson) family, kept in touch, and when I was ready to start my own brand in 2012, I decided to focus exclusively on old-vine vineyards, producing an Old Vine Field Blend from the Testa Vineyard for Post & Vine Wines.

What do you love most about the forgotten grapes? I love making wines from these lesser-known varieties. The old vine vineyards that I work with are able to express authentic and honest character and stay true to their origins. The wine represents the past, present, and future all at the same time and I am honored to be a part of their story.

Presqu’ile Winery

3591 Presquile Drive, Santa Maria, CA 93455
www.presquilewine.com

Region: Santa Barbara County

Owner: The Murphy Family

Winemaker: Dieter Cronje

About: Presqu’ile (‘press-keel’) is a family-owned winery in the Santa Maria Valley dedicated to crafting exceptional, cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah from Santa Barbara County.

What is your favorite forgotten grape? Aligoté

What was your first experience with a forgotten grape? Trying a beautifully fresh Aligoté while visiting Burgundy, France. I was surprised to learn about the grape, in general, and even more shocked to find such a unique white wine coming out of the area.

What do you love most about the forgotten grapes? The opportunity to stumble upon something unique and fun while wine buying in the wild.

Robert Hall Winery

3443 Mill Road Paso Robles, CA 93446
www.roberthallwinery.com

Region: Paso Robles AVA Geneseo District

Owner: Jeff O’Neill

Winemaker: Don Brady and Amanda Gorter

About: Robert Hall wines are a tribute to hard work and pride in craft. Our award-winning wines represent the pillar of the vibrant and premier Paso Robles winemaking region, and express the spirit of the valley. Our estate-grown varieties have big, bold characteristics and our wines are crafted with rich, complex flavors.

What is your favorite forgotten grape? Vermentino

What was your first experience with a forgotten grape? I was visiting Italy when I first tasted Vermentino. Really lovely memories with a memorable wine.

What do you love most about the forgotten grapes? The romance of the past.

San Rucci

6201 Schirra Ct, Suite 7, Bakersfield, CA 93313
www.sanrucci.com

Region: California’s Central Valley

Owner: The Merz Family

Winemaker: Bill and Tony Merz

About: San Rucci is an urban winery based in the California’s Central Valley. The name San Rucci is the combination of our two family names – the San Filippo’s and the Becherucci’s. Because we do not own any vineyards, we are able to work with grape growers throughout the state to craft a variety of wines including some Italian varieties that are not often found throughout the new world. Salute!

What is your favorite forgotten grape? Falanghina

What was your first experience with a forgotten grape? While working for a previous employer, I had the opportunity to taste wines made from an “experimental vineyard” planted with various forgotten grapes. It was rather thought provoking to taste these wines.

What do you love most about the forgotten grapes? I think the thing I like the most about the forgotten grapes is the curiosity of what could be. There are so many forgotten grapes that are unique on their own but then add terroir, it’s fascinating. There will always be a place for grapes like Cabernet, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, but there are so many other varieties that make interesting and delicious wines. It is fun to introduce the forgotten varieties to wine drinkers.

Sans Liege Wines

2995 Limestone Way, Paso Robles, CA 93446
www.sansliege.com

Region: Paso Robles

Owner/Winemaker: Curt Schalchlin

About: Sans Liege (sahn leej) or “without allegiance” aptly describes owner/winemaker Curt Schalchlin’s tenacity to pursue winemaking on the central coast unhindered by the trappings of any particular style.

What is your favorite forgotten grape? Grenache

What was your first experience with a forgotten grape? My inspiration wine was 1998 Clos du Pape. The first wine I made was 2003 Alta Mesa Vineyard, Santa Barbara County, Grenache.

What do you love most about the forgotten grapes? I appreciate the opportunity to share lesser known varietals with people and see and hear their reactions when they taste something for the first time.

Shadow Run Vineyards & Winery

2720 La Panza Rd., Paso Robles, CA
www.shadowrunvineyards.com

Region: Creston District, Paso Robles

Owner: Les and Susan Evans

Winemaker: Aaron Hunt

About: Shadow Run is a 150-acre ranch and vineyard offering varietals of Malbec, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache Noir, Grenache Blanc and Viognier. Much of the ranch is home to wildlife and remains in its natural state, conserving the rugged beauty of this part of California’s Central Coast.

Drive into the countryside, escape the crowds and enjoy wines from our vineyard, planted and farmed by our family. Our winemaker is always at hand to talk about the vines or his favorite wines. Our award-winning wines are hand harvested and produced from estate grown grapes. Our white wines are delicate, fruit forward and our red wines are rich, intriguing. The Shadow Run tasting room overlooks the Huer Huero River valley and is surrounded by vineyards and pristine oak-covered hillsides. Enjoy our wines under the oaks or in the tasting room. Discover this beautiful rural setting located only 20 minutes from downtown Paso Robles. The Shadow Run experience: informal, memorable.

What is your favorite forgotten grape? Cinsaut

What was your first experience with a forgotten grape? Tasting with my wine collector friends at a wine storage facility in Irvine, Wine Cellar Club America.

What do you love most about the forgotten grapes? The diversity and uniqueness of the flavors.