Summer 2010 Newsletter

Highlights from the Summer Newsletter

Summer is here! Many exciting things are happening at Vina Robles. Below is a summary what you'll find in this issue of the Vina Robles newsletter.

Behind the Vine
Featured Wine - 2009 White⁴
New Release - 2007 Syrée
Recipe
The Advantages of Aeration
Happenings
Signature WIne Club Events

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Behind the Vine

You often hear about how a vineyard’s soil can shape the character of a wine. But the soil itself is only half of the story. The other half is how you work with the soil to develop a balanced vine for maximum quality.

For example, our Creston Valley Vineyard occupies dry, sandy soil with elements of limestone. Our Jardine Vineyard to the north, on the other hand, is rooted in heavier soils with a higher clay level. Meanwhile, our Huerhuero is a sort of hybrid—the soils in the southern part are more like Jardine, while those at the northern end are more similar to Creston Valley... read more »

Featured Wine - 2009 White⁴

Our second release of WHITE⁴ advances “the power of four” as an artful blend of four varietals that is more delicious than the sum of its parts. The 2009 vintage is composed of Vermentino (42%), Verdelho (29%), Viognier (26%), and Sauvignon Blanc (3%). While Vermentino and Verdelho remain quite rare in California, we have found them to be remarkably responsive to the terroir of our estate Huerhuero Vineyard... read more »

New Release - 2007 Syrée

The 2007 Syrée exemplifies our mission at Vina Robles, which is to craft finely balanced wines that represent a stylistic bridge between the Old and New worlds. Accordingly, this wine showcases the powerful flavors of Paso Robles, but also harnesses them with remarkable structure and grace... read more »

Recipe - Chef Todd Jurich

Todd Jurich is a self-made chef who began cooking professionally in 1976, and who established several award-winning restaurants before opening his eponymous bistro in 1992. Since then, Todd Jurich’s Bistro restaurant has been a cornerstone of the revival of downtown Norfolk, Virginia. Todd shares his recipe for Lamb as an exotically flavorful match for our 2007 Syrée... read more »

The Advantages of Aeration

In the official tasting notes for our wines, you will sometimes see decanting recommendations. For example, when you uncork the 2007 Syrée featured in this newsletter, Winemaker Matthias Gubler recommends decanting the wine for two hours prior to serving.

But what exactly does decanting do, and how can it benefit the wine? These are common questions that we often hear in our tasting room, so we will endeavor to answer them here... read more »

Happenings

Now Open: The Gallery at Vina Robles

Amid a cheerful crowd on the evening of May 21, we opened The Gallery at Vina Robles, bringing an exciting new visual art experience to the Paso Robles wine country.

The Gallery at Vina Robles is a dedicated 1,800-square-foot space at our hospitality center that features rotating exhibits from a variety of accomplished painters, sculptors and other artists. The inaugural artists are: Tomas Panzarino - zinc and polychrome paintings; Jean Neas - pastels and watercolors; Larry Schuster - metal, stone, glass and wood sculptures; and Carla Cary - acrylic on canvas... read more »

The British Are Coming…to Vina Robles

Saturday, August 28 Doors open at 5:30 p.m., Music starts at 7:00 p.m.

The British Invasion is coming to Vina Robles as we host an evening of U.K. - style fun on Saturday, August 28 to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters. The main attraction is a concert of classic Beatles and Rolling Stones tunes performed by Unfinished Business. Other festivities include showings of the Beatles’ Yellow Submarine movie and Ed Sullivan Show episodes in our Signature Room, as well as a display of British automobiles courtesy of several Southern California British car clubs... read more »

Signature Wine Club Events

Explore the “Dream Path” - A Day at Adelaida Springs Ranch

Saturday, July 24 from 9:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Enjoy a great day up at our most special vineyard, Adelaida Springs Ranch. We will take you to 1,700 feet, 14 miles west of Paso Robles. This is where the grapes for our Meritage blend, Suendero, are grown. Here you will learn about the different stages of vine and grape growing from our experts, Assistant Winemakers, Julie and Craig Holme, and Viticulturist, Sukhy Sran. Meet ranch owner, Laird Foshay, hear his story and enjoy the picturesque view over the hills of Paso Robles’ westside and the lake at Adelaida Springs Ranch... read more »

Petite Sirah & Friends Seminar and Wine Club Pick-Up Party

Saturday, September 11 from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Join us for a celebration of Petite Sirah as Winemaker Matthias Gubler and Viticulturist Sukhy Sran lead a comprehensive seminar and tasting of the varietal. From the history of Petite Sirah to growing it in the vineyard, making the wine to pairing it with food, this event will give you a complete understanding and appreciation of one of Paso Robles’ up-and-coming varietals. The seminar will include a Riedel logo glass and a compendium booklet covering the seminar topics... read more »