Paso Robles Rhone Producers Join Together
to Create
Rhone Rangers Chapter
Paso Robles, CA - On
Tuesday, January 30th, representatives
from 23 Paso Robles wineries met at Tablas
Creek Vineyard to form a regional chapter
of the Rhone Rangers organization. This
will be California's second regional chapter
of the Rhone Rangers, a group dedicated
to "advancing the knowledge of Rhone
grapes grown in America and the enjoyment
of the wines produced from those grapes".
Paso Robles, with its long growing season,
dramatic diurnal temperature variance,
unusual concentration of calcium-rich
soils and diverse terrains between 800
and 2000 feet, has become a destination
for Rhone producers and enthusiasts alike.
In 1978, Gary Eberle planted California's
first Syrah vines in his Estrella River
Winery. In 1989, the Perrin brothers of
Château de Beaucastel in Châteauneuf-du-Pape
chose the hills in the western part of
the Paso Robles AVA to found Tablas Creek.
Today, Paso Robles is the fastest-growing
wine region in California, home to over
170 bonded wineries and 26,000 vineyard
acres. Nearly 80% of the winery members
of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance
produce a Rhone wine, and a higher percentage
of member wineries produce a Syrah than
any other grape. More on Paso Robles is
at www.pasowine.com.
The national wine press has noted the
region's affinity for Rhone varietals.
Decanter Magazine asserted the "potential
for producing outstanding Rhone-style
wines". Gourmet agrees: "Rhone
varieties excel." Stephen Tanzer
comments, "Paso Robles, in particular,
is in the middle of a grape-growing boom,
led by a handful of young winemakers who
are crafting rich and satisfying wines
from Rhone varieties."
The
Rhone Rangers is based in Ukiah, California,
and represents just under 200 winery members,
110 Professional and Grower Associates,
and 800 Sidekick (consumer) members. The
organization produces annual tastings
in San Francisco (March), Los Angeles
(April) and Seattle (July) and leads outreach
to press, trade and consumers on American
Rhone wines. Winery members come from
California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho,
and New York, and consumer and associate
members from around the United States.
More information is available at www.rhonerangers.org.
Producers represented
at the initial regional Rhone Rangers
meeting included Adelaida Cellars, Anglim
Winery, Arroyo Robles Winery, Calcareous
Vineyard, Cass Winery, Chateau Margene,
Clayhouse Vineyard, Eberle Winery, Edward
Sellers Vineyards & Wines, Firestone
Vineyard, Four Vines Winery, Halter Ranch
Vineyard, Hug Cellars, J. Lohr Vineyards
& Wines, Justin Vineyards & Winery,
L' Aventure Winery, Norman Vineyards Inc.,
Redline Wines, Robert Hall Winery, Summerwood
Winery, Tablas Creek Vineyard, Terry Hoage
Vineyards, and Villa Creek Cellars.
For
More Information:
Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance
Christopher Taranto - Communications Manager
(805) 239-8463 x207
www.pasowine.com
The Rhone Rangers
www.rhonerangers.org
Tablas Creek Vineyard
Jason Haas - Director
Rhone Rangers - General Manager
(805) 237-1231
info@tablascreek.com
http://www.tablascreek.com/
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Paso Robles Wine Country