Niels and Bimmer Udsen started making wine in the early 1980s. Castoro Cellars got its name from Niels' nickname, "Beaver", which is "Il Castoro" in Italian. It was also instrumental in coming up with the phrase on the label, "Dam Fine Wine". The winery site was purchased in 1991, and has 400 acres of producing vineyards. With winemaker Tom Myers the production is up to 25,000 cases annually.
Zinfandel is considered the flagship varietal. Three regular Zinfandels are produced. The "Zinfusion", with over 1,600 cases made, contains 12% Petite Syrah. It has 14.4% alcohol, and is aged for 12 months in American oak. The single vineyard entrants are "Cobble Creek" and "Whale Rock". Cobble Creek is just over a 600 case production, 15.3% alcohol, with 13 months in American oak. They also produce a "Late Harvest Port" from the Cobble Creek fruit.
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Dover Canyon Winery is an artisanal microwinery specializing in Zinfandel and Syrah. Dan Panico started the winery in 1996 after becoming the winemaker at Eberle Winery. With partner and administrator Mary Baker, they now produce 2,500 cases a year, and have no desire to become a bigger operation.
The "Cujo" Zinfandel is sourced from various vineyards in the area. At 15.7% alcohol, it is aged for 16 months in French and American oak. All of the barrels for this, and the other wines, are neutral. The "Old Vine" Zinfandel is made with fruit from the 80 year old Benito Dusi Vineyard. This historic vineyard is located on the West side of the Estrella River. The "Reserve" Zinfandel, made from estate fruit, is sold out immediately to club members every year.
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Gary Stemper is the founder and winemaker for Eagle Castle Winery. As a Paso Robles local, he has always enjoyed the region's wines. The property was purchased in 1999, with the first vintage coming out in 2000. The name was picked by Gary and his wife MaryLou, with each picking one word. The winery is impressive, with two castles, one complete with a moat, atop a hill.
The wines come from vineyards throughout Paso Robles, with the investors representing over 900 acres. The Zinfandel fruit comes from the Steinbeck Vineyard. It is aged in French and American oak for 24 months, with about 30% new oak. The alcohol levels vary with the vintage, ranging from 14.3 to 15.8%.
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Christian Tietje found a love for Old Vine Zinfandel after coming to San Francisco from Boston where he was a chef. In 1994 He met Susan A. Mahler, a scientist and pilot. He gave her the nickname "SAM". Together they created the Four Vines Winery. In 2004 Bill Grant became a partner, helping Four Vines grow to a 40,000 case annual production.
With an annual production of about 11,300 cases, "Old Vine Cuvee" leads off the Zinfandel lineup. The vines, from vineyards in Mendacino, Amador, Sonoma, Lodi and Paso Robles, range from 15 to 50 years old. Next at just under 2,300 cases produced, comes the "Biker". This is made from fruit from the Dusi and Preston Vineyards in the Westside of Paso Robles. The Amador contributor to the lineup is "Maverick", with about 2,200 cases. With one vineyard having vines over 100 years old, and the other two being over 40 years old, this is another old vine beauty. It has a touch of Syrah. The "Sophisticate", hailing from Sonoma County and coming in with about 800 cases, spends 14 months in French and American oak. Bringing up the end in terms of quantity is the 450 cases made with fruit from the "Dusi Vineyard" in Paso Robles.
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Fratelli Perata, which means "Perata Brothers" in Italian, is an apt name for this small winery owned by Gino and Joe Perata. In 1930 a young Giuseppe Perata, now known as Joe, came to the United States from Italy. With brother Gino, a search was began in 1972 for the ideal vineyard. After searching over most of the west coast, they purchased 40 acres of barley in 1977. This was a hillside in Paso Robles which, according to their father, resembled their ancestral home near Genoa. After clearing the land, they planted 25 acres of Zinfandel in 1980. The 13,000 vines were each planted by hand by members of the Perata family. After selling the fruit for a few years, they started the winery in 1987, with a production of 720 cases. Current production is up to 2,000 cases, all estate fruit.
They produce a single Zinfandel in a traditional old world style. Coming in at only 13.5% it is a food friendly offering which will go well with tomato based Italian dishes. It is worth the drive up the dirt roads to try this one.
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After becoming partners in 1994, Joe and Shirlene Barton took full onership of Grey Wolf Cellars in 1996. They put the tasting room in a 60 year old farmhouse, and the winery in the outbuildings. In 1998 the vineyards were planted. With son Joseph Jr. as the winemaker, they are up to a 4,000 case annual production.
The make three Zinfandels. The "Jackal", the "Family Reserve" and the "Big Bad Wolf", which is the estate offering.
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Mark and Paula Gendron established JanKris Winery in 1990. It is named after their daughters, January and Kristin. The winery is located in the Templeton Gap, and has 170 acres of vines across three vineyards located in both the Eastside and Westside. All of their wines are produced solely with estate fruit.
The sole Zinfandel has won many awards. It is "Paso Robles Tres Ranchos". They have a 1,500 case annual production. Fruit forward, it still comes in at only 13.9% alcohol.
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Linne Calodo is a family-owned and operated winery, focusing on the production of hand-crafted wines. The name describes the distinctive limestone soils of the west side of Paso Robles where the vineyards are located. The wines are unfined and unfiltered, featuring both Rhone and Zinfandel varietals. Since their four "Mainly Zinfandel" offerings have less than 75% Zinfandel, they have been given unique and interesting names.
The "Cherry Red, is a blend with 60% Zinfandel, 20% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre. This wine comes from the famed Elmer and Mary Cherry Zinfandel vineyard, which features 28 year old head trained, dry farmed zinfandel vines. Produce is only around 200 cases. The "Problem Child" is 72% Zinfandel, 17% Mourvedre and 11% Syrah. The "Outsider is 68% Zinfandel, 20% Syrah and 12% Mourvedre. The Final offering, "Leona's" is 74% Zinfandel, 21% Syrah and 5% Mourvedre.
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Midnight Cellars is another real family operation. Robert and Mary Jane Hartenberger, along with the next generation of Rich, Michelle and Mike, started in 1995 by purchasing 25.5 acres in the Templeton gap. It was started in a horse barn, but recently moved into a 10,000 square foot facility close to the tasting room. Curent production is up to 8,000 cases annually.
The two Zinfandel offerings are the "Estate" - Midnight Estate, which has a production of just over 700 cases. This is a big, fruit forward Zinfandel that comes in at 14.8% alcohol. The second is the "Late Harvest Estate". With a small production of about 150 cases, it has 15.5% alcohol and 3.55% residual sugar.
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Peachy Canyon Winery is primarily a Zinfandel producer. Started in 1982 by Doug and Nancy Beckett, it has grown to have a 50,000 case annual production. They have 4 estate vineyards encompassing nearly 100 acres. The tasting room is in the 1886 Old Bethel School House. Winemaker Joshua Beckett oversees seven regular Zinfandel bottlings, along with a Zinfandel Rose and a Port.
The biggest production come from the 30,000 cases of "Incredible Red". This is 100% Zinfandel, coming in at 14.9%. The next is a blend from Westside vineyards, the "Westside Zinfandel", with 5,500 cases. There are four estate vineyard offerings, "Snow Zinfandel", "Old School House Zinfandel", "Mustard Springs Zinfandel" and "Mr. Wilson Zinfandel". Single vineyard production is small, ranging from 250 to 500 cases. "Mustard Springs" has 10% Petite Syrah, "Mr. Wilson" has 5% Petite Syrah and the others are 100% Zinfandel. Another blend is the small lot "Especial Zinfandel", which has fruit from 5 vineyards.
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Finally making the mailing list for Turley Wine Cellars is a goal for many Zinfandel drinkers. Founded in 1993 by Larry Turley and Ehren Jordon, this winery is one of the best known Zinfandel producers in the world. In 2000 they purchased the Pesenti Vineyard, with it's 80 year old, dry farmed, head pruned vines. The tasting room has undergone a face lift recently.
Looking over the list of Turley's offerings is like reading a map of Zinfandel! The two offerings a year have wines from "Dragon Vineyard" and "Rattlesnake Ridge" on Howell Mountain, "Dogtown Vineyard" in Lodi, "Duarte" in Contra Costa County, "Dusi Vineyard", "Pesenti Vineyard" and "Ueberroth Vineyard" in Paso Robles, "Grist Vineyard" in Dry Creek Valley, "Hayne Vineyard", "Moore 'Earthquake' Vineyard", "Tofanelli Vineyard" and "Turley Estate" in Napa, "Mead Ranch" on Atlas Peak, "Rancho Burro" in the Russian River Valley, "Rancho Escondido" in Baja California, and "Vineyard 101" in the Alexander Valley. The two California blends are the "Juvenile" and "Old Vines".
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In 1988 the Ogorsolka Family purchsed a 95 acre homestead in the Templeton Gap. They immediately started planting 65 acres of vines. In 1998 Eric Ogorsolka began work on the winery in the original 100 year old buildings, and founded Zenaida Cellars. The wines are all made from estate fruit, grown in the lean soil using sustainable farming practices. The winery also includes a 1,500 square foot, two bedroom guest house.
They make an "Estate Zinfandel". The fruit is de-stemmed, not crushed, prior to fermentation.
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