Sources for Tempranillo in California

Cellar Rats (ITB)
1

Can anyone recommend a quality vineyard source for tempranillo?

I know there are some vineyards up in Paso and Lodi, but I don’t know if there is enough out there to sell to a microproducer like me.

Also, has anyone experimented with this grape before? Good or bad results?

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Brett

2

You might try directing that question to Cris Cherry at Villa Creek.

3

Starr Ranch, Paso Robles

Taste the tempranillo blends from Dubost Ranch Winery - they are from that source.

4

There is a new Temp vineyard just down the road from me. I think this was their third leaf, so I really don’t know about the quality.

We’ve made a small amount on Temp in the past couple of years. It ferments just about the same as everything else. [wow.gif]

5

I believe Chris Cherry gets his from the Ohana Vineyard in Paso…you could check em out…also, from Lodi, you might want to look into the Silvaspoons Vineyard, as they sell to a variety of producers

6

I’ve had bad reviews for tempranillo… many (including myself) find it boring and not very enjoyable or memorable. Just thought I’d share.

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7

This is true. The folks who farm this vineyard are incredibly nice, and have their own wine label: Graves Winegrowers. Their wines are some of my favorites from Paso. Definitely check out the wines, regardless of how the sourcing of Tempranillo turns out.

8

tasted some fantastic Tempranillo in Napa from the barrel by Mark Herold/Kevin Carriker (Kobalt)

9

Thanks for sharing all; will let you know how things turn out next year.

10

Brett - also check with Dave Corey at CORE Wine Co. Dave works with Tempranillo and probably knows some good vineyards in the Santa Barbara/SLO areas.

11

Really? I suppose I can see how some people would feel that way. But it’s my new fave red. I love me a spicy tempranillo, especially since so many zins these days lack the peppercorn character I expect from zin. Hand Mary a spicy tempranillo, a bloody syrah, or a compost-rich pinot and she’s a happy girl. But then I’m told I ate bugs and dirt as a babe, so what do I know? [tease.gif]

12

I like how you drink! [thumbs-up.gif]

13

Brett,

The best California Tempranillos I’ve tasted so far (out of 45 notes recorded) were from Justin Vineyard (their '07 Reserve) and Mahoney Vineyards Las Brisas Vineyard in Carneros. Both are quite impressive, I think.

14

+1 on Graves, Great people and nice wines that are more restrained than I usually find with most Paso wines.

15

Graves Syrah was the runner up at the SYrah shoot out at HdR last year. Obviously some good stuff going on there.

16

don’t mean to burst your bubble Brett, but since I initially suggested Ohana/Graves, I figured that I should chime in and say I spoke with the Graves folks yesterday and they said that their Tempranillo yields were so low this year that nobody but Chris Cherry/Villa Creek got any…can’t speak on the future, but those might turn out to be hard grapes to get

17

Thanks for the info Milos!

As mentioned, they’re very nice people; I contacted them as well and got the same news concerning their tempranillo.

18

Simon and Hilary … i finally remembered their names … they are incredibly nice, and if you contact them for a tasting they’ll go through barrels upon barrels with you. I, too, find their wines relatively restrained considering they’re working with Rhone varietals in the Paso regions. Their “Trim Stinger,” which is 98% Grenache, IIRC, is a beautiful representation of that grape, and worth seeking out.

19

Dave Corey definitely makes some good Tempranillo. Longorio also has a single vineyard Temp from somewhere around Santa Ynez.
There’s an organiztion revolving around Cal tempranillo called Tapa or Tapas. Might be able to get fruit leads there.

20

Thanks John! I’ve already looked into that society you’re referring to; it’s called “TAPAS” which stands for Tempranillo Advocates Producers and Amigos Society. Lots of helpful info!