In the spirit of the great wine producers of the southern Rhone and the bodegas of Rioja and Priorat, blending is what Villa Creek does best. The area’s finest Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Tempranillo Vineyards are just a stone’s throw from the west Paso Robles winery where these blends are lovingly produced by winemaker Cris Cherry and his wife JoAnn.
The Vineyards
All great wine begins with a passionate farmer. The grapes of the area’s most progressive vineyards, James Berry, Denner, Ohana and Booker, currently grace the wines of Villa Creek Cellars. Per acre contracts insure that the fruit comes off the same blocks each vintage. The Cherry’s own 70 acre estate on the west side of Paso Robles boasts elevations of 1400-1800 feet, calcareous soils, south facing slopes and ample water. Grape growing conditions don’t get much better. The Cherry’s look forward to planting their first grape vines in 2009.
The Winemaking
Vines are carefully monitored at the end of the growing season. Heat spikes are not uncommon late in the season. Those with patience are rewarded with cool nights and warm days that allow the grapes to slowly finish the ripening process, complex flavors and textures developing along the way.
Delicious, complex, fruit forward wines that express the climate and terroir of Paso Robles are what Villa Creek is known for. Villa Creek Cellars recognizes the traditions of the old world while embracing technological advances of the new. Sorting tables are used pre and post destemming to ensure that all wines begin with clean fruit. Whole cluster fermentations add texture and terroir with a nod to tradition. Fermentations are slow and natural. Careful blending insures the creation of complex, well rounded wines.
Villa Creek wines are produced in very limited quantities to maintain a hands on approach, with 3000 cases being the largest vintage to date. Wine are available for purchase on line, at Villa Creek restaurant, and beginning in March, every weekend at the winery.