Press

"Paso Robles remains the heart of the Rhône movement in California and is a magical region for Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre. The top wines tend to be blends, and there’s an incredible diversity in wine styles, from ripe, powerful GSM blends to Cabernet Sauvignons that compete with the best of California, both warm- and cool-climate-like Syrahs, and Pinot-Noir like Grenache and Zinfandel releases. And while Paso Robles is a warm region, the limestone soils, as well as the cooling effect of the Pacific Ocean and Templeton Gap, help retain freshness and acidity in the wines. If you’re unfamiliar with Paso Robles, now is a great time to give these wines a try.

These wines are made by Cris (and JoAnn) Cherry and come from (their) newly planted estate high up off Peachy Canyon road, just above their Villa Creek cellar. This is a beautiful, south-facing, hillside terroir, and the wines are impressive."

2016 MAHA 1 (an early version of Backlit)

A blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Petite Sirah, and 25% Graciano, the 2016 MAHA 1 sports a deep ruby color as well as a gorgeous bouquet of blackberries, blueberries, ground pepper, violets, and blood orange. It's deep, rich, full-bodied, and ethereal, with a seamless texture. This was completely destemmed, native fermentation, and spent 50% new oak. It’s one of the gems in this lineup and is seriously good. Don’t miss it!

93-95 pts. Jeb Dunnuck

2016 MAHA 2 (an early version of Understory)

A blend of 70% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre, and 5% Carignan that was mostly destemmed (30% stems), the 2017 MAHA 2 is more perfumed and elegant, with a smoking bouquet of sweet cherries, hints of blueberries, dusty earth, and dried flowers. More medium-bodied, with a silky, elegant texture, it has fine tannin, beautiful balance, and a great finish.

92-94 pts Jeb Dunnuck

The Brilliant 2016s from Paso Robles, Jeb Dunnuck, November 2018

SAN FRANCISCO CHRINICLE

Mislabeled Vines Cause Stir Among Wineries, August 2018

THE WINE ENTHUSIAST

How California's Central Coast Winemakers are Making Grenache Their Own, March 2018

VINOUS

"I’d confidently place this winery among the upper tier of the Central Coast. Of particular interest to Cherry these days is working with his new, estate-grown Clairette, the southern Rhône variety that’s the backbone of many of the best examples of Châteauneuf-du-Pape blanc. Look for interesting things to happen here soon as his vines come further into maturity."

From Paso Robles Copes, Adapts and Evolves (Nov 2017) by Josh Raynolds

JEB DUNNUCK

"Cris Cherry has made some terrific 2015s which are certainly up with the crème de la crème of the vintage. As in the past few years, these wines see plenty of stems, yet they’re nicely integrated and balance by ample fruit."

Latest Releases from Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo County, August 10, 2017

THE NEW YORK TIMES

" ...the 2013 Villa Creek Garnacha from Paso Robles made our Top 10."

Eric Asimov, September 23, 2016, In California, Grenache Packs More Than Power

VINOUS MEDIA

"This year’s releases from Cris Cherry represent the most complex and refined wines that I have yet tasted from Villa Creek. Cherry continues to buy grapes from some of the region’s most esteemed vineyards, including James Berry, Denner and Bassetti for his current wines, all of which are made with native yeasts and aged in combinations of French oak barrels of varying size and concrete and stainless steel tanks.”

From Paso Robles: Taming the Beast (Sep 2016) by Josh Raynolds

THE WINE ADVOCATE

“Winemaker Chris Cherry continues to produce a bevy of unique wines from his estate high up off of Peachy Canyon Road.”

August 2016 Review by Jeb Dunnuck

THE WINE SPECTATOR

"If Justin Baldwin and Justin Vineyards had any sense, they would have contacted the neighbors for some insight on growing and farming practices in the neighborhood before raping the land as they did," said JoAnn Cherry of Villa Creek Winery. "Clearly being a good neighbor is the least of their concerns."

Oak Tree Removal for Vines Triggers Controversy in Paso Robles Wine Country, June 2016

FOOD & WINE

“Villa Creek's proprietors, Cris and JoAnn Cherry, consistently produce lovely wines filled with character and personality.”

From The Promise of Paso Robles by Robert Parker, Jr