Rancho Arroyo Grande Vineyards: Grapes

Within the wilds of Rancho Arroyo Grande there exist three compelling vineyard block designates — Portero, Coquina and Zepherino. The estate’s vineyard plantings total 230 planted acres, with over 3300 acres of wilderness remaining. Our three blocks share the land with California Oak and native plants, bears, feral pigs, bobcats, mountain lions, coyotes, foxes, raptors and deer.

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Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon is not widely planted in the SLO Coast AVA. We continue to expand our understanding of the flavor profile of our Cabernet Sauvignon, and are privileged to gain the insights of the talented winemakers working with our fruit. Our Cabernet Sauvignon is leaner and more linear than others from warmer climates in California. In elevage, we have heard from some winemakers that our Cabernet Sauvignon is Loire-like. Aromatically, it is heavily floral, with a strong rose signature. Texturally, it can be rustic but may also possess fine-grained tannins. In the Potrero block, it is dry farmed and head trained, which may help to produce a very elegant wine.

Counoise

We are fortunate to have Counoise planted at the ranch, though not a lot and perhaps not enough. There are only a few acres planted in two areas: one in the Potrero vineyard and the other in the Coquina vineyard. In Potrero, Counoise grows sparse clusters. In Coquina, the clusters are massive. A winemaker who purchased our Counoise fermented both blocks separately and will likely blend the two lots together during elevage. We are eager to sample the resulting wine; we are also eager to sample wine made from each Counoise block separately. We believe that the Counoise grown at our vineyards will achieve a refreshingly light red wine with a bright acid signature with slight minerality.

Sauvignon Blanc

The ranch’s Sauvignon Blanc plantings are in a colder pocket of the estate, along the banks of a creek that runs through the property. The vines remain cool from the shade effect of that block, but there is vigor as they appear to be tapping into creek waters. Winemakers who favor the ranch's Sauvignon Blanc enjoy its great pH and TA numbers. Historically, the Sauvignon Blanc from the ranch does not experience sun damage or burn and retains much of its vibrant acidity. The profile during elevage straddles high acidity and bright, tropical fruit flavors. The ferments are wildly fragrant with robust, lifted aromatics. We are fortunate to have tasted the vitality in the Sauvignon Blanc that winemakers who buy this fruit have captured. It's positively stunning.

Viognier

Viognier is the lowest yielding planting at the ranch. Clusters tend to be small and sparse. The vines run contiguous to the Sauvignon Blanc plantings in a beautiful block located in Coquina. The Viognier grows across a sloped and vertical stretch of land. Sedimentary rock is prevalent on that hillside. Winemakers have been picking it lean at 21 to 22 brix. Some make stand-alone Viogniers while others use the Viognier as a co-ferment for their Syrah programs. Collectively, they have described our Viognier in elevage as strikingly bright, energetic, and laser-beam focused with robust aromatics--not at all viscous.

Syrah

Syrah at the ranch is best described as cool climate, especially the Syrah that grows in Coquina and Zepherino, which is planted to the Estrella clone. The Syrah in Potrero, is planted to clones 383 and 470, which produce an intense, powerful fruit. We have more Syrah planted than any other grape variety and it does very well throughout the ranch. The Syrah thrives from the ranch's unique terroir and microclimates including large diurnal swings in temperature, sometimes going from 30 degrees to 110 degrees in the same day. The elevations also range from 600 ft to 2,000 ft above sea level. From a flavor-profile perspective, it is best described as Northern Rhone-like. Time and again, winemakers who purchase our Syrah describe an aromatic profile that highlights white pepper, gamey venison, iodine and violets. There is also a signature minerality that courses through the Syrah at our vineyards, making it very expressive. Currently, most winemakers pick our Syrah fruit at 22 brix to make a leaner expression of their wine.

Mataro/Mourvèdre

Mataro/Mourvèdre is hard to grow and to sustain vine health, as the clusters are very big, which can cause stress on the vines. In Zepherino, however, the Mataro/Mourvèdre is healthy and consistently responds well to the block’s climate and soil composition. In Coquina, Mataro/Mourvèdre struggles more, but with our careful attention, the fruit ripens to full maturity. Winemakers who work with this fruit frequently create blends with our Grenache as well as Syrah. We foresee stand-alone Mataro/Mourvèdre wines emerging from our vineyards as age-worthy somewhat rustic vintages.

Grenache

Four clones of Grenache grow at our vineyards: 513, 224, 362, and the John Alban clone. The prized Alban clone is higher-toned with big clusters balanced by lighter clusters. The Alban clone grows vigorously, with an exuberant, lush, bright green canopy. The 224 clone has a smaller canopy. The leaves are darker as if they have a greater amount of chlorophyll. The clusters are also small, and the berries dark. At the ranch, Grenache can be found in all three vineyards. In Potrero, its clones 362 and 513 are planted in two different blocks in diatomaceous earth. In Zepherino, the Alban clone is planted in heavier, clay-rich soils. In Coquina, the Alban clone grows in sandy soils. Winemakers who work with our Grenache describe it as fresh and lively with energetic aromatics. Even the smell of the Grenache, while still on the vine, emits this brightness.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay receives a bright, lifted expression from the ranch's river bottom sandy soils. Winemakers who work with our Chardonnay comment on its remarkable natural acid and its "raciness" through primary fermentation. The ferments are nutrient-dense and very healthy. During elevage our Chardonnay has a Chablis quality, very bright and high acidity. Our pruning technique focuses on rejuvenation, training our Chardonnay vines to a quadrilateral cane.

Zinfandel

Rancho Arroyo Grande is near Saucelito Canyon, where Zinfandel was first planted in 1880. Because of its rich history in California, we considerZinfandel to be one of the golden state’s most historic and important grape varieties. In the Portero vineyard, Zinfandel is head-trained and dry-farmed. In Coquina, Zinfandel is also head-trained. The wines created from both blocks are elegant and refined when the pick is called at lower brix. Our Zinfandel has great acid and offers some restraint in the fruit profile which makes it an ideal food wine.