| Paso Robles AVA (wine region) | |
|---|---|
| Appellation type | American Viticultural Area |
| Year established | 1983, amended in 1996[1] |
| Country | USA |
| Part of | California, Central Coast AVA |
| Total area | 666,618 acres (269,771 ha)[2] |
| Size of planted vineyards | 18,500 acres (7,487 ha)[3] |
| Grapes produced | Aglianico, Alicante Bouschet, Alvarelhao, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Cinsault, Counoise, Dolcetto, Gewurztraminer, Graciano, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Lagrein, Lemberger, Malbec, Marsanne, Merlot, Mourvedre, Muscat Canelli, Nebbiolo, Orange Muscat, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Picpoul, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Souzao, Syrah, Tannat, Tempranillo, Tinta Cao, Touriga Nacional, Viognier, Zinfandel[3] |
The Paso Robles AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in the San Luis Obispo County, California. It has approximately 18,500 acres (7,487 ha) planted with wine grapes, and may be best known as the home of the Rhône Rangers, a group of winemakers who are responsible for the region's growing profile with Syrah.[3]
Contents |
History
Grapes were first introduced into the Paso Robles area in 1797 by missionaries at Mission San Miguel Arcangel, where over one thousand vines were planted.[4] Commercial wine growing, however, wasn't started until the 1880s with the establishment of Ascension Winery, today known as York Mountain Winery, the longest continuously operating winery in the County.[4]
Since 1990, when there were fewer than 20 wineries in Paso Robles, a large expansion of activity has seen the number rise to more than 170 wineries by the early 2000s. Wine critic Robert M. Parker, Jr. commented on the region's promise of quality of wine, emphasizing the wineries Alban Vineyards, L'Aventure, Linne Calodo, Saxum Vineyards, Villa Creek Cellars and Tablas Creek Vineyard as the "leading Paso pioneers".[5]
Viticulture
In the 1950s and 1960s, the Zinfandel grapes planted in Paso Robles were, in large part, replaced with Bordeaux varieties, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, as evidenced at French Camp Vineyards. However, starting in the 1980s, there have been increased plantings of many of the Rhône varieties, including the first Syrah planted in California, as well as Viognier and Roussanne.[4] The emerging popularity of the regions wines, has led it to become the site of the annual "Hospice du Rhône" conference on Rhône style wine.
References
- ^ Code of Federal Regulations. "§ 9.84 Paso Robles." Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas. Retrieved Jan. 24, 2008.
- ^ Wine Institute (2008). "American Viticultural Areas by State". Retrieved Jan. 24, 2008.
- ^ a b c Appellation America (2007). "Paso Robles (AVA): Appellation Description". Retrieved Jan. 24, 2008.
- ^ a b c ""Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance". http://www.pasowine.com/pasorobles/history.php.
- ^ Parker, Robert M. Jr. Food & Wine (October, 2007). "The Promise of Paso Robles". http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/the-promise-of-paso-robles.
External links
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