We have been making Syrah
from Paso Robles since 1997. Initially I
purchased grapes from my former employer, Jerry Lohr, and then from Dan
Westigard, Bob Goodwin, and Steve Carter.
All their vineyards were on the Estrella River plain northeast of the
town of Paso Robles and they produced stunning wines that sold out in a
heartbeat. At the time, Syrah was
relatively new to Paso Robles, and it soon became a popular variety and along
with Cabernet Sauvignon a regional workhorse.
Over the course of time both Steve Carter and Bob Goodwin sold their
vineyards, and Dan Westigard succumbed to cancer. For several years, we limped along with
reduced volume until the property Steve Carter purchased in 2012 and planted in
2013 came into production. In
partnership with his son and daughter they created the ‘Three Way’ Vineyard. The vineyard is located on the ‘Westside’ of
Highway 101 in the Adelaide District about five miles outside of town on
Adelaide Road. The vineyard’s location
is stunning. It sits on a knoll at 1,600
feet above sea level. Looking to the
East one can see the ribbon of Highway 46 as it stretches towards Shandon. To the West, up and over the lush coastal
hills, the Pacific Ocean is a scant 23 miles away. The fruit is spectacular and Steve’s passion
for growing stellar grapes is matched by our desire to make the best wine
possible from them.
