Spaswinefood visited Paso Robles Halter Ranch Vineyard in early August. In an earlier post Spaswinefood noted "Oaks and vineyards dot the landscape around El Paso de Robles, California". In fact Paso Robles American Viticulture Area (AVA), San Luis Obispo County is California's third largest and fastest growing wine region. Halter Ranch Vineyard is one of over 180+ wineries in this appellation area. With so many wineries to visit you need a plan. Spaswinefood's plan was to check out Paso Robles's green wineries.
Halter Ranch Vineyard
Halter Ranch Vineyard (SIP Certified) was one of the green wineries we visited. A California winery, which uses sustainable agriculture must meet certain requirements to be Sustainability in Practice Certified (SIP Certified). Halter Ranch is also part of "The Far Out Wineries" of Paso Robles. They collectively describe themselves as "Off the Beaten Path and Worth the Drive ...".
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| Halter Ranch Vineyard, Paso Robles Wine Country © Spaswinefood |
Halter Ranch 8910 Adelaida Road is a 960-acre ranch. It has a 240-acre estate vineyard planted with 20 grape varietals. They produce Bordeaux and Rhône style wines. Kevin Sass is the winemaker.
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| Halter Ranch Vineyard, Paso Robles Wine Country © Spaswinefood |
The Halter Ranch Vineyard is an historic property. When we visited in June there was construction going on in the main building. The tasting room was moved temporarily to the barn.
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| Halter Ranch Vineyard, Paso Robles Wine Country © Spaswinefood |
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| Halter Ranch Vineyard © Spaswinefood |
We tasted 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, 2010 Rosé, 2010 Côtes de Paso Blanc, 2008 Côtes de Paso, 2008 Syrah, 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 Ancestor Estate Reserve and 2008 Vin de Paille (see description and tasting notes). We especially liked their 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2006 Ancestor Reserve. Reviews of some Halter Ranch wines are on Snooth. Visitors to Halter Ranch Vineyard have commented on Yelp.
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| Halter Ranch Vineyard, Cotes De Paso 2008 © Spaswinefood |
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| Halter Ranch Vineyard, Cotes De Paso 2008 © Spaswinefood |
At Halter Ranch we were greeted by a very friendly cat. We also found the staff very welcoming.
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The reception cat © Spaswinefood
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Covered bridge near winery entrance © Spaswinefood
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During our June visit we bought the following wines:
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| Halter Ranch Vineyard, Rosé 2010 © Spaswinefood |
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| Halter Ranch Vineyard, Ancestor 2006 © Spaswinefood |
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| Halter Ranch Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 © Spaswinefood |
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| Halter Ranch Vineyard, Vin De Paille 2008 © Spaswinefood |
Spaswinefood's August visit allowed me to revisit tasting notes from Halter Ranch. Two wines not only stood out in my memory but, these two wines are two of Halter Ranch's wines that won gold and silver medals at the Central Coast Wine Competition. Halter Ranch's 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010 Rosé and 2009 Ranch White won gold; its 2008 Sarah, 2006 Ancestor Estate Reserve, 2010 Côtes de Paso Blanc and 2010 Viognier won silver. In fact, as I write I still have a 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2010 Rosé.
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| Halter Ranch Vineyard, Paso Robles Wine Country © Spaswinefood |
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| Halter Ranch Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 © Spaswinefood |
Halter Ranch is to be congratulated on its fine wines. It also goes to show that greener wineries, such as SIP wineries do produce some great wines.
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| Paso Robles Wine Country © Spaswinefood |
Sharon
August 2011
Paso Robles, California
© Spaswinefood
Other Spaswinefood posts on Paso Robles include:
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