The Zin of Dusi Vineyards, Paso Robles

My visit to the Dusi Vineyards, Paso Robles Wine Country was like discovering the "secret book of Zin".  Dusi Vineyards have had a long tradition of growing Zinfandel grapes for the California wine industry. Sylvester and Caterina Dusi, immigrants from Northern Italy, started their Paso Robles vineyard in 1920's. Their hard work and entrepreneurial efforts paid off. In 1945 the Dusis and their sons (Guido, Dante and Benito) bought an additional property on the west side of Highway 101. They decided to plant in their vineyards the Italian varietal of choice at the time, Zinfandel. This tradition continues, in fact Zinfandel still remains Dusi Vineyards main varietal. Today the beloved Dusi Vineyards provides top quality grapes for many local wineries. Dusi Vineyards was included in our two-day #WBC14 Pre-conference Paso Robles wine blogger tour. During our visit we met winemakers that use Dusi Vineyards grapes to make their wine. What follows are a few insights from that "zin enlightment".

Dusi Vineyards © Spaswinefood

Let the Zin Enlightment Begin
When we arrived at the Dusi Vineyards Chris Taranto, our  Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance host and Janell Dusi welcomed us to Dusi Vineyards. After a brief welcoming we were off to taste some wines. 

J Dusi, Dusi Vineyards © Spaswinefood

 During the vineyard visit I tasted Zinfandel wines from five wineries. These wineries were:

McPrice Myers, Winemaker for Paydirt & Barrel 27 Wines © Spaswinefood

Tasting Paydirt & Barrel 27 Wines, Dusi Vineyards © Spaswinefood

1.  Paydirt Wines & Barrel 27:  Paydirt Wines is partnership between McPrice ‘Mac’ Myers and Patrick McNeil. We also tasted Barrel 27 wines. Barrel 27, winemaker-owner, McPrice Myers was on hand to pour the wines. Barrel 27 is located at Suite 110, 2323 Tully Court, Paso Robles. The first wine I tasted was a Paydirt wine.

 Checking out Paydirt Wines © Spaswinefood

The next wine was a Paydirt, Paso Robles Red Wine 2012.

  Paydirt, Paso Robles Red Wine 2012 © Spaswinefood

The next one was a Barrel 27, Paso Robles Zinfandel 2012.

 Barrel 27, Paso Robles Zinfandel 2012 © Spaswinefood

There were also two barrel samples to taste.

 Paydirt Barrel Sample, Paso Robles © Spaswinefood

 Barrel 27, Barrel Sample Paso Robles © Spaswinefood

YES, I liked these flavorful wines. As always I never pass up the opportunity to taste, some soon to be released Zinfandel barrel samples.

2. Turley Wine Cellars: It was a pleasure to taste Turley wines poured by Kart Wicka, Turley's Paso Robles winemaker.  Their Paso Robles Tasting Room is located at 2900 Vineyard Drive, Templeton. All Turley wines are made from grapes from single vineyards designated for Zinfandel or Petite Syrah. Turley focuses on old vine vineyards in particular. All of the vineyards they use are either certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers or somewhere in the process. Turley wines also use natural yeasts in the fermentation process. 

Kart Wicka, Winemaker Turley Cellars Paso Robles © Spaswinefood

The first wine was a Turley Napa Valley, Zinfandel 2013.

Turley Napa Valley, Zinfandel 2013 © Spaswinefood

The second wine was a Turley Paso Robles, Dusi Vineyards Zinfandel 2012 .

Turley Paso Robles, Dusi Vineyards Zinfandel 2012  © Spaswinefood

This was not my first time tasting Turley wines. These wines were the same good quality Turley wines that I remembered.

3. J Dusi Wines: Winemaker, Janell Dusi, the great-grand daughter of Sylvester and Caterina Dusi, not only welcomed us to the vineyard but introduced us to two of her wines. Janell is carrying on the family tradition with what she describes as "A family tradition with a new perspective".  J Dusi Wines winery and tasting room is located at 1401 Highway West, Paso Robles.

J Dusi at Dusi Vineyards © Spaswinefood

Tasting J Dusi Wines was also a family affair. It was great to see her parents at the tasting J Dusi Wines.

J Dusi, Winemaker and her mom at Dusi Vineyards © Spaswinefood

A Dusi Vineyards Moment © Spaswinefood

The first wine I tasted was a J Dusi Pinot Grigio 2012.

J Dusi Pinot Grigio 2012 © Spaswinefood

The second wine was a J Dusi Zinfandel 2011.

J Dusi Zinfandel 2011 © Spaswinefood

These are nice wines. Clearly, Jannell Dusi is well on her way to establishing J Dusi Wines.

4. Brochelle Vineyards: It was exciting to hear the story of how Brock and Michelle Waterman created Brochelle Vineyards. I also discovered that they use old-world winemaking practices, with minimal intervention during the wine making process. The fruits are fermented in open top bins, using the fruits own natural yeast and then aged in French oak barrels. Their handcrafted, boutique wines are produced in small case lots. Their tasting room is located at Suite 130, 2323 Tully Court, Paso Robles.

Brock & Michelle Waterman, Brochelle Vineyards © Spaswinefood

The first Brochelle wine I tasted was a Paso Robles Zinfandel 2012. 

Brochelle Vineyards, Paso Robles Zinfandel 2012 © Spaswinefood

The second Brochelle wine was a Brochelle Vineyards Fifteenth Anniversary Cuvee.

Brochelle Vineyards, Fifteenth Anniversary Cuvee  © Spaswinefood

Story Behind the Fifteenth Anniversary Cuvee © Spaswinefood

It was a great introduction to Brochelle wines. These wines are amazingly rich and powerful.

Brock & Michelle Waterman, Brochelle Vineyards © Spaswinefood

5. Tobin James Cellars: We were introduced to two Tobin James Cellars wines. The first Tobin James Cellars wine was a Dusi Vineyards Zinfandel 2011.

Tasting Tobin James Wines at Dusi Vineyards © Spaswinefood

Tobin James, Dusi Vineyards Zinfandel 2011© Spaswinefood

Tobin James holding a Tobin James, Dusi Vineyards Zinfandel 2011© Spaswinefood

The second Tobin James Cellars wine was a Paso Robles Fat Boy Zinfandel 2011.

Tobin James, Paso Robles Fat Boy Zinfandel 2011 © Spaswinefood

It was a great introduction to Tobin James Cellars wines. After meeting the animated Tobin (Toby) James and tasting the wines I can see why the winery has such a loyal following.

Tobin James, Winemaker © Spaswinefood

The Dusi Vineyards story is a story that I not only enjoyed hearing/tasting but I am thrilled to have experienced this Zin enlightment first hand. I tasted some excellent Zinfandels that day. It is no doubt that Paso Robles Wine Country is a Zinfandel wine taster's delight. For me what was so special about this wine tasting event was the opportunity to visit such historic Paso Robles vineyard. I invite you to join me in my travels in Paso Robles in search of the best in Spaswinefood. You can also visit my travel column at the Examiner. 

Sharon

July 2014

Paso Robles, California

© Spaswinefood

Wine Tasting at Dusi Vineyards © Spaswinefood

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