Paso Robles, CA Robert Hall Winery has unanimously passed the Sustainability in Practice Standards

Transcription

1 For Immediate Release Contact: Kim Murphy-Rodrigues Robert Hall Winery x16 March 1, 2009 Robert Hall Achieves Certified Sustainability in Practice (SIP)tm Paso Robles, CA Robert Hall Winery has unanimously passed the Sustainability in Practice Standards (SIP) for the vineyards of the Hall Ranch, by meeting the requirements and completing the available Management Enhancement points. The 2008 vintage features the SIP certified logo. This pilot program required the participating growers to adhere to a strict protocol to prove their compliance with the robust requirements. The growers were required to complete an audit of their growing practices and working protocol by a 3rd party independent auditor. Following the final documentation and audit, an independent advisory board, based on the recommendation and reporting of the auditor, granted certification. The independent advisory board was comprised of representatives throughout the agriculture community including Cal/EPA, UC Cooperative Extension, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo and the CA Association of Resource Conservation Districts, to name a few. To learn more about the Certified Sustainability in Practice, please visit the Central Coast Vineyard Team's web-site: ###

2 Central Coast Vineyard Team Page 1 of 1 2/28/2009 HOME PROGRAM OVERVIEW ABOUT CERTIFICATION PROJECTS POSITIVE POINTS SYSTEM MEMBERSHIP EVENTS EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES DRINK MEMBER WINES SPANISH PROGRAM AG WAIVER PRESS ROOM SITE MAP CONTACT US THIS PAGE CCVT and our growers are proud of the robust and comprehensive nature of the Sustainability in Practice (SIP) Vineyard Certification Standards (pdf). The standards require significant documentation and whole farm system management integration. CCVT considers the standards a "living document", meaning as science, technology, and research developments become available the standards will evolve overtime. SIP VINEYARD CERTIFICATION STANDARDS CHAPTERS (10) Conservation and Enhancement of Biological Diversity - Vineyard Acquisition/Establishment and Management - Soil Conservation and Water Quality - Water Conservation - Energy Conservation and Efficiency - Air Quality - Social Equity - Pest Management - Continuing Education - Product Assurance and Business Sustainability DEL.ICIO.US address JOIN MAILING LIST keyword SEARCH WEBSITE GO GO The Certification Standards include both Requirements and Management Enhancements. Requirements are practices which must be completed before earning Management Enhancement points. Requirements consist of many practices, but they also prohibit the use of specific chemicals. In order to achieve certification, a grower must not use any of the active ingredients on this list. Management Enhancement are practices which allow growers to earn points based on additional, non-required, but suggested management strategies. Also included within the document is a farm plan which is required for certification the farm plan includes documentation, reporting, and written examples of practices throughout the certification standards. Overall, a grower must achieve at least 75% of the available points to be eligible for SIP Certification. An independent inspector conducts an in-depth records and on-site audit to verify the grower's practices, and an independent Advisory Committee reviews the inspector's findings. Please see the following documents for more detailed information: Frequently Asked Questions (pdf) Information Package* (pdf) SIP Program Tradesheet & Rack Card (pdf) *Includes Program Details and Forms for those interested in certification. Please contact Kris O'Connor to request the Information Package in editable form. View 2008 Certified Vineyards For more information, contact Kris O'Connor Central Coast Vineyard Team th Street, Suite 204, Paso Robles, CA Tel: CCVT Fax:

3 Central Coast Vineyard Team Page 1 of 1 9/22/2008 HOME ABOUT CCVT PROJECTS POSITIVE POINTS SYSTEM CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE EVENTS SPANISH PROGRAM AG WAIVER EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES PRESS ROOM MEMBERSHIP DRINK MEMBER WINES SITE MAP CONTACT US PILOT CERTIFICATION PROGRAM OUR PILOT PROGRAM GROWERS AND WINERIES We are extremely grateful to the farmers and wineries who are participating in the pilot project. Their generous commitment of time and resources will be invaluable in improving and shaping the program for years to come. Ampelos Cellars Castoro Cellars D' AnbinoVineyards & Cellars Hahn Estates Hilliard-Bruce Vineyards Halter Ranch Jackson Family Wine Estates PROGRAM TIMELINE Laetitia Vineyard & Winery Paragon Vineyard & Firepeak Vineyard (Farmed by Pacific Vineyard Company) Paraiso Vineyards Pomar Junction Vineyard Robert Hall Winery Saucelito Canyon Vineyards & Winery Wolff Vineyards THIS PAGE DEL.ICIO.US address JOIN MAILING LIST keyword SEARCH WEBSITE GO GO Early summer, these growers will complete the standards and provide the necessary documentation to prove their compliance with the robust requirements. The pilot growers will be audited by a 3rd party, independent auditor by the end of the summer. Following the final endseason documentation, an independent advisory board, based on recommendation and reporting by the auditor, will grant certification by November THIRD PARTY AUDITOR FJ (Chip) Sundstrom completed his undergraduate degree at UC Davis in Plant Science and received his doctorate in Horticulture at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He served on the faculty of the Department of Horticulture at Louisiana State University for 10 years where he was involved in undergraduate and graduate teaching and research. From there, he worked as R&D Director and Quality Assurance Manager in the flower and vegetable seed industry in California, and eventually moved to UC Davis where he served as Executive Director of the California Crop Improvement Association, a quality assurance program for the seed industry. Since 2004, he has managed his own consulting company, FJS Consulting, which provides organic and sustainability consulting and audit services, as well as expert witness and market analysis work. In addition, he assists clients in development of precision agricultural decision support tools. For more information, contact jill@vineyardteam.org 2008 Central Coast Vineyard Team th Street, Suite 204, Paso Robles, CA Tel: CCVT Fax:

4 Central Coast Vineyard Team Page 1 of 2 9/22/2008 HOME ABOUT CCVT PROJECTS POSITIVE POINTS SYSTEM CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE EVENTS SPANISH PROGRAM AG WAIVER EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES PRESS ROOM MEMBERSHIP DRINK MEMBER WINES SITE MAP CONTACT US THIS PAGE DEL.ICIO.US STANDARDS OVERVIEW Pilot Program Draft Standards - CCVT and our growers are proud of the robust and comprehensive nature of the Certification Standards. The standards require significant documentation and whole farm system management integration. CCVT considers the standards a "living document", meaning as science, technology, and research developments become available the standards will evolve overtime. The standards are currently undergoing process review by the third party auditor and pilot growers. The Draft Standards for Certified Sustainable Winegrapes include ten chapters: Conservation and Enhancement of Biological Diversity Vineyard Acquisition/Establishment and Management Soil Conservation and Water Quality Water Conservation Energy Conservation and Efficiency Air Quality Social Equity Pest Management Continuing Education Wine Quality address JOIN MAILING LIST keyword SEARCH WEBSITE GO GO The Draft Standards are comprised of both Requirements and Management Enhancements. There are 41 requirements; a grower must complete and document all requirements to be certified. After completing all requirements, a grower is awarded 500 points. Based on several categories identified by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, these active ingredients comprise the Prohibited Materials List used in the CCVT certification program. There are 156 management enhancements throughout the standards, and each management enhancement is assigned a point value. The total points available from Management Enhancements are 500. A grower must achieve a minimum of 250 Management Enhancements to be certified. Certification Standards Components Points Available Points Required for Certification Requirements Management Enhancements Total 1, This summer we launch the pilot certification program and are looking forward to growing this program in the future. The following is a list of the external peer reviewers involved in the certification process. Organization Name Ag Water Quality Alliance Lisa Lurie Ag Watershed Coalition Kay Mercer Agriculture Personnel Management Association Ron Barsamian American Farmland Trust Edward Thompson, Jr. CA Association of Resource Conservation Districts Tacy Currey Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo July Ackerman Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo Keith Patterson

5 Central Coast Vineyard Team Page 2 of 2 9/22/2008 Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo Mark Shelton Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo Mark Welch Cal/EPA - Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board Alison Jones Cal/EPA - Department of Pesticide Regulation Mark Rentz Cal/EPA - Department of Pesticide Regulation Patricia Matteson California Audubon Society Lee Moldaver Central Coast Ag Water Quality Coalition Dawn Mathes Dellavalle Laboratory, Inc. Danyal Kasapligil Environmental Defense Laura Harnish Monterey County Farm Bureau Traci Roberts Natural Resources Defense Council Jonathan Kaplan SureHarvest Dan Sonke San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District Larry Allen UC Cooperative Extension Kearney Ag Center Kent Daane UC Cooperative Extension Kearney Ag Center Pete Goodell UC Cooperative Extension Doug Gubler UC Cooperative Extension Jenny Broome UC Cooperative Extension Larry Bettiga UC Davis Deborah Golino UC SAREP Tom Tomich US Environmental Protection Agency - Region 9 Karen Heisler USDA - Western Integrated Pest Management Center Rick Melnicoe USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Alan Forkey USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Johnnie Siliznoff USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Lincoln E. Burton USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Luana E. Kiger For more information, contact jill@vineyardteam.org 2008 Central Coast Vineyard Team th Street, Suite 204, Paso Robles, CA Tel: CCVT Fax:

6 At Robert Hall our focus is in building a world-class brand that consistently delivers high quality and better overall value. Paso Robles has a reputation for producing superior reds, especially, Cabernet Sauvignon and Rhone varietals. Robert Hall Winery has made a commitment to the production of Rhone wines, with a portfolio that includes Viognier, a white-rhone blend Blanc de Robles, a dry-rosé Rosé de Robles, the red-rhone blends Rhone de Robles and Pape de Robles, Grenache, Syrah and Petite Sirah. Our portfolio also includes a traditional set of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, in addition to our Meritage a classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Merlot. A traditional Vintage Port, and an Orange Muscat round out our family of wines. Our Mission Statement At Robert Hall we use time-tested techniques and practices to cultivate intensely colored and flavored Paso Robles grapes. In the winery we craft these grapes into rich wines that capture the essence of Paso Robles. This craftsmanship in concert with an accessible, inviting facility provides a superior wine experience for our visitors. We market this concept with pride and passion to bring world-class recognition to Robert Hall wines. The Essence of Paso Robles Robert Hall Winery and Vineyards is an advocate of environmental consciousness and is proudly participating in the vineyard certification program Certified Sustainability in Practice (SIP) in achievement of sustainable farming practices for Robert Hall wines. We actively promote the Paso Robles AVA as one of the world s most exciting wine regions; where rolling terrain, varied soils and climate combine to yield character unique to this special place. Paso Robles is situated 20 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, literally halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. We are in the center of the Central Coast wine region which spans from Monterey County in the north to Santa Barbara County in the south. RH Wines Brand Personality Approachable Engaging Reliable Dedicated Empowering Warm RH Wine s Character Honest Sincerity Integrity Hardworking Loyal Trustworthy Solid Accessible Passionate Our climate and diverse Hall Ranch vineyard soils provide optimal growing conditions for our warm region varietals, especially the late season reds. Hot days end with coastal breezes that flow over the Santa Lucia Mountain Range to cool the vineyards in the evenings, delivering near perfect growing conditions that allow our late season reds to reach optimal maturity, yielding full bodied-- intense color red wines with incredible phenolic structure.

7 At Robert Hall Winery, our goal is to create compelling brand symmetry in the wine-place experience. The Robert Hall Winery Hospitality Center offers visitors a truly unique experience -a guided, educational tour through one of California s largest underground caverns. Spanning a massive 19,000 square feet with a distressed granite faux finish painted by Artists Steve Kalar and Margaret Burrell, the caverns provide a naturally cool sanctuary where Robert Hall wines mature in premium oak barrels. The Hospitality Center includes a tasting room where visitors can sample Robert Hall wines while perusing an on-going featured artist exhibit, or take in a view of the Hall Ranch s Bench Vineyard from the Garden Terrace. A Garden Courtyard featuring a fountain and reflecting pool, leading visitors to an open-air Amphitheater that hosts concerts and special events throughout the year, while our Meritage Room dining facility provides the perfect setting for weddings and private parties. The Wine Library plays host to our wine education seminars, including the popular artisan cheese and wine pairing course directed by our on-site Chef de Cuisine. Robert Hall Winery: Family Owned Grape Grower Hall Ranch vineyards (Home, Terrace and Bench Vineyards) o Reduced Yields o Sustainable Agriculture Practices o Solid and Hazardous Waste Reduction o Energy and Water Conservation o Resource Management o Deficit Irrigation Program o Warm days and Cool Nights for optimal maturity o Concentrated Phenol Compounds Award Winning Winemaker o Dedicated Staff of Industry Veterans State-of-the-art winery Destination Winery and Hospitality Center Leading producer of Rhone varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot Commitment to the Paso Robles AVA Competitive Pricing in a growing sales segment

8 Robert L. Hall Owner / Winegrower Robert Hall realized a dream in 2002 with the official opening of Robert Hall Winery in Paso Robles, CA. An entrepreneur with tremendous business acumen, Robert s past success include ventures in construction, bowling centers, travel agencies, restaurants and champion horse breeding. A native of Minnesota, Robert resided in Arizona prior to finding a home in the Paso Robles AVA. During a family trip to France in the late 70 s, Robert visited the Rhone valley and was captivated by the winery lifestyle of farming, crafting wine and the pairing of wine with food. Robert began developing his idea for a premium-producing vineyard and winery in the early-80 s, and ventured west with the goal of visiting each of California s wine appellations to explore the optimum growing conditions for the production of premium wine grapes, specifically the Rhone varieties he had enjoyed so much. In the early-90 s, Robert and Margaret Burrell discovered the perfect terroir in the Paso Robles appellation. Featuring soil rich in nutrients, coupled with warm days and cool nights, they felt the viticultural conditions were ideal to the development of the enological characteristics they were seeking to produce. Home Ranch was acquired in Soon after, the Terrace and Bench vineyards joined the Hall Ranch enclave. A true steward of the land, whenever Robert is in Paso Robles, you can most likely find him out working in the vineyards of the Hall Ranch. If he s not in the vineyards, Robert is in the tasting room greeting visitors. Today, Robert and Margaret have established very solid roots in Paso Robles. Throughout the years, their family members have joined them in this ever-growing wine community.

9 Don Brady Winemaker/ Director In July 2001, Robert Hall welcomed Winemaker Don Brady to Robert Hall Winery. Don, a graduate of Texas Tech University s horticulture program, worked with Pheasant Ridge Vineyard and the University of Texas experimental wine grape program. After college, Don went to work for Llano Estacado Winery. In 1991 Don was awarded the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association s highest honor - the Louis F. Qualia Award for outstanding contributions and leadership in the Texas wine industry. During his time working in Texas, Don s wines were served at several White House functions for President Reagan and President Bush, in addition to English royalty - Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles. In 2001, after moving to California, Don Brady earned worldwide acclaim as the recipient of the International Wine and Spirits "Wine of America" Award, and was recognized by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance in partnership with the Independent Grape Growers of Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo Vintners Association as the Winemaker of the Year in 2006.

10 The Essence of Paso Robles To capture the essence we leverage the strength and diversity of our appellation. Paso Robles is situated 20 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, in the center of the Central Coast wine region which spans from Monterey County in the North to Santa Barbara County in the South. Our maritime climate and diverse vineyard soils provide optimum growing conditions for all of our varietals. Hot days end with coastal breezes that flow over the Santa Lucia Mountain Range to cool the vineyards in the evenings, delivering near perfect growing conditions that allow our late season reds to reach optimal maturity, yielding full bodied intensely colored benchmark wines. Robert Hall Winery is proud participants in the vineyard certification program Certified Sustainability in Practice (SIP) in achievement of sustainable farming practices for Robert Hall wines and has also been recognized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for achievement of Sustained Excellence in Integrated Pest Management stewardship. Hall Ranch A collection of unique, estate vineyards & terroir merged to showcase the best of Paso Robles. Home Vineyard The Home Vineyard is located due east of the winery in the rolling hills just above the Estrella Plain. These hillside soils are made up of decomposed granite and transition into loamy clays at lower elevation. The vineyard is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Grenache Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Orange Muscat and our Durrell Syrah. This 140-acre planting is our largest and most mature, and serves as our foundation, producing the core of our wines. Terrace Vineyard The Terrace Vineyard is found on the rolling terrace situated above the southern bank of the Estrella River. Here the vines are rooted in porous sandy loam soils lain down by the Estrella moving in its course. The vineyard is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah Noir, Grenache Noir, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Grenache, Cinsaut, Malbec, Mourvèdre, Counoise, Piquepol Blanc, Roussanne, Orange Muscat, and our Port varieties Souzão, Alvarelhão, Touriga and Tinta Cão. This diverse 65- acre planting serves to broaden our palate by producing flavors that add the nuances essential to crafting wines of distinction. Bench Vineyard The Bench Vineyard wraps around the Robert Hall Winery and Hospitality Center, on the bench overlooking Huerhuero Creek. The soil here is an alluvial, stony, decomposed granite soil deposited by the Huerhuero as it cut its way through the area to drain into the Estrella River. This well drained soil is the home to clone 8 Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah Noir vines that are inherently low yielding due to the rigors of the site. This 12-acre vineyard consistently produces some of our most intense and concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Brady Vineyard Robert Hall Winemaker Don Brady s family vineyard shares the rolling young river terrace south of the Estrella just east of our Terrace Vineyard. This vineyard s soils are comprised of sandy clay loam alluvial terrace soils. This 18-acre vineyard is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, which serve to complement our other plantings of these varietals, and to Petite Sirah that further broadens the palate of varieties we have to work with.

11 The Essence of Paso Robles The Robert Hall Winery Hospitality Center / Tasting Room Designed by architect Tim Woodle of Pults & Associates in San Luis Obispo, CA. Features: Exterior grounds Situated on the acres, the grounds are home to the hospitality center, winery and Syrah and Cabernet grapes. The hospitality center features a Ramada framed exterior facade, with an artisan stained concrete walkway leading visitors past a fountain, to the tasting room and hospitality center buildings. From the rear exterior, is a Courtyard featuring a 7-foot hand crafted fountain flows 90-foot north in a professionally waterscaped reflecting pool. A walkway bridges the tasting room and hospitality center. Floral gardens surround the building, including a rose garden, which includes 15 varieties of roses. Hospitality Center features a Wine Library complete with a mahogany table that seats 16 for exclusive tasting of library flights. Featuring a spectacular Persian rug and lined with mahogany wine racks, the library is heavily insulated and air conditioned for optimum humidity control and wine preservation. The Meritage dining room, accommodates 150 with a full-service kitchen on-site. Offices overlook the south side of the hospitality center. The 10,000 square foot Hospitality Center is one of the largest venues on the Central Coast of California for special events. Tasting Room featuring 90 degree views of Paso Robles wine country through the 13-foot high windows, the tasting room s cherry and mahogany wood bar provides the setting for tasters to enjoy award-winning Robert Hall wine. To the rear of the tasting room is an elevator that transports visitors down to the underground wine caverns, for tours of our 19,000 square foot caverns and a barrel tasting. Visitors may also walk down an expansive circular staircase to the wine caverns. Adjacent to the tasting room is a vast Garden Terrace, also available for private event rental. Amphitheatre situated directly behind the tasting room is an open-air amphitheatre which seats up to 1,000 for concerts (permanent seating for 500 with additional lawn and floor-level seating), complete with a stage, portable dance floor and sound system. Located behind the wing-walled brick exterior, west of the tasting room is an additional special events area, featuring a BBQ area complete with both a gas and charcoal/wood bar-b-que. Picnic area / Bocce Ball Visitors to Robert Hall Winery can enjoy the beautiful central coast weather while playing a game of bocce ball &/or enjoy a picnic while enjoying the view of Paso Robles Wine Country. Parking lots at Robert Hall Winery are located in front of the hospitality center, in addition to locations behind the hospitality center & an overflow parking lot behind the winery. (Max. capacity 350 vehicles.) 3443 Mill Road Paso Robles, CA ph.

12 Accolades 2008 Sauvignon Blanc 90 Score Wine Enthusiast, October 2009 Top 100 Best Buy Wines for 2009 Wine Enthusiast, December 2009 Gold Medal Dallas Morning News Wine Competition 2009 Gold Medal San Diego International Wine Competition 2009 Gold Medal Orange County Fair Wine Competition 2009 Gold Medal San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2010 Silver Medal Pacific Rim International Wine Competition Score/One Puff Connoisseurs Guide to California Wine, August 2009 Silver Medal Houston LS&R International Wine Competition Chardonnay Gold Medal Central Coast Wine Competition 2009 Critics Gold Critics Challenge International Wine Competition Score Stephen Tanzer s International Wine Cellar, November Score / Silver Medal Beverage Testing Institute (BTI), March Score Wine Spectator, July 31, 2009 Santé Selection Santé magazine, June 2009 Silver Medal Los Angeles International Wine Competition 2009 Silver Medal San Diego International Wine Competition 2009 Silver Medal Pacific Rim International Wine Competition 2009 Silver Medal Tasters Guild International Wine Competition 2009 Silver Medal San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2010 Silver Medal Houston LS&R International Wine Competition 2010 Recommended Wines Northwest - May 13, Viognier Best of Show Central Coast Wine Competition 2009 Gold Medal San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2010 Silver Medal Houston LS&R International Wine Competition Orange Muscat Best of South Central Coast Appellation California State Fair Wine Competition 2009 Gold Medal Pacific Rim International Wine Competition 2009 Silver Medal San Diego International Wine Competition 2009 Silver Medal Central Coast Wine Competition 2009 Silver Medal Los Angeles International Wine Competition 2009 Silver Medal Tasters Guild International Wine Competition 2009 Silver Medal Long Beach Grand Cru Wine Competition Orange Muscat Judge s Choice / Gold Medal San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition /31/10

13 Accolades 2008 Rosé de Robles Gold Medal Dallas Morning News Wine Competition 2009 Gold Medal Long Beach Grand Cru Wine Competition 2009 Critics Gold Critics Challenge International Wine Competition 2009 Grand Star Award Lone Star International Wine Competition Score / Silver Medal California State Fair Wine Competition 2009 Santé Selection Santé magazine, June 2009 Wine of the Week SF Chronicle, May 24 th, 2009 Featured Rosé Central Coast magazine, May 2009 Pick of the Week New Times SLO, May 7, 2009 Wine of the Week Laurie Daniel s syndicated wine column, May 30, 2009 Recommended Wine Pairing Cooking Light magazine/karen MacNeil, July 2009 Silver Medal Los Angeles International Wine Competition 2009 Silver Medal Houston LS&R International Wine Competition Rhone de Robles 89 Score / Highly Recommended Beverage Tasting Institute, July Score / Silver Medal California State Fair Wine Competition Score / One Puff Connoisseurs Guide to California Wine, July 2008 Gold Medal/Best of Appellation Appellation America, October Stars Beverage Experts, September 2008 Silver Medal Central Coast Wine Competition 2009 Silver Medal New World International Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal National Women s Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal West Coast Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal Pacific Rim International Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal International Eastern Wine Competition 2008 Critics Silver Critics Challenge International Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal Long Beach Grand Cru Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2009 Silver Medal San Diego International Wine Competition 2009 Silver Medal Monterey Wine Competition 2009 Silver Medal Los Angeles International Wine Competition 2009 Silver Medal Orange County Fair Wine Competition 2009 Silver Medal San Francisco International Wine Competition 2009 Silver Medal Tasters Guild International Wine Competition 2009 Recommended Cottage Living magazine, October 2008 Recommended Dallas Morning News, April 2008 Recommended Kathy s Pick New Times weekly publication, May 2008 Recommended WSVN Channel 7 Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, December Rhone de Robles Silver Medal San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Petite Sirah 88 Score Stephen Tanzer s International Wine Cellar, November 2008 Silver Medal Orange County Fair Wine Competition /31/10

14 Accolades 2006 Syrah Best of Class / Gold Medal Los Angeles International Wine Competition 2008 Gold Medal / Best of Appellation Appellation America, March Score / Silver Medal California State Fair Wine Competition Score Connoisseurs Guide to California Wine, November Score Beverage Testing Institute (BTI), February Stars Beverage Experts, September 2008 Critics Silver Critics Challenge International Wine Competition 2009 Silver Medal Tasters Guild Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal Riverside International Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal West Coast Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal International Eastern Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal San Francisco International Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal Long Beach Grand Cru Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2009 Silver Medal Dallas Morning News Wine Competition 2009 Silver Medal Critics Challenge International Wine Competition 2009 Recommended Laurie Daniel s syndicated wine column, September 23, 2008 Recommended Kathy Marcks Hardesty, New Times, October 23, 2008 Recommended Michael Cervin, intowine.com, November 12, 2008 Recommended WSVN Channel 7 Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, December 2008 Recommended Santé magazine, Holiday 2008 Highly Recommended California Grapevine, December 2008 January Syrah 90 Score/Editor s Choice Wine Enthusiast, February 2010 Gold Medal San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2010 Silver Medal Long Beach Grand Cru Wine Competition, 2009 Recommended Kathy Marks Hardesty, New Times, November 5, 2009 Pick of the Week Laurie Daniel s syndicated wine column, December 6, 2009 Silver Medal Houston LS&R International Wine Competition Merlot 3 Stars Beverage Experts, September Score Beverage Dynamics, May/June Score - Connoisseurs Guide to California Wine, November 2008 Gold Medal San Diego International Wine Competition 2009 Gold Medal Monterey Wine Competition 2009 Gold Medal / Best of Appellation Appellation America, March 2009 Silver Medal Pacific Rim International Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal Tasters Guild Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal Riverside International Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal Orange County Fair Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal Los Angeles International Wine Competition 2008 Critics Silver Critics Challenge International Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal Long Beach Grand Cru Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2009 Recommended WSVN Channel 7 Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, December /31/10

15 Accolades 2007 Merlot Silver Medal San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2010 Silver Medal Houston LS&R International Wine Competition Cabernet Sauvignon 89 Score Beverage Dynamics, November/December 2008 Double Gold International Eastern Wine Competition 2008 Critics Gold Critics Challenge International Wine Competition 2008 Gold Medal Tasters Guild Wine Competition 2008 Gold Medal / Sweepstakes Monterey Wine Competition 2009 Gold Medal / Best of Appellation Appellation America, March 2009 Gold Medal Lone Star International Wine Competition Score / Silver Medal California State Fair Wine Competition Score Stephen Tanzer s International Wine Cellar, November Stars Beverage Experts, September 2008 Pick of the Week The Tennessean, April 15, 2009 Silver Medal Pacific Rim International Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal San Francisco International Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2009 Silver Medal Houston Livestock & Rodeo Wine Competition 2009 Recommended Kathy Marks Hardesty, New Times December Score Connoisseurs Guide to California Wine, December 2008 Recommended The Tennessean, April Cabernet Sauvignon 88 Score Wine Enthusiast, February 2010 Silver Medal San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2010 Silver Medal Houston LS&R International Wine Competition Meritage 90 Score The Wine News, April Score Connoisseurs Guide to California Wine, April 2008 Platinum Honors Critics Challenge International Wine Competition 2008 Gold Medal West Coast Wine Competition Stars Beverage Experts, September Stars Restaurant Wine, November Score Stephen Tanzer s International Wine Cellar, November 2008 Silver Medal National Women s Wine Competition, April 2008 Silver Medal New World International Wine Competition, March 2008 Silver Medal Tasters Guild Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal Riverside International Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal International Eastern Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal Orange County Fair Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal Los Angeles International Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal San Francisco International Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal Long Beach Grand Cru Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2009 Silver Medal Houston Livestock & Rodeo Wine Competition 2009 Recommended Saveur magazine, April 2008 Recommended Laurie Daniel s syndicated wine column, June 2008 Recommended WSVN Channel 7 Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, December /31/10

16 Accolades 2006 Meritage 88 + Score Stephen Tanzer s International Wine Cellar, November 2009 Gold Medal San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2010 Silver Medal Dallas Morning News Wine Competition 2009 Silver Medal Houston LS&R International Wine Competition Vintage Port Double Gold / Best Dessert Wine Central Coast Wine Competition Score / Silver Medal Beverage Testing Institute (BTI), February 2009 Critics Silver Critics Challenge International Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal International Eastern Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal Orange County Wine Competition 2008 Silver Medal Los Angeles International Wine Competition 2008 Recommended Laurie Daniel s syndicated wine column, December Vintage Port Reserve Class Champion Houston LS&R International Wine Competition 2010 Silver Medal Central Coast Wine Competition 2009 Silver Medal San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition /31/10