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Sustainable Vineyards

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Sustainable vineyard

Sustainable vineyard at Pipestone in Paso Robles

Sustainable Vineyards – good for all of us

Sustainable vineyards, Biodynamic vineyards, organic vineyards, and more. What does this all mean for the wine country traveler and the wines we drink? On this page you will find the differences among these three terms as they apply  to vineyards. Please see: http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/organic-terms. The one thing we know about these natural practices is that they are good for the environment. We also know that those workers farming the vineyards can feel comfortable that they are not being exposed to the long-term use of chemicals which may eventually cause serious disease. The one thing that we do not know for sure is whether farming sustainably makes better wine as opposed to farming with pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. We would like to think that better wines come from natural care of the vineyards. Sustainable farming and similar practices are the right things to do. We encourage wine country travelers to visit wineries that are sustainable, Biodynamic, and certified organic. Purchase and drink wines from these wineries. Here is a list of wineries that we know are managing their vineyards with one of these practices. Please see http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/tasting-room-guide/organic-wineries. The above photo was shot at Pipestone Vineyards in Paso Robles wine country.

Additional resources on natural vineyards practices

Wine Country Backroads – Paso Robles West

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Paso Robles Rhone wine

This Mourvedre vineyard is owned by Pipestone Vineyards and is biodynamically farmed.

Paso Robles Westside – Wine Country Backroad

The wine country backroads of Paso Robles has several wonderful backroads to experience and this one is west of Highway 101 in Paso Robles wine country. Start by leaving the Paso Robles downtown area and head south on 101. Take exit Highway 46 West toward Cambria. Travel 8.5 miles and turn right onto Oakdale Road. On this portion of Hwy. 46, you will see many tempting wineries to visit, such as Zenaida Cellars and Niner Estates. If you have plenty of time and energy, why not stop in and take a look? After you turn onto Oakdale Road, take a right on Las Tables Willow Creek Road, then turn right on Niderer Road and watch for the signs to Pipestone Vineyard and Dunning Estate Winery. These are two very small wineries with a love and passion for making wine. Pipestone is biodynamic and makes some fantastic tasting Rhone-style wines. After a visit to Pipestone and Dunning, we head on the backroads to Calcareous Vineyard. To get to Calcareous from Dunning, head back along Niderer Road and turn right onto Las Tablas Willow Creek Road. Keep left at the fork and turn right on Peachy Canyon Road. Continue for about five miles and then look for the signs to Calcareous. This is a vastly different winery than the previous two. It is new and luxurious, with a spacious tasting room and a wonderful picnic area. The views are amazing. We love all the wines at Calcareous that are estate grown. The soil is, you guessed it, Calcareous. That gives the wines a distinctive character. After leaving Calcareous, you can head back to Paso Robles on a different route. Just follow the map below. If you are adventurous, you can make your way to another spectacular winery, Daou Vineyards. Daou produces wonderful Bordeaux-style wines. The winery is also new and somewhat extravagant. It is worth a look.

Additional Paso Robles wine country information

Viognier in Paso Robles

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At Pipestone Vineyards in Paso Robles

At Pipestone Vineyards in Paso Robles

About Viognier in Paso Robles

This Viognier vineyard is part of the Pipestone estate located in Paso Robles on the westside of Highway 101. All the vineyards are sustainably and organically farmed at Pipestone. Viognier is a Rhone variety of grape. The soil and growing conditions in this area of Paso Robles are in many ways similar to the terroir of the Rhone Valley of France. The soil is shale and limestone bedrock. Cooling breezes in the afternoon come from the Pacific Ocean though what is called the Templeton Gap. Viognier is a beautiful aromatic white wine with floral and peach characteristics. It can be fermented and aged in stainless steel, or often barrel fermented or aged in neutral oak barrels. Viognier is often blended with Rousanne and/or Marsanne, two other white wine grapes common to the Rhone Valley. Some vintners like to blend a very small amount of Viognier with Syrah wine. This takes the edge off a Syrah and gives it an added aromatic character. The Pipestone Vineyards tasting room is open from Thursday to Monday,  11 am  to 5 pm, or by appointment.

Additional information about Paso Robles wine country

CALIFORNIA WINE COUNTRY REGIONS:

Carneros • Livermore • Lodi • Mendocino • Monterey • Napa Valley • Paso Robles • Santa Barbara County • Santa Cruz Mts. • Sierra Foothills • Russian River • Sonoma Valley

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