Rose, 2021. Hearst Ranch

Steve Hearst and Jim Saunders brought their experience, passion, and ingenuity to found Hearst Ranch in 2010. The Hearst Ranch was formerly a cattle ranch owned by George Hearst in the late 19th Century. It surrounds the famous Hearst Castle in San Simeon.

Grapes were first planted in Paso Robles in the late 18th Century. For decades Zinfandel was the go to grape. It flourished in the heat of the day and the coolness of the nights. It became synonymous with the "big wine" splash in the 1970s, which continued into the 1980s. As the big wine craze subsided, other grapes were experimented with and slowly the grapes of the Rhone Valley in France began to emerge as the new go-to grapes. Today Grenache and Syrah dominate the vineyards in much the same way as Zinfandel did half a century ago.

It was often mistakenly thought that Paso was too warm for grapes that needed a more temperate climate. However, the fact is that it's really two very distinctive areas in one. The seminal dividing line is the Pacific Coast Highway. As you head East, the temperature gets warmer. As you head West, it's cooler. San Simeon is almost on the coast, so it is quite different than vineyards to the East. That is why blends like our selection, comprised of mostly Grenache and Syrah are so naturally delicious. The honeysuckle and melon deliver immediately, morphing into peach and nectarine and pleading for a roast chicken sandwich with a touch of horseradish or plate of steamed mussels.

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