2005 Vintage “Via Della Vigna”
100% Paso Robles

Our home is located in the “Templeton Gap” area between Paso Robles and Atascadero. Typically 10 degrees cooler than the surrounding area due to a prevailing coastal breeze from the Pacific Ocean just 20 miles distant. “The Gap” is recognized as “The Rhone Zone” due to the success realized from plantings in this area of varietals synonymous with France’s Rhone Region.

In 2002 we planted our half-acre home vineyard to “what else,” primarily Rhone red varieties: Syrah, Grenache Noir, and Mourvedre. We also became intrigued with, and subsequently planted, Tannat, a red variety which hails from the Madiran region of southwest France. Each varietal contributes a unique character to the final blend: Syrah, opulent berry richness; Grenache Noir, spicy fruit intensity; Mourvedre, zesty black plum fruit; and Tannat, color and a nervy-tannic edge.

While not certified, we do employ organic and biodynamic techniques while nurturing our vineyard throughout the year. Each lot is picked and when practical, fermented separately to allow focused varietal expression. The aforementioned enhances the “vineyard fingerprint,” or unique identity, of our site. The wines are then combined in small French oak barrels where they remain for a minimum of 24 months prior to bottling.

The wine is ripe and lively, displaying good complexity and balance. “Via Della Vigna” loosely translates to our home/vineyard location — Grapevine Way in Templeton. While the regional typicity is obvious, we find the heritage of the Southern Rhone shows through particularly in the flavor and finish. 40 cases produced.

Tasting Notes

Brilliant, crimson/garnet. Aroma notes of berry, cinnamon and laurel. Berry/plum flavor impression. Perfect ripeness, soft-dusty tannins. The Syrah content is showing through nicely at present. While drinking well at release, the wine will continue to develop for several years.

E.F. 7/08

Limited Availability — Wine Club Members Only.

Bottle Price — $29.
Wine Club Discount — 20% (bottle), 25% (case).

2007 “Convivio”
81% Syrah, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon
100% Central Coast

Since the 2003 introduction of “Convivio”, our proprietary Rhone-style blend, each assemblage has varied in proportions of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. In order to achieve continuity of balanced flavors, each release is unique to the Vintage. This year we combined Syrah from Kartsiokus Vineyard located in Paso Robles, with cool-climate, Watch Hill Vineyard Syrah, from Santa Barbara County, and Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles. We are very pleased with the outcome and find the integration of the individual wines demonstrates that blends are often more balanced and interesting than stand-alone varietals.

Each lot was crushed, fermented, and pressed separately. Thereafter, the lots continued to age until the March, ’09 assemblage, (18 months in-barrel). Following a light filtration, 180 cases were bottled in June, 2008. As of this writing, the wine is developing a fine bottle bouquet and showing good complexity and balance.

Tasting Notes

Deep, garnet-crimson color. Aroma notes of cherry/blackberry, with a hint of “spice-box”. Striking fruit impression, some cocoa/floral notes. Impressive balance suggests good age-ability.

E.F. 5/09

Bottle Price — $22.
Case purchase discount — 10%, Wine Club 25%.

2007 Syrah
Watch Hill Vineyard
Santa Barbara County

Passionate as we are about the Syrah varietal, we were most impressed by the location of this vineyard relative to quality potential and beauty. Overlooking the town of Los Alamos in Santa Barbara County; Watch Hill Vineyard’s elevation, soil, site exposure, and 877 ENTAV clone selection, encouraged expectations of the highest level. The vineyard guru, Jeff Newton, reserved several manicured rows especially for La Filice.

After a gentle crushing, the hand-picked clusters were fermented, and subsequently basket pressed into French oak barrels, separating “free-run” and “press” lots. This Vintage, we found the “free-run” lot, (minimal high-solids press fraction), to be so intense and balanced that it was isolated for this separate bottling. The result showcases the powerful, yet elegant, fruit typical for “cool-climate” syrah. As with previous Watch Hill vintages, this release again confirms our high expectations for this special vineyard site.

Tasting Notes

Ruby-black robe. Boysenberry/black cherry aroma with notes of “Forrest-floor”. Zesty-fruit, good concentration, Pleasant oak integration. Long-lasting on the palate.

E.F. 5/09

Bottle price — $24.
Case purchase discount — 10%, Wine Club: 25%.