THE STORIES BEHIND THE INSPIRATION

The following winemakers will be represented:

• Mark Adams, Ledge Vineyards: Bottle of Ledge + 1997 Mourvèdre from James Berry Vineyard
• Brian Brown, Emerson Brown Wines: Emerson Brown 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon + In Medias Res 2019 Codex
• Natalie Brown, Rococo Wines: 2020 Old Bailey Ranch Chenin Blanc + Sijnn 2015 Red
• Brian Farrell, Caelesta Wines: 2017 Syrah + Denner 2014 Syrah
• Jordan Fiorentini, Epoch Estate Wine: 2017 Veracity + Domaine Tempier 2017
• Mike Giugini, Scar of the Sea: Methode Ancestrale Solera NV Chardonnay + Alice & Oliver De Moor 2018 El Air et Clardys Chablis
• Gina Giugini: Lady of the Sunshine: 2020 Chêne Vineyard Chardonnay + Littorai 2017 Charles Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay
• Riley Hubba, Hubba Wine: 2018 The Eskimo + L’Aventure 2018 Estate Cuvee Red Wine
• Aaron Jackson, Aaron Wines: 2018 Petite Syrah + Peterson Family 2017 Petite Syrah
• Chris Kiranbay, Saint K Wine: 2020 Malvasia Blanca + Desparada 2020 Chenin Blanc
• Connor McMahon, Fulldraw Vineyard: 2017 Honey Bunny + Château-de-Beaucastel 2005 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge
• Drew Nenow, Nenow Family Wines: 2018 Bien Nacido Syrah + Behrens Family Winery 2017 Cemetery Cabernet Sauvignon
• Nicole Pope, Haliotide: 2016 Blanc de Blancs + Pierre Peters 2013 Les Chetillons
• Phil Pfunder, Law Estate Wines: Coming Soon
• Tyler Russell, Cordant-Nelle: Nelle 2019 Pinwheel + Domaine La Barroche 2018 Chateau neuf-du-Pape Pure
• Cameron Stoffel, Ultima Tulie: 2018 Petite Syrah + Herman Story 2019 Syrah
• Bret Urness, Levo Wine: 2018 Under the Gun + Ziehharmonika 2018 Syrah
• Nicholas Eliot, Nicora Wine: 2018 SGM + Torrin 2016 Pinot Noir
• Janie Willheim, Lumina Wines: 2020 Riesling + Clemens Busch 2018 Riesling
• Anthony Yount, Kinero Cellars & Royal Nonesuch Farms: 2016 York Mountain + Domaine Charvin 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape

THE STORIES

Aaron Wines

There is no international benchmark for Petite Sirah, which is sort of a double edged sword. On one hand, there are few examples to give winemakers such as myself something to aspire to. But on the other hand, that allows for a tremendous amount of freedom to explore and discover what it is that makes a truly great Petite Sirah. Switchback Ridge has always been one of my benchmark Petite Sirahs, hailing from the northern Napa Valley (Calistoga) where it has long been known as one of the best areas in California for Petite Sirah. The deeper loam soils of Napa Valley tend to produce massive tannins, although often with less acidity than Paso Robles, but still with deep, powerful fruit and concentration. What impresses me most about Switchback Ridge is the richness and intensity they get in their wine, which is amazingly done with no new oak. It’s a powerhouse Petite that pushes the limits of the varietal, but in a good way. –Aaron Jackson, Aaron Wines

Caelesta Wines

Syrah is my favorite grape, whether it’s from the Rhone Valley or Paso Robles. I grew up drinking Denner Wines (tasting and spitting before I turned 21 of course *wink wink*). Anthony’s journey at such a prestigious winery and producing some of the best wines in Paso at such a young age, was an inspiration to me. I chose the 2014 Denner Syrah from their Willow Creek Estate because it came full circle for me. They allowed me to purchase syrah from that vineyard for my first vintage. I continue to be inspired by Denner with each release and I am forever grateful for them taking the chance on selling me fruit and letting me make my first few vintages in their facility. Anthony, Alex, and Paul were a dream to work around and I was so lucky to be able to become friends with them and learn their wine making philosophies. –Brian Farrell, Caelesta Wines

Cordant – Nelle

The Source of inspiration The Inspiration: 2019 Domaine La Barroche Pure White The result of Inspiration: 2019 Nelle Pinwheel Every now and then, as soon as a wine hits your lips it can take you to place. Wines that have a true sense of place are just different. The first time I had the Domaine La Barroche, Pure White, that is what I experienced. It was a reminder to me to get out of the way and that my responsibility is to show a place in a moment of time. This mindset has been so crucial to me, and has shaped how I make many of my decisions. –Tyler Russell, Cordant – Nelle

Emerson Brown Wine

Emerson Brown was formed when I began working hand in glove with Keith Emerson at Vineyard 29 in Napa during the harvest season of 2005, a vintage marked by an excessively large crop. So big that many wineries turned fruit away at the crush pad. We collectively did a little horse-trading with growers and we’ve continued to collaborate on Napa Valley Wines ever since. I’ve donated a 2007 Emerson Brown Cabernet Sauvignon because it is a personal favorite from one of the best Napa Valley vintages in the last two decades. In addition, I grabbed one of our newest wines, 100% Syrah, from our ranch here in the Willow Creek District which should be a nice foil to our Northern Californian wine. In many ways, our estate Syrah is the wine that I moved down to Paso Robles to make, but Napa Cabernet is where I built my foundation. –Brian Brown, Emerson Brown Wines

Epoch Estate Wines

There are few wines that I must purchase year after year – Domaine Tempier’s reds and rose are those that I must have. They are on allocation and I cannot miss the opportunity to see how this iconic domaine presents itself across vintages. My journey to Tempier was a roundabout one and more experiential than through textbook study. After making wines in Paso for several years, I started to realize the importance of Mourvedre to our region and how it produces wines that can handle our intense climate, beautifully reflect our growing region, as well as always give a nod to the charm of old world wine. I discovered Tempier alongside creating this personal winemaking revelation and feel what I learned from experience with Mourvedre in Paso proves itself across Domaine Tempier vintages. La Tourtine is a single vineyard, highly allocated, small production Mourvedre-based wine from Bandol. I am pairing this with Epoch’s 2017 Veracity – our Mourvedre-based ‘GSM’ which takes inspiration from the south of France. For many years it was Grenache-based until I realized I needed to switch to Mourvedre-dominant after years of winemaking in Paso. All of Epoch’s wines are near and dear to my heart, but Veracity is my go-to wine across all vintages. Veracity is so versatile with different foods, circumstances, and seasons and shows the great balancing act between power and elegance possible in Paso Robles. –Jordan Fiorentini, Epoch Estate Wine

Fulldraw Vineyard

Beaucastel was the wine that got me interested in wine because it was from 1989. I was working for a wine shop in Colorado when I turned 21. During my time there, the 2005 Beaucastel became available and I purchased a six pack of this wine (which was my first wine purchase ever). The bottle that you have is from that original six pack and is my last remaining bottle! –Connor McMahon, Fulldraw Vineyard

Haliotide

We chose Pierre Peters ‘Les Chatillons’ Blanc de Blanc as our muse wine because many years ago it was one of the first grower Champagnes we tasted together that showed us the beautiful complexity and elegance of 100% Chardonnay sparkling wines. The chalky terrior of this vineyard is so expressive in the minerality of this Champagne and we are consistently impressed by the combination of purity, elegance, and power in all his wines. After working with coastal vineyards that seemed perfect for sparkling grapes and yearning to make sparkling wine again (my first job had been with Domaine Carneros), we decided to start haliotide in 2016 with our first purchase of Chardonnay grapes from Stolo Vineyards. With our respect for grower Champagnes, we planned to produce the wines ourselves (by hand) in the traditional method with fruit that we farmed. The 2016 Haliotide Blanc de Blancs marks our first release and after more than four years en tirage, we are thrilled with this wine! This Blanc de Blancs expresses the maritime qualities of its vineyard site near the Pacific with aromas of crushed oyster shell, sea air, lemon zest and a hint of brioche. We hope you enjoy them both! –Nicole Pope, Haliotide

Hubba Wines

My inspiration wine is the 2018 Estate Cuvee from L’Aventure Winery in Paso Robles. In 2008, L’Aventure Winery was my first job in the wine industry and owner/winemaker Stephan Asseo is the reason I make wine today! He taught me how to grow, make, taste and sell wine during the three years I worked and lived at L’Aventure. I loved everything about my experience at L’Aventure and the Estate Cuvee is the pinnacle of Stephan’s blends. He moved here from France to be able to blend varieties that you are unable to in Bordeaux, specifically Cabernet Sauvignon with Syrah. Hubba Wine’s 2018 The Eskimo is a nod to L’Aventure’s flagship wine by blending the two varieties together. I am so grateful for my time spent at L’Aventure and where it has led me on my winemaking path. Stephan taught me that wine is all about pleasure and that is what fuels my passion for making, drinking and sharing it with the people I love. My relationships with family, friends and mentors mean the most to me and my wines are an homage to those people who continue to inspire me. I hope they do the same for you! –Riley Hubbard, Hubba Wines

Lady of the Sunshine

Littorai | Ted Lemon is a lifelong winemaker who began his career by receiving an Enology degree from the Université de Dijon in 1981. He is the first American to ever be hired as winemaker and vineyard manager of an estate in Burgundy, Domaine Guy Roulot in Meursault, where he resided until 1984. He worked at many prestigious estates in Burgundy: Domaine Georges Roumier, Domaine Bruno Clair, Domaine Parent, Domaine De Villaine, Domaine Delorme and Domaine Dujac. Upon returning to the United States, Ted worked as a winemaker in Napa Valley and became a consultant to a number of prominent wineries in California, Oregon and New Zealand. Ted Lemon was the consulting winemaker during my 2016 vintage making wine abroad experience at Burn Cottage, a biodynamic estate in Central Otago, New Zealand. Ted Lemon was always an inspiration to my personal winemaking evolution with his old world style and charm to his wines, creating lower alcohol, acid driven wines that speak of terroir. My time working for him shaped my winemaking style today. With an emphasis on organic and biodynamic farming, embracing texture on white wine, and shaping wines with natural acidity and elevage on lees to create structure with balance. The Lady of the Sunshine 2020 Chardonnay comes from the 6.5 acre Chene Vineyard that I farm full time. Since my takeover in 2018, I’ve transitioned the Chene Vineyard to Demeter certified biodynamic farming practices . The vineyard sits 4 miles from the Pacific Ocean in the southwest corner of the Edna Valley appellation, on chalky, Monterey-formation soils. The entirety of the one acre planting of Wente clone Chardonnay goes into this bottling. The wine is picked for natural acidity first and foremost. The grapes are then foot stomped, which was inspired by my time making white wines with Ted Lemon at Burn Cottage. This allows the juice to soak with the stems and skins and extract a kiss of texture and tannin before fermentation begins. The grapes are pressed the next morning, and the juice is then transferred to neutral french oak barrels for fermentation with native yeast. Once fermentation is complete, the barrels are topped, the wine is aged on lees for 10 months and then racked for the first time for bottling, always unfined and unfiltered. This wine is made with a great respect for the land in which it comes from and nothing is added to the wine except for a minimal amount of sulfur to capture my favorite moment of the wine’s life as it passes from juice to vinegar. This wine was created through my personal lens to tell a story about how farming for the future of our planet is a crucial first step in creating wines that speak of place (terroir). I am thankful for Ted’s influence in my farming and winemaking philosophies and I can only hope that my wines will be of future inspiration for the next generation ahead. –Gina Giugini, Lady of the Sunshine

Law Estate Wines

A wine that has inspired me tremendously, I had at my friend Jean’s birthday celebration during the middle of my first harvest at Château Angélus in Saint Emilion in 2012. My previous winemaking experience had mainly been in New Zealand as well as one harvest in Napa prior to working in France. The wines that we opened that evening were all incredible, however one in particular stayed with me this entire time. It was a bottle of 1996 Bollinger R.D. it was perfectly balanced and poised with complexity and intrigue for days! Jean’s wife had paired it with three different homemade Foie gras, which certainly helped to solidify the experience in my mind. I remember thinking that this may be the most balanced and texturally beautiful wine I had ever had. That experience inspired me to pursue balance in the wines that I make by respecting not only the terroir but the variety as well as the environment. The balance that you see in a bottle of 2018 Law Estate Audacious is very different from the balance I remember in that bottle of Champagne, however both wines have a sense of connection, ideally a seemingly effortless and beautiful expression of where the wine is from. I guess that wine taught me that the pursuit of balance no matter how different that balance may look and feel depending on where you happen to be making wine is paramount. –Phil Pfunder, Law Estate Wines

Ledge Vineyards

I grew up on my family’s West Templeton ranch in the Paso Robles Willow Creek District AVA and was surrounded by many pioneering grape farmers. Terry and Pebble Smith planted the James Berry Vineyard with their son Justin in the 80s and we’ve been close friends since childhood. Matter of fact, I was the first employee hired by Justin at Saxum in 2004 and soon after planted four acres of rooted Estrella Clone Syrah on the Adams Ranch for my own label, Ledge Vineyards. These vines were all propagated from cuttings off the Bone Rock terraces at James Berry Vineyard. In 2009 Ledge Vineyards bottled their first estate wine, which was 100% Syrah. Collaborating with Justin and Matt Trevison from Linne Calodo during their early days of winemaking with the James Berry Vineyard grapes at Wild Horse, was the beginning of a life-long love affair with Rhône varietals and the Paso Robles wine growing region. My inspiration bottle is the 1997 James Berry Vineyard Mourvèdre made by James Berry Smith aka “Pebble.” I even have detailed tech notes about how it was made that were handwritten by Pebble. It is my inspiration bottle because these are the wines I drank before, during and after college. –Mark Adams, Ledge Vineyards

Levo

I’m from a small agricultural town called Eagle Idaho, so I didn’t grow up in the presence of Grand Cru Echezeaux or Michelin Star tasting menus. There were many state lines that separated me from delicacies like these and they were more or less completely unheard of in my community. Fine cuisine was Coors Light, rib eye and baked potatoes – these are food groups I still carry a strong affinity towards. Like all kids, at some point it’s time to graduate, move on, and grow up. To put it bluntly, I was floored and didn’t really like the idea of growing up (still don’t). I had absolutely no hint as to what my chapter might entail. I didn’t excel as a student or in the realm of academia. Perhaps most crucially, I had a really tough time with rules, structure, and authority in general. I found my escape in art and creative writing classes as it gave me total freedom to express myself, to test rules, and push boundaries. At this time, I was also often getting lost in the outdoors; spending summers camping, hunting, river trips, playing on the lake, and fishing with my friends. I spent my first college semester at Boise State University, partying and trying to figure out my next move. At the time, my best friend managed a local gym. One night I was sitting in the lounge waiting for him to lock up the shop. While waiting, I hopped on a couch and grabbed a magazine to pass the time. I was studying Business and naturally decided to pick up Forbes, because businessmen read it. Low and behold I randomly opened up to an article on a guy named Manfred Krankl, who owned a winery named Sine Qua Non. The column, named “The Krankl Cult” opened up with a full page image of him sitting on a Confederate Wraith, an otherworldly motorcycle. Eclectically dressed, his scarf was blowing in the wind and his winery sat behind him in the background. It was loaded with crazy different shaped barrels and fermentation vessels. I turned the page. Manfred’s bottles were all unique shapes and adorned by Manfred’s personal works of art. Each of his release letters were like small creative writing projects; very personal, entertaining, and with music recommendations and books to boot. I turned the page. Landscape photos of his estate vineyards sprawling from Ventura to Santa Rita Hills and of his livestock and farm. I tore out the article and put it in my pocket. From that point forward I was completely obsessed with the idea of wine and the lifestyle it could create. Little did I know how deep the rabbit hole would become. Before long, I was spending any extra money I had on the great Rhone wines of the Central Coast. I was inspired by so many producers, John Alban of Alban Vineyards, Eric Jensen at Booker, Justin Smith at Saxum, Maggie Harrison at Antica Terra, Russell Fromm at Herman Story. The list goes on and on… After reading that Forbes article I only spent one semester at Boise State. I immediately departed to Santa Barbara City College to play football with a plan to work at wineries and vineyards. My studies at City College didn’t last long. I began working full time at Carr Winery and Vineyards in 2010, and Pierre Lafond Wine Bistro in Montecito, where I tasted many great wines of the world. In 2011, I made my first four barrels of wine with the help of my family and friend, Jamie Traylor. In 2015, I moved into our winery in Tin City. The year 2021 marks my 10th vintage and I couldn’t be more thankful for the adventure Manfred and many other great producers and individuals have inspired me to go on. The business of winemaking and growing has sufficiently satisfied my many interests. It is a craft that is infinite and free of rules or boundaries. There is no arriving, it is all about the journey. –Bret Urness, Levo

Lumina Wines

Lumina is crafted by Janie Willheim. Fresh on the scene, she started her label with a single barrel of Riesling in 2019 which she fermented with wild yeast and stirred daily while fermenting in completed neutral oak barrels. Clemens Busch is a German producer in the Mosel Valley that created gorgeous Rieslings. His wine is made in a dry style from old vines that are biodynamically farmed. This has always been an iconic wine to Janie and inspired her to want to craft her own Riesling. –Janie Wilheim, Lumina Wines

Nenow Family Wines

I am so honored and excited to be included in this auction lot, amongst so many industry colleagues that I look up to and appreciate. To represent a new generation of winemakers in our area is invigorating, as this group of young artists is continuously exploring and exposing the wine world to what Paso Robles has to offer. Included in our portion of the auction lot is a Nenow Family Wines favorite: The 2018 Bien Nacido Syrah. This is a brand new release for us and one that we are very excited about. The 2018 vintage, in general, is thickly layered with tannin and flavor and Bien Nacido never disappoints in terms of complexity or its sense of place. Seasmoke and savory features with added layers of espresso and brambles, this wine will be best enjoyed with some age on it as the dense texture of the wine falls away exposing even more complex aromatics and flavors. My “Muse Wine” comes from two people that I respect above all others in this industry. I grew up watching my Aunt and Uncle, Lisa Drinkward and Les Behrens cut their teeth in a competitive era of Napa Valley’s history (the 90’s and 2000’s), as they built Behrens Family Winery from the ground up. One definition of a “Muse” is something that acts as a source of inspiration for a creative artist, and my Aunt and Uncle’s wines are nothing short of that. They worked tirelessly, all while raising their young family, and have served as incredible examples to us as we attempt to get our own small family brand off the ground. They’ve always approached their business by leading with their hearts and their wines express much of the beauty they’ve put into the operation. Their 2017 Cemetery Cabernet Sauvignon has always been a crowd (and personal) favorite from their impressive portfolio. Cabernet Sauvignon from the historic Cemetery Vineyard in downtown Saint Helena, this small production wine has consistently received high praise from critics and wine collectors alike. –Drew Nenow, Nenow Family Wines

Nicora Wines

The wines I chose are dear my heart because they represent myself, and my mentor, Scott Hawley. Scott taught me the importance of doing a great job not only in the cellar, but in the vineyard as well. These two wines represent years of hard work, countless hours, many mistakes, tears, joy, and most importantly, honesty. I hope that someone may enjoy and appreciate all that went into these two bottles of wine. Cheers! –Nick Elliott – Nicora Winery

Rococo Wine

Rococo began in 2016 when I unexpectedly stumbled upon four rows of old vine Chenin Blanc, sandwiched in the middle of a Chardonnay and a Merlot block. It turns out these vines were the last remaining of an original fifty acres planted in 1974 and a new challenge pursued to produce something original. Like all old school dealings in the wine industry there was no contract involved, just a handshake, which was the first step of what has become a mild obsession. Having tasted through most examples of the grape from domestic producers and the few international bottles that are imported, it became apparent that in order to gain further insight an expedition to a wine region outside of California was required. 

After a bit of deliberation, South Africa was decided upon for four reasons;  Firstly, there is far more Chenin in that country than anywhere else in the world. Second, South Africa and California are climatically more similar than the growing conditions of the Loire, so greater parallels could be drawn. Third, producers there have a similar history with the grape so the cumulative native knowledge would be a huge resource. Lastly, the ability to communicate in English would allow for a much easier and greater flow of information in the technical subtleties of growing and vinification. 

Our “muse wine” comes from South Africa. The “Sijnn Red Wine Blend” from the Malgas district, an extremely interesting site along the cape that has rolled stones reminiscent of CNdP. In South Africa, Malgas is a very remote region and is thought to be on the frontier of wine growing, which is what we consider Paso Robles to be in California. We like to say it is the Wild West out here because there is so much freedom in what to grow and how to produce wines. 

We are proud to present one of our 2020 releases, “Old Bailey Ranch” Chenin Blanc. When the Baileys planted their vineyard in 1969 in the high hills of Paso Robles, it was mostly Cabernet and Zinfandel. The matriarch of the family enjoyed drinking Chenin so two acres were planted at the bottom of the ranch near a seasonal creek. According to the family, in those early years they “couldn’t give the Chenin away.” Dry farmed and on its own roots, the vineyard was rediscovered recently by winemakers focused on historic sites.  –Natalie Darr Brown, Rococo Wines

Royal Nonesuch Farms

I’ve long been inspired by the wines of Larent Charvin at Domaine Charvin in Chateauneuf du Pape. In 2015, Hillary and I got to visit him at his domaine on our belated honeymoon. At Charvin, the wines are all about the vineyard – the winemaking is as simple as it can be. So, when we started making wine off of our own vineyard, we wanted to approach it in a similar fashion to Charvin: make the wine all about the vineyard. While these wines are a world apart, they share a similar spirit – be as true to the vineyard and vintage as possible. –Anthony Yount, Royal Nonesuch Farms

Saint K

After working with Grenache Blanc in my first 3 years as a winemaker, I wanted to find a more aromatic white to explore. I always enjoyed the white wines made by Vailia From at Desparada. I worked with her for many years and my palate was switching from big heavy reds to more fresh, lean and aromatic whites, so my inspiration bottle is her 2020 Chenin Blanc. My bottle is 2020 Flower Bomb Malvasia Bianca from French Camp Vineyard in Paso Robles. You’ll understand the name after your first sip. –Chris Kiranbay, Saint K

Scar of the Sea

Alice & Olivier De Moor | Courgis is where Olivier grew up, and his “old” cellar, the part where he ages his Chablis in oak barrels, is underneath his grandparents’ house. From the hill where Courgis sits, the view is vineyards over hills all the way to the Chablis Grands Crus. Alice is from Jura, and the two met at a large Chablis estate where Olivier was in charge of the vineyards. Both are enologists, graduates of the Dijon enological school, with enough knowledge to take a radically different direction for their vines and wines than their neighbors. In 1989, they began their estate by planting three plots of Chablis; Bel Air, Clardy and Rosette. The small Clardy parcel was planted to less than one hectare, in the De Moor home village of Courgis. The soils are stony and chalky, in other words classically Chablisien. The whole Chablis area is highly calcareous, with soils formed millions of years ago in a warm, shallow sea. The limestone here is rich in shellfish fossils, including oysters, urchins, bivalves and ammonites. Alice and Olivier farm organically and harvest by hand. The fruit is gently pressed and fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts in used barrique. The wine goes through malo naturally and is aged on its lees without bâtonnage, also in used barrique. No sulfur is used at harvest or during vinification. Bottled in December 2019 (and in a rare exception, filtered due to the presence of a few grams of RS). 2018 is the first time Alice and Olivier have been able to bottle this wine since 2014. This wine, crafted by husband and wife team, Alice & Olivier De Moor, was our wedding wine. My wife (Gina, Lady of the Sunshine) and I were married under a 450 year old oak tree at Gina’s family’s Narrow Gate Vineyards, in the summer of 2019, under an exciting sky filled with the threat of summer thunderstorms. This wine will always carry with it the feeling we felt the day when we chose each other forever. Today, we continue to work, farm, and make wines together, in the same spirit that Alice and Olivier share together where we find ourselves passionately in love with what we do, the wines we create, and the life we have chosen to build together. In the spirit of celebratory wines, my favorite wine I produce is the NV Methode Ancestrale Solera Chardonnay. This offering of bubbles is from the Bien Nacido Vineyard & Rancho Vinedo Vineyard in Santa Maria Valley. The Chardonnay was picked at 18 Brix, then fermented with native yeast in-barrel, with no additions. During the primary fermentation, the 2020 wine was blended with our Solera base of Chardonnay from 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, & 2019, then aged together in 500 L barrels. The wine is bottled at the very end of the primary fermentation to capture the natural bubbles in the bottle. The wine ages on lees in bottle before being riddled, disgorged, corked and caged, all by hand. We hope you are able to share these wines with the people you love and that they bring you the same joy that they have brought to us. –Mikey Giugini, Scar of the Sea

Ultima Tulie

Many things influenced and inspired the creation of my brand, Ultima Tulie – nature, my love of adventure, family and love of wine. But perhaps none more than Russell From of Herman Story Wines. Working under one one of the most talented winemakers in the area has been a dream. I’ve been incredibly lucky to forge relationships and gain access to vineyards I had previously only dreamt about. Nuts & Bolts of Herman Story is the first wine I tasted back in 2010. I honestly didn’t know wine could taste like this. It was in your face, bold and indulgent. Comprised of vineyards all over the Central Coast, this Syrah embodied Russell’s approach to wine and balance. This wine opened my eyes to the artistry and creativity in winemaking. I love my life, my career and I hope you enjoy my passion and art. Paired with Nuts & Bolts is my 2018 Petite Sirah, soft, elegant, smooth, and part dream. –Cameron Stulle, Ultima Tulie