McPrice Myers Altas Vinas 2012
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A lifelong, self-proclaimed "food and wine geek,” Mac was a quick study and almost immediately had the press lauding his wines from near and far. His passion for unique sites in Paso Robles and California's Central Coast, combined with his meticulous attention to detail in the cellar, result in stunning wines that more than live up to the hype.
Over the last two decades McPrice (Mac) Myers has been crafting wines of depth and balance that showcase the multiple terroirs and climates of the Central Coast – from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles. Mac produced his first vintage in 2002 with half a ton of grapes in a small cooperative in Paso Robles. From that humble beginning Mac has developed a growing portfolio of wines with broad appeal. In 2014 Mac moved the winery to the current site nestled amidst the rolling hills of the Adelaida District. Over the years, McPrice Myers wines continue to garner increasing attention from wine lovers and critics alike.
On a cold December day, a wine enthusiast walked into the rustic McPrice Myers tasting room to try Mac’s wines for the first time. Immediately wowed by the depth and sophistication of the wines, Venus Lai signed up for the wine club. Little did anyone know that this would be the beginning of a journey that two years later would lead to a partnership to purchase the property - 84 acres of Adelaida District land that they named Belle Terre (a play on Beautiful Earth – one of Mac’s flagship wines), which was home to the winery, 20 acres of vineyards, and a house sitting atop the hill.
The property had good bones - rich terroir, excellent climate, and a top-notch production site, but there was so much more potential to be realized. Mac and Venus shared a vision to transform the property into an experience that would live up to the quality and breadth of the wines. In 2018 the Hilltop House was transformed into a luxurious modern vacation home. They plan to showcase both the wines and the property by increasing the vineyard acreage, creating a new hospitality & tasting facility (opening 2023), and elevating the experience for wine club members. Beginning in 2020 McPrice Myers will release wines from The Estate Vineyard, opening a new chapter in its growing list of diverse offerings. Above all else they will remain true to their roots in delivering the wines and experiences their loyal customers have come to expect!
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
With a dry and mild climate cooled significantly by moist ocean fog and breezes, Santa Barbara County is a grape-grower’s dream. Part of the larger Central Coast appellation, Santa Barbara is home to Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley. The conditions here provide an opportunity for nearly effortless production of high-quality cool-climate Central Coast wines. This is also the site of the 2004 film Sideways, which caused Pinot Noir’s popularity to skyrocket and brought new acclaim to the region.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the stars of Santa Barbara, producing wines marked by racy acidity. Crisp Sauvignon Blanc and savory Syrah are also important. The region is home to many young and enthusiastic winemakers eager to experiment with less common varieties including Chenin Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Trousseau Gris, Gamay and Cabernet Franc, making it an exciting area to watch.