Winemaker Notes
At Ride & Ridden, they produce appellation-driven wines that consistently transcend the expectations of their price points. They are able to do this thanks to their unique access to a rarefied tier of wine growing partners. They make wine honestly, source the best wines they can find, and employ a minimalist approach to growing, blending, and bottling. They touch every price point, creating wines of precision, power, elegance, and zero pretentiousness. All of this defines their mission: democratizing deliciousness.
Born of a collaboration with famed Texas-based artist and photographer, Steve Wrubel, the Ride & Ridden line-up showcases the power and grace of the true American West. To what extent is it possible to contain a beast, refine a fleeting moment, or bottle the essence of a grape? They will always retain elements of the untamable wild within them. That is the spirit of the American West. Understanding and sharing this spirit is their life's work. Joined together by an overarching philosophy, this unlikely kinship of seemingly disparate disciplines come together to create Ride & Ridden.
As Paso Robles, California has soared in number of wineries and gained in popularity, Cabernet Sauvignon has firmly taken root as the region’s number one varietal. Alone, it accounts for just over 40% of plantings and is grown throughout both the western and eastern sides of the appellation. Though viticulture here dates back to the 18th century, Cabernet Sauvignon didn’t emerge as a significant grape here until the 1970’s. But since then it has definitely made up for lost time.
Legendary winemaker and consultant Andre Tchelistcheff first recognized Paso’s potential with Cabernet Sauvignon in the early 1960’s. The calcareous soil and dramatic diurnal temperature changes of Paso’s westside particularly intrigued him. Today modern winemaking techniques and focused experimentation with various clones, rootstocks and vineyard strategies optimize the region's ideal combination of soil and climate to deliver the best fruit possible.
The results are evident in the glass. Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon can be mesmerizing, with rich aromas and flavors of blackberry, cassis, black cherry, graphite, toasty oak, vanilla and spice. The structure, balance and unbridled opulence of these wines impress from first sip to last. Not surprisingly, Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignons have steadily grown in reputation, not just in the U.S., but around the world.