As terroir goes, Matt Ortman couldn’t be happier with his lot.
The Villa San-Juliette Vineyard & Winery Winemaker and COO opened up about what makes his corner of the Paso Robles AVA so ideal for the production of concentrated, place-driven wines. “I think the single most important attribute to our vineyard is the steep rolling hills, which have various impacts on wine quality.”
The vineyards, located at 6385 Cross Canyons Road in San Miguel, boast shallow soils over a base layer of sand and gravel, created over time as layers of topsoil shed off the slopes. These shallow soils, said Ortman, decrease the vigor of VSJ’s vines, creating smaller clusters and berries that result in greater concentrations of color and flavor in the final wines.
“Our topography also serves to divide the property into different microclimates, thanks to the various aspects. This gives some blocks more morning sun exposure and others more afternoon exposure, which translates to varied fruit expression from red fruit-driven to dark fruit-driven.”
Ortman also mentions the benefit of elevation, as well as VSJ’s distinctive position at the base of the Monterey Valley. “Our lowest elevation perched on the base of the foothills is about one thousand feet,” he said, “creating a draw for cool afternoon breezes to roll down from Monterey or straight from the coast. When they come from Monterey, this cools our site earlier than some of the lower elevation or southern locations.”
To experience the terroir of Villa San-Juliette Vineyard first-hand, or to taste the concentrated wines that originate in those shallow soils, the winery is open daily from 11 A.M. to 5 P.M. Please visit www.VillaSanJuliette.com for more information.
About Villa San-Juliette
Villa San-Juliette is the vision of iconic television producers Ken Warwick and Nigel Lythgoe who believe in bringing the best talent together to create remarkable experiences. At Villa San-Juliette, the experience is world-class wines in an extraordinary setting. The vineyard’s combination of soils, aspect, and elevation create exceptional Bordeaux and Rhône varietal wines of richness, depth and character. The Villa, nestled on the 168-acre estate with 132 acres of bearing vineyards planted to 11 varietals, provides a gracious setting for enjoying a one-of-a-kind experience in Paso Robles wine country. For more information about Villa San-Juliette, please call 805.467.0014, or visit www.VillaSanJuliette.com. Villa San-Juliette is located at: 6385 Cross Canyons Road, San Miguel, CA 93451.
