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News

Grape Nutz Visit

Grape Nutz’ Ken Zinns recently took a tour through Paso Robles, and stopped in for a tasting and tour of our new winery and vineyard. Read his comments here.

Clairvoyant Tasted at Rhone Rangers 13th Annual Grand Tasting

Brixr was present at the 2010 Rhone Rangers tasting in San Francisco, and made sure to take the time to taste the Carina Cellars Clairvoyant! Watch the video here.

A Pair of 91’s from Wine Spectator!

A recent edition of “Wine Spectator Insider” awarded Carina Cellars two 91 point ratings!

2007 Clairvoyant – 91 points
Marked by mineral, graphite, herb and dried berry flavors that are tight, clean and full-bodied, showing red berry flavors that are pure and persistent. Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2016.—J.L.

7 Percent Syrah – 91 points
Pure, rich, focused pomegranate, huckleberry and wild berry fruit is full-bodied, layered, supple and balanced, ending with a long, persistent finish. Drink now through 2016.—J.L.

When Worlds Collide:
The Cabernet/Syrah blend comes of age!

Local wine writer, Michael Cervin, talked about the Iconoclast in Celeb Life Magazine. “The first vintage materialized when winemaker Joey Tensley was offered high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Howell Mountain. “After tasting both wines and pondering them, I thought ‘let’s blend the best of both worlds,’” he says. Having Napa fruit is a huge boost; however, the Syrah comes from Colson Canyon in Santa Barbara, known locally as one of the best plots to source excellent Syrah grapes. The result is Iconoclast, one of the premium blends coming out of the county.”.

Read Cervins thoughts on the blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon here.

Wine Pairing: Homemade Chicken Ravioli with a Savory Grape Sauce

Len Napolitano shares this recipe for a "perfect pairing" with Clairvoyant. Click here for the article and recipe.

Read what Ryan has to say about the first harvest from Rancho del Cielo, in this article from Wine Country This Week. Click here to read the article!

 

 

 

We think Gary Vaynerchuk is amazing. Talk about high energy! Gary has tasted Carina Cellars wines in two of his episodes – check them out!

V-V-V-Viognier!

Seven Per Cent

"The most attractive offering I tasted from Carina Cellars is their 2005 Syrah 7 Percent, which exhibits lovely floral, black currant, cherry and earth notes. In keeping with the vintage character, it possesses tart acidity as well as medium body, and a heady moderately long finish. It can be consumed over the next 4-5 years. "
Robert Parker Jr., Wine Advocate Issue 172

 

California Wine Advisor caught up with Carolyn at the Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Festival. Watch and listen to what she has to say!

Wine Country This Week made Carina Cellars its Featured Winery:
"Quirky, colorful and sure to get your attention, the Carina Cellars tasting notes are worth a few extra minutes of perusing as you linger at the winery’s downtown Los Olivos tasting bar."
Read the entire article here.

Wine Country This Week also interviewed Carina Cellars winemaker Joey Tensley, who claimed "It's all about the vineyard."
Read the full article here.

They also visited the new estate vineyards and winery at Rancho del Cielo in Paso Robles. "This area enjoys unique soils and climate, and has a larger diurnal swing than any other appellation in California, which results in an unusually wide range of microclimates. This allows winemakers a broad palate of wine components from which to blend deep complexity. The calcareous and chalky, rock soils are also unusual to California and are reminiscent of the esteemed Châteauneuf du Pâpe area of France. These conditions are perfect for grapes, as it challenges the vines to produce small berry clusters of marvelously concentrated grapes."
Read the full article here.

 

Carina Cellars owner David Hardee was profiled in Duke University's Law Magazine.

"The trick is to figure out a way to use your training in the law to enhance your ability to pursue your dreams, your passions." "I also get to make, drink, and share with friends and with the world, a wonderful wine". Read the whole profile here.