2015 Epoch Tempranillo

About 2015 Epoch Tempranillo:

Tasting Notes:

The tannins need time to broaden, and the aromas and flavors need exposure to air to open and reveal dried bing cherry, red plum, pipe tobacco, dried tea leaves, pencil lead and a savory gaminess. A vanilla, toasty barrel spice is subtle but frames and adds layers to the palate.

Barrel Selection:

Aged 19 months: French oak barrels (60% new)

Growing Notes:

Grapes sourced from 64% Paderewski and 36% Catapult Vineyards. Limestone and shale-studded hillsides with southwestern exposures.

Harvest Dates: August 27 – September 12, 2015

Winemaking Notes:

99% Tempranillo, 1% Grenache; 390 Cases Produced. Fermented in concrete, oak tank, and 1/2-ton new French oak puncheons

About The Winery:

A huge part of the story at Epoch is about preserving two integral pieces of Paso Robles history. When they purchased the Paderewski Vineyard in 2004, not only did they hit the jackpot as far as soils and views were concerned, they were also buying a property that was once owned, planted, and cherished by Polish pianist and Prime Minister, Ignacy Jan Paderewski. In 2010, the owners were fortunate enough to purchase the old York Mountain property, which was the site of the first bonded winery on the Central Coast. To own two properties that boast such rich history is a dream come true, and they make it a priority to preserve and share both the Paderewski and York Mountain legacies through our wines and the Epoch experience…

In 1913, Paderewski visited Paso Robles seeking the healing effects of its hot sulfur-rich mineral baths for his rheumatism. He fell in love with the town of Paso Robles (who wouldn’t), as well as with the surrounding land with its rolling, rocky hills that reminded him of his Polish homeland. This love for the area drove Paderewski to purchase over 2,000 acres on the west side of town where he established Rancho San Ignacio and planted Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. Once harvest time, Paderewski would take his grapes to the York Mountain Winery where they were crafted into award-winning wines. Paderewski’s Paso Robles wines would receive numerous accolades, including praise from the Los Angeles Times noting his wines were “more coveted than his music.”

As things do, this story has come full circle. Sitting fallow for many years, Epoch are proud stewards of 577 acres of Paderewski’s original rancho, now appropriately named Paderewski Vineyard. Drawn to this land for many of the same reasons as Paderewski, they planted 65-acres of wine grapes in 2004, including Zinfandel and Petite Sirah, along with Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Tempranillo, Cinsault, Counoise, Viognier, and Grenache Blanc. We now have 94 acres under vine and a few more varieties in the mix.

To continue this full-circle story, the 2014 harvest, fruit from this sought-after land, once again made its way to the historic York Mountain where their winemaker, Jordan Fiorentini , crafts highly-acclaimed wines for Epoch. Epoch are extremely satisfied with their steward role who brought this vineyard back to life and now have the opportunity to crush the fruit in their very own winery atop the historic York Mountain as Paderewski once did. Today, you can visit their Tasting Room to take in a bit of the past as you taste through our wines that pay homage to Ignacy Jan Paderewski.