In the Vineyard

Our grapes are successfully making their way to harvest. Veraison is the critical turning point in the grapes’ journey, when the sugar levels begin to rise, acid levels fall, and the grapes’ green color turns to red. The balance between sugar (as well as the potential alcohol level) and acids is one of the most critical aspects of producing quality wine. We will eventually evaluate both the must weight (amount of sugar in the grape must) and total acidity, along with physical components when it comes time to determine ripeness. The veraison stage is also indicated by touch. The grapes change from being hard and small to more plump and softer to the touch.

Did You Know?

Do you know the names and sizes of the different wine bottles? The standard wine bottle is 750ml and the “split” is 375ml, which is a popular bottle size for ports and dessert wines. From the standard 750ml, the next size is a magnum, 1.5 Liters, or two bottles of  750ml. The 3.0 L bottle is called a double magnum (4 bottles of wine). A Jeroboam is 4.5 L  which equals 6 bottles of wine. The Imperial or Methuselah bottle is 6.0 L and equals 8 bottles of wine. Sparkling Wines or Champagne use the name Methuselah, which is the same size as an Imperial. Rarer are the even larger bottles of wine. The Salamanzar is 9.0 L and is equal to a full case of wine! Balthazar is the 12.0 L (equals two Imperial bottles) and lastly; the 15.0 L called Nebuchadnezzar. The 15.0  L is almost two cases of wine, twenty bottles total.

Recent Press

Pierre DuMont from the Piedmont Post Wine Corner, selected Mitchella's 2012 Syrah as one of 'America's Greatest Rhone Wines' while attending the San Francisco Rhone Rangers event in San Francisco on June 11, 2016.  Following is his text about our Syrah, published Wednesday, July 20:

"This wine boasts a dense ruby/purple color in addition to deep, chewy blackberry fruit mixed with fowers and loamy, earthy notes. Dense and supple with sweet tannin, it will provide delicious drinking over the next 5-6 years. www.mitchella. com"

This coincided with Paso Robles being named the best wine town by Sunset Magazine.  This award is presented to "a Western community for offering the perfect wine getaway - four-star lodging, terrific food, and world-class wine."

Wine of the Month

Back to School Library Wine Sale!

Save 30%, Wine Club Members Save 50%!

2008 Cabernet Franc
It's a multi-faceted wine with bright fruit flavors, layers of mineral and spice. The fruit tends toward intense layers of blueberry and loganberry, with racy minerality, and understated spices with a lingering finish. $45

Pair with Petite Top Sirloin Burgers

Petite Top Sirloin Burgers

Ingredients:
2 1/2 lbs. fresh ground top sirloin (90/10)  
8oz. assorted wild mushrooms or baby bellas
1/3 cup high quality red wine like Mitchella
12 cloves of garlic
10 slices rustic aged sharp cheddar
4-6 small heirloom tomatoes
2 medium sweet onions
1 cup fresh aioli or mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. salt
2 Tbsp. ground cumin
4 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp. dark brown sugar
1 lb. butter
2 baguettes San Luis Sourdough
1 cup arugula

Directions:
Makes approximately 40 mini burgers.
Coarsely chop six cloves of garlic and sauté in 2 Tbsp. of olive oil, coarsely chop the mushrooms and add to the garlic, continue sautéing for 10 minutes, add 1/3 cup red wine, simmer until liquid is reduced.  Remove, and cool mushrooms in large mixing bowl.  Thinly slice onions and sauté in 2 Tbsp. of olive oil until a light golden brown, about 15 minutes. Carefully, add 2 Tbsp. of balsamic vinegar stir until reduced, quickly add, still stirring 2 Tbsp. of brown sugar, simmer until caramelized, about 7 minutes. Remove to small bowl and cover.

Add 1 Tbsp. cumin to one cup of aioli or mayonnaise, mix well, refrigerate. Quarter the slices of cheddar cheese. Slice the tomatoes into 2‐3” rounds. Slice the sourdough baguettes in to ¼ inch slices.  Add 1 Tbsp. cumin to cooled mushrooms, 1 Tbsp. salt, and fresh ground sirloin. Mix and form into small patties, just less than 1/8 cup per patty. Add butter and 6 cloves of garlic to heat proof pan on BBQ, add sliced sourdough, grill on BBQ until golden brown. Grill hamburgers for 2 minutes, turn add cheese, remove when cheese has melted.

Upcoming Events

Pizza on the Patio
August 7, 2016 12-2pm
Come relax in the vineyard while enjoying our new releases, fresh pizza from our Italian pizza oven, and original stylings by Loren Radis!  We will be serving pizza from 12 to 2 pm. $15/pp includes a select wine tasting and artisan cheese pairing. $10/pp for Wine Club Members includes a special sampling and one glass of wine from the special selection of the day.  Flavors will include: Thai Chicken with Roasted Chicken in Red Curry, with Carrots, Green Onion and Bell Pepper, topped with Monterey Jack, fresh Cilantro, and crushed Peanuts, over spicy peanut sauce.
Margherita Pizza with Heirloom Tomatoes, with Fresh Mozzarella and Basil, over Homemade Marinara Sauce.
Greek Pizza: Homemade Marinara Sauce topped with Mozzarella, Kalamata Olives, Roasted Red Peppers, Artichokes, and pepperoncini’s topped with feta cheese.
Purchase Tickets

Learn More and Purchase Tickets

August 21, 2016 2-5pm Consumer Tasting
Cruise Terminal at Pier 27, San Francisco, CA
Family Winemakers will host its annual tasting of family-produced and hard-to-find California wines on August 21st, 2016 at the Cruise Terminal at Pier 27 in San Francisco. The Sunday tasting is a one day event of award-winning small, family-owned wineries that create wines from many of the state's fabled wine growing regions. Great Wine -- A Family Tradition!
Imagine the opportunity to taste over 500 wines offered by over 125 wineries. You'll find upwards of 40 different varietals or blends from 60 of California's famed appellations. If you can’t get to the wine country let them come to you! Whether you’re adding to your wine list, retail shelves or your private cellar, this is an opportunity to Taste California!
Purchase Tickets 
Save 10% by entering code: FW2016

Back Roads Bonanza
Saturday, September 3, 2016 6pm
Join the Back Roads Wineries for a Back Roads Bonanza this Labor Day weekend!  Featuring over 12 wineries from the Back Roads with a Tri-tip and Chicken BBQ from the Loading Chute in Creston and tunes by the local Wine Man Group, with Casey Biggs, our very own Paso Wine Man.  Dress is Cowboy formal.  Tickets are $65 and purchase makes you eligible for a 15% discount from Boot Barn in Paso Robles when presented.  For more information visit.  
Purchase Tickets

Labor Day - Tasting Room Closed
September 5, 2016
Happy Labor Day!

LobsterFest
September 10 & 11—6-8pm
Enjoy a “hands on” feast of shrimp, artichoke, corn on the cob, sausage, and potatoes spread out in classic New England style in the middle of the table topped off with a 2 – 2 ½ pound fresh Maine Lobster, and a glass of wine. Complete with dipping sauces and crusty bread. Seating is limited and reservations are required.
Tickets are not refundable because this event sells out every year. We will make every effort to find a buyer for your seats. Thank you.
$80 pp (Wine Club limit 2), $100 pp
Purchase Tickets

Fall Wine Club Pick-Up Party - Sunday Brunch
September 18, 2016 10am-12pm
More information to follow.  Reservations are required.
Purchase Tickets

Harvest Festival Weekend
October 14-16, 2016 10am-5pm
We invite you to sip, savor, and delight in our small lot wines paired with artisan cheeses. Relax on our patio overlooking the rolling hills or take a self-guided vineyard tour while enjoying hand-passed appetizers and new fall releases. Saturday and Sunday, “Let’s Toast Sparkling Wine” from around the world, 10:30-11:30 am, a fun tasting seminar featuring a review of Cava, Prosecco, Moscato, Champagne, and California Sparkling Wines, $10/Club, $20/public. Be sure to challenge your friends to a game of giant Jenga or Cornhole! $10pp; $5 children and DD. Fee waived with two bottle purchase per person. (No shared tastings on event weekends.) "Life is an Adventure, Drink Wine!"™
Purchase Tickets

Thanksgiving - Tasting Room Closed
Thursday, November 24
Happy Thanksgiving!

Holiday Open House
With chocolate sampling by The Chocolate Stache
December 10, 2016 10am-5pm