The 2023 Vintage in Paso Robles
July 23, 2024
2023 was the wettest year we have experienced in Paso Robles in about two decades. In addition, this vintage was significantly cooler than normal years, leading to a late harvest for the region. The unique combination of high rainfall and cooler temperatures has set the stage for a truly distinctive vintage, one that beautifully captures the essence of Paso Robles' diverse terroir. Here is more information about the 2023 growing season, from the challenges we faced to the exceptional qualities we anticipate in our wines.
The year started with a large storm and heavy flooding in January. In January alone, we almost reached our annual 14 inches of rain. The weather continued to surprise us as February brought Paso Robles its first proper snowfall in two decades. The subsequent month had another significant storm that led to further flooding. By the end of the year, a remarkable 48 inches of rain were recorded, which allowed our vines to recover from the 2022 drought and fill our reservoirs.
With a cold and wet start to the year, bud break was delayed and flowering occurred in colder-than-anticipated weather. Paso Robles did not reach its first heat wave until the Fourth of July, causing a late harvest, which began with picking our Chardonnay in Edna Valley in late September followed by our Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon in Adelaida for L’Essor. Harvest finished by picking our final grapes for our red wines in Paso Robles and Edna Valley in the second week of November.
While the weather was distinctive in 2023, we also employed new techniques in our winemaking process. For our rosé, L'Essor, we experimented with aging in glass globes in addition to our traditional method, stainless steel. Glass globes are a unique vessel as they are completely neutral, imparting no additional flavors to the wine, and can be entirely sealed off from oxygen.
The combination of the freshness and acidity resulting from the cold weather, paired with innovative winemaking techniques like glass globes has created wines unlike any other that will awe you with their elegance and vivacity. We cannot wait to share these wines with you.