Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/688647
120 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } JUNE/JULY 2016 Fourth-generation winemaker Anthony Riboli went into great detail about the area as we stood at the top of one of the green, rolling hills. "We've been buying grapes from this area for over 30 years, but finally decided to buy Paso land about five years ago. What we were looking for was that com- bination of really unique soils and ample, high quality water. We chose this site, Stefano Vineyard, and El Pomar in particular because of this wind you're feeling right now; it comes in every afternoon from the Templeton Gap. The soils here are very unique; this is called Arbuckle-Positas, but it's a very rocky site. [The Positas series of Arbuckle consists of deep and very deep, moderately well drained soils that formed in alluvial material from mixed rock sources.] Of course, these rolling hills were another incentive. This way, all of our vineyards are hillside. The last and very important reason is water— which is a huge issue in Paso, and we're lucky as this aquifer is connected to Creston's aquifer. Our well pumps at about 400 gallons a minute. You'll hear stories about 15 gallons a minute on the Westside [in Adelaida, etc.] and that would be very hard on us economically. We're a family of conservative Italians; we want an investment that's going to last generations." Then Riboli added with a smile, "We bought this vineyard and named it after my grandfather. Then, my Anthony Riboli and somms stand before the Stefano Vineyard. A barrel sample of San Antonio's 2015 Stefano Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. —fourth-generation winemaker Anthony Riboli "It's not just my grandfather's winery anymore."