Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/992999
day 2 { SOMMjournal.com } 69 Snuggled in scarves and sweaters, the brisk morning air stung our faces as we embarked for a visit of two San Antonio Winery estate vineyards. First, we met with Vineyard Manager Lee Alegre, As - sistant Viticulturist Nancy DeRuchie, and Assistant Winemaker Daniel Krichevsky, who gave us a tour of the newly planted properties: the Maddalena and Stefano vineyards, named for second-generation owners Maddalena and Stefano Riboli, who celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last year. The 101-year-old winery has found tremendous success in its collaborations with growers in the region since the 1980s and now boasts four Paso-based estate properties, as well as a new, state-of-the-art winery. The Maddalena and Stefano vineyards are located in the El Pomar District east of Highway 101, falling within a corridor of the Templeton Gap's cooling, afternoon breez - es. Despite their 1-mile proximity, there are distinct differences in the soil composition of the two properties. Highly calcareous Linne-Calodo soils, which hold more water and increase the acidity in the grapes, are found at Maddalena; the rocky, Arbuckle- Positas soils at Stefano, meanwhile, increase drainage and hold more heat. To experience this variation, we tasted neutral barrel samples of the 2017 Malbec from the two sites. The Maddalena was noticeably juicier with higher-toned, con - centrated blue fruit while the Stefano was rounder with more plush, purple fruit. Next, we made our way toward the Templeton Gap District AVA to tour Cas- toro Cellars' Whale Rock Vineyard. Named for the fossilized whale bones uncovered there, the vineyard is 100 percent organic certified by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) and sits at an elevation of roughly 1,200 feet above sea level. We bumped along in the back of a tractor and sipped on tank samples of the winery's estate Falanghina, which exuded floral/honey tones and a slight spritz that made for a delicious breakfast. Totaling around 140 acres, the estate is carefully managed to proactively fight pests and diseases: Cover crops are planted and every other row is mowed to encourage the presence of beneficial insects while heightening competition among the vines to improve quality. The CAB Campers then headed to J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines for a panel discussion and tasting. Cynthia Lohr, Trade and Brand Advocate/Co-Owner of her family's winery as well as Vice President of the CAB Collective Board of Directors, welcomed our group and described her father Jerry Lohr's storied history that led him to Paso Robles. Jerry grew up on a farm in South Dakota, and although he came to Cali - fornia to pursue a Ph.D. in civil engineer- ing—originally building homes in the Bay Area—his passion was wine . He first Overlooking Stefano Vineyard, the somms tasted barrel samples from the Maddalena Vineyard in the El Pomar District AVA among other San Antonio Winery selections. A whale fossil found at Castoro Cellars' Whale Rock Vineyard. The Paso Robles Bordeaux blends at J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines. Eric Jensen, Winemaker/Owner of Booker Wines, welcomes the somm campers to his tasting room. A raven perches on Darren English, Associate Wine Buyer for Wine.com, during the Conservation Ambassadors' Zoo to You program. The Paso Robles– based group provides a home for wild and exotic animals that have been displaced, abused, or abandoned.