Turtle Rock Vineyards
Say hello to Don Burns, the driving force behind the goodness at Turtle Rock Vineyards in sunny Paso Robles, California. Yep, he's a local through and through. He caught the wine bug from his uncle – that's some family bonding, right? After a detour in Florida, he boomeranged back to Paso and got in on the winemaking at Saxum Winery with his long time friend, Justin Smith. Sustainability's his jam, and with this in mind, he, along with his partner in life and wine, Claudia, birthed Turtle Rock Vineyards.
How ‘bout them wines? Let's just say Turtle Rock Vineyards has snagged their fair share of applause and high-fives from the heavyweight critics' corner, including a 100-pointer for their 2019 G2 Syrah. Don & Claudia are brimming with gratitude for the Paso Robles wine community! And guess what? Don's ready to let these wines loose for all of you on this epic cruise adventure! Sip, sip, hooray!
RIISE
After building the highly successful Realm Cellars in Napa Valley, vintner Juan Mercado set his sights on Paso Robles with the vision of cultivating a globally respected wine brand. Mercado founded RIISE in 2019 to produce world-class Rhone varietal and Tempranillo-based wines that are powerful, textural, and light on their feet. The fruit comes from three estate properties and several of the area’s other most acclaimed vineyard sites, the majority of which are overseen by top vineyard managers Kevin Wilkerson and Lucas Pope. The wines are brought to life by winemaker Anthony Yount.
Hawks Hill Ranch Winery
Nestled within the western hills of the Paso Robles Adelaida District AVA, you'll discover the delightful haven of Hawks Hill Ranch Winery. Spread over 32 acres of Kit Kuyper's sprawling 240-acre ranch, this vineyard boasts a remarkable mosaic of soil variations, slope orientations, and microclimates - a rare combo that's a treasure trove for any vinophile. But hold on, it's not just a vineyard – it’s where Kit’s family, furry friends, and livestock call home amid the vineyard, orchard, and farm.
Hawks Hill Ranch has earned a reputation within winemaker circles as a premier vineyard for growers. Beginning with the 2015 harvest, Kit decided to keep some fruit for a special endeavor and began crafting his very own signature wine. Cheers to a story that's as flavorful as the grapes themselves!
