THE STORY
In March, we had a spur-of-the-moment dinner at The Beach House restaurant in Pacific Grove. With the Local’s Menu in hand, we sprung for a bottle of wine – and Eberle caught my husband’s eye. Decades ago, when we used to get to Paso Robles for wine tasting more regularly, we visited Eberle Winery. The wines are good and they have cool wine caves to tour as part of the tasting experience. This bottle of wine was a great one to enjoy – along with the fabulous coastline view from our table!
This is the first time I’ve presented an Eberle wine to you.
ABOUT EBERLE WINERY
THE PASO ROBLES PIONEER – GARY EBERLE
There is a terrific writeup on the winery website about Gary Eberle’s journey to founding Eberly Winery, and how he and winemaker Chris Eberle (no relation!) both found their way to the Central Coast and ended up working together. I highly recommend reading the whole thing.
Here’s a little teaser:
“Winery owner Gary Eberle grew up in Pennsylvania. Winemaker Chris Eberle, who is not related to Gary, grew up in (then) rural San Luis Obispo, California. It could be fate that they ended up working together, but Chris believes it has more to do with the love of the Central Coast and the quality of the grapes grown here…”
And a little more:
“…After tasting first and second growth Bordeaux from his professor’s cellar, (Gary) Eberle quickly took a keen interest in Cabernet Sauvignon. It was then he began envisioning the creation of an American wine that would rival Bordeaux’s. He soon found himself on his way to California where he enrolled in the Enology Doctorate Program at the University of California Davis.
“Eberle Winery was not Gary Eberle’s first wine venture when he arrived in Paso Robles, California. After finishing his coursework for a Ph.D. in Enology and Viticulture at U.C. Davis, Eberle moved to Paso Robles and began his career by co-founding the Estrella River Winery in 1973. After several successful years as the winemaker, Eberle refocused his attention and desire to produce premium, small production wine. Moving only a few miles down the highway Eberle soon started his own prestigious label which debuted officially with the release of Eberle’s flagship wine, the 1979 Cabernet Sauvignon.
Since then, he has earned recognition for many firsts in the wine industry including; co-founding the Paso Robles Appellation in 1983, being the first to list the Paso Robles Appellation on his label, and being the first to produce a 100% commercially produced Syrah. Gary has also earned several awards including: The Robert Mondavi Hospitality Award, the California State Fair Lifetime Achievement Award, Wine Industry Person of the Year from the PRWCA, and (his most current award), the 2020 American Legend Wine Star Award from the Wine Enthusiast.
THE EBERLE WINEMAKER – CHRIS EBERLE
Chris graduated from Cal Poly in 2005 with a degree in agricultural business with a focus on marketing, as well as a minor in viticulture. Concurrently, he earned a diploma in enology from Washington State University. So why not put those talents to use close to home? Chris accepted a position at Eberle Winery as assistant winemaker in 2006. But by 2009 his wanderlust enticed him away from the Central Coast to look for opportunities in other winemaking regions…many of them. For fifteen vintages, Chris spent time expanding his winemaking knowledge in South Africa, Germany, New Zealand, Australia and France…
“That knowledge base would come in handy. In 2015 Gary Eberle, in his search for a new winemaker, contacted Chris in Australia and offered him the head winemaking job in Paso Robles. Chris and Tessa were back in Paso within three weeks. “From the vineyards to the caves to Gary & Marcy and the crew, it was like coming home. I always knew I’d be back,” enthused Chris.
“These days, Chris says his greatest challenge as a winemaker is the seasonal variation of the local climate. Normal rainfall one year, dry the next; heat spikes during ripening, then sudden temperature drops right before harvest. But he agrees it’s that variability that makes Paso such a unique and alluring wine growing region: the gratification is in the challenge…
THE CAVES
“One of the most unique aspects of Eberle Winery are the underground caves. In 1996, Eberle Winery unveiled 8,000 square feet of underground caves, fulfilling the need for more storage space while providing an ideal naturally cool and relatively high humidity climate for the wine barrels. The clear success of the initial caves inspired the decision to dig even further. By the end of 1999 the caves were extended, completing a grand total of 16,800 square feet of winding tunnels beneath the winery. The distance from the surface to the caves below is an average of 30 feet with 12-inch thick reinforced concrete walls which helps maintain a natural average temperature of 60 degrees year around. The caves are home to our VIP tasting cove, as well as the Wild Boar Room where winemaker dinners and private events are held.”
THE WINE – HEARTY YET ELEGANT
Today, I am presenting just one Eberle wine. Winery notes come from their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I don’t correct typos from winery websites.
2020 Eberle Zinfandel, Paso Robles AVA, 14.4% ABV, $30 (#1321)
Winery Notes: “Eberle’s Zinfandel is sourced from six different districts within the Paso Robles Appellation. The ability to source fruit from different soils and microclimates allows our winemaker to produce a Zinfandel that is well-balanced, elegant, and of the highest quality…
“Eberle’s Zinfandel has all the traditional elements of a hearty zin, but its elegant style sets it apart from any other Zinfandels. This well-structured wine has upfront tannins and juicy flavors of blackberry, strawberry, and spiced plum with a touch of cardamom, sweet tobacco, and black pepper. Pair our Zinfandel with a cauliflower-crusted pizza with prosciutto, arugula, gorgonzola, and dried figs, or a grilled Portobello mushroom stuffed with goat cheese, grilled red peppers with a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts, or a delicious burger with all the fixing.”
My Review: Brown-tinged garnet in the glass. Dark plum, berries cassis, black tea and cinnamon on the nose. A lot of berry flavors on the complex palate – a touch on the sweet side, yet chewy. Cherry and intense dark fruit on the finish. We enjoyed this wine with our meal. March 2024
THE TASTING ROOM
Eberle Winery is rated as one of the top 10 wineries to visit in Paso Robles. Why? It’ not just about their award-winning wines, but also their cave tour!
“Eberle Winery offers a variety of seated tastings partnered with a cave tour. We are excited to share our educational experience of how wine is made and the history of Eberle Winery with you!”
Click the reservation link to select your tour/tasting option and make an appointment.The winery is open dailt and is located at 3810 HWY 46 East, Paso Robles, CA 93446
© Decanting Monterey 2023
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