EP 161: Paso AVA Series: The Willow Creek District – Featuring Caliza Winery | Jack Creek Cellars
Where Wine Takes You - A Paso Wine Podcast
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Show Notes
🍇 Where Wine Takes You – Episode Highlights 🌊🐎
In this episode of Where Wine Takes You, Adam sits down with two Westside Paso farmers who bet on place and trusted the dirt beneath their feet.
Carl Bowker of Caliza Winery and John Lemstra of Jack Creek Cellars join the show to talk about the power, elegance and diurnal magic of the Willow Creek District AVA, one of Paso Robles’ most compelling sub appellations.
From ripping out 30 acres of Pinot and Chardonnay to replant Rhône varieties.
From 4,000 cow dairy mornings in Tulare to cool climate Pinot Noir near York Mountain.
This episode is about conviction, farming and crafting wines with both restraint and presence.
🍷 Featured Guests
Carl Bowker
Caliza Winery
Estate driven Rhône varietals rooted in limestone soils. Celebrating 20 harvests and a new estate location on Peachy Canyon Road.
https://www.calizawinery.com
2570 Peachy Canyon Rd, Paso Robles
End of the Day Tasting Room
Tin City, Paso Robles
John Lemstra
Jack Creek Cellars
Former dairy farmer turned Pinot Noir specialist farming one of the coolest pockets of the Willow Creek District.
https://www.jackcreekcellars.com
5265 Jack Creek Rd, Templeton
🏔️ About the Willow Creek District AVA
Established 2014
Elevation ranges roughly 900 to 1,900 feet
Approximately 1,400 planted vineyard acres
Significant diurnal shift driven by Templeton Gap influence
Limestone and shale based soils
Known for Rhône varieties, structured Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and distinctive Pinot Noir
Learn more
https://pasowine.com/willow-creek-district/
🍷 Wines Discussed
From Caliza Winery:
Azimuth GSM blend
100 percent Syrah
Cohort Cab and Petit Sirah driven blend
Estate Grenache
Concrete Grenache
End of the Day Albariño
End of the Day Graciano
From Jack Creek Cellars:
Concrete Chardonnay
Estate Pinot Noir
100 percent Mourvèdre
Petit Sirah
The Straight and Narrow GSM blend
📰 Paso Wine Wire
Hawks Hill Ranch and Boutz Cellars now share a tasting room inside a heritage barn overlooking the Adelaida District. A Westside collaboration bringing estate Rhône wines and Greek varietals together under one roof.
https://www.hawkshillranch.com
https://www.boutzcellars.com
Wine 4 Paws returns April 25 and 26 benefiting Woods Humane Society. Participating wineries and businesses across SLO County donate 10 percent of sales for the weekend. Since 2009 the event has raised more than 750,000 dollars for homeless pets.
McPrice Myers Wines collaborates with Hog Island Oyster Co. on Sea Legacy, a limited 100 percent Clairette Blanche release benefiting the White Abalone Project.
🌴 Travel Paso Spotlight
Rhone Rangers March 20 and 21
Adam connects with Kim Murphy Rodriguez, Executive Director of Rhone Rangers, to preview their upcoming event celebrating American grown Rhône varieties.
Seminars. Tastings. Winemaker panels. Rhône education at its best.
Planning a weekend around it
Start here: https://travelpaso.com
🎉 Paso Wine Fest
Paso Wine Fest returns May 15 through 17.
Locals Only Grand Tasting tickets at $99 are available through February 28 to San Luis Obispo County residents. In-person purchase required.
🔗 https://pasowine.com/
🎟️ Win a pair of tickets at
🔗 https://adammontiel.com/
🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com
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🎙️ Credits
Executive Producer: Joel Peterson + Paso Wine
Associate Producer: Krista Smith
Recorded, edited, hosted by Adam Montiel
Follow Adam: @AdamOnTheAir
Explore all things Adam: AdamMontiel.com
Listen to Adam’s other shows: Up + Adam (daily) and The Pour (wine & more, travel, culture)
Learn more, connect, or say hey at AdamMontiel.com/connect
🎵 Original music by Moonshiner Collective
📱 Download the Paso Wine App
🍷 Plan your trip at PasoWine.com and follow @PasoWine
🎯 Plan your next Paso Robles getaway at travelpaso.com
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