Putting Down Roots
Discover the vines behind our wines
Every Clavo Cellars wine begins in the vineyard, which is where we believe the best wines are made. Unlike many winemakers, we have a close relationship with the vines we tend through our viticultural work, which gives us a unique hands-on approach to selecting grapes and turning them into wine.
At Clavo Cellars it's all about letting the work we do in the vineyard shine through in the finished wine. Our 'less-is-more' approach lets the grapes tell their own story, instead of us imposing a style upon them. And by using our knowledge of the vineyard and vintage, the winemaking itself becomes a more rewarding, intuitive experience, one we think is reflected in the finished wine.
We work mainly with independent vineyards who take their responsibility to the land seriously. This lets us farm in the way we like, where the health and sustainability of the land is a key consideration. By seeking balance between vines and the natural world, we grow premium grapes and nurture healthy vineyards that are more resistant to the uncertainties of the future.
"We are lucky enough to work with some of the most passionate vineyards owners in the Central Coast."
-Neil 'Clavo' Roberts, Founder and Head Winemaker
Our Vineyards
Clavo Cellars's wines are predominantly made with fruit from the Paso Robles AVA. Famed for its steep rolling hills, calcareous soils, hot summer days and cool nights, Paso Robles provides a perfect climate for many French, Spanish, and Italian grape varietals.
The grapes for our Pinot Noir come from the cooler region of Edna Valley, San Luis Obispo, known for its cool coastal influences and lower elevations.
Moonsprings Vineyard
(Templeton Gap District AVA)
We developed this 175-acre Templeton Gap vineyard from scratch with its owners. Set in a sprawling 515-acre estate, Moonsprings was a dream project to work on. Designed to be regeneratively farmed and fully sustainable – while producing ultra premium fruit that reflects the best qualities of its terroir and AVA – no stone was left unturned (literally) in creating this vineyard.
Purchase MoonSprings Mystic WInes
Read our Case Study about the project
View Neil on the Moon Springs Website
Plum Orchard Vineyard
(Templeton Gap District AVA)
Plum Orchard is Neil Robert's own estate vineyard. While only a modest 12-acres in size, Neil has developed this site with total commitment to the best regenerative practices. Fully organic and dry-farmed, Plum Orchard vineyard shows what's possible when a site is managed sustainably. The vineyard benefits from the Templeton Gap terroir: its Santa Lucia elevations, loamy calcareous soils and the cool sea breezes, resulting in grapes of character and concentration.
Paso Ono Vineyards
(El Pomar AVA)
Wedged between the Templeton Gap and Creston districts, El Pomar is hotter and drier than many of the sub-regions. Its topography is characterized by crumbly terraces, deep alluvial fans, and hillside slopes between 740 and 1,600 feet high. We've worked with Paso Ono vineyard since 2010, helping it attain a SWEEP (State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program) grant in order to move the site towards more sustainable farming methods. We're also currently in the processing of having the vineyard approved by the CSWA (California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance).
Righetti Vineyard
(Edna Valley AVA)
Edna Valley is a cool area nestled between San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach. Blessed with varied elevations and exposures, the valley offers some real viticultural highlights. Righetti Ranch dates back to 1890 and has around 50 acres under vine today, mostly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. We've worked with the family who owns this vineyard since around 2009, helping to make greater use of the unique terroir here. The site enjoys higher elevations and soils that are unique for the Edna Valley, making it an expressive vineyard that produces wonderfully complex wines.