Let the vines shine

Nurturing wines from the soil to the first sip

With Clavo Cellars, Neil Roberts shows that there’s really no separation between the vineyard and the winery. What happens in the vines affects what happens with the wine.

The story of Clavo Cellars begins in 2004 with something of a happy accident. At the time, Neil Roberts was Chief Viticulturist for Robert Mondavi's Central Coast division. After a batch of high quality Syrah grapes from one of the properties he managed became available, Neil decided to try his hand at winemaking. More than anything he was curious to see if ideas he'd developed as a viticulturist would hold any water. Or rather, wine.

In the winery Neil let the fruit find its own way through the fermentation. He simply stewarded it on its journey from grape to wine – much as he and his team at RVS today steward grapes throughout the growing seasons. Nine months later, Neil pulled the cork on his first wine, and the results were a revelation. Was it beginner's luck, or was there something else afoot? Only one way to find out… The following year Neil made more wine, and again it turned out better than expected. Clavo Cellars was born.

With over 20 years' experience working in and around Paso Robles as the head of RVS, Neil has developed a deep understanding of the region's terroirs, vineyards and grape varieties. Every bottle of Clavo Cellars' wine showcases the best that Paso Robles has to offer, while proving Neil's mantra that great wine is made in the vineyard. Crafted through careful land management, sustainable vineyard practices, meticulous grape sorting and minimal winery interventions, Clavo Cellars wines are the epitome of high quality boutique production. We hope you enjoy the balance in each wine, as well as the passion and hard work that goes into every bottle.

Neil Roberts with his two dogs — By the way, Clavo means 'nail' in Spanish. The nickname was given to Neil by the Mexican-American farmers during his early days. The name is Neil’s way of paying respect to the people who paved the way- it's the perfect name for our brand, standing for solidity, unity and determination. Cheers!

Let the vines shine

Nurturing wines from the soil to the first sip

With Clavo Cellars, Neil Roberts shows that there’s really no separation between the vineyard and the winery. What happens in the vines affects what happens with the wine.

By the way, Clavo means 'nail' in Spanish. The nickname was given to Neil by the Mexican-American farmers during his early days. The name is Neil’s way of paying respect to the people who paved the way- it's the perfect name for our brand, standing for solidity, unity and determination. Cheers!