Vineyards

Winemaker Neil Roberts embraces the belief that the best wines are made primarily in the vineyard. For him, this isn’t a marketing cliché, but rather a profound truth that he observes daily as both a viticulturist and winemaker. For this reason, he makes CLAVO wines only from select local vineyards in which he is personally involved as a viticulturist, and through which he can achieve the highest standards of quality.

Margarita Vineyard

Margarita Vineyard is the source for CLAVO Syrah, Zinfandel and Collusion red blend. This standout vineyard is the southernmost site in the Paso Robles appellation, just 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean near the town of Santa Margarita. Here, the grapes benefit from a perfect combination of inland warmth and coastal breezes, ensuring exquisite flavor, balance and structure. These attributes are enhanced by shallow, well-drained sandy loam soils, which intensify the flavor profile. The vineyard is progressively planted to the finest available clones and rootstocks, and is sustainably farmed. Margarita Vineyard resides in the historic Santa Margarita Ranch, which was first planted to vines by Franciscan missionaries in 1774.

Catherine’s Vineyard

Catherine’s Vineyard is the source for CLAVO Petite Sirah. This small, sustainably farmed family-owned vineyard is located between the city of Paso Robles and the town of Creston. Here, Neil Roberts aggressively prunes the vines for smaller, more intensely flavored yields, and often trims the shoulders from the Petite Sirah clusters to further intensify the flavors. The rows unfold in a northeasterly orientation along sloping sandy loam soils, and the canopies are carefully managed to ensure the ideal amount of diffused sunlight. The vineyard’s warm microclimate is moderated by prevailing breezes from the Templeton Gap, a notch in the coastal mountains. The resulting Petite Sirah is dark and jammy with vivid varietal character.

Hall Vineyards

Clavo Sauvignon Blanc hails from two vineyards owned by Hall, both of which are located a few miles east of the city of Paso Robles. Here, the warm afternoons are ideal for coaxing the substantial flavor from the Sauvignon Blanc grape, while reliable coastal breezes ensure that the fruit develops balance and complexity. Half of our Sauvignon Blanc comes from Hall's Home Ranch Vineyard at Mill road, while the other half comes from his Terrace Vineyard off Jardine Road. Home Ranch Vineyard yields Sauvignon Blanc with a crisp citrus quality, while the fruit from Terrace Vineyard offers bright pear and apple flavors. Together, these vineyards produce a Sauvignon Blanc with delicious dimension and true varietal character.