Hospice du Rhone Wine Festival & The Top 10 California Wines

Hospice du RhoneAfter attending the incredible 3 day Hospice du Rhone Wine Festival I have a new knowledge of Rhone Varietal Wines (think Syrah, Grenache, Mouvedreā€¦.) as well as the incredible Rhone varietals found in Paso Robles as well as Franceā€™s Rhone region.

Hospice du Rhone

After attending 4 fabulous wine tasting panels and two days of tastings withĀ 200+ wineries below is my Top 10 Top 10 California Rhone Wines list. I will be sharing a Top 10 French Wine list seperately.Ā 

Hospice du Rhone

Me and some of my Wine Tasting friends including Niner Winemaker Patrick Muran,Ā Chris Sawyer of Sommelier Sawyer, Allison Levine, Fred Swan (my wine teacher from the San Francisco Wine School) and me!

Hospice du Rhone

JenniferĀ Porter,Ā The Director of Paso Robles Wine Country Association. Her and her team kindly invited me to a press trip to Paso Robles in the Fall of 2015 introducing me to this incredible Rhone Varietals region. Read my Top 10 Paso Robles Winery list here or see some of my favorites from this event below!

1. Melville WineryĀ – This family owned winery makes incredible wines. I first tasted their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay during a visit to the Winery so I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy their Syrah’s at this event.

Hospice du Rhone

2. Tablas Creek Vineyard – You can read more about them on my Paso Robles Top 10 Winery list.

Hospice du Rhone

Hospice du Rhone

Hospice du Rhone

Me and Jason Haas, the son of Tablas Creek founder RobertĀ Haas. They are both incredible and make some very delicious Rhone varietals with vines from The Rhone region having partnered early on with The ChĆ¢teau de Beaucastel Winery (found in my Top 10 Hospice Du Rhone French List).

3. Derby Wine EstatesĀ – Another Paso Robles Winery I discovered at Hospice that I really really enjoyed!

Hospice du Rhone

4. Bien Nacido Estate – Winemaker Trey Fletcher and colleague. Read more about Bien Nacido Vineyards & Estate here.

Hospice du Rhone

Hospice du Rhone

5. Qupe & Ethan WinesĀ – I hadĀ heard aboutĀ Qupe from a friend that knows incredible wines, so I could not have been more excited to meet Bob Lindquist first hand and taste his unbelievable wines. Ā It was my lucky day as I later realized we were at the same Winemaker Dinner together so I got to spend even more time with Bob. What a talented, humble incredible man. I love all of his wines and can’t wait to experience more in the future!!

Hospice du Rhone

Hospice du Rhone

Hospice du Rhone

Hospice du Rhone

Hospice du Rhone

Ethan is a label by Bob’s son Ethan which is also incredible. Like father like son!

Hospice du Rhone

Hospice du Rhone

6. DennerĀ VineyardsĀ – I had never experienced Denner prior to this event and I was very impressed by their wines. They will be a Winery I visit in the future and further get to know!

Hospice du Rhone

7. Tercero WinesĀ – Tercero is made by Winemaker Larry Schaffer (who also makes some killer breads) which he serves as his table sometimes during events (I know because I experienced them and fell in love). The wines are also great. I tried a bunch and really liked them!

Hospice du Rhone

Hospice du Rhone

8. CopiaĀ VineyardĀ – This was another label I enjoyed discovering at the event. The wines are very flavorfulĀ and balanced.

Hospice du Rhone

Hospice du Rhone

Hospice du Rhone

9.Ā Halter Ranch VineyardĀ – I realized at this event that Halter Ranch was the first Winery I visited in Paso Robles on a Road Trip to Hearst Castle. They have a great assortment of Rhone varietals which are very lovely.

Hospice du Rhone

Hospice du Rhone

Hospice du Rhone

10. Kukkula WineryĀ – This was a Winery I had never heard of until the event which I thought was very exciting. It’s always fun to enjoy a new wine and be pleasantly surprised by another high quality wine.

Hospice du Rhone

Thanks to the Hospice du Rhone Team for an incredible event and hosting me as press. I loved my first Hospice du Rhone experience and look forward to attending in the future.

 

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