Denner Vineyards Viognier 2017

Viticulture

Grapes are from the estate vineyard in the Willow Creek District of Paso Robles. The vineyard was planted in 1999 and is comprised of 156 acres with 19 different varieties and 26 unique blocks.  The soils are ancient limestone seabed, full of sandstone and calcareous shale. The vineyard gets a cooling influence from the Templeton Gap, which provides cool marine air in from the Pacific. The vineyard was designed and planted by John Crossland of Beckstoffer fame. Denner's next door neighbor, Justin Smith of Saxum, initially consulted on vineyard operation with Aron Nevarez. Since 2005 Aron has had complete control of all vineyard operations, in addition to designing and planting the remaining 12 acres surrounding the winery. The vines are hand tilled, no herbicides used and only natural compost for fertilizer. 

Vinification

Whole cluster pressed to barrels for feral ferment. Natural malolactic fermentation complete. Aged for 14 months in 55% neutral oak puncheons and 45% new oak cigars.

Tasting notes

Juicy peach, lemon oil and orange marmalade are supported with hints of flint and mineral notes. The palate is full-bodied, with flavors of nectarine, buttered brioche and honey. The rich, complex flavors are cut with a touch of tannin and bright acidity on the long fresh finish. 

Vinous: 93

Winery Description

Denner Vineyards is an estate on the far western border of the Paso Robles AVA. Built by Ron Denner in 1999 after an exhaustive search throughout California. The 156-acre parcel presses up against the Santa Lucia Range, giving the site great diversity of elevation, aspect and soil. The estate is nestled into the Templeton Gap, an East/West corridor where the marine layer can reach the inland valleys. As a result, the vineyards receive large diurnal temperature swings without high moisture pressure, giving a near-perfect growing climate.

The 108 acres under the vine are comprised of 19 different varieties in 26 unique blocks. Each block is farmed with painstaking attention to detail, allowing only for the best possible grapes to reach the winery. Aron Nevarez, our vineyard manager, is committed to environmentally friendly farming practices, using only sustainable inputs and minimal irrigation.

The original 96-acres were designed and planted by John Crossland of Beckstoffer fame. Later, Justin Smith of Saxum came on to consult with Aron Nevarez running the operation. Since 2005 Aron has had complete control of all vineyard operations, in addition to designing and planting the remaining 12 acres surrounding the winery.

Denner Vineyards currently uses 45 of the total 108 acres for our estate wine program. The remaining grapes are sold to ultra-premium producers here in Paso Robles. Much of our fruit graces the wines of Villa Creek Cellars, Linne Calodo, and Justin Vineyards among others.

Denner’s winemaking program is headed by Anthony Yount, a graduate of California Polytechnical University. Anthony “cut his teeth” in the wine industry at Denner working as a cellar rat for two vintages. Later, he moved to become Cellar Master at Villa Creek, where he continued to work with Denner fruit. Coming full circle, Anthony returned to Denner as Winemaker in 2009.

Anthony’s winemaking style has brought about a modest shift in Denner wines, dialing back ripeness and using more old wooden puncheons and concrete tanks on many of the wines. In essence, he tries to reveal a distinct Paso-ness of each of his wines. His changes have subsequently brought in many glowing accolades for the wines.