Rangeland News October 2023
Contents: Wine Club, Pick Up Party, Ground Beef, Firewood, Late Harvest
Fall Wine Club: Send in the Caberlry!
Since we began as wine grape growers in 2001, Cabernet Sauvignon has been the foundation of our Adelaida Springs Ranch estate vineyard, comprising 20 of our 40 planted acres. We are celebrating noble Cabernet this fall by sending you some of the finest wines we have ever made--dominated by Cabernet varietal fruit. Our fall club selection includes two bottles of our award winning 2020 Cabernet, as well as one each our Limestone Reserve Cab, and a new Sandstone Cabernet. This new bottling from winemaker Alex Kemp highlights the supple mouthfeel and complex, aromatic fruitiness derived from this distinct soil type. Here's our fall wine club lineup (*denotes our 4 bottle Intro Club selection):
- 2020 Cabernet* x 2 (95 pts, double gold in the Sunset International Wine Competition)
- 2020 Limestone Reserve Cabernet*, a new release
- 2020 Sandstone Cabernet*, an entirely new wine
- 2020 Watershed*, new release of our Bordeaux blend
- 2020 Mistletoe, just in time for the holidays!
As usual, we are making our Doppel Club offer. If you are a 6 or 12 bottle member, you can double your order for an additional 10% discount and $1 shipping. For example, a 6 bottle, 20% off Estate Club member would get a full case of wine at 30% off, or more than $100 in savings. If you'd like to take advantage of this zuper offer to stockpile some wine for the holidays, please email us.
We will begin billing the wine club October 17 and will ship between October 30 and November 6. If you want your wine club earlier, you can pick up at the tasting room beginning October 5. Please let us know by email if you'd like to customize your fall shipment. All available wines are listed here. If you need to update your credit card or shipping information, you can log in to www.rangelandwines.com, and use your email address to retrieve your password.
Pick Up Party Saturday, November 11
We'll be serving up a great assortment of hearty and authenic local food at our pick up party, including our home-made grass-fed beef chili, lamb sliders, grilled J&R sausages, and Lisa's famous cookies. We'll be pouring the fall wine club lineup so you can taste everything and possibly add more favorites to your order. This party is complimentary for wine and beef club members and their plus one guests. Reserve your tickets now, as space is limited. November 11, 12 to 3pm.
Free Shipping for Ground Beef This Fall
We have plenty of our juicy and savory ground beef available for sale: 10 lbs. for $120, and 20 lbs. for $220 (before your club discount). Shipping is included. The beef is conveniently packaged in 1 pound packs, and ships frozen and on ice. This offer is good until the end of the year, while supplies last. Orders received after November 27 will be shipped in January. This would make an excellent holiday gift for the meat lover in your life! Order here.
Firewood Time!
Thanks to that epic winter of 2023, we lost a few more trees and have plenty of oak wood split and ready for you to enjoy this winter. Our half cord pallets are $250 before your club discount. If you're interested, please email us to make arrangements for pickup at the winery.
Harvest Update
Last year, due to a historic heat wave, we were finished picking by September 15. Most years we are done by early October. But this year, due to a wet winter (64 inches of rain) and cool spring, we have yet to pick the first grape. And so the pendulum swings. Back in 2011, we had similar conditions and then we were hit with October rains that pushed harvest into November. Remembering that cold, wet harvest, with mud on the tractors, still brings a shudder. We hope to avoid that this year, because it puts the crop, our nerves, and wine quality at risk. The upside for 2023 is that the fruit looks good, flavors are developing nicely and the sugars are inching up. Hopefully Mother Nature will shine just a little hotter in the next few weeks, and we can bring this harvest home in good shape. We look to the autumn skies with a cautious smile.
Rangeland News August 2023
Contents: Cabernet Accolades, Petite Sirah Special, Ground Beef Ships Free and more
2020 Cabernet: 95 Points, Double Gold, Special Price!
Rangeland's 2020 Cabernet, which we are just now releasing, was awarded 95 points and a double gold medal from Sunset International Wine Competition. Sunset's notes describe our '20 Cab as "dense, silky, smooth tannins, hint of vanilla, elegant." We couldn't agree more. You can get your hands on this "new" wine for $399/case, shipping included, and your club discount applies. That's a 26% discount from the $45 list price! Order here.
For Petite Sirah Fans
We continue to produce a limited number of cases of our estate Petite Sirah--for lovers of this distinctively dark variety. Our 2019 Petite features a deep ruby color with aromas of cherry blossom, notes of blackberry compote, and offers up rich, velvety tannins. Pair with a braised meat dish or an excellent piece of dark chocolate. Through September or while the short supply lasts, we're offering six bottles for $199, before your club discount. That's a 26% discount from the $45 list price! Order here.
Ground Beef Abundance: Free Shipping
We have plenty of our wonderful grass-fed ground beef available in 10 lb. ($120) and 20 lb. ($220) boxes. We're offering free shipping through September on this estate raised and locally processed beef. Your club discount (wine or beef) applies. Order here.
Beef Club Pick-up Reminder
If you are a Beef Club member and you haven't done so already, please pick up your beef club at J&R Meats in Paso Robles (3450 Riverside Drive, Monday-Saturday, 9-5). 2023 is a particularly tasty beef "vintage"--we've been really enjoying this meat at home. You can also arrange to pick up your box at our tasting room (with 48 hour notice), open Thurs-Mon, 11-5. Enjoy a glass of wine while you're there!
Grass-fed Burgers Every Weekend
We continue to serve our tasty grass-fed burgers every Saturday and Sunday--grilled and served on local sourdough with cheese, aioli, pickle and lettuce. Often accompanied by Lisa's pasta salad. Reservations (complimentary wine tasting if you use your club email address) are recommended, but we can usually squeeze a hungry group in, especially on Sundays.
Rangeland News July 2023
2020 Mistletoe Release Special
Rangeland Mistletoe is named after a red blend we made in our home cellar 20 years ago, when our Adelaida Springs Ranch vineyard was still a toddler. We bottled the wine at a holiday party and a great time was had by family and friends. More recently, as this delicious and affordable blend sells out earlier each year, we've moved up the release of this "holiday" wine to mid year, so we can celebrate a little Christmas in July.
Winemaker Alex Kemp has given the 2020 Mistletoe a Rhone- style tilt. It's an eclectic "Paso" blend of 31% Syrah, 20% Merlot, 17% Mourvedre, 11% Petit Verdot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, with a dash of Malbec, Grenache and Petit Sirah!
Rangeland 2020 Mistletoe offers aromas of chaparral and cranberry. The vibrant, juicy palate features notes of caramel, açaí, char-grilled ribeye, roasted chestnuts and a rich, umami finish. It's already a Foshay family favorite.
From now through July 31 only, we are offering a 12 bottle case of Rangeland 2020 Mistletoe for $300, shipping included, plus your club discount. That's just $25 per bottle versus the list price of $35, plus your discount. Order here.
Closed for July 4 Holiday
The Rangeland tasting room will be closed from Monday, July 3 through Thursday, July 6.
Rangeland News April 2023
Contents: Rosé Release, Field Day Change-up
Springtime is rosé time, so we are happy to release our 2022 Flora Rosé ($32). Continuing a 13 year tradition of botanical label prints, this year's rose features Pacific Madrone (Arbutus menziesii), a beautiful denizen of our coastal mountains. On our ranch, we find these smooth and cool-trunked madronos on heavily wooded, well-watered slopes and canyons at 1700 to 2000 feet in elevation. Glossy-leaved Madrones often mark the location of natural springs for which our ranch is named. Although our Salinas valley is known for its hot, dry summers, some of the coastal mountain watersheds that feed the Salinas feature lush vegetation like ferns, conifer trees and madrones. These temperate climate outliers thrive in wet years like this one, when the Santa Lucia coast range received as much as 100 inches of rain in just a few months.
This light rosé (60% mourvedre and 40% cabernet sauvignon) features aromas of white nectarine and orange twist. The juicy palate suggests Saturn peach and fresh croissant. It will pair nicely with a spring salad or other light fare. This year's supply is very limited (barely more than 50 cases) due to a record hot and challenging harvest. Get yours while you can. Come sample the Flora Rosé at the tasting room or order here.
Field Day ist Kaput!, but...
We are cancelling Field Day, our annual spring party scheduled for April 22, due to wet pasture conditions, downed trees and broken fences. Just another casualty of a tough winter. All ticket purchases will be refunded. Nevertheless, you are welcome to visit us on that Earth Day, when we celebrate our glorious planet with an expanded lunch menu for purchase, including beef and lamb sliders, our Asian edamame cole slaw with peanut dressing and also Lisa's famous cookies. Reserve you place here.
Rangeland News March 2023
Contents: Wine Club, Beef Special, Winter!, Field Day
Our wines are so alluring and delicious right now that I am excited to put them on your table. We will release our spring wine club a few weeks earlier this year, so we can ship in cooler weather. We will start billling the wine club March 20 and your shipment will be available for pickup starting March 27. We will begin to ship wine clubs in early April.
Continuing a Rangeland tradition, we are offering our Doppel Club incentive. If you are a 6 or 12 bottle club member, you can double your order for an additional 10% off with $1 shipping. For example, a 6-bottle Estate Club member, normally 20% off, would get a full case at 30% off, or about $100 in extra savings. If you would like to take advantage of this wunderbar opportunity to stuff your wine fridge, please email us. Here is the wine club selection for this spring:
- 2019 Limestone Reserve, 95 points, Wine Enthusiast (WE)*
- 2019 Watershed, 93 points, WE*
- 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, 93 points, WE*
- 2019 Ultramafic, 91 points, WE*
- 2019 Petit Sirah, new release!
- 2020 Zinfandel, new!
*denotes 4-bottle Intro Club selection
Please let us know by email if you'd like to customize your spring shipment. All the available wines are listed here. Please update your credit card and shipping information, if necessary, at www.RangelandWines.com. You can use your email address to retrieve your login password.
Winter Beef Bonanza
Each winter we have a few beef club boxes left over from last year's harvest. Since the meat is neatly vacuum sealed and frozen, it is still as good as fresh. You may remember that our 25 lb. grass-fed beef club box includes:
- 6 lbs steaks (NY, ribeye, sirloin and a dab of filet)
- 6 lbs roasts (sirloin, chuck, or brisket)
- 8 lbs delicious, dark and flavorful ground beef in 1 lb packs
- 5 lbs of "the rest" (short ribs, shanks, stew meat, kabob, etc.)
To clear out our freezer and make room for the next harvest, we are offering these beef club boxes at $280 (20% off the list price of $350), shipping included--and your club discount applies. While supplies last, order here.
Thinking of Spring and...Field Day
We are still in the epic Winter of '23, with repeated heavy rain (now over 54 inches total including yesterday's 6.5 inches), abundant frost and even some snow. There is no better way to appreciate Rangeland and the beauty of rural Paso Robles than at Field Day, our spring party in the pasture. We choose this weekend each year because it has the highest chance of green grass and warm, mild weather. Join us April 22, 12pm to 3pm, for wine, good local food, great music and livestock on display in the field next to the tasting room. A barbecue lunch will include estate beef and the last of our lamb, local sausage from J&R Meats, a salad, Lisa's fab cookies and more. Order: $80 per person, $40 for non-adults. Club discounts apply.
Rangeland News January 2023
Contents: Wonders and Waterfalls, Watershed Special, Cellar Sale February 18
Many of you have heard me say that our Adelaida Springs Ranch estate vineyard forms the headwaters of Jack Creek, which flows all the way to Monterey Bay, first south via Santa Rita Creek and then north for 175 miles via the Salinas River. Our vineyard also drapes over a ridge and slopes westward to the Las Tablas Creek drainage which flows to the Salinas via the Nacimiento River, forming a watershed or divide between two local creeks.
When we are experiencing the relentless sunshine and searing heat of a "golden" Paso Robles summer, all this talk of drainages and flowing water seems pretty fanciful, if not hallucinatory. But during most winters in California, the picture changes abruptly to a world of green grass and gently flowing seasonal streams. As recently as a few decades ago the Salinas watershed was a spawning ground for steelhead and even chinook salmon during wet years. In some winters, like the one we are having (already over 40 inches of rainfall on our ranch), these seasonal streams turn to churning monsters of water and debris (see video), blasting down the canyons carrying whole trees and cutting the earth into a frothy brown soup. It's as if the very coastal mountains of Calfornia are screaming "I'm melting," like the forlorn witch from the land of Oz.
Good farming, ranching and forestry practices can mitigate this erosional process, but cannot stop it. Nor would we want it to. In fact, the fabled fertility of California farms, and those the world over, is based on the tectonic rising of mountains and their utter destruction by weather into rich valley alluvium that will feed our children's children for generations yet to come. Back upstream on the marginally fertile and often steep hillsides of coastal California, the venerable grapevines mostly hold the ground in their dormant state, waiting for the spring incandesence and green shoots that will signal the beginning of a new vintage, with all its sweet promise.
How Special is Our Watershed
Now that you know about the natural origins of our Rangeland 2019 Watershed Bordeaux blend, we'd like to remind you of its stellar drinkability and offer it to you at a special price. Wine Enthusiast's Matt Kettmann rated our 2019 Watershed 93 points with the following notes:
"Intense aromas of cassis are dark and yet still fresh on the nose of this 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 15% Petit Verdot and 10% Malbec, which looks creamy in the glass. Polished tannins wrap around the jammy berry preserve flavors, with bold floral elements and a nice acidity pumping throughout."
You can purchase this outstanding single vineyard, estate grown wine by the case for just $399, or $33.25 per bottle versus a list price of $45. Wine club discounts apply and shipping is included. Order here.
Cellar Sale February 18
Come join us in the Rangeland barn on Saturday of President’s Weekend, 10am-12pm. For the price of a tasting fee (free to club members), you can taste and buy rare, discounted Rangeland library wines and snack on charcuterie. Reserve your spot here.
Rangeland News November 2022
Contents: Peak Rangeland, Wine Specials, Wreath Workshop, Sunset of the Lambs
Rangeland Scores Again
Several of our 2019 wines were recently reviewed by Wine Enthusiast's Matt Kettman for their December issue. The eye popping results confirm what our customers have known for a long time: Rangeland is making one of the finest lineups of estate wines anywhere at any price. These across-the-board results are a tribute to the noble terroir of our Adelaida Springs Ranch estate vineyard (which we planted in 2002) and to the deft hand of our departed winemaker Paul Hinschberger, who left for Oregon in 2021. Thanks Paul! And thanks to my family and team members over the years who made these beautiful wines possible. Viz:
- 95 2019 Limestone Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, $55
- 93 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, $45
- 93 2019 Shepherd Rhône-style Red Blend, $45
- 93 2019 Watershed Bordeaux-style Red Blend, $45
- 92 2019 Mistletoe Red Blend, $35
- 91 2019 Ultramafic Reserve Merlot, $45
All of these wines are available to Rangeland club members for under $50 per bottle and most are under $40, compared to $75-$200+ for similar wines. Buy Rangeland wines by the case now while you can at these prices. Set some aside for a decade or more of enjoyment. Our wines are all Paso-fruit-forward, easy to drink but with ample power. They are refreshingly food-friendly with acidity from our limestone soils. They all carry wild notes of savory and herbacious complexity that reflect our coastal mountain terroir.
Limestone Cab Vertical Special
One bottle each of Rangeland’s flagship wine from recent vintages; 3 bottles for $150:
- 2017 Limestone Reserve, library price $85
- 2018 Limestone Reserve, list price $55
- 2019 Limestone Reserve, 95 points, list price $55 From Wine Enthusiast: "Clean lines of pure black raspberry juice are spiced by lilac and white pepper on the refreshing nose of this bottling. That purity extends to the palate, which is loaded with acia, blueberry and violet flavors, proving focused and elegant."
$195 value. You save $45 and your club discount applies with shipping included. Order here.
Mistletoe Case Sale
Great for holiday gifts or for your wine fridge. A 12 bottle case of our 2019 Mistletoe for just $350 or $29.17 per bottle. You'll save $70 plus your club discount and shipping is included! Deep in garnet color, the 2019 Mistletoe evokes aromas of sage, lavender, and pomegranate/cranberries. The silky mid-palate precedes a lingering finish of baked spices and black cherry. Drink now or over the coming years. Pairs well with roasted meats and poultry. 92 Points WE. 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Syrah, 14% Merlot, 6% Malbec. Order here.
Wreath Workshop December 3
Lisa has been making Christmas wreaths from greenery on the ranch since we moved here in 2001. Past workshops with friends and customers were a hit. She's offering a wreath workshop in the barn at the tasting room on Saturday, December 3 from 10am-12pm. You'll learn how to make a wreath, enjoy snacks and beverages, and leave with beautiful handmade fresh wreath AND a bottle of 2019 Mistletoe! If this doesn't get you into the holiday spirit, we can't help you. Tickets are $60 (club discount applies.) Space is limited, so sign up now.
Adios a Los Borregos
We introduced sheep to Adelaida Springs Ranch and into our lives in 2011. For years they helped us graze and enrich the vineyard and many other pastures on the ranch and at our tasting room property. We have raised over one thousand lambs over the years but, due to multiple factors, we have decided to exit the sheep business. We are a small family enterprise that grows grapes, makes wine, raises cattle, processes meat, sells beef and hamburgers directly to our customers. In the end, the sheep were one responsibility too many. We'll miss their energetic antics and precious lambs. We proudly sold the wonderful meat through our Lamb Club and relished it in our home. But in these droughty and challenging times, the sheep cost us more than they contributed in both ecologic and economic terms. We have decided to concentrate on wine and cattle for now.
Rangeland News September 2022
Contents: Harvest!, Wine Club, October Winemaker Dinner, November Pick Up Party
So Hot Harvest
Hot weather is no stranger to Paso Robles, but this year's Labor Day heat wave (August 31 to September 9) was one for the books. It threw an already early harvest into overdrive. There were ten consecutive days of 105 degrees Fahrenheit, with a few peaks above 110.
Wine tasters retreated indoors. Grape sugars soared. Vines turned their leaves to the sky and silently declared "Pick me! I am done for the season." Our contract labor crews picked every night for a week, staggering through the work. Our Vineyard Manager Eusebio was like a relentlesly effective smiling zombie, driving tractor and directing the mayhem, night after night. The whole county seemed to be in motion: picking, trucking and processing fruit. One winemaker had a dream that a volcano had erupted and was burying him in relentless flows of hot, ripe grape lava. Ahhh! Now that we are mostly through picking and temps have dropped back below seasonal average, our winemaker Alex and many of his peers will have their hands full trying to make the best of this lightning vintage.
Wine Club Cometh, Doppel-Style
Our fall wine club selection, featuring some exciting new releases, is detailed below:
- 2019 Limestone Reserve Cabernet*, 95 points (boom!), Wine Enthusiast, new release
- 2019 Cabernet*, 93 points, Wine Enthusiast, new
- 2019 Shepherd*, Rhone blend, 93 points Wine Enthusiast, new
- 2019 Mistletoe, 91 points, Wine Enthusiast
- 2018 Watershed, Bordeaux blend*
- 2021 Sauvignon Blanc (2018 Ultramafic Merlot for reds only members)
*denotes 4-bottle intro club selection
If you are a six bottle or more club member, you can double your order for an additional 10% off with $1 shipping. For example, a 6-bottle, 20% off Estate Club member would get a full case at 30% off, or about $100 in extra savings. If you would like to take advantage of this fantastisch offer to stockpile a little wine for the holidays, please email us.
We will start billling the wine club October 17 and ship in early November, but if you want wine earlier you can pick up starting October 1. Please let us know by email if you'd like to customize your fall shipment. All the available wines are listed here. Please update your credit card and shipping information, if necessary, at www.RangelandWines.com. You can use your email address to retrieve your password and login.
Winemaker Dinner, October 15
There are a few tickets left to our October 15, 6-9pm, winemaker dinner. Join Winemaker Alex Kemp and the Rangeland crew on the tasting room lawn. The meal will feature estate raised, ranch oak seared, grass-fed beef tenderloin steaks accompanied by seasonal greens and root veggies. We'll also serve our usual abundant selection of appetizers, including grilled local sausage. Save room for a dessert of carmelized pear cake. Rangeland wines will paired throughout. $100 per guest before club discounts. Purchase tickets here.
Pick Up Party, Saturday November 12, Noon to 2pm
We'll be serving a buffet of treats in the winery: our grass-fed beef chili, some delicious charcuterie, grilled lamb and, of course, Lisa's famous cookies. We'll be pouring the Fall Wine Club lineup, so you can taste, fall in love, and add to your order when you pick up your shipment. For wine, beef and lamb club members only. Reserve your complimentary ticket. Space is limited.
Rangeland News August 2022
Contents: Wine Special, Vacation Rental, Winemaker Dinner
Rangeland vs. Inflation
Our government thinks it can reduce inflation by spending more, but I have a better idea. I'm going to lower prices on some remaining 2018 Rangeland cases to brighten up your August. This will help put some power back in our sails, no pun intended, which are fluttering slightly in the recessionary headwinds. Also it makes me feel like an inflation fighting superhero.
- 2018 Limestone Reserve ($55/bottle list price), just $399 per 12 bottle case or just $33.25 per bottle, before your club discount. Exotic aromas, dark fruit flavors, trademark acidity and a haunting finish. Pow! Shipping included. Order here.
- 2018 Watershed ($45/bottle list) $360 per 12 bottle case or just $30 per bottle, before your club discount. Savory scents, herbal complexity and a vividly tannic finish are highlights of this rustic beauty. Hiyah! Shipping included. Order here.
- 2018 Ultramafic Merlot, ($45/bottle list) $360 per 12 bottle case or just $30 per bottle, before your club discount. Welcome to the dark side of Merlot: brooding, supple, lingering. Kablooee! Shipping included. Order here.
All kidding aside, these are wonderful wines at outstanding prices. Full cases only. This offer is valid only through Labor Day, September 5. Order here.
Vineyard View Vacation Rental: Open Dates!
We have a few openings in August, September and October. Our 3BR, 2BA Vineyard View Cottage has a spacious deck and lawn, outdoor BBQ and hot tub, and lots of room inside for relaxing with a glass of Rangeland wine. And, you have access to the grounds of our tasting room during and after hours--coffee by the pond? Wine at the top of the hill? Whatever you desire! Book here.
Winemaker Dinner October 15
We have changed the date for our next winemaker dinner from September 11 to Saturday, October 15, from 6-9pm. Join Winemaker Alex Kemp and the Rangeland crew on the tasting room lawn next to the pond. We'll be serving estate raised, ranch oak seared, grass-fed beef tenderloin steaks accompanied by seasonal greens and root veggies. These will be preceded by a few appetizers including grilled J&R Meats local sausage. Dessert to be determined. Rangeland wines will paired throughout. $100 per guest before club discounts. Purchase tickets here.
Rangeland Mistletoe: Christmas in July!
Mistletoe Release Special
Years ago I was making wine from my new vineyard in the family cellar. We bottled a curious blend at a holiday party and a great time was had by all. Good cheer, a feeling of love and some actual lust ensued. We called the wine Mistletoe in appreciation of the season and the countless local oak trees that bear the picturesque bundles of this hemiparasite. Look it up. Myth would have it that mistletoe bestows fertility, protects against poisons, wards off evil spirits, and is an aphrodisiac. But I wouldn't know anything about that, baby.
Well, people have been asking about our 2019 Mistletoe. Our tasting room manager Michelle has had to ward off hundreds of inquiries since the 2018 Mistletoe sold out in a blaze of glory last year. So we are bringing a little Christmas cheer to July and unleashing the 2019 Mistletoe kraken.
As in previous vintages, the 2019 Mistletoe includes Cabernet and Syrah, which is the unconventional hero among Paso blends. It was awarded a gold medal and 93 points in the prestigious Sunset International Wine Competition. Its beautiful dark garnet color yields sagey aromas. A mid-palate of raspberry compote is energized by vivid acidity. It finishes with silky tannins and savory notes of baking spice. I recently brought a case home to trial. My family and guests wiped it out in a matter of days, with the following profound commentary: "Yummm."
For July only, we are offering a 12 bottle case of Rangeland 2018 Mistletoe for $300, shipping included, plus your club discount. That's just $25 per bottle versus the list price of $35, plus your discount. Order here.
Keep up to date on the latest wine releases, events, and promotions and get 10% off your next order.