Alma Sol Winery
“We focus on making balanced, low alcohol wines, with good acidity,” says John Shaw, eho founded this boutique winery with his wife, Lisa. “Our wines are made for pairing with food or just enjoying with your favorite person.” For more than two decades, the Shaws have been on an adventure of discovery in the world of wine. From 2002 to 2009, nearly every weekend the couple drove several hours from Thousand Oaks to their family’s vineyard in Paso Robles to better understand this burgeoning wine region. Recognizing Paso Robles’ great potential for Bordeaux wines, they produced their first Cabernet Sauvignon in 2009. In 2011, they officially began selling their wines. They now produce just 800 cases annually.
Meanwhile, another adventure unfolded as they established their tasting room in Thousand Oaks and learned how to meet visitors’ needs. “Are they coming to spend time with someone and just relax and sip wine?” John asks. “Are they new to wine and want to learn something about it? Are they a sommelier and would like to taste through the wines and understand the vintners approach? Everyone comes in looking for something different, so it is our job to ask questions and provide them with the information and experience they are looking for.”
Any advice for tasting room visitors? “Ask as many questions as you may have. Never feel intimidated. Tasting rooms are a place to relax, learn, enjoy, and discover new wines and varietals you didn’t know existed. Be open to new wines – even if you think you do not like them. You may be surprised!”
The fabulous wines we featured:
2016 Cuevas Estate Vyd, Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon
- Gold Medal, 2020 Monterey International Wine Competition
- English Coastal Cheddar, creamy soft blue cheese, prime rib with jus or truffle Mac and Cheese.
- Enjoy now or hold up to 10 years.
Tasting Notes: Flavors of beautifully balanced, juicy red and black fruit, with enticing aromas of lavender and honeycomb that carry through to the finish.
2018 Paso Robles Meritage
- 95 Points, Platinum Medal, Monterey International Wine Competition
- Pair With: Hearty meat dishes, beef tenderloin, braised short ribs, roast lamb, wild mushroom risotto, eggplant Parmesan
- Enjoy now or hold up to 10 years.
Tasting Notes: Enticing aromas of dark fruits, including black cherries, black currants, ripe plum, and well-Integrated toasted oak. On the palate, luscious flavors of black cherries, licorice, and mocha meld seamlessly with balanced acidity and fine-grained tannins. The wine concludes with a velvety, lingering finish and fine-grained tannins that support the fruit-driven profile, while balanced acidity imparts a sense Of vibrancy and freshness.
Winemaker's Notes
2016 Cuevas Estate Vineyard, Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon: Cuevas Vineyard, San Miguel District, Paso Robles AVA supplied all the fruit. The family-owned estate is perfectly suited for Cabernet, getting great east-to-west sun exposure. In summer, it has 40 - 50 degree day-to-night temperature variations. Alma Sol harvests only from the premium rows and vines on the south side of the vineyard. Aged in 100% French Oak, 50% new, for 32 months. The wine was racked twice during barrel aging, and bottled unfined and unfiltered.
2018 Paso Robles Meritage: Fruit was sourced from the Estrella, Willow Creek, and Adelaida Districts in the Paso Robles AVA. The wine was aged for 32 months in 100% French oak (75% new).
Ventura County
John and Lisa Shaw
John and Lisa Shaw