Saunders Vineyard in Paso Robles

In the early 1990s, it became clear to Jim and Debi Saunders that their newly purchased 90-acre ranch could be the realization of their dream of owning and farming their own vineyard. Soil testing and site evaluation began within a year of purchasing the Saunders ranch. The clay loam soils of these South and West facing hills were discovered to be ideal for farming wine grapes. The meso-climate of Eastern Paso Robles was a perfect site to farm Syrah and Petite Sirah. Initial planting began in 1993, with the development of Caldwell Syrah, Petite Sirah clone 3.

In just three years, the vineyard was contracted to Smith and Hook, where Jim Saunders met Winemaker Adam Lazarre. New scions of Tempranillo, Malbec, and Petite Verdot were grafted to the well-established Cabernet Sauvignon.

Presently, Saunders Vineyard is composed of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Petite Verdot, Malbec, and Tempranillo. The vines are trained to a vertical shoot positioning trellis to optimize vine vigor, capacity, and interior canopy micro-climate.

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