The stage is set for fine wine and hospitality at Villa San Juliette. While driving up the lane to the winery, the picturesque châteaux reminded me of French wine country. Villa San Juliette’s owners are producers of both the über-popular singers’ TV talent show American Idol and its successful British predecessor. Growing up as three pals in Liverpool, England, Ken and Julie Warwick and their friend Nigel Lythgoe, the creative collaborators fell in love with Paso Robles wine country while driving up and down the California coast to oversee auditions for their TV show.
Though starstruck by the beauty of the area, the owners were serious about replanting the 130-acre vineyard with 12 Bordeaux varietals and producing fine wine. They built the tasting chateau with stunning views of the vineyard and the rolling Cholame Hills of the Estrella AVA in north-central Paso Robles.
Hiring acclaimed head winemaker Dan Smith was another well-conceived strategy for the trio. For ten years, Smith has nurtured the vines which grow under the Paso sun and cooling evening breezes flowing through the Templeton Gap. In addition to crafting Bordeaux varietal wines, he also introduced a lovely Sparkling Grenache Rosé and a highly acclaimed small lot program.
Given that Cabernet Franc is Smith’s avowed personal favorite varietal, he crafts an exceptional wine with complexity of flavor and enough spice and heft to pair well with beef and lamb dishes. I enjoyed the Cab Franc with a tasty version of British shepherd’s pie.
WHO: Villa San Juliette
WHAT: Cabernet Franc
WHERE: Paso Robles, California
HOW MUCH: $54 (media sample)