Blog

Monterey’s 19th Annual Winemakers’ Celebration

Aug 9th, 2011 by Paraiso Vineyards

We would love to have you join our winemaker, David Fleming at the 19th Annual Winemakers’ Celebration this Saturday from 1:00 – 4:00 pm at the Barnyard Shopping Village in Carmel, California. David will be mingling and pouring samples of four of your favorite Paraiso estate wines from the Santa Lucia Highlands including our Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Noir.  You can also take your favorite bottles home that day at 20% off with the highly anticipated “Try and Buy” program.

 Event Highlights Include:

Taste over 200 wines from 40 wineries
Culinary samples from the Barnyard Restaurants
Live Jazz Music
Winemaker Displays
Silent Auction

 For Tickets and More Information visit www.MontereyWines.org

Tags: Activities, California, California Chardonnay, California Pinot Noir, California Wine, Events, Food, Monterey, Monterey Chardonnay, Monterey County, Monterey Pinot Noir, Paraiso Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Tastings, Wine, Wine Country, Wine Tastings

Taste and Shop!

Aug 2nd, 2011 by Paraiso Vineyards

For anyone who has ever visited our Tasting Room here in the Santa Lucia Highlands, you have definitely noticed that we offer something very unique for visitors… the Paraiso Boutique. While you are tasting our full line of estate wines, you can browse the shop  filled with a gorgeous collection of classic French country home decor items and fashionable accessories.  We enjoy giving our locals a different place to shop for not only wine, but also for home decor and gifts. There truly is nothing like it in the area.

Some of our most popular items are from the Archipelago Collection. From lotions and cremes to body wash and bubble bath, this fantastic line of beauty products is one of our favorites. And believe me, we only carry the best products in our Tasting Room. We figure out which products are the best by using them ourselves…. and if we love them then we carry them. Simple as that!  Take a look at a few of the newest products from the Archipelago Collection available now in our Tasting Room:

All Paraiso Wine Club Members receive 15% off all purchases in the Boutique. Find out more about joining the club here.

Tags: Activities, California Wine, Family, Gift Boutique, Monterey, Paraiso Tasting Room, Paraiso Vineyards, Santa Lucia Highlands, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Soledad, Tastings, Vineyard, Wine, Wine Tastings

Summer Wine Deals

Jul 27th, 2011 by Paraiso Vineyards

Things are warming up here in the Santa Lucia Highlands and we all know what that means…. it’s time to pop the cork on your favorite bottle of white wine. We personally love this time of year, because this is our chance to really promote our fantastic line-up of white wine releases including our Estate Chardonnay, Riesling and “Eagles’ Perch” Single Vineyard Designate Chardonnay. For a short time only, we are now offering five different Summer Wine Wine Packs that are sure to please all of our white wine fans. Check them out:

PARTY SAMPLER $55.20*

3-bottle pack featuring 1 bottle each of Paraiso’s:
Estate Chardonnay, Riesling & “Eagles’ Perch” Chardonnay
(Regularly $69)

REFRESHING RIESLING $38.40*

Includes 3 bottles of Paraiso’s
Estate Riesling
(Regularly $48)

BIG TIME CHARDONNAY $64*

One large format Double Magnum 3 Liter bottle of Paraiso’s:
Estate Chardonnay
(Regularly $80)

CHARDONNAY CRAZE $127.20*

6-pack featuring 3 bottles each of Paraiso’s:
Estate Chardonnay & “Eagles’ Perch” Chardonnay
(Regularly $159)

WHITE MANIA $220.80*

12-pack featuring 4 bottles each of Paraiso’s:
Estate Chardonnay, Riesling & “Eagles’ Perch” Chardonnay
(Regularly $276)

All Summer White Wine Packs are now 20% Off. Better yet, if you are a Wine Club Member here at Paraiso you will receive an extra 15-25% off all sale prices. I have one final note that will put a smile on your face: During these warm summer months,  we are upgrading all orders to 2-day or 3-day shipping at no extra charge.  Not bad huh?

If you would like to place an order for our Summer White Wine Packs today click here.

To check out all of our current releases click here.

Tags: California Chardonnay, California Wine, Monterey, Monterey Chardonnay, Monterey County, Paraiso Vineyards, Riesling, Santa Lucia Highlands, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Wine

What are you wearing to the rodeo?

Jul 7th, 2011 by Paraiso Vineyards

The California Rodeo in Salinas is not just any Rodeo. For many who live locally it is the event of the year. Women and Men (Yup, I said it) spend extra time picking out the ideal “Rodeo” outfit.  From boots and shirts to the perfect cowboy hat, what you wear to the Rodeo is of utmost importance this time of year. And don’t forget about the famous “Tough Enough To Wear Pink” Thursday attire. For one day, all attendees get to show their support in finding a cure for cancer by proudly wearing their best pink shirt. The question is, are you tough enough to wear pink?

Here at Paraiso, we look forward to this grand event, and are proud to be the sole Wine Gold Champion Sponsor year after year! We get so excited that we even carry “Rodeo” decor and accessories in our Tasting Room. Take a peak at a couple of our items:

Visit our Tasting Room today to find your favorite accessory for the Rodeo. We also carry several other bracelets, rings and Paraiso t-shirts.

Tags: Activities, California, Cowboy, Events, Family, Gift Boutique, Monterey County, Paraiso Vineyards, Rodeo, Salinas, Salinas Valley, Wine

Bottling Line Time

Jun 22nd, 2011 by Paraiso Vineyards

Paraiso Bottling Line

The bottling line was hard at work at Paraiso just last week, bottling our 2010 Riesling and 2009 Syrah. The style for the Riesling is classic Paraiso, which means off-dry (slightly sweet), tropical, fruit forward and balanced with great acidity for a lingering fresh finish. The Syrah is a beautiful Santa Lucia Highlands expression of earthy, full-bodied, dark blackberry, currants, spice, and black pepper, resulting in a great age worthy wine. Is your mouth watering yet? If so, you will need to find a current vintage of Paraiso wine to enjoy, because these newly bottled wines are not going to be available right away. The wine goes through a lot when it is injected into the bottle and it needs enough time to relax and settle before we will release it into the market.

But no need to wait! You can enjoy our current line-up of Paraiso’s Santa Lucia Highlands wines today by ordering online.

Tags: Activities, Bottling, Bottling Line, California Wine, Paraiso Vineyards, Riesling, Santa Lucia Highlands, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Wine, Winery

Walking In The Rain

Jun 8th, 2011 by Paraiso Vineyards

The 2nd Annual “Winery Walk” was a rainy success!

The last thing you would normally have to think about when planning an event in the month of June would be rain. But sure enough, Mother Nature has a way of keeping all of us on our toes this year. The rain started in the early morning hours and stayed with us through the entire event. But the weather did not stop all the 200 walkers who came out to support this charity event raising funds for college scholarships and the American Heart Association.

Walkers Journey Through the Vineyards

The Walkers Begin

The plan was to enjoy a 5-mile walk through the vineyards here at the Paraiso Estate. As you could imagine, we made a few modifications to the trail. The 5-mile course turned into 3.5-miles following the paved roads around the vineyard so as not to turn this walk into a “Mud Run”. As joggers and walkers crossed the finish line, there was nothing but smiles on everyone’s faces… and wet hair. The great attitudes only got better when walkers were greeted in the Marketplace with fresh fruit smoothies, wine and a fabulous farmers market.

Thank you to everyone who helped support this wonderful cause by joining us for the “Winery Walk” or donating online at www.MontereyWines.org.

A huge thank you also needs to go out to all the Marketplace vendors who came out to support this great cause and were gracious enough to pass out free samples of their products: Andy Boy, Auquablue Day Spa, Chamisal Tennis & Fitness Club, Go Red For Women Health – American Heart Association, Champions For Change, Church Brothers Produce, HELP, Jim Fowler, Lululemon, Mann Packing, Natividad Medical Center, Portobella’s, Rancho Cielo Culinary, Red Blossom, SanTasti Water, Stone Creek, Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital, and WIC.

For more information about the “Winery Walk” please contact the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association at www.MontereyWines.org

Tags: Activities, Family, Food, Monterey, Monterey County, Paraiso Vineyards, Scenic Walk, Vineyard, Wine Country, Winery Walk

Ready. Set. Walk!

May 31st, 2011 by Paraiso Vineyards

The Winery Walk Vineyard Trail

Finishing touches are being made for the 2nd Annual Winery Walk being held this Saturday, June 4th here at Paraiso Vineyards. We are very excited to once again be hosting this wonderful event put on by the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association at our beautiful location in the Santa Lucia Highlands.

The Winery Walk is held once a year to raise funds and provide  scholarship opportunities to agriculture employee’s children as well as support the American Heart Association. With each participant simply raising a minimum of $100, walkers, runners and joggers will journey through the scenic 5 mile private vineyard terrain here at Paraiso in Monterey Wine Country.   To top it off, a healthy life-style cooking demonstration, farmers market, brunch and wine reception will be waiting for you at the finish line!

Grab your family, friends and co-workers and join us here this Saturday for a fantastic event supporting a great cause.

For more information or to register to walk visit www.MontereyWines.org or call 831.375.9400

Tags: Activities, Agriculture, American Heart Association, California, California Wine, College, Events, Family, Food, Monterey, Monterey County, Monterey Pinot Noir, Paraiso Vineyards, Santa Lucia Highlands, Scenic Walk, Scholarships, Tastings, Winery Walk

Sampling the Santa Lucia Highlands

May 23rd, 2011 by Paraiso Vineyards

SLH Wine Tasting at Zeph's

If you live locally or have ever been through the town of Salinas, California then you have most definitely seen the Zeph’s One Stop sign standing high on South Main Street. Not only is Zeph’s one of Paraiso‘s biggest supporters, but they are also one of many wine/liquor shops in town that really promote our local wine industry with events such as the Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Tasting last Thursday evening. This wonderfully casual and low-key event gives customers a chance to sample their favorite local wines in one location without having to pay the big ticket price of most large wine events. With around 15 wineries being represented at the SLH Wine Tasting with up to 5 wines each, there was not a shortage of wines to taste. From Pinot Gris and Chardonnay to Pinot Noir and Syrah it was a great opportunity to promote the high quality wines from our local Santa Lucia Highlands AVA.

Paraiso Vineyards Wine

Keep your eye on the Zeph’s One Stop sign for future Wine Tasting events and other amazing deals.

Tags: Activities, California, California Pinot Noir, California Wine, Events, Monterey County, Monterey Pinot Noir, Paraiso Vineyards, Santa Lucia Highlands, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Tastings, Wine, Wine Tastings

Pinot Noir and Grandma’s Risotto

May 16th, 2011 by Paraiso Vineyards

One of my favorite things about drinking wine is how well it goes with eating food!! This does not mean that I will only have light white wines with fish and heavy reds with my steak… pairing wine with your favorite meal should be fun. For the average run of the mill ‘home chef’ I recommend experimenting as much as possible. For this great dish below we suggest pairing it with our Paraiso Pinot Noir, but if you are in the mood for something lighter or heavier then go for it! If done correctly, cooking should be fun and relaxing. Here are a few tips:

1. Find a day that you are not rushed to put dinner on the table so you have plenty amount of time to chop slowly and make a mess of the kitchen if necessary.

2. Who says you have to wait for the finished dish to open up that bottle of wine? Pop the top of your favorite wine (perhaps Paraiso Pinot Noir) and pour yourself a glass.

3. Now turn up the radio and lets begin cooking!

Grandma Claudia’s Fantastic Mushroom Risotto

1 oz dried porcini mushrooms (1½ cups)
1½ cups hot water
4 t. olive oil, divided
1 cup sliced leek (1 medium)
1 cup short-grain brown rice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 T. chopped fresh thyme or 1 t. dried
½ cup dry white wine
3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
4 oz cremini or baby bella mushrooms, wiped clean, stem ends trimmed, quartered
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley, divided
2 t. balsamic vinegar
¼ t. salt, or to taste
freshly ground pepper to taste

Check to be sure you have a nice glass of wine handy and preheat the oven to 425˚F.

Combine porcini and water in a small bowl. Let stand for 30 min. Strain, reserving the liquid. Rinse the mushrooms well under cool water; drain and chop finely. Strain the reserved liquid through a coffee filter or paper towel to remove any sand or dirt. Set aside.

Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a Dutch oven or ovenproof deep sauté pan over medium heat. Add leek and the porcini; cook, stirring often, until leek is tender, 2 to 3 min. Add rice, garlic and thyme; stir to coat well. Add wine and cook until almost all evaporated, 2 to 4 min. Add the reserved porcini liquid and chicken broth. Bring to a boil.

Cover the pan and place in the oven. Bake until the rice is just tender but still has a little resistance and the risotto has a creamy consistency, 40 to 50 min. If it seems soupy, place on the stove top over medium heat and simmer for a few minutes, stirring, until risotto reaches desired consistency.

While the risotto is baking, heat the remaining 2 teaspoons oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add fresh mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and browned, 5 to 7 min. Remove from the heat.

When the risotto is ready, stir in the mushrooms, Parmesan, 2 tablespoons parsley, vinegar, salt and pepper. Sprinkle remaining parsley on top and serve immediately.

If you would like to try this recipe at home with a bottle of Paraiso Pinot Noir, place an order here.

Tags: California, California Pinot Noir, Family, Food, Monterey Pinot Noir, Paraiso Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Wine

Who's behind the wine at Paraiso?

May 4th, 2011 by Paraiso Vineyards

Dave checking out the bottling line.

As the Paraiso Vineyards winemaker for more than a decade, Dave manages all aspects of winemaking and production. He is crazy-passionate about vineyard expression in his wines, and is very careful not to ‘over-make’ them.

Dave began his Paraiso involvement with the 1995 vintage. He completed course work in enology at U.C. Davis while enjoying this hands-on experience. He was named assistant winemaker in 1997 and became the Paraiso Vineyards winemaker two years later. Dave worked closely with consultant Larry Brooks for a few years, to further hone his skills while fine-tuning the style of each Paraiso varietal. He is now at the winemaking helm on his own, continuing to raise quality and consider new directions while adhering to his principles each vintage.

His winemaking philosophy is to let the vineyard speak for itself through minimal intervention in the cellar. “The stellar estate fruit I work with makes my job easy – I try not to get in the way of that special ‘sense of place’ being expressed in the bottle.” Never satisfied with his extensive winemaking knowledge, Dave is an eternal student always looking to learn more.

Dave has hosted nearly 400 winemaker dinners around the country, and is a sought-after panel speaker on clonal distinction and the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. He also makes wine under another label for export to Japan.

Married to Paraiso founders Rich and Claudia Smith’s daughter, Kacy, Dave is a part of the Smith family. He spends his off-time with their three kids at various sporting events and volunteering on the local School Board, currently as President. Unless the Redskins are playing…then he’s in front of the television with a glass of Paraiso.

Tags: enology, Family, Japan, Larry Brooks, Paraiso Vineyards, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Smith Family Vineyards, University of California Davis, varietal, Vineyard, Wine, Winemaker, Winemaking