Kinero Cellars Winemaker Interview

Wed, Jun 26, 24

Eleven years ago, Anthony & Hillary purchased a tiny piece of property high up in the Santa Lucia range in the historic, rugged and almost forgotten York Mountain AVA. After planting their first vines in 2013 – own-rooted, bush vine Grenache – they started to discover the uniqueness of this incredible site. 1800 feet above the Pacific ocean between the towns of Cambria and Templeton, their little vineyard boasts an incredibly diverse set of soil profiles, including rocky limestone, clay, and sand. Rainfall is almost 4-times that of the nearby town of Paso Robles, allowing them to dry farm many of their young vines.

“We only make a small selection of wines — each made with the intention of allowing the vineyard to speak louder than the winemaking. We don’t make very much wine, and never will, but what we do make is unique, powerful and elegant.

We call our own vineyard The Royal Nonesuch Farm, a reference to the great “tragedy” of Huckleberry Finn

and a constant reminder to never take ourselves too seriously.”

-Hillary and Anthony

The Wines

Talley Vineyard Chardonnay
This wine opens with aromas of lemon zest, pineapple, wet stones, white pepper, and jasmine. The palate offers superb depth, with flavors of babcock peach, lemon grass, Asian pear, and nutmeg that tighten up on the long mineral driven finish.

“In Vain” White Blend
51% Viognier, 36% Chardonnay, 13% Chenin Blanc. A brightly pitched bouquet of lemon peel, toasted brioche, stone fruit, flint, and celery salt introduce this old vine white blend. Flavors of Asian pear, wax melon, and honeycomb give way to an incredibly textural mid-palate. The persistent finish is brightened with a briny salinity that lingers long after the wine is gone.

The Royal Nonesuch Farm Red

Aromas of lavender, blackberry, adobo, black pepper, and petrichor. Flavors of blueberry, orange peel, sassafras, and hints of citronella. The mid-palate builds toward a dense mouthfeel juxtaposed by salinity and driving acidity.

An Interview With the Winemaker

1. How did you get into winemaking?
I fell in love with wine after drinking a bottle of 1998 Beaucastel CdP - While studying Agriculture at Cal Poly in Sna Luis Obispo - I worked my first harvest at Denner Vineyards - and then fell in love with winemaking. I've just completed my 18th harvest in paso Robles.

2. What does the name "Kinero" mean? And what is its significance to you and your winery?
Kinero is a shepherd - exactly how I saw myself getting into the industry. Letting the grapes do their thing and being there to guide them along the way.

3. Who creates the label art for your wines? Is it the same artist on the Kinero and Royal Nonesuch artwork?
Nicole Kirkpatrick does all our label artwork - she's a longtime friend, who has now made a career out of wine labels (we were the first!)

4. Can you share your winemaking and farming philosophies?
All estate farming is done organically (working on certifying) - and almost entirely dry farmed (20% remains irrigated). We believe in no-till farming, eliminating as may tractor passes as possible, and the highest level of attention to detail.

5. Is your wife also involved in the winemaking? She manages your estate vineyard I believe...Is that right?
Hillary is a vineyard manger - overseeing all of our estate vineyards.

6. What is your total case production across Kinero + Royal Nonesuch?
Kinero ~1500 cases, Royal Nonesuch ~800 cases

By Sarah Galgano