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View PDF >> Niner Estate Wines - Central Coast Critically acclaimed and highly rated. |
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Niner Wine Estates can be said to owe its existence to the fact that there are many other non-wine related businesses located in the town. Situated as it is almost exactly between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the business area of Paso Robles is among the most beautiful on the entire California coastline.
More than a decade ago, 1996 to be exact, Niner Wine Estates owner Dick Niner came to Paso Robles to investigate a sunglass manufacturer called Dioptics that was in some sort of financial/management difficulty. Eventually Niner gained control of the company and in doing so, fell in love with the surrounding area. He began visiting wineries in the Paso Robles area and learned what he could about the groundswell of attention the entire Central Coast area was receiving on a national and international basis. He asked a bunch of questions and finally made the decision to attempt to acquire some property that he could make into a winery. He first acquired the Bootjack Ranch in 2001, a 224-acre property on the eastern side of Paso Robles that contained fifty-four planted acres. He had used the services of noted winegrower Jim Smoot in acquiring the land and enticed Smoot to remain on board as a consultant. He then hired iconic winemaker Chuck Ortman (of Meridian Vineyards fame and a resident of Paso Robles) to add credence to his team and began the process of producing the first wines from the new entity. Ortman still remains a consultant on an as-needed basis. The process of selecting a name for the new winery dragged on until Dick Niner was convinced that his surname fit perfectly with the specter of the new winery and was in fact, a staple of Northern California folklore. It wasn't until 2006 that the first 5,000 cases of Niner Wine Estates were first released that drew a number of excellent critical reviews. When the wines were entered in competitions, they responded with a proportionate number of ribbons and medals and Niner Wine Estates was on its way. In 2004, a talented winemaker named Amanda Cramer joined the team and took responsibility for all of Niner's wines. The winery's production has grown to around 10,000 cases, and is expected to grow more in the future. In Cramer's opinion, Niner's future is directly related to the quality of grapes it is able to produce. 'Since it is our intention to always be an estate grown winery, our long term growth is directly tied to how well our vines do,' she stated. 'It is possible that we can one day become a 40,000 case winery, but that is definitely a long term goal. It will probably take us ten years or more to achieve that type of growth, and that depends on whether we actually plant all the plantable acreage.' Right now, Niner Wine Estates is involved in a remarkable project that will turn their Heart Hill Vineyard site into a fully working winery and hospitality center. 'We have already broken ground on the project,' Cramer added. 'The complex will include a 50,000 square foot state-of-the-art winery with all the bells and whistles. Our hospitality center will have some really great views and a good deal of landscaping. If everything goes as planned, our builders tell us we can expect to open sometime in August of 2009. As you can imagine, it is a most exciting project for everyone involved, but once it is completed, it will make us a totally self sufficient winery.' Niner Wine Estates can also expect to benefit from the ongoing project to sub-divide the existing Paso Robles AVA (American Viticultural Area) into a number of sub districts, a plan endorsed by many of the local wineries. While the project is currently stalled, Cramer feels that the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) will eventually approve the legislation to everyone's satisfaction. 'It makes a great deal of sense to sub-divide and it has proven to be quite effective in other areas such as Napa Valley and Sonoma County,' she concluded. 'In our opinion, everyone will benefit if we are put into smaller AVA's that more clearly define the soils and conditions that affect our wineries. It has also proven to be more economically feasible to do so, and that is a major consideration for many of the parties involved.' |
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FEATURED WINES
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Niner Wine Estates 2006 Sauvignon Blanc Grown in conditions similar to those in Bordeaux, France, the Niner Wine Estates 2006 Sauvignon Blanc was produced from the leading Paso Robles vineyard Bootjack Ranch. Planted mostly to red varietals, a small portion of the Bootjack Ranch property is planted to Sauvignon Blanc, as is typical in France since the grape thrives in the same conditions. Cool nights and warm days contribute to a long growing season, ultimately yielding grapes of deep color and concentrated flavors. This award-winning vintage received a Gold Medal from the Central Coast Wine Competition, a Silver Medal from the Pacific Rim International Wine Competition, as well as a Silver Medal from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Fresh and rich in texture and flavor, the 2006 Sauvignon Blanc is aromatically lively with aromas and flavors of pear, grapefruit, and pineapple that are juxtaposed by persimmon, lemon meringue and buttery nuances. It is refreshing, with a good mouthfeel, full body and a nice acid balance. The soft citrus candy finish lingers on the palate. Winery food pairing recommendations include cheese tortellini with pesto and toasted pine nuts, grilled swordfish with olive tapenade, and pizza with spinach, bacon, and caramelized onions. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Enjoy now until 2010. Watch Tasting Notes Video Clip > |
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Niner Wine Estate 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Produced from the renowned Bootjack Ranch vineyard on the eastside of the Salinas River in Paso Robles, the Niner 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon was made from four-year-old vines and the grapes were all handpicked and sorted in the vineyard to ensure optimum quality. This wine garnered a well-deserving Silver Medal from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, which is the largest competition of American wines in the world. Niner’s Cabernet Sauvignon begins with aromas of blueberry, cherry, chocolate mint, and cinnamon spice, while a slight earthiness, and a bit of vanilla and toasty oak follows. An equal amount of Merlot and Cabernet Franc were added to the final blend. The Merlot brings a soft roundness to the middle of the finished wine, and Cabernet Franc lends elevated blueberry flavors and a chewy richness. In the mouth, the wine has a soft approach, with some up-front tannin, a sold middle, great structure, and a lasting fruitful finish. Try pairing the Niner 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon with thyme-marinated roast pork loin, black pepper crusted New York steak, and classic Osso Buco. 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc. Aged 16 months in oak. Enjoy now until 2014. Watch Tasting Notes Video Clip > |
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Niner Wines Estate 2003 Sangiovese An inaugural vintage release, Niner Wine Estates’ 2003 Sangiovese was produced from Paso Robles’ eastern Bootjack Ranch vineyard that boasts the hearty red varietals the appellation is known for. This Sangiovese is the product of three different grape clones, harvested and fermented together, which is reminiscent of an old-fashioned Italian field blend. An impressive achievement for a first release, the Niner Sangiovese has garnered a number of notable awards including a Double Gold Medal from the International Eastern Wine Competition, a Critics Gold from the Critics Challenge International Wine Competition, a Gold Medal from the Pacific Rim International Wine Competition, and a Gold Medal from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. The wine opens with aromas of raspberry, blackberry and brambleberry bush, with a hint of spice and white and black pepper. With a bit of Merlot added to the final blend to round out the mouthfeel, this Sangiovese is dry in the front of the mouth, but turns out smooth, soft and plummy, with a touch of nuttiness. Fruity cherry notes linger on the long finish. Winemaker Amanda Cramer suggests pairing the Niner 2003 Sangiovese with grilled halibut with olives, tomatoes and basil, and cheese enchiladas with tomatillo sauce. 95% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot. Enjoy now until 2012. Watch Tasting Notes Video Clip > |
ABOUT THE WINEMAKER
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Internationally acclaimed winemaker Amanda Cramer. Amanda Cramer is the Niner Estates' first and only winemaker, joining the winery in 2004. A New Hampshire native and former math teacher, she enrolled at UC Davis and learned to make wines. Amanda has held positions at Far Niente, Chimney Rock, and Paradigm and also furthered her craft in both Australia and Chile. |
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
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Dick Niner - Owner Dick Niner was born the fifth of eight children in rural Berkley Springs, West Virginia, reported to be a part of the last county in the United States to install electricity. His early youth was spent toiling on the farm to provide enough food for his family. When the chance came to attend Princeton University, Niner jumped at the prospect and excelled in his courses. Through his academic success, another golden opportunity developed and Niner was invited to attend Harvard's Business School, the springboard for many of our country's most successful business executives. When Dick Niner entered the business world, he found a niche in locating a number of varied businesses that needed help to achieve their real worth. During his career Dick spent 30 years investing in a wide variety of small businesses, in various parts of the United States. Most were turn-arounds, in industries as diverse as air freight, men's toiletries, candy manufacturing, military electronics, medical devices, garage door openers, electrical-utility cable, sunglasses, and school supplies, to name a few. The common theme in all of them was the need to find a new management team and motivate them to develop the company's full potential. He was referred to as a venture capitalist when the term was still in its infancy. During 1996, he acquired a small company in Paso Robles and immediately fell in love with the area. He considered its proximity to the ocean and lush landscape the ultimate in picturesque surroundings and decided to do something about it. Some twenty-five years earlier, Niner had attempted to purchase a French chateau for one of his customers only to have the deal foiled by the French Government who wanted to ensure its famous chateaux remained in the hands of French citizens. Dick Niner recalled his early West Virginia childhood on the farm and reasoned that grape farming was probably the loftiest type of agricultural expression and jumped into the wine business. His early instinct to put together a top management team almost certainly guaranteed the project's ultimate success. The step into the wine business was huge for the financier, since it was the first business project that he had started from scratch. However, for Dick Niner, the Paso Robles winery was also a definite labor of love. Determined to do the project correctly, Niner developed a plan that would eventually produce a model winery, complete with a number of breathtaking panoramas. Niner even balked at using his family name for the winery. A Paso Robles graphic designer originally from Germany, Thomas Reiss, finally convinced Dick and his wife Pam that their name was a natural for the new winery. Niner Wine Estates' distinctive rectangular labeling soon followed and has proven most successful during the winery's early stages of marketing. Speaking of Pam Niner, it is widely held around the winery that the two are a team in every sense of the word. Dick Niner is careful to include his wife in key decision making for the winery and Pam Niner has taken the lead in developing the winery's landscaping and aesthetic aspirations. The new hospitality building will have a great deal of Pam Niner's personal decorative touches included within its confines. |
THE WINE REGION
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The region that comprises the Paso Robles AVA has become in recent years one of the most sought after growing areas in the Central Coast. Both properties that comprise Niner Wine Estates benefit from a proximity to the ocean, not more than 12 miles away. Bootjack Ranch was the first property in the Niner Estates portfolio and compromises 125 acres of planted vines. It is located some nine miles east of Paso Robles on Route 46. Heart Hill, Niner's other vineyard, is only 20-planted acres, located in the western sector of the Paso Robles AVA, and benefits from temperatures that are a few degrees cooler than other areas. Situated ten minutes inland over the Santa Lucia Mountains, the region provides optimum growing conditions with warm days and cool nights for growing nearly 26,000 vineyard acres. Benefiting from the state's largest diurnal temperature swing, grapes fully ripen with balanced sugar and acid flavors.
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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Orzo Feta Salad with Grilled Shrimp and Mint-Scallion Chutney Ingredients: Preparations: |
Braised Pork Shanks Ingredients: Preparations: |
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