Through the metal gates, past the vineyard rows festooned with red rose bushes, you come to a chalet style building in the shade of giant oak trees. The great wooden doors house the winery production facility with the tasting room entrance located off a lovely patio with a lawn and fountain. The room has bright mustard colored walls, stained concrete floors and a fireplace. Displayed by the door, is an antique Austrian wine press that is 180 years old.  Limited boutique items are for sale.

 

The estate vineyard is located in the Templeton Gap area, west of Paso Robles, and grows Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Syrah, Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay grapes. The 95 acre property consists of 66 acres of rolling vineyards and oak woodland.  The winery occupies the original homestead of the property, dating back over 100 years. The lean soil layered with calcareous shale, limestone, clay and sand contributes to the complexity of the fruit and resulting wine. The vines are trained in a vertical positioning trellis, allowing for adequate sun and air flow. This method emphasizes the leaf surface area allowing for good sugar production, and even ripening of the fruit.

 

The winery processes the wine without the use of pumps or augers. The grapes are de-stemmed, not crushed, and then fall directly into small fermenting bins below. The bins are then wheeled into the winery to settle and begin fermentation. All wines are estate grown with the exception of Sangiovese which is from the Ranchita Canyon area north of Paso Robles.

  

Above the tasting room and winery is the Zenaida Cellars Loft. This is a 1500 square foot, two bedroom suite located above the winery that is available for overnight (or over week) guests. This home away from home offers comfortable accommodations for up to six guests.