Peachy Canyon Winery Westside 2021

Viticulture

2021 Westside is the amalgamation of barrels that did not find homes in our single vineyard zinfandel bottlings. In 2021, due to intense heat and very limited rainfall, our hands were fairly tied. Fortunately David Bailey's Organic Vineyard held quite a bit of second crop which we were happy to access. As a result this vintage of Westside, a double-gold winner, and also recipient of a best in class award at the Central Coast Wine Competion is made from Bailey Ranch, Old Schoolhouse Vineyard and Snow Vineyards.

Vinification

Each lot was fermented seperately, some in bins, some in stainless steel tanks. After sugars were replaced with alcohol, each lot was gently pressed and transferred into a combination of French, American, and Hungarian Oak barrels and puncheons. Once malolactic fermentation was complete, the components for Westside were racked and blended prior to being returned to 25% new French and Hungarian Oak, while the balance of wine found a home in once or twice used American Oak barrels. The seasoned American Oak provides a beautiful vanilla backbone that shows itself after some decanting. Westside was racked once more in May of 2023 prior to filtration and bottling.

Tasting notes

Intense leather and smoke almost hit your nose before you can see the brilliant crimson color that makes up the heart of this wine. Black cherries, blackberries and orange zest fill the nose while secondary aromas of tobacco, cranberries, sage and rosemary percolate and fill in the empty spaces. This wine is immediately full of grip and chalk when sipped. Red berries, juniper, white pepper, and allspice give way to a long grippy finish that leaves cranberries and spice on the back of the tongue. It's easy to see how this wine, with its layers of complexity, was named best in class at the Central Coast Wine Competition.

Pairing

Enjoy it with brisket, roast chicken and tomato based pastas.

Winery Description

Zinfandel Specialists of Paso Robles

Peachy Canyon Winery is a family-owned and operated winery in Paso Robles, in California’s Central Coast.  Founded by Doug and Nancy Beckett in 1988, and considered one of Paso Robles’ earliest 10 wineries, Peachy Canyon has long been praised as a producer of award-winning California wines that epitomize respect for terroir and dedicated winemaking.  Peachy Canyon was instrumental in establishing Paso Robles’ reputation as a key California wine region with its exemplary Zinfandels.

Today, Peachy Canyon Winery is managed by 2nd-generation owners, Josh and Jake Beckett, who spent their childhood in the vineyard and winery alongside their parents, Doug and Nancy.  During their decades long career path in the industry, the brothers recognized an opportunity for more unorthodox brands in the market.  In 2004, they took a leave from Peachy Canyon to create their own brand, Chronic Cellars.  Through shrewd marketing and remarkable quality wines, they built Chronic Cellars to 17,000 cases before selling to Winery Exchange in 2014 and subsequently completing the five-year buyout agreement in early 2019.  Promptly thereafter, Josh and Jake returned to Peachy Canyon Winery to relieve their parents of the daily operations and responsibilities of the family business.

Although Peachy Canyon has historically been known as a Zinfandel house, a full 40% of what is planted today is Rhone and Bordeaux variety based.  Josh and Jake recently acquired some new vineyards. The family now cultivates 102 acres planted on Paso’s westside, all within the 3 most coveted sub AVA’s:  Willow Creek, Adelaida and the Templeton Gap.  Future plantings will include Zinfandel, Rhone and Bordeaux varieties as the brothers are interested in continuing to develop their production of Estate wines and blends.  Beginning with the 2019 vintage, Peachy Canyon will use fruit exclusively from its 102 acres of family-owned, estate vineyards in Paso Robles.