Dear Friends,
We are eager to bring you this long overdue update to the whirlwind of activity here at Venteux Vineyards. So, with this inaugural newsletter, it’s time to shoot the breeze! We’ll try not to be too longwinded!
Okay, enough “wind” already!
But, we certainly did name this winery appropriately. The Templeton Gap delivers its promise of cooling coastal breezes that are such a gift in the vineyard, but which at times are personally maddening.
This property has many similarities to the western boundary of Provence where the valley of the Rhône River forms a natural tunnel for the mistral. Our soil conditions are calcareous, and our dry-farmed and head-pruned vines are tended they way French winemakers have been doing it for centuries. And when you experience our estate wines, you’ll taste what we’ve been striving for.
Seven years ago we purchased this 10-acre barley farm known as “Rancho Las Tablas,” knowing that it had great potential for a vineyard, but not exactly sure what varietals were best suited for the site. After nearly three years of local research and a few trips to France, it became apparent what this vineyard was meant to be. Today we are thrilled to have what we have been working towards for so long come into full fruition.
Thank all of you so much for becoming a part of our vision. Your enthusiasm for our wines has truly been a windfall!
Happy Harvest!

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Erwin!
On September 9th, we had our fi rst wedding at Venteux Vineyards. Not only are Doug and Bin Bin the fi rst to get married here at the vineyard, but they are also Cellar Club members #1! We were honored and excited to have their celebration here. It was a beautiful ceremony followed by a delicious dinner catered by our friends at Villa Creek, followed by an outrageously fun party! We wish you all the best, Doug and Bin Bin! You are an amazing couple!

Jake's Corner
Jake is a happy helper, wine-maker in training. At four years old, he’s already beginning to understand the operations of the winery and takes a real interest in all the happenings going on around him. He worships his dad and loves to make wine with him. He loves to charm our B&B guests and is thriving in our “open to the public” lifestyle. This harvest he held his own pruners and helped pick.

2007 Harvest Update
It’s October 10th as we write this update and we are in the throes of our 5th harvest.
Today marks the last pick of the Petite Syrah off our vineyard. All of the Estate Syrah has been harvested, and we’re happy to report perfect chemistry! It is the darkest, most intense Syrah we’ve ever seen. This wine is going to be one for the record books. The Mourvèdre is now in its third leaf and we’ll begin harvesting for the 2008 vintage. And our Grenache will be ready to harvest in 2009.
With little rain this year, we have a light crop-load. But, what we are sacrificing in quantity we are sure to make up for in quality. Actually, this year was just what Mother Nature ordered for our maturing dry-farmed vines. Their fi ght for survival with such little rainfall makes them grow stronger while their root systems get deeper and deeper. We are so pleased with our specifi c site here in the Templeton Gap. Terroir, terroir, terroir!!!
We continue to get exceptional fruit from Starr Ranch. The Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache from Starr have been a fantastic contribution to our portfolio of wines. This year Scott is experimenting with some small quantities of incredible fruit for use in our “Raucous” blend and micro-production wines. The “Raucous,” which sold out in record time, is our only blend released to date. Every other wine from the 2003, 2004 and 2005 vintage have been 100% varietal, which will continue to be our focus. But, look forward to an exciting Rhône Blend as well as more “Raucous.” Scott is working very hard this harvest; he’s hardly slept! Despite his current state of exhaustion, you can sense his pride and excitement for what’s to come. No doubt, there are some remarkable wines in our future.

It’s a Dog’s Life
We proudly announce our new addition!
Clover was born on April 18th at Bella Luna Winery where her mother Sadie lives. Folks were in line to get one of these puppies and we were lucky enough to get the “pick of the litter”! Her main job is “Tasting Room Greeter” and she’s doing such a great job, we’ve had visitors come just to see her. Well, hopefully they like the wine too. Spending her “off” days gopher chasing in the vineyard and going for truck rides with Scott, she spends her nights sharing our Tempur-Pedic mattress!

Dinner in the Cellar -
Mark Your Calendar
We have a very special Winemaker Dinner planned for Saturday February 2, 2008. Chef Eric Cioffi has designed a menu that pairs Venteux Vineyards wines along with dessert wines from our friends at ZinAlley Winery. Born and raised in Massachusetts where he learned his skills in the kitchen from his father, Eric’s creations come straight from the heart. He now resides in Long Beach, CA and plans to move his family to the beautiful Central Coast in the near future. This will be a very intimate dinner for 12 guests. The evening will begin with a few “top secret” experimental wines that Scott has made in very tiny quantities. Eric will tease us with hors d’oeuvres to get our taste buds ready for a glorious night of amazing food and wine. We’ll gather around the fi replace at 6:30 pm and later head downstairs for dinner in the wine cellar. Cost is $150 per person (or $125 per person for Cellar Club members). Contact Bobbi (bobbi@ venteuxvineyards.
com) for reservations.

October 17,18,19: Join us during the Harvest Festival!
We will be releasing our 2006 Estate Cuvee, Syrah and Petite Syrah! Toby will be grilling his famous tri-tip sandwiches all day on Saturday. October 18: Club-member Event! Please join us for a fun and casual evening of food, wine and music! Club shipment will be available for pick up. Cost is free! Please RSVP to bobbi@venteuxvineyards.com.

October 23, 24 &25: Savor Scottsdale!
All our friends from Arizona ,be sure to join us in Scottsdale for a special and unique culinaryand wine experience. Check out the website for more information www.eats3.com

November 8th: Winemaker Dinner in the Cellar.
Chef Eric Cioffi will once again create a special menu to pair with Venteux wines. We will be previewing the exciting Fall Releases of Estate Cuvee, Syrah and Petite Syrah as well as some wines out of the library. This intimate dinner is limited to 12 special guests. Cost is $125 per person.
Please contact Bobbi at 805-369-0127 to make your reservation.

More events to be listed soon!

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