Scott & Bobbi met in 1990 while living in Scottsdale, Arizona.  At the very beginning of their relationship, they discovered they shared a love of fine wine.  Married in 1994, they merged their talents, Scott’s construction industry and Bobbi’s interior design, and designed their Arizona home.  Traveling extensively to the Sonoma and Napa valleys, as well as France and Italy, they took every opportunity to become more educated. Over time, their wine cellar became full with top vintages. 
Meanwhile, they dreamed and talked of leaving their fast-paced lifestyle, finding a property to start their own vineyard, and bringing their talents together again building a home in the wine country.

The year 2000 was one of exciting change.  On a family vacation to the Central Coast, they visited the Paso Robles wine country.  While they had read and heard positive things about the region, they had doubts about the quality of the wines.  What an eye-opening day that was!  Scott and Bobbi instantly fell in love with the natural beauty of the area and the friendly small-town atmosphere.  When they tasted the excellent Zinfandels and Rhone varietals, they were inspired!  From that day on, they couldn’t stop talking about the Paso Robles wine country.  After a few visits to the region, they were convinced that the area known as the “Templeton Gap” had the ideal soil and climate for growing premium grapes. They soon returned and made an offer on the ten acres known as Rancho Las Tablas, right in the heart of the Templeton Gap.  Scott restored a 1969 John Deere tractor in anticipation of owning the land.  With Bobbi’s son Logan, they moved to the paradise of the Central Coast in August 2001.

 

Plans to improve Rancho Las Tablas began:  remodel the farmhouse and barn, tear down the garage, and design a future winery, tasting room and bed & breakfast.  Realizing that it was going to be a very long road acquiring the permits, plans and financing needed for a project of this magnitude, they purchased and remodeled a nearby house for their family home until the Las Tablas project became a reality.  Bobbi went to work for Turley Wine Cellars just down the road from their property while Scott put his efforts into developing Rancho Las Tablas.   While settling into Templeton and becoming acquainted with many local winemakers, they learned more about the soils, climate and different farming practices. And with so many friendly people, it wasn’t long before they felt a part of this vibrant, laid-back wine country community. Scott became a father and a farmer overnight!  March 2003 marked Jake’s birth and the planting of six acres of Syrah and Petite Syrah vines.  Despite delays in the construction project, Scott decided to proceed with the winemaking program.  He secured grape contracts and the following fall, thanks to the generosity of Sherman Smoot and Kevin Healey, made their first vintage at the Bella Luna Winery facilities. 

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Having worked through delays and frustrations, when the time came to name the wine, the Stelzles felt Fortitude Cellars was perfect.   “Fortitude” symbolized the determination and persistence required to develop an estate vineyard as well as the patience to produce a fine wine from the planting of the vines to the wine in the bottle.  In 2005 the construction of the farmhouse began, and Scott added builder to his responsibilities of farmer and vintner. 

The year 2006 marked the completion of the farmhouse and their first estate “crush.”  The Stelzles were finally living the dream they had been planning for so long.  But, just when all seemed to be coming together, they received news that they would have to change the name of the label.  (To hear about this story, read “Winds of change and the fortitude to endure.”) 

Finding a new name was a challenge.  What would describe this special property?  Suddenly it came to them… Venteux Vineyards.  This French word meaning “windy” was perfect.  The hot dry days are cooled each afternoon by the coastal breezes that make this region similar in many ways to the Rhone Valley.   

Bobbi and Scott’s dedication to Venteux Vineyards is apparent in their fine wines already released, the picturesque farmhouse set in the beautiful vineyard, and the promise of wonderful things to come.

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