Est. 2001. Importer & Distributor of Fine Wine, Craft Spirits, and Ginjo Sake

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Villa Creek
www.villacreekwine.com
Map location of Villa Creek

Cris Cherry
Country of Origin: USA
Location: Paso Robles
People: Cris & JoAnn Cherry, Owners | Cris Cherry, Winemaker


Villa Creek Cellars was founded in 2001 by Cris and JoAnn Cherry. The Cherry's goal was to harness the extreme terroir of the west side of Paso Robles, to engage the palates of wine aficionados and novice consumers alike.

Winemaker, Cris Cherry's passion for wine stems from the world of fine cuisine. As owner and wine director of Villa Creek Restaurant, Cris created a diverse list featuring fine boutique producers from around the globe. This global influence has helped to shape wines he creates at. JoAnn's experience as a designer and her passion for old world wines that are rich yet complex and terrior driven have further influenced the wines at Villa Creek. Cris crafts wines that show their sense of place. JoAnn designs the labels that characterize what goes into the bottle.

The wines of Villa Creek are hands on in every sense. 3,000 case production ensures that Cris can not only over see, but be hands on in every step of production. The 3,000 square foot winery boasts state of the art equipment that allows for the best of old and new world techniques. The grapes are sourced from the finest organically or sustainable farmed vineyards in the appellation including James Berry Vineyard, Denner Vineyard and Luna Matta Vineyard which recently received it's Demeter Biodynamic certification.

In 2003 the Cherry's purchased 60 acres that bears remarkable resemblance to some of the great Southern Rhone estates. This extreme west Paso terrain, on the same parallel as James Berry vineyard, but just 2 miles north, promises exiting future vintages. The Maha Estate, as it is known, boasts elevations from 1,500 to 1,800 feet and mostly south facing slopes. Calcareous and salicious shale soils are perfect for growing Rhone varietals of character and complexity. The Maha will see it's initial planting in spring of 2012 with 4 acres of biodynamically farmed Spanish Grenache. The Cherry's home and winery are on this same property.

"Cris Cherry’s Villa Creek is located on the western side of Paso Robles, high up off Peachy Canyon Road. He continues to experiment with Rhone and increasingly Spanish (think Rioja and Priorat) varieties, as well as with varying amount of whole-cluster inclusion. The wines offer singular, unique profiles, with loads of flavor and character." - The Wine Advocate 8/2013

Social Media
Twitter: @villacreekwine
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Items
Villa Creek 2013 'Pink' Rosé, Paso Robles Net Price — —
Villa Creek 2013 'White' (Grenache Blanc/Roussanne), Paso Robles Net Price — —
Villa Creek 2011 'High Road' James Berry Vineyard, Paso Robles Net Price Reviews —
Villa Creek 2012 'Willow Creek Cuvee' Paso Robles Net Price — —
Villa Creek 2012 Garnacha Net Price — —
Reviews
Villa Creek 2011 'High Road' James Berry Vineyard, Paso Robles
Rating: 94

(40% grenache, 40% syrah and 20% mourvedre; 50% whole clusters): Glass-staining ruby. Intense spice- and floral-accented aromas of black and blue fruits, Asian spices and woodsmoke, with a bright mineral nuance gaining power with air. Fresh and incisive, offering intense black raspberry and boysenberry flavors and a subtle touch of candied violet. Fine-grained tannins build on a long, juicy finish that eventually ends on a sexy floral note.

- International Wine Cellar (12/1/2013)

Villa Creek 2011 'High Road' James Berry Vineyard, Paso Robles
Rating: 94

The most impressive of the lineup and only slightly less impressive than the brilliant 2010, the 2011 High Road James Berry Vineyard checks in as a blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre that was fermented with 40% whole cluster and aged in 50% new French oak. Great stuff, with rich cassis, creamy licorice, spice, toast and tinges of chocolate, it’s massive and rich on the palate, with layers of fruit, no hard edges and a very drinkable profile. I don’t think it will make incredibly old bones, but certainly a decade is well within reason here. Drink now-2021.

- The Wine Advocate (8/29/2013)