Country of Origin: USA
Location: Paso Robles
People: Eric Jensen, Owner & Winemaker
Booker Vineyard is located on Paso Robles' Westside, immediately joining the famous Stephan Vineyards that produce L'Aventure Wines. The high-density vineyard is mostly Rhone varieties planted on steep hillsides of calcareous shale.
The name Booker comes from the two orphan brothers Claude and Dick Booker who had owned the land, as well as hundreds of more acres on Paso's Westside. The Booker brothers were Paso's favorite sons, dedicating their lives to being great farmers and humanitarians. Aside from lending their farming knowledge and manual labor to neighbors and those in need, they were the area's biggest philanthropists, leaving 100% of their estate to charity when they passed.
After making wine with Justin Smith for five years and Stephan Asseo for two years, the Jensens decided it was time to create their own expression with Booker Vineyard. The 2005 Vintage was Booker Vineyards first release with the wines being made by owner Eric Jensen. The wine making style is extremely soft and hands-off, attempting to let the fruit finish what it started seven months earlier. They rarely use a pump, never rack or filter, and use minimal sulfur.
"At Booker Vineyard we have dedicated our lives to farming perfection. We are constantly striving to find perfect balance in our vineyard, which means continuously being aware of new sustainable practices and methods. Beginning in the Spring of 2009 we will begin our venture into the world of Biodynamics. Ours will be a cross between farming organic, sustainable and biodynamic, where we treat the entire vineyard as a living organism. We will attempt to grow our own food, raise our own meats and put all of the waste back into the vineyard in the form of compost tea. Animals will be placed in charge of weed control and solar panels will be placed at the house and winery.
The planting of the vineyard is entirely on hillsides that are made up of pure calcareous shale, allowing for very little vine vigor. Other than large projects such as pruning and fruit thinning, Eric Jensen farms the entire vineyard with his assistant, allowing total visual and physical control. Most of the Vineyard is on 7x3 spacing, averaging about 2.5 tons to the acre which is just over two pounds per plant. Below is a list of the wineries that purchase our fruit; all of whom we are very proud." - bookerwines.com
"Known
for producing decadently rich and textured wines, proprietor Eric Jenson
continues to show his winemaking skill and talent with these distinctly fresh,
focused 2011s (his 2010s were also in the same ball park stylistically). All of
the wines reviewed here are brilliant and this estate has quickly become one of
the reference points for Paso Robles." - The Wine Advocate 8/2013
"Behind Eric Jensen’s outgoing, boisterous personality lies the mind of one of the most thoughtful and introspective winemakers in Paso Robles. An unending drive for perfection means Jensen is satisfied with nothing but the very best. Over the last few years, that has led to some serious rethinking in the vineyards and cellar. Today, the wines are more polished than they have ever been. I have also included notes on the ‘22’ series of wines that spend a few extra months in barrel. The handful of 2011s I tasted were delicate, perfumed and quite pretty, but with less depth and structure than either the 2009s or the 2010s. One
day, when the vineyards of Westside Paso Robles are fully understood, I have little doubt Booker will occupy a place at or near the top. Eric Jensen’s relentless passion and commitment for excellence make Booker the single most exciting emerging property in Paso Robles." - The Wine Advocate 2012
Social Media
Twitter: @BookerVineyard
Booker Facebook |
