Team C&J
When you go wine tasting in Paso Robles, you discover California winemakers leaning into Rhone blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, or classic California Zinfandel. What you don’t generally find are wines modeled after Italy’s famous Super Tuscans, unless you seek out hidden gems like Ella’s Vineyard and bottles of their 2019 Ella’s Vineyard Estate Lavoro.
With an estate that spans 32-acres, includes two wedding venue properties, 11 acres of planted grapes, and an AirBnB, this up-and-coming wine brand is definitely one to watch.
If you sat down to sip the wines of Ella’s Vineyard today, you’d never guess that owners Katherine and Josh Morris had any other plan than creating beautiful boutique wines in one of California’s most talked about wine regions, Paso Robles. In fact, wine was more of an after thought for this husband and wife duo.
The couple, who had what they call a “chaotic” wedding experience, made it their life mission to build a wedding experience that was the opposite of what they encountered. So, in 2010, they purchased a cute little property with a picturesque farmhouse, designed a private wedding venue and ceremony site, and named the site after their daughter, Grace.
It took just a few years for their shared passion for helping other couples to become a huge success. Then, when an opportunity to purchase another property that also included vineyard land near their existing venue arose, they jumped at the chance. It was a “why not?” moment for Josh and Katherine, and in 2018, they acquired the site that they would name “Ella’s Vineyard,” after their second daughter.
Owners Josh and Katherine, love the Super Tuscan wines made famous by some of Italy’s best winemakers. Paso Robles shares a similar grape growing climate as Tuscany, with summers that are hot and dry, and the evenings are cool and mild.
To recreate this special style of wine, Josh planted the estate’s vineyards to Italy and France’s most beloved varieties including: Sangiovese, Primitvo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and even Nebbiolo, a rarity in California.
When it comes to vineyard management and winemaking, Josh takes an old school approach. The estate’s grapes are always hand harvested, and all of the sorting is also done by hand, rather than using a mechanical sorter.
Winemaking duties are split between Josh Morris and Assistant Winemaker Chris Ljepava. The first vintage was produced in 2015, and today the winery produces 1,000 cases a year.
If you find that you love the wines of Ella’s Vineyard as much as we do, then adding a stop at the winery’s new tasting room is a must. The space is located in trendy Tin City, and the decor looks like it would fit in well with the swankiest tasting rooms in Napa Valley.
The Farmhouse at Ella’s Vineyard is the winery’s Paso Robles’ AirBnB property, and it’s one of the brand’s biggest draws. This better-than-a-hotel space has all of the charm you would expect from a historic farmhouse. Vineyard views, a large old-fashioned porch, and all of the comfortable accommodations for up to 14 guests await.
Rather than go the resort route, the next time we book a stay in Paso Robles, we might look here instead.
The 2019 Lavoro from Ella’s Vineyard is a blend of 55% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Primitivo. In the glass, this Super Tuscan inspired wine is an eye-catching ruby to garnet hue, hinting at the various grapes in the blend.
The nose offers pronounced aromas bursting with a trio of black fruits – plump black cherries, juicy black currants, and ripe blackberries. Joining the fruit-forward qualities are savory elements of olive tapenade, plums, and the sweet-tartness of fresh cherries. Herbs and spices abound here with anise, fresh basil, and the intriguing touch of black pepper, cool mint, as well as cedar, cigar box, cocoa, and roasted coffee emerge.
This wine continues to display complexity on the palate. The tannins are very grippy, but that doesn’t impact the wave of ripe black fruit flavors – black cherries, black currants, and blackberries – that echo the nose. Underlying the fruit, subtle notes of caramel, cigar box, dark chocolate, and toasty oak emerge, adding richness and complexity. High acidity provides a vibrant backbone, balancing the wine’s full body and ensuring a refreshingly long finish.
New French and American oak aging creates a soft oakiness in the palate that invites continuous sipping.
The 2019 Ella’s Vineyard Lavoro is a wine that delivers on all fronts. Based on this bottle, we believe the future is bright for this growing Paso Robles winery, and we cannot wait to try future vintages.
USA
Paso Robles
Red Blend
14.9
Josh Morris & Chris Ljepava
62–68°F / 16–20°C
Burgundy
60 Minutes
Now to 2030
Ella's Vineyard
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