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TH Estate Wines Summary

870 Arbor Road
Paso Robles ,CA 93446
United States
thestatewines.com


TH Estate Wines Description

TH Estate Wines is a boutique winery nestled in the picturesque hills of California's Paso Robles wine region. Founded by Terry Hoage, a former NFL player turned winemaker, the estate is renowned for its exceptional handcrafted wines. With a focus on organic and sustainable farming practices, TH Estate Wines has garnered accolades for producing wines that beautifully express the unique terroir of their vineyards.

The winery's vineyard, located on the western side of Paso Robles, benefits from cool ocean breezes that reach the area from the nearby Pacific. This maritime influence, coupled with the region's diverse soil types, creates an ideal environment for grape cultivation. The vineyard is meticulously managed to ensure low yields and optimal fruit quality, resulting in wines that display depth, complexity, and a true sense of place.

TH Estate Wines prides itself on producing a limited selection of handcrafted wines, with a focus on Rhône-style varietals. The winery's flagship wine, "The 46" Grenache, has gained particular recognition for its elegance and balance. Offering a combination of bright fruit flavors, refined tannins, and a touch of spice, this wine exemplifies the craftsmanship and vision of TH Estate Wines.

Visitors to TH Estate Wines can experience the winery's passion and commitment firsthand through their intimate tasting room. With its welcoming ambiance and knowledgeable staff, guests can explore an array of small-production wines while enjoying panoramic views of the estate. The winery also offers unique tasting experiences, including vineyard tours and barrel tastings, allowing visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the winemaking process.

Overall, TH Estate Wines is a destination for wine enthusiasts seeking handcrafted, terroir-driven wines that epitomize the elegance and vibrancy of Paso Robles. With its commitment to sustainability, quality, and exceptional hospitality, this winery is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the best of California wine country.

What Makes TH Estate Wines Different From Other Nearby Wineries?

TH Estate Wines sets itself apart from other wineries in the region through its commitment to crafting exceptional, small-batch wines that showcase the unique terroir of California.

One of the key factors that make TH Estate Wines stand out is its dedication to sustainable and organic farming practices. The winery prioritizes the health of the land, using organic fertilizers, cover crops, and minimal pesticides to preserve the natural balance of the vineyards. This approach not only results in healthier vines and grapes but also contributes to the overall biodiversity of the region.

Another distinguishing feature is the meticulous attention to detail in the winemaking process. TH Estate Wines firmly believes that great wines are made in the vineyard, and therefore, they focus on hand-harvesting the grapes to ensure optimal ripeness and quality. The winemaker closely monitors each step of the winemaking process, from the gentle handling of the fruit to the careful selection of yeast strains and oak barrels, all with the aim of producing wines that authentically express the characteristics of the vineyard.

In addition to their commitment to sustainable and artisanal winemaking, TH Estate Wines also takes pride in their unique vineyard sites. The winery sources grapes from distinct and diverse microclimates throughout California, including the acclaimed regions of Paso Robles, Santa Barbara County, and Sonoma Coast. These carefully selected vineyards provide a range of soil types, altitudes, and exposure to sunlight, resulting in wines that reflect the nuances of their terroir.

Moreover, TH Estate Wines offers an intimate and personal experience for visitors. The winery has a warm and inviting tasting room, which allows guests to relax and savor the wines at their own pace. Knowledgeable and passionate staff are always eager to share the stories behind each wine, as well as provide insights into the winemaking process and the region's wine history.

In conclusion, TH Estate Wines differentiates itself from other wineries in the region by its commitment to sustainable and organic farming practices, meticulous winemaking techniques, unique vineyard sites, and personalized visitor experiences. These factors combine to create exceptional wines that truly embody the essence of California's diverse terroir.

What Some Possible Concerns About TH Estate Wines ?

While TH Estate Wines has generally received positive reviews, there are a few aspects that some people have mentioned they didn't particularly like about the winery. These include:

1. Limited wine selection: Some visitors have commented that the winery's wine selection is relatively small compared to other wineries in the area. They felt that there was not a wide enough variety to suit all taste preferences.

2. Lack of outdoor seating: The winery does not have a dedicated outdoor seating area, which some visitors found disappointing. They would have preferred to enjoy their wine outdoors amidst the natural surroundings.

3. Limited food options: While TH Estate Wines offers small bites and cheese plates, some visitors mentioned that they would have liked to see a more diverse menu or additional food options to pair with their wine.

4. Higher prices: A few guests have raised concerns about the pricing of wines at TH Estate Wines. They felt that the prices were on the higher side compared to similar wineries in the region, which affected their overall experience.

It's important to note that these criticisms represent a minority view, and many other visitors have thoroughly enjoyed their experience at TH Estate Wines.

TH Estate Wines History

TH Estate Wines, formerly known as Terry Hoage Vineyards, is a remarkable winery nestled in the picturesque Paso Robles wine region of California. Founded by Terry Hoage and his wife Jennifer in 2002, the winery has gained a stellar reputation for producing exceptional wines that beautifully reflect the unique terroir of the area.

Before delving into the story of TH Estate Wines, it is essential to understand the journey that Terry Hoage took before venturing into winemaking. Terry Hoage, a former NFL player, enjoyed a successful career in football where he played as a safety for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Houston Oilers. However, his passion for wine began during his playing days when he would visit Napa Valley for wine tastings. Inspired by the beauty and complexity of the wines he encountered, Terry's love for wine was ignited.

In 1993, Terry was traded to the San Francisco 49ers, which brought him to California's central coast. While there, he had the opportunity to explore the wine regions of Santa Barbara and Paso Robles, which further fueled his fascination with winemaking. Terry's desire to pursue his newfound passion eventually led him to leave his football career behind and dedicate himself to cultivating the land and crafting superb wines.

In 2000, Terry and Jennifer purchased a picturesque 100-acre property on the west side of Paso Robles, situated in the acclaimed Willow Creek District. This was the starting point of their winemaking dream. Terry believed in taking a holistic approach, recognizing that the land played a significant role in the quality of the final product. With a commitment to sustainable farming practices and a respect for the local environment, they began cultivating vineyards on their property.

The couple initially planted Syrah vines, as Terry admired the expressive and complex characteristics of this grape variety. Over time, the vineyard expanded, and today it encompasses several other varietals, including Grenache, Mourvèdre, Viognier, and Roussanne. The carefully tended estate vineyard created the foundation for TH Estate Wines, allowing them to control every aspect of the winemaking process, from grape to glass.

In 2003, Terry and Jennifer released their first vintage under the Terry Hoage Vineyards label. The wines were an instant success, earning critical acclaim and a dedicated following. Consumers and wine critics alike praised TH Estate Wines for their elegance, balance, and exceptional quality. Terry's commitment to producing wines that were true expressions of the terroir and showcased the unique characteristics of the Willow Creek District shone through in every bottle.

In 2014, Terry and Jennifer decided to rename the winery TH Estate Wines, a change that aligned with their vision to create a lasting legacy. The new name also reflected the inclusion of additional grape varieties in their portfolio, showcasing the dynamic range of wines they crafted. With each passing year, TH Estate Wines continued to evolve and produce exceptional vintages that captured the essence of their idyllic Paso Robles home.

Today, TH Estate Wines remains an icon of the Paso Robles wine region, crafting small-lot, artisanal wines that showcase the essence of the property and the unique microclimate of the Willow Creek District. Terry and Jennifer Hoage's unwavering commitment to quality, sustainability, and the expression of terroir have firmly established TH Estate Wines as one of California's premier wineries. The legacy they have created not only reflects their love for winemaking but also their respect for the land and the people who continue to enjoy their exceptional wines.

Introduction

Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!

I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....

After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.

Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.

Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.

As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.

Cheers! - Franklin Laurel