WINERY PROFILES

Pretty-Smith Vineyards & Winery » Profile

Located at the northern gateway to Paso Robles, Pretty-Smith Vineyards & Winery is the brainchild and passion of Lisa Pretty. A one woman show, Lisa farms 45 acres of primarily Bordeaux varieties that produce award-winning Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and a Bordeaux blend that Lisa calls Palette de Rouge. The red wines are aged in oak for 2.5-3.5 years to create a style that is soft, smooth and silky. Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. 13350 River Road, San Miguel, CA 93451. 805.467.3104. www.prettysmith.com
From winegrowing to winemaking, from managing the winery to painting the wine labels, Lisa Pretty does it all for Pretty-Smith Vineyards and Winery. As such, she is one of the very few female owner/winemakers in the wine industry.

Though she is a proud Canadian, Pretty invokes the Southwestern spirit of Kokopelli when she is crafting her ultra-premium wines or creating the artwork for the labels. An unofficial mascot of the label since it was established in 2000, the legendary figure of Kokopelli symbolizes a variety of things to the Pretty-Smith label. With the hump of his back carrying seeds of plants and flowers, and the music of his flute creating warmth for germination, the presence of Kokopellis' spirit in the vineyard assures a continuing life of balance and harmony.

"Kokopelli is a core component of our marketing and fits well with our philosophy," explains Pretty. "When people visit a tasting room or purchase a bottle of wine they often want a story to go with it and like to see a consistent image. Our custom artwork and unique stories for each release add to the wine experience."

Balance and harmony can certainly be found in the wines of Pretty-Smith. The award-winning label includes Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Zinfandel Port and Palette de Rouge (a Bordeaux red blend).

With its scenic location in the hills of San Miguel and just a few miles from the historic Mission San Miguel, Pretty-Smith Vineyards and Winery is a destination in itself. The winery facility offers expansive views of the surrounding hills, a welcoming tasting room, and plenty of room for picnics, gourmet dinners, and other special events. Those who enjoy the wines are invited to join Pretty-Smith's wine club known as the Wine Circle. Members of the Circle are invited to member-only events, receive special discounts on wine and receive the latest releases.