WINERY PROFILES

Clautiere Vineyard » Profile

A tasting room like no other. Think Edward Scissorhands meets the Mad Hatter at the Moulin Rouge. Prepare to add some pizzazz to your life and taste estate RhÃ´ne varietals and blends, Cabernet Sauvignon and a vintage-style Port while gazing upon Clautiere's mosaic world...including a 6.5 foot mosaic sphere! Open daily 12 - 5 p.m. 1340 Penman Springs Road, Paso Robles, CA 93446. 805.237.3789. info@clautiere.com. www.clautiere.com

Be prepared for some serious fun if you're planning a visit to Clautiere Vineyard. This is a place that has described itself as "A winery like no other, where Edward Scissorhands meets the Mad Hatter at the Moulin Rouge!"

The creative forces behind Clautiere Vineyard are Claudine Blackwell and Terry Brady. Between them, they boast rÃ©sumÃ© listings as varied as accountant, restaurant owners, fashion designer, welder, landscape designer and, lately, winemakers. Since moving up to Paso Robles in July 1999, the couple has passionately rejuvenated and transformed a local ranch into a place of vibrant color and energy. The old farmhouse boasts a wild tasting room, gift shop, commercial kitchen and a theater space suited for special events. Outside are metal sculptures and 230 feet of metal fencing that Claudine has designed and welded to complete the ambiance.

The property also includes vineyards that were planted in the late 1980s with Syrah, Mourvedre and Cabernet Sauvignon. Since Syrah quickly became their favorite, they kept with the RhÃ´ne theme, adding more clones of Syrah, as well as Grenache, Viognier and Counoise vines. They also planted an acre of Portuguese varietals which they fashion into a classic vintage-style Port wine. Indeed, it was their original travels to Portugal that sparked the couple's interest in wines and vineyards.

In the summer of 1999, they had just opened a Santa Monica restaurant, The Lobster, with some partners. Though they were certainly busy with that endeavor, they knew they eventually wanted to find a supplemental career that could get them out of the city from time to time and bring them closer to the land. After finding their dream property in Paso Robles, they jumped head first into their Clautiere Vineyard project, Terry as winemaker, Claudine as vineyard manager, and they both had a big hand in the design of the lively label and the unique image of Clautiere Vineyard.

Current releases include Viognier, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, a dry RosÃ© a Port wine and three RhÃ´ne style blends dubbed Mon Rouge, Grand Rouge and Mon Beau Rouge. The bold winemaking style of Clautiere Vineyard reflects the couple's motto: "Live the best life you can."