Vines on the Marycrest is quite a unique name for a winery but is the basis of one of the best vine stories ever. The name Marycrest comes from the original vineyard where the winemaker planted grapes. It was fertile land that produced delicious grapes until the owners of the land found out. The land owners were kind of sort of nuns who called the authorities when they found plants secretly growing on their grounds.

I’m sure the winemaker used the love thy neighbor defense to convince them to allow him to continue his practice of growing sacred grapes on their blessed land. But they were shrewd enough to request sacramental wines for their um practices. Great vine stories are just the beginning. The couple now runs an award winning boutique family winery in Paso producing delicious wines from estate grapes.

Estate grapes are ones grown on your own land. Vines on the Marycrest’s dry farmed vines produce delicious old vine Zinfandel, Tempranillo, and Rhone varietals like Viognier, Roussanne, and Syrah. In a tasting room that looks right out of dwell magazine, they finish their flight with a late harvest Syrah that knocks your socks off with rich ripe plum, berry, and cherry flavors and a finish of nutty chocolate.

More appellation adventures in this region.