RN Estate Wines
Get the Dirt from winemaker Roger Nicolas
“We never get tired of tasting our own wine, however, it is important to also taste other wines to keep our palate in tune. Dipping into our inventory is purely a form of quality control!”
What was your first vintage year? 2003
How many cases do you make per vintage? 1250 cases
Do you have a Tasting Room? Tastings by appointment only, phone or email.
How did you get your start in the winemaking business? After much of exposure to to the greatest wine of the world during my restaurant career, I was inspired to experience making wine on my own.
What wine made you want to become a winemaker/start your own winery? Pinot Noir.
What varietals do you work with? Why? Pinot Noir and Bordeaux varietals, I enjoy blending different clones of Pinot Noir, as well as blending different Bordeaux varietals.
What vineyards do you source from? If estate, why did you choose the spot you're in?
In Paso Robles our hilltop estate is ideal for Bordeaux varietals. We source our Pinot noir from the cooler regions of the Central Coast of CA, including the Fiddlestix Vineyard from Sta. Rita Hills and Solomon Hills Vineyards from the Santa Maria Valley.
What type of oak treatment do you use?
Oak barrels are an essential part in our winemaking, each grape varietal is aged with the appropriate origin of oak and different toasting levels.
What do you love about your winemaking region? What makes it different special?
We love the Paso Robles dry and warm climate for ideal ripening of our Bordeaux varietals, and the Sta. Rita Hills and Santa Maria Valley with their cooler climate for enhancing a crisper character for our Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
What's the story behind your name/label?
My family name NICOLAS, is also the name of one of the older wine negociants in France and has been trademarked worldwide. Therefore, I used my initials RN followed by the word Estate.
What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about the wine business before you started your own winery? Nothing! I love challenges in life and prepare for them.
We're curious…do you even get tired of drinking your own wine? Is it considered bad form to dip into your inventory?
We never get tired of tasting our own wine, however, it is important to also taste other wines to keep our palate in tune. Dipping into our inventory is purely a form of quality control!
Do you still have a day job?
All of my time is devoted to my vineyard, winery and the sales and marketing.
For more information about RN Estate Vineyards, please visit their website.
