13th & Third Wines
Get the Dirt from owner Gregg Rothberg
“Our story begins on the corner of 13th Street and Third Avenue in New York City where my wife Julie and I first met. Our tag line “New York Roots. California Vines.” Lets people know where we’re from, and where the wine is from.”
What was your first vintage year?
2015
How many cases do you make per vintage?
350 - 400
Do you have a Tasting Room?
No tasting room, we do tastings by appointment only. We do appointment only tastings in Paso Robles and Healdsburg.
If not you, who is your winemaker?
Don Burns
What wine made you want to become a winemaker/start your own winery
2003 JL Chave Hermitage Blanc
What varietals do you work with? Which varietal/wine is your favorite to make? Why?
We work with Rhône varietals exclusively. We love working with these varietals because there are so many and each with its own unique flavor profiles. This allows us to really play with each of our blends.
What vineyards do you source from?
G2, Adelaida and Hawks Hill. We source all of our fruit from select blocks in each of these vineyards. All of the vineyards we source from have some of the highest elevations and steepest slopes in the region.
What type of oak treatment do you use?
We use Light/Medium toast barrels with thick staves. The percent of new French oak varies a bit from wine to wine, and vintage to vintage. This gives the wines more structure and mouth feel.
What do you love about your winemaking region? What makes it different special?
We source all of our fruit from vineyard sites located on the west side of Paso Robles that represent some of the highest elevations and steepest slopes in the region. Combined with the sites’ proximity to the coast we benefit from that ideal combination of warm summer days, and cool ocean breeze filled nights that give us that perfect ripeness without sacrificing acidity.
What’s the story behind your winery name / label?
Our story begins on the corner of 13th Street and Third Avenue in New York City where my wife Julie and I first met. Our tag line “New York Roots. California Vines.” Lets people know where we’re from, and where the wine is from. All of the artwork for our labels was created by New York area street artists. Art is in my DNA. My father was a true artisan, creating works through many different mediums, including paintings, sculptures, stained glass and furniture. I followed in his footsteps and attending the High School of Music & Art in New York City where I studied fine arts. The school was made famous when it was featured in the movie Fame. All of our labels are based on photos of family members that are no longer with us, but help to tell our story of who we are and where we come from, as well as the story of each of the wines.
What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about the wine business before you started your own winery?
Before I got into the wine business I took a great deal of time reaching out to people already in the industry. I met with so many wine makers and owners from Walla Walla Washington to Santa Barbara California. After spending so much time with these amazing people and getting so much incredible advice I look back and feel like they pulled no punches and I have yet to be surprised by anything I’ve faced so far.
Most importantly, what's so great about being small? What can you do as a small winemaker, that wouldn't be possible for larger wineries?
More than anything else, as a small winery we’re able to develop direct personal relationships with the people who love our wines and share our very personal story behind 13th & Third and each of our wines and the family members on each of the bottles.
How do you view the future in the wine industry for small-lot winemakers?
We realize the industry will constantly evolve as people’s tastes and interests evolve. As a small winery we want to continue to realize our vision for our small batch Rhône style wines and connect personally with people who enjoy good wine, good food and good fun!
If you could choose another wine region to work in what would it be?
The Rhône Valley where all of our grape varietals originate from would be a special place to be.
For more information about 13th & Third Wines, please visit their website.