It’s no secret Italians have a love for the vine in their blood – Ron Donati is no different. In 1998 when he purchased the Paicines property his vision was for his son, Matt Donati, to grow high quality, unique grapes from the 9th oldest AVA in California. Soon, after rave reviews of the fruit, Ron Donati (ever the business man) got to thinking… good grapes make great wine. Thus is born Donati Family Vineyard. In 2003 we produced Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Meritage, and Claret, Chardonnay, and Pinot Blanc. We held these in bottle until 2005 when we started hand selling the product to great restaurants, and boutique wine shops. Again, our ears were burning with positive reviews and re-orders from our customers. We had so many requests from the public to get their hands on this wine - we couldn’t turn them down. Though Paicines offers a lovely home for our grapes, with a population of 204 - it’s not the best place for a Tasting Room, so we chose Templeton, CA (right outside of Paso Robles) for our new home.

Winemaker’s Notes

Aromas of strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, and milk chocolate. The palate has velvet tannins and notes of chocolate smoothie, hazelnut, blackberry and mocha. It has balanced acidity. There is a medium-plus finish. The finish is smooth with undertones of aged bourbon oak.

Blend: 

90% Cabernet Sauvignon

6% Petit Verdot 

4% Merlot