California’s Tablas Creek Vineyard has made a historical achievement by producing a complete set of 14 single-varietal wines using grape varieties permitted in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the renowned French appellation. This accomplishment is a significant milestone in the pursuit of crafting viniculture identity in the U.S.
Inspired by Château de Beaucastel, a noted producer within Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Tablas Creek’s latest entry to its lineup is Muscardin, a rare variety that made its debut following a modest production run of just 25 cases from the 2023 vintage. Muscardin is seldom found outside of its native Rhône region.
Tablas Creek was established in 1989 by the Perrin family from Beaucastel and Robert Haas. The winery is located in Paso Robles and has been at the forefront of Rhône grape cultivation and regenerative farming practices in the U.S.
According to Jason Haas, co-proprietor of Tablas Creek and son of Robert Haas, this landmark achievement fulfills a longstanding vision of showcasing the distinct character of Rhône grape varieties as individual varietals. He expressed pride in the introduction of these grape varieties to California’s landscape, leading to their widespread propagation across vineyards along the West Coast.
A Decades-Long Journey
The winery began its journey by importing and propagating varieties from Beaucastel. Initial plantings in 1994 included the likes of Mourvèdre, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Syrah, Counoise, and Roussanne. Over the years, they expanded their varietal offerings, eventually including Picpoul Blanc in 2000, Terret Noir and Clairette Blanche in 2010, followed by Picardan, Vaccarèse, Cinsault, and Bourboulenc in subsequent years.
With the introduction of Muscardin, the full spectrum of allowable grape varieties from Châteauneuf-du-Pape is represented. Although the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation officially recognizes 13 varieties, Grenache is counted only once.
Muscardin had faced delays due to quarantine regulations since its import in 2003, but has now been released. Haas describes the wine as possessing floral qualities, vibrant pomegranate notes, bright acidity, and a complex herby character reminiscent of the Provençal landscape, followed by a pleasant grip of tannins.
Looking forward, Tablas Creek plans to produce more Muscardin, with an aim to increase production to between 50 to 100 cases rather than the initial limited run. The winery intends to showcase the Muscardin at a forthcoming industry event while holding back some bottles to monitor its evolution over time.
For more details on Tablas Creek and their wine offerings, visit the following links: