Description:

Écluse is the French word for the locks on the canals that gently carve their way through the remarkable French wine countryside and since our last name is Lock, the name Écluse for our wines was born!

As home of a San Francisco Chronicle’s Sweepstakes winning Best Red Wine, we at Écluse Wines are dedicated to producing limited production, handcrafted, award-winning wines from our very own Lock Vineyard. Our family owned boutique winery is a true reflection of this special place we call home. Nestled in the gently rolling hillside terroir on the desired Westside of the Paso Robles AVA, we feature Bordeaux and Rhone style wines, as well as our fabulous Zinfandel. Our wines are often described as silky, lush, smooth and approachable when first released, becoming even more complex and elegant as they age.

From the beginning our philosophy is that great fruit makes great wine. Having our own small winery onsite gives us the added benefit of picking and crushing small lots throughout the vineyard when the fruit has reached its peak flavors. Having control from the vineyard to the bottle insures that Écluse wines remain the truly remarkable wine that it is today!

Located only five minutes west of downtown Paso Robles, we invite you to discover the expression of our estate-grown wines while you savor the Ecluse difference.

Varietals:

Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Grenache, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfandel. Improv: Improvisational Red Blend, Rendition: Red Rhone Style Blend, Ensemble: Bordeaux Style Blend, Prelude: White Rhone Style Blend, Blind Dog: A wonderful Paso Robles Red Blend inspired by our very own blind dog, Toby. Finis: Zinfandel Port Style Wine.

Accolades:

Please visit the Accolades page on our website for a full list of award winners.

Wine Enthusiast 2023

95 pts - 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

94 pts - 2020 Insider

92 pts - 2020 Syrah

92 pts - 2020 Malbec, Winemaker Series

91 pts - 2020 Ensemble

91 pts - 2020 Zinfandel

90 pts - 2020 Rendition

2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

We’re thrilled to share that once again all wines entered received medals!

Best of Class – 2020 Insider

Double Gold – 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Double Gold – 2020 Ensemble

Double Gold – 2020 Zinfandel

Gold Medal – 2020 Intonation, Winemaker Series

Gold Medal – 2020 Malbec, Winemaker Series

Gold Medal – 2020 Syrah

Silver Medal – 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon

Silver Medal – 2020 El Tempo, Winemaker Series

Silver Medal – 2020 Improv

Silver Medal – 2020 Merlot, Winemaker Series

Silver Medal – 2020 Petite Sirah

Silver Medal – 2020 Rendition

2022 San Francisco International Wine Competition

Gold Medal - 2020 Insider

Silver Medal - 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon

Silver Medal - 2020 Merlot, Winemaker Series

Silver Medal - 2020 El Tempo, Winemaker Series

Silver Medal - 2020 Intonation, Winemaker Series

Robert Parker – The Wine Advocate, December 30, 2022

Reviewed by Erin Brooks, Issue 264 End of December 2022 - All wines submitted received 92+ points!

94 pts - 2019 Ensemble

93 pts - 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon

93 pts - 2019 Rendition

92 pts - 2019 Syrah

Wine Enthusiast 2022

All 7 wines submitted received 90+ points!

93 pts – 2019 El Tempo, Winemaker Series

93 pts – 2019 Ensemble

92 pts – 2019 Insider

92 pts – 2019 Rendition

91 pts – 2019 Improv

91 pts – 2019 Intonation, Winemaker Series

90 pts – 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon

San Francisco Chronicle – 2022 Wine Competition

We’re thrilled to share that once again all wines entered received medals!

Best of Class – 2019 Insider

Double Gold – 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon

Double Gold – 2019 Intonation, Winemaker Series

Double Gold – 2019 Malbec, Winemaker Series

Double Gold – Blind Dog Midnight Run Cuvée

Gold Medal – 2019 Improv

Gold Medal – 2019 Syrah

Silver Medal – 2019 Ensemble

Silver Medal – 2019 Merlot, Winemaker Series

Silver Medal – 2019 El Tempo, Winemaker Series

Silver Medal – 2019 Zinfandel

2022 San Francisco International Wine Competition

Gold Medal - 2020 Insider

Silver Medal - 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon

Silver Medal - 2020 Merlot, Winemaker Series

Silver Medal - 2020 El Tempo, Winemaker Series

Silver Medal - 2020 Intonation, Winemaker Series

Wine Enthusiast 2021

2021 Wine Enthusiast scores are we are excited to share the scores!

94 Points - 2018 Syrah

93 Points - 2018 Improv

93 - Points - 2018 Rendition

91 Points - 2017 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

91 Points - 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

91 Points - 2018 Ensemble

90 Points - 2018 Insider

90 Points - 2018 Intonation

90 Points - 2018 Tannat

2020 San Francisco International Wine Competition

We're excited to share these medals with you!

Gold - 2018 Cabernet Saugvinon

Gold - 2018 Ensemble

Silver - 2018 Insider

Silver - 2018 Intonation

2020 Central Coast Wine Competition

We're thrilled that for our 2nd year to ever enter into The Central Coast Wine Compeition, all wines entered received medals!

Double Gold, Best of Class - 2018 Zinfandel

Silver - 18 Improv

Silver - 2017 Insider

Silver - 2018 Prelude

San Francisco Chronicle - 2020 Wine Competition

We're ecstatic to share the results with you!

Best of Class - 2017 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon
Best of Class - 2017 Écluse Petite Sirah
Gold - 2017 Écluse Rendition
Gold - Blind Dog
Silver - 2017 Écluse Ensemble
Silver - 2017 Écluse Insider
Silver - 2017 Écluse Improv
Silver - 2017 Écluse Prelude
Silver - 2017 Écluse Zinfandel

Wine Enthusiast 2020

All wines submitted received scores in the 90's!

93 Points - 2017 Écluse Syrah
93 Points - 2017 Écluse Rendition
92 Points - 2017 Écluse Improve
91 Points - 2017 Écluse Zinfandel
91 Points - 2017 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon
91 Points - 2017 Écluse Insider
91 Points - 2017 Écluse Ensemble
90 Points, Editor's Choice - 2017 Écluse Merlot
90 Points - 2017 Écluse Petite Sirah
90 Points - 2017 Écluse Prelude

Vinous 2019

We're excited to share these results with you!

91 Points - 2017 Écluse Insider
91 Points - 2016 Écluse Rendition
91 Points - 2016 Écluse Improv
90 Points - 2016 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon

2019 San Francisco International Wine Competition

All wines entered received medals! 

Double Gold, 96 Points - 2017 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon
Silver - 2017 Écluse Ensemble
Silver - 2017 Écluse Insider

2019 Central Coast Wine Competition

This is the first year we entered our wine into the Central Coast Wine Compeition!

Double Gold, Best of Class - 2016 Écluse Improv
Silver - 2016 Écluse Ensemble

Wine Enthusiast 2019

93 Pts - 2016 Insider
92 Pts - 2016 Prelude
92 Pts - 2016 Ensemble
92 Pts - 2016 Syrah
91 Pts - 2016 Rendition
91 Pts - 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
90 Pts - 2016 Zinfandel

San Francisco Chronicle - 2019 Wine Competition

We're excited to share these results with you!

Double Gold - 2016 Écluse Ensemble
Double Gold - 2016 Écluse Syrah
Double Gold  - 2016 Écluse Insider
Gold Medal - 2016 Écluse Improv
Silver Medal - 2016 Écluse Rendition
Silver Medal - 2016 Écluse Zinfandel
Silver Medal - 2016 Écluse Petite Sirah
Silver Medal - 2015 Écluse Chardonnay

2018 San Francisco International Wine Competition

All wines entered received medals! We are thrilled to announce that we received a Gold Medal for the fourth year in a row for our Bordeaux style blend, Ensemble!

Gold Medal - 2016 Écluse Ensemble
Silver Medal - 2016 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon
Silver Medal - 2014 Écluse Zinfandel

Jeb Dunnuck's Central Coast Wine Review

90 Points - 2015 Rendition

Vinous Review of Paso Robles

2018 Vinous scores are in and all wines entered received scores in the 90's!

2015 Écluse Ensemble – 91 points
2015 Écluse Insider – 91 points
2015 Écluse Improv – 90 points
2015 Écluse Rendition – 90 points
2015 Écluse Zinfandel – 90 points

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Reviewer William Kelley - all wines submitted received scores in the 90's!

93 Points - 2015 Insider
93 Points - 2015 Ensemble
93 Points - 2015 Rendition
93 Points - 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Lock Vineyard
92 Points - 2015 Improv

Wine Enthusiast 2018

93 Points - 2013 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Lock Vineyard
92 Points - 2015 Écluse Insider
92 Points - 2015 Écluse Ensemble

San Francisco Chronicle - 2018 Wine Competition

We're ecstatic to share the results with you!

Double Gold - 2015 Écluse Ensemble
Gold Medal - 2015 Écluse Improv
Gold Medal - 2015 Écluse Rendition
Gold Medal - 2015 Écluse Insider
Silver Medal - 2015 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon
Silver Medal - 2015 Écluse Petite Sirah
Silver Medal - Blind Dog Midnight Run Cuvee

2017 San Francisco International Wine Competition

We are thrilled to announce that we received a Gold Medal for the third year in a row for our Bordeaux style blend, Ensemble!

Gold Medal - 2014 Écluse Ensemble

Wine Enthusiast 2017

Seven of our Reds Received Scores in the 90's!

92 Points - 2014 Syrah, Lock Vineyard
92 Points - 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Lock Vineyard
92 Points - 2014 Zinfandel
91 Points - 2014 Improv
90 Points - 2014 Ensemble
90 Points - 2014 Petite Sirah, New Release!
90 Points - 2014 Rendition

San Francisco Chronicle - 2017 Wine Competition

We're ecstatic that once again all wines entered received medals!

Double Gold - 2014 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Lock Vineyard
Double Gold - 2014 Écluse Zinfandel
Double Gold - 2014 Écluse Petite Sirah
Gold Medal - 2014 Écluse Improv
Gold Medal - 2014 Écluse Ensemble
Gold Medal - 2014 Écluse Rendition
Gold Medal - 2014 Écluse Insider
Silver Medal - 2014 Écluse Syrah

2016 San Francisco International Wine Competition

This is only the second year we entered our wine into the San Francisco International Wine Compeition and we are thrilled to announce that the only wine entered, our 2013 Ensemble, received a Double Gold!

Double Gold - 2013 Écluse Ensemble

Wine Enthusiast 2016

Five Wines Received 90+ Points!

94 Points - 2013 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Lock Vineyard
93 Points - 2013 Écluse Improv
92 Points - 2013 Écluse Ensemble
92 Points - 2013 Écluse Rendition
90 Points, Cellar Selection - 2013 Écluse Petite Sirah

2016 Toast of the Coast Wine Competition

This was the first year that we entered the Toast of the Coast Wine Competition and we're ecstatic that we were awarded two Gold Medals, along with the Best Red Rhone Blend Award!

Affairs of the Vine - 10th Annual Cab Shootout

Both wines entered received medals!

Gold Medal & Winner of the Blind Tasting! - 2013 Écluse Ensemble
Gold Medal - 2013 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Lock Vineyard

San Francisco Chronicle - 2016 Wine Competition

We're thrilled that once again all wines entered received medals!

Best of Class - 2013 Écluse Ensemble
Double Gold - 2013 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Lock Vineyard
Double Gold - 2013 Écluse Zinfandel
Double Gold - 2013 Écluse Rendition
Gold Medal - 2013 Écluse Improv
Gold Medal - 2013 Écluse Grenache
Silver Medal - 2013 Écluse Petite Sirah
Silver Medal - 2014 Écluse Prelude

Paso Robles and Neighbors: New Releases - Vinous Scores, 2015

2015 Vinous scores are in and all wines entered received scores in the 90's!

2012 Écluse Ensemble – 91 points
2012 Écluse Improv – 91 points
2012 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Lock Vineyard – 90 points
2012 Écluse Zinfandel – 90 points

2015 San Francisco International Wine Competition

This is the first year we entered our wine into the San Francisco International Wine Compeition and we are thrilled to announce that we received a Gold!

Gold Medal, 92 Points - 2012 Écluse Ensemble

Affairs of the Vine - 9th Annual Cab Shootout

All wines entered medaled!!!

Double Gold - 2012 Écluse Ensemble
Gold Medal - 2012 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Lock Vineyard

San Francisco Chronicle - 2015 Wine Competition

All Wines Entered Received Medals!

Gold Medal - 2012 Écluse Zinfandel
Gold Medal - 2012 Écluse Petite Sirah Sereno Vista Vineyard
Silver Medal - 2012 Écluse Syrah Lock Vineyard
Silver Medal - 2012 Écluse "Rendition" Lock Vineyard
Silver Medal - 2011 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Lock Vineyard
Silver Medal - Finis Port Style Wine Lock Vineyard

Affairs of the Vine - 3rd Annual Rhone Shootout

Double Gold - 2012 Écluse "Improv"
Gold Medal - 2012 Écluse Rendition Lock Vineyard
Gold Medal - 2012 Écluse Petite Sirah Sereno Vista Vineyard

2014 Sunset International Wine Competition

GOLD Medal - BEST OF CLASS - 2010 Écluse Syrah Lock Vineyard

San Francisco Chronicle - 2014 Wine Competition

Gold Medal - 2011 Ensemble

Affairs of the Vine - 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Shootout

Double Gold Medal - 2011 Écluse "Ensemble" Lock Vineyard
Gold Medal - 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon RESERVE Lock Vineyard
Silver Medal - 2011 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Lock Vineyard

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - November 2013

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

90 Points - 2011 Écluse Ensemble
89 Points - 2011 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Lock Vineyard
88 Points - 2011 Écluse Imrpov

Affairs of the Vine - The 2nd Annual Rhone Shootout - June 2013

All Wines Entered Received Medals in the 2nd Annual Rhone Shootout!

Double Gold - 2010 Écluse "Improv" Lock Vineyard
Double Gold - 2010 Écluse Grenache Lock Vineyard
Silver Medal  - 2009 Écluse "Rendition"

Wine Enthusiast - March 2013

All Wines Entered Received 90+ Points!

92 Points - 2009 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Lock Vineyard
91 Points - 2010 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Lock Vineyard
90 Points - 2010 Écluse "Ensemble" Lock Vineyard
90 Points - 2010 Écluse Syrah Lock Vineyard

San Francisco Chronicle - 2013 Wine Competition

All Wines Entered Received Medals!

Double Gold - 2010 Écluse Syrah Lock Vineyard
Gold Medal - 2010 Écluse "Ensemble" Lock Vineyard
Gold Medal - 2009 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Lock Vineyard
Gold Medal - Blind Dog Midnight Run Cuvée
Silver Medal - 2010 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Lock Vineyard
Silver Medal - 2010 Écluse Zinfandel Lock Vineyard
Silver Medal - 2010 Écluse "Rendition"
Silver Medal - 2010 Écluse "Improv" Lock Vineyard
Silver Medal - 2010 Écluse "Prelude"

Affairs of the Vine - 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Shootout

Gold Medal - 2010 Écluse "Ensemble" Lock Vineyard
Gold Medal - 2010 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Lock Vineyard
Gold Medal - 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon RESERVE Lock Vineyard

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - November 2012

Tanzer Report:

90 Points - 2010 Écluse Syrah Lock Vineyard
90 Points - 2010 Écluse “Ensemble”
 Lock Vineyard
90 Points - 2010 Écluse “Improv” Lock Vineyard

Affairs of the Vine - The 1st Annual Rhone Shootout - June 2012

Écluse medaled for all wines entered at the first Rhone Shootout!

Gold Medal - 2010 Écluse “Prelude”
Gold Medal - 2010 Écluse Viognier
Gold Medal - 2010 Écluse Syrah Lock Vineyard
Gold Medal - 2009 Écluse "Improv" Lock Vineyard
Silver Medal - 2009 Écluse Petite Sirah Sereno Vista Vineyard
Sliver Medal - 2007 Écluse "Rendition"

San Francisco Chronicle - 2012 Wine Competition

All Wines Entered Received Medals!

Gold Medal - 2009 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Lock Vineyard
Gold Medal - 2009 Écluse “Rendition”
Silver Medal - 2009 Écluse Syrah Lock Vineyard
Silver Medal - Blind Dog Midnight Run Cuvée

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - November 2011

Tanzer Report: 

91 Points - 2007 Écluse Syrah Lock Vineyard
90 Points - 2009 Écluse Zinfandel Lock Vineyard
90 Points - 2007 Écluse “Ensemble”
90 Points - 2009 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Lock Vineyard
90 Points - 2009 Écluse Grenache
90 Points - 2009 Écluse Petite Sirah Sereno Vista Vineyard
89 Points - 2009 Écluse “Improv” Red Wine Lock Vineyard

Robert Parker Ratings - Wine Advocate #196 August 2011

Reviewer Antonio Galloni

90 Points - 2009 Écluse “Improv” Lock Vineyard
90 Points - 2009 Écluse Grenache

San Francisco Chronicle - 2011 Wine Competition

All Red Wines Entered Medaled!

Best Red Wine Sweepstakes Award
- 2008 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Lock Vineyard
Silver Medal - 2008 Écluse “Improv” Lock Vineyard
Silver Medal - 2007 Écluse “Rendition”
Silver Medal - 2007 Écluse Syrah Lock Vineyard
Silver Medal - Blind Dog Midnight Run Cuvée

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - Nov/Dec 2010

Tanzer Report:

90 Points - 2008 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Lock Vineyard
90 Points - 2007 Écluse “Rendition”
89 Points - 2008 Écluse “Improv” Lock Vineyard
89 Points - 2006 Écluse “Ensemble”
89 Points - 2009 Écluse "Prelude"

San Francisco Chronicle - 2010 Wine Competition

Once Again All Écluse Wines Entered Won Medals!!

Gold Medal - 2005 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Lock Vineyard
Gold Medal - 2006 Écluse “Ensemble”
Silver Medal - 2007 Écluse “Improv” Lock Vineyard
Silver Medal - 2007 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Lock Vineyard
Silver Medal - 2008 Écluse “Prelude”
Silver Medal - Blind Dog Midnight Run Cuvée

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - Issue 147 - Nov/Dec 2009

Focus on the Central Coast         
Josh Raynolds
90 Points - 2006 Écluse “Rendition”
89 Points - 2007 Écluse “Improv” Lock Vineyard

Affairs of the Vine - The Cabernet Sauvignon Shootout - Sept. 2009

Écluse scored big!

95 Points/"Love at First Sip" - 2006 Écluse “Ensemble”
94 Points/"Love at First Sip" - 2005 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Lock Vineyard
92 Points/"Love at First Sip" - 2006 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Lock Vineyard

Robert Parker Ratings - August 2009

91 Points - 2007 Écluse “Rendition”
89 Points
- 2007 Écluse “Improv” Lock Vineyard

San Francisco Chronicle - 2009 Wine Competition

Once Again, Écluse Scored Medals For All Wines Entered!!  

Gold Medal - 2006 Écluse Syrah Lock Vineyard
Silver Medal - 2006 Écluse “Rendition”
Silver Medal - 2006 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Lock Vineyard
Silver Medal - 2006 Écluse “Ensemble”

Affairs of the Vine California - Aussie Shootout - December 2008

All four of the Écluse wines entered were among the top 55 finalists!!

94 Points/"Love at First Sip - 2006 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Lock Vineyard 
93 Points/"Love at First Sip" - 2006 Écluse “Ensemble”
92 Points/"Love at First Sip" - 2006 Écluse “Rendition”
90 Points/"Love at First Sip" - 2006 Écluse Syrah Lock Vineyard

Robert Parker Ratings - #177 August 2008

90 Points - 2005 Écluse “Rendition”
90 Points - 2006 Écluse “Rendition”

San Francisco Chronicle - 2008 Wine Competition

Écluse Scored Medals For All Wines Entered!!  

Best of Class Gold Medal - 2005 Écluse “Rendition”
Best of Class Gold Medal - 2005 Écluse “Ensemble”
Gold Medal - 2005 Écluse Syrah Lock Vineyard
Silver Medal - 2005 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Lock Vineyard

Affairs of the Vine - 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Shootout

Écluse was among the top 55 finalists!!

93 Points/“Love at first sip” - 2005 Écluse “Ensemble”
90 Points/“Love at first sip” - 2005 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Lock Vineyard 

Robert Parker Ratings - #166 August 2006

90 Points - 2004 Écluse Syrah Lock Vineyard
87 Points 
- 2003 Écluse Syrah Lock Vineyard

2006 California Mid-State Central Coast Wine Challenge

Silver Medal - 2003 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon

Robert Parker Ratings - #154 August 2004

90 Points - 2002 Écluse Syrah Lock Vineyard
87 Points
 - 2001 Écluse Syrah Lock Vineyard

2004 California Mid-State Fair Golden Spur Syrah Challenge

Gold Medal - 2002 Écluse Syrah Lock Vineyard

2003 California Mid-State Fair Spur Syrah Challenge

Gold Medal - 2001 Écluse Syrah Lock Vineyard

2002 California Mid-State Fair Amateur Wine Competition

Gold Medal - 2001 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Lock Vineyard
(Only nine Gold Medals given in ALL classes of wines!)
Silver Medal - 2001 Écluse Syrah Lock Vineyard
Silver Medal - 2000 Écluse Cabernet Sauvignon Lock Vineyard

2001 California Mid-State Fair Amateur Wine Competition

Silver Medal - 2000 Écluse Zinfandel Lock Vineyard