Where patience meets passion in winemaking, Grosso Kresser Estate Vineyard stands apart with their distinctive aging philosophy in the Adelaida District of Paso Robles.
Founded by Karl Kresser and Juliane Grosso in 2012, this boutique winery crafts award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style blends from fourteen acres of nearly 50-year-old estate vines, with every red wine spending a minimum of three years in barrel and one year in bottle before release.
The Experience:
Experience award-winning estate wines in their newly remodeled tasting room, open Thursday through Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Tastings all enjoy panoramic valley views from twenty-two acres of sloping hillside vineyard overlooking the Adelaida District. Walk-ins are welcome as seating and staffing allows, with large parties accommodated with advance notice.
The intimate tasting room atmosphere provides the perfect setting to discover their signature Cabernet Sauvignon, elegant Bordeaux-style blend “Candére,” and small-production Zinfandel, all crafted from estate-grown fruit on their calcareous hillside paradise.
What Makes It Special:
Grosso Kresser’s unwavering commitment to extended aging sets them apart in Paso Robles wine country. While many wineries release wines after minimal aging, every Grosso Kresser red wine undergoes their signature three-year barrel program followed by one full year in bottle maturation before being offered for sale.
This patient approach creates wines with exceptional depth, roundness, and mouthfeel that can be enjoyed immediately or cellared for twelve to fifteen years. Their fourteen acres of old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon vines, planted nearly five decades ago on calcareous-rich hillsides just twenty miles from the Pacific Ocean, benefit from the dramatic temperature swings between hot days and cool coastal nights that define the Adelaida District.
The winery’s award recognition includes Gold Medals from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and Los Angeles International Wine Competition, with their 2019 label design earning additional honors. Wine club members enjoy exclusive access to “The Inn at Grosso Kresser,” a private retreat on the estate property.
Visitor Tips:
- Thursday-Sunday tasting hours, 11am-5pm (closed Monday-Wednesday)
- Reservations recommended but walk-ins welcome based on availability
- Advance notice required for large party bookings
- Ask about their extended barrel aging program—a true point of differentiation
- Don’t miss their flagship “Candére” Bordeaux-style blend (the name means “to glow” in Latin)
- Wine club members gain access to the exclusive on-site Inn for overnight stays
- Harvest Hosts program available for RV travelers
Perfect For:
Wine enthusiasts who appreciate traditionally crafted, age-worthy wines and the romantic story behind a husband-and-wife winemaking team’s seven-year search for the ideal Paso Robles estate property. Ideal for visitors seeking intimate tastings of limited-production wines with extended barrel and bottle aging not commonly found in the region.
