There are dozens of varietals grown in the Rhone Valley in France. 13 of these are approved in Chateauneuf du Pape, with another 8 approved in the Cotes du Rhone appellation. We chose to import the 9 chief varietals of the Southern Rhone for our Paso Robles estate vineyard: Mourvedre, Syrah, Grenache, and Counoise for the reds, and Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, and Picpoul for the whites.

All these grape varietals (and more) are available from the Tablas Creek Nursery.

Mourvèdre provides structure, backbone, and aging potential. It tastes of ripe plum and strawberry fruit, with animal flavors of red meat and mushrooms when young, and leather and truffles as it ages. Dark purple-black color.

Historically, Mourvèdre was the most widely planted grape in the Southern Rhone before Phylloxera decimated vineyards in the late 1800s. Replanting was slow, as rootstocks for Mourvedre were developed only after World War II. Jacques Perrin of Chateau de Beaucastel led regeneration efforts. [more about Mourvèdre]

Syrah provides firm tannin and aromatics, as well as blackberry and currant fruit. It tastes of smoke, tar, and black pepper. Intense dark blood red color.

Syrah is best known from the the Northern Rhone appellations of Hermitage and Côte-Rotie, where it produces wines of phenomenal elegance and longevity. It is tremendously flexible, and can be made in styles from elegant and restrained through to wines bursting with fruit, in locations as diverse as France, California, South Africa, and Australia (where it is known as Shiraz). [more about Syrah]

Grenache provides fruit, tannin, and acidity. It tastes of currant, cherry, and raisin, with aromatic spice of black pepper, menthol, and licorice. Brilliant ruby red color.

Grenache (also known as Grenache Noir) is the most widely planted grape in the Rhône Valley. It is vigorous, and at high production makes wines that are simple, friendly and approachable. When production is restricted, Grenache can assume tremendous depth and longevity, yet can still open up tigher, more tannic varietals such as Syrah and Mourvedre. [more about Grenache]

Counoise tastes of blueberry and strawberry fruit with spice notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. It has soft tannins and is a ripe purple-red color.

One of the lesser-known Chateauneuf du Pape varietals, Counoise's appealing spice and soft tannins act as a compliment for the more tannic higher-alcohol varietals such as Syrah. Counoise was first brought into the United States by Tablas Creek, and recognized by the BATF in 2000. [more about Counoise]

Roussanne provides golden color, excellent aging potential, and tastes of honey and honeysuckle fruit. It has rose and nutty aromatics, with a rich glycerin mouthfeel and moderate acidity.

Roussanne is often confused with Viognier, and many California vineyards planted Viognier in the 1990s thinking it was Roussanne. We have a page that discusses the differences between these two noble grapes. [more about Roussanne]

Viognier is highly aromatic, with a nose of peach, apricot, and violets. It has a mineral mouth with more peach fruit and moderate acidity. Pale pink-gold color.

Viognier is grown in the Northern Rhone valley, and reaches its peak in the appellations of Condrieu and Chateau Grillet. In California, it produces richer, more tropical wines, often low on acidity. It is sometimes confused with Roussanne. [more about Viognier]

Grenache Blanc has firm acidity, green apple and citrus flavors, and white flower aromatics.

Grenache Blanc is the 4th most widely planted white grape in France, and its crisp acids complement many of the lower-acid white Rhone varietals. Tablas Creek was the first winery to import Grenache Blanc into the United States, and it was recognized by the BATF in 2003. [more about Grenache Blanc]

Marsanne tastes of melon and minerals, and has a golden straw color.

Marsanne is a flexible and adaptible grape found throughout the Rhone valley. It reaches its peak in the appellation of Hermitage in the Northern Rhone, where it is often blended with Roussanne. Its tendency to pick up mineral character from the soils makes it an important piece of many wines which wish to express the terroir of their site. [more about Marsanne]

Picpoul, literally translating to "lip stinger", produces wines known in France for their bright acidity, minerality, and clean lemony flavor.

Picpoul Blanc, the most recent Rhone arrival at Tablas Creek, has thrived in California. In France, it produces wines very high in acid, but in California it adds to this brightness a tropical lushness reminiscent of Piña Colada that is delicious on its own but also an excellent blending component. [more about Picpoul]

In addition to our Rhone varietals, we are one of the only California wineries to grow Tannat and Vermentino.

More information about these and other Rhone varietals can be found online. Two particularly good resources are the Rhone Rangers and the Hospice du Rhone.