GENERAL INFORMATION

 

Producer: Chris and Adrienne Ferrara

Country: United States
Region: Paso Robles, California
Founded: 2004
Farming: CCOF Certified
Website: www.clesiwines.com

 

Clesi is an independent family winery based in San Luis Obispo, California.  Founded in 2004, Chris and Adrienne Ferrara began producing Italian-varietal wines sourced exclusively from the diverse microclimates of the Central Coast.  Clesi’s Italian focus came from Chris’s love of Italian wines and a background in viticulture that allowed him to plant and farm old world varieties. During his extensive travels throughout Italy, he noted the similarity in conditions of rainfall, soils, and temperatures that are shared between Italy and the Central Coast of California. It just made sense to him to try his hand at planting the traditional varietals of the old world, visualizing them through a new world lens.

 

While Chris was travelling, he noted the way Italians show pride and devotion to their regional wines. He feels the same way about Paso Robles and its many microclimates. Their Aglianico, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot come from the Templeton Gap. With its warm summer days and cool nights, these later-ripening grapes thrive in this unique area. The Malvasia comes from the cooler Monterey AVA, allowing the grapes to preserve good freshness and producing the high-toned aromatics of the finished wine.

 

The intent at Clesi is to merge the exceptional quality produced on the Central Coast with the complexity and restraint necessary to create an elegant and food-focused wine. In addition, the winery has recently begun producing a limited quantity of amphora-aged (imported Tuscan terracotta) wines crafted with minimal intervention and showcasing Chris’ intention of bringing the fruit from the earth, to the earth, then straight to bottle.