There are countless ways to describe your land and the way it manifests itself in the wine it produces. Recently the challenge has been to attempt to describe this intricate interaction entirely with one word such as terroir, terreno, akerboden, or as we simply call it here at Calcareous, PLACE.
The most important aspect of a winery is its place. As much as winemakers like to extol on their abilities to craft beautiful wines with the magic of an alchemist, it is the vineyard that truly makes the difference. The varietals, farming techniques, and cellar activities are universals in the world of wine, simply variations on a theme. The one thing that makes for the creation of uniqueness amongst wineries is the exact place the vines reside. The singular mix of soil, water, sun, and air in each vineyard creates wines as individual snowflakes formed in the chaos of storm clouds. That’s why we here at Calcareous celebrate above all other factors, our place.
Father and daughter Lloyd Messer and Dana Brown realized their dream of finding a place to express their passion for wine in 2000, when they established Calcareous Vineyard on one of the highest limestone plateaus on Paso Robles’ westside. Both Lloyd and Dana, experienced wine distributors in their native Iowa, recognized the westside of Paso Robles had potential to produce world class wines. Their acquisition of 442 acres atop solid calcareous rock reaching 1,800 feet above sea level confirmed their dedication to producing the highest quality, terroir driven wines possible. It is a labor of love to cultivate fruit on this challenging land, but the reward is immediately apparent when tasting the wines.
Calcareous produces a collection of world–class blends and varietal wines that exhibit Paso Robles’ claim to being “distinct, different.”
While Lloyd passed on in 2006, Dana advances their vision.
We offer a variety of options for visiting our vineyard and enjoying our award-winning wines. Availability is limited, so book a reservation for your Calcareous experience today!
