2021 Avenales Ranch Old Vine Chenin Blanc Shell Creek Vineyards Paso Robles 750 ml

Long before K-J and Rombauer turned Chardonnay into a craze and inspired an avalanche of new plantings, Chenin was one of the most important grapes in the Golden State. Now-legendary wineries like Mayacamas, Mondavi, Stags’ Leap, and Chappellet all produced bottles that were snapped up by adoring fans—Chappellet’s current vintages sell for close to $100.

A few winemakers and vineyard owners have kept the faith. They know that Chenin in California is a goldilocks grape—lighter than Chardonnay, but richer than Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio—full of beautiful orchard fruit balanced by delicate citrus zest and floral tones. 

Chenin is even better when it comes from old vines, and they don’t get much older in California than Avenales Ranch’s gnarled, 1972-planted rows, now over 50 years old, which are organically and sustainably farmed.

The Sinton Family planted one of the first vineyards in Paso Robles, and named their property Shell Creek Vineyards, for the stream that ran through the property delivering fossilized shells from farther up the ranch. It was early in California’s modern wine era—before Napa’s heyday and decades before the Paso Robles boom—but even then, the family knew they were onto something. 

The Sintons kept seeing their winery partner winning gold medals every year with their fruit—Benziger won the World Wine Competition in Paris with their 1989 Petite Sirah grapes, for example—and by 2007, this sixth-generation ranching family had seen enough. They established their own winery, and the talented Antony Yount—who crafts the acclaimed Denner Vineyards’ bottles—vinifies this exceptional Chenin.

This is a staggering white-wine value you’ll find opening on all sorts of occasions. Enjoy!