CV Wines takes its name from the Continental Vineyard, a 2500-acre property located 13 miles east of the city of Paso Robles. The vineyard was planted before the establishment of the Paso Robles AVA in the belief that the region was capable of making high-quality wines. In 1973 a group of Hollywood actors that included Wayne Rodgers, James Cann, Jack Webb, and Peter Falk joined with managing partner Herman Schwartz to establish Continental Vintners.
The original planting of 500 acres, at a time when the total plantings in the region was only about 2000 acres, was expanded to 700 acres in the late 1990s. Herman Schwartz’s belief in Paso Robles as a quality wine growing region was so strong that he was one of the original petitioners in 1982, along with Gary Eberle, to form the Paso Robles AVA. Schwartz also helped establish the Paso Robles Vintners & Growers Association and Wine Festival. I think it is fair to say that Herman Schwartz’s confidence in Paso Robles as a quality wine region has proven true.
Schwartz farmed Continental Vineyard sustainably and today Continental Wine Collection continues that practice. Sustainability efforts extend to water conservation, soil health and energy efficiency — the winery and Broken Earth Visitor Center are entirely solar powered. Continental Vineyards LLC is certified sustainable by California Certified Sustainable. Continental Wine Collection includes the brands Broken Earth Wines, CV Wines and Pull Wines.
CV Wines are entirely estate grown and according to the Broken Earth Winery website, CV Wines are “highly allocated and made only in exceptional vintage years.” We received these wines as tasting samples.
2019 CV Wines Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, California — dark ruby with aromas of cedar, earthy bramble, dark berry fruit and ripe plums. Flavors include berries, cedar and earth in a medium body. Tannins are fine, drying and gauzy. The finish is hot. 14.7% ABV. SRP $80 (2018 vintage on the website)
2019 CV Wines Cabernet Franc, Paso Robles, California — dark ruby with aromas of dark berries, violets and earth. Flavors include blackberries, earth and dried herbs in a medium body. Tanning are grippy and drying. The finish is hot. 15.2% ABV. SRP $80
2020 CV Wines Studium, Paso Robles, California — dark ruby with aromas of red raspberries, red cherries and caramel. Flavors include red fruit, Luxardo cherries and earth in a medium body. Tannins are grippy and drying. The finish is hot. 15.4% ABV. SRP $80
Winemaker Chris Cameron strives to present “the true ‘personality’ of each wine, accurately reflecting both its terroir and varietal distinction.” Aging, using new oak, is about 23 months for the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The Studium is a proprietary blend that is aged in neutral French oak barrels for 12 months, followed by second-year French oak.
These are big, bold, warming wines with plenty of acidity. The flavors are very appealing, but I wonder if they couldn’t be just as delicious at a lower alcohol level. That said, for those who prefer a bigger, higher-alcohol style of wine these wines will be very appealing and most welcome as the weather cools. I’m ready for cooler weather, how about you?
CV Wines are available for purchase on the Broken Earth Winery website. Broken Earth Winery tasting room details are also on the website.
Thanks to Parker Sanpei for organizing our tasting.
Cheers!
