PASO ROBLES, Calif. (October 1, 2002) - Over the last four weeks we harvested and crushed 600 tons of grapes at our new Paso Robles facility.   The weather has been absolutely perfect, allowing the fruit to remain on the vines two to three weeks longer than last year.

This year's harvest includes Zinfandel, Primitivo, Syrah, Barbera, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Cabernet and Chardonnay, all grown on our Paso Robles vineyards.   And for the first time in three years, we crushed Viognier from vineyards in the Templeton gap area, using Alban winery bud wood.   All the reds are big bodied and rich in color.   These are probably the darkest colored wines we've ever produced.   As the Paso Robles harvest ends, we are moving north to our Sonoma winery where we will make a late harvest wine from the vineyards where Rabbit Ridge was founded in 1981.

Paso Robles Winery Update:
Construction of our new winery is moving quickly.   The tank and fermentation room, completed in time for harvest, are working wonderfully.   The barrel room will be completed soon, at which time we'll bring over 1,500 barrels containing our 2001 vintage, which have been stored at another facility.   We've received approval to produce 400,000 cases per year at our new facility.   In addition, we received permit approval for an olive oil processing plant (frantoio), which gives us the ability to make olive oil from our 4,000 three-year old Tuscan olive varietals, currently planted on our Live Oak Vineyard property.

Our new Paso Robles winery is scheduled for completion in Spring of 2003.   Please plan to visit us.