Villa Creek

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Country of Origin: USA
Location: Willow Creek District, Paso Robles
People: Cris & JoAnn Cherry, Owners | Cris Cherry, Winemaker
Viticulture: Certified Biodynamic

Items

Villa Creek 2020 'Cherry House' White, Paso Robles Login <1 Case
Villa Creek 2022 'Cherry House' White, Paso Robles Login AG 89 In Stock
Villa Creek 2022 'Cherry House' Rose, Paso Robles Login AG 90 In Stock
Villa Creek 2020 'Avenger' Red Rhone Blend, Paso Robles Login JD 94 <1 Case
Villa Creek 2021 'Avenger' Red Rhone Blend, Paso Robles Login WS 91 JD 94 In Stock
Villa Creek 2020 'Cherry House' Red, Paso Robles Login AG 91 In Stock
Villa Creek 2019 'High Road' Red Rhone Blend, James Berry Vineyard, Paso Robles Login JD 94-97 WA 96 In Stock
Villa Creek 2021 'Rocks & Flowers' Red, Paso Robles Login AG 93 JD 92 In Stock

Cris Cherry knows everyone in Paso. Or seems to. Cris and his wife JoAnn moved to Paso Robles in 1996 to open their farm-to-table restaurant called Villa Creek. Inspired by the burgeoning Paso wine scene, the Cherry’s decided to try their hands at winemaking. In 2001, they produced their first vintage under the same name, Villa Creek Cellars. Over the years Cris has honed his craft: earlier harvests, more stem inclusion, and less oak usage. He and JoAnn are hands on with every aspect—a dedication of time and passion that ultimately led them to close their restaurant in 2017. The result is a flight of wines that present structure and depth, plus lip-smacking deliciousness. These are wines with muscle and class—bodybuilders who can ballroom dance.

In 2003, the Cherrys’ purchased 60 acres in West Paso that bears remarkable resemblance to some of the great Southern Rhône estates. The estate, known as the MAHA Estate, contains an extreme topography of south and west facing slopes that climb to 1,800 feet. The Cherrys’ home and 3,000-square-foot winery are on this same property. In the spring of 2012, they planted their first grapevines—four acres of biodynamically farmed Garnacha planted on the calcareous and siliceous shale hillsides surrounding the tasting room. MAHA has expanded to a total of 13 acres of vines; grape varieties include Carignan, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Roussanne, Clairette and Garnacha. The vines are gobelet trained to create natural canopies for shade since Paso can get very hot. Every other row is tilled to keep biodiversity. Sheep help mow and fertilize. Though they did put in irrigation, dry farming is the intent. In 2015, MAHA earned Demeter biodynamic and CCOF organic certification.

They continue to purchase grapes from the region’s most esteemed vineyards: Denner, James Berry, and Luna Matta. All are organically and sustainably farmed. West Paso accounts for 90% of the grapes purchased. Per acre leases ensure that the grapes are harvested from the same special blocks each vintage. These contracts also allow Villa Creek to influence certain farming practices such as how many clusters will hang on each vine and when to pick.

Media Links
The Vintner Project: MAHA Wines: Bridging the Biodynamic Gap in Paso Robles

Reviews

  • Villa Creek 2019 'High Road' Red Rhone Blend, James Berry Vineyard, Paso Robles
    Jeb Dunnuck
    Rating: 94-97 (9/30/2021)

    Looking at the barrel sample, the 2019 High Road James Berry Vineyard sports a dense purple color to go with terrific aromatics of dark fruits, ground pepper, game, and liquid violets. Full-bodied, rich, and concentrated, it has freshness, purity, and loads of class. I continue to love the wines from JoAnn and Cris Cherry, and these latest 2019s are brilliant across the board. These are pure Paso Robles goodness and deliver incredible charm and pleasure while always staying balanced and elegant.
  • Villa Creek 2020 'Avenger' Red Rhone Blend, Paso Robles
    Jeb Dunnuck
    Rating: 94 (9/26/2022)

    The 2020 Avenger has subtle aromatics but brings plenty of richness and texture. Darker fruits, cassis, ground pepper, and leather define the aromatics, and it has a great mid-palate, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's a terrific Syrah from a more challenging vintage. Count me impressed. The blend is 40% Syrah, 35% Carignan, 21% Petite Sirah, and the rest Grenache, from the MHAH Estate and Luna Matta vineyards, that spent 18 months in mostly neutral barrels.
  • Villa Creek 2020 'Cherry House' Red, Paso Robles
    Vinous
    Rating: 91 (11/15/2021)

    High-pitched red fruit, floral and spice qualities on the incisive nose. Juicy and energetic on the palate, offering zesty raspberry, boysenberry and candied lavender flavors sharpened by a spicy suggestion of white pepper. Finishes long and tight, with smooth tannins and lingering spiciness.
  • Villa Creek 2019 'High Road' Red Rhone Blend, James Berry Vineyard, Paso Robles
    The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 96 (12/30/2022)

    The 2019 High Road James Berry Vineyard, a Rhône blend dominated by Mourvèdre this vintage, has a medium ruby-purple color and lush blueberry, raspberry and rhubarb on the nose with touches of cracked pepper, eucalyptus and tangerine. The palate is finely texture and fresh, its fragrant fruits polished and supple. Offer it another 2-3 years in bottle to unwind.
  • Villa Creek 2021 'Rocks & Flowers' Red, Paso Robles
    Vinous
    Rating: 93 (3/1/2023)

    The 2021 Rocks & Flowers wafts up with a Grenache-driven bouquet with wild strawberries, sweet florals and spice. Round and juicy in character, this impresses with a reverberation of zesty acidity that adds wild energy as ripe raspberry fruits cascade throughout. It finishes crisp and fresh, only gently tannic, while calling the taster back to the glass.

  • Villa Creek 2022 'Cherry House' White, Paso Robles
    Vinous
    Rating: 89 (5/18/2023)

    The 2022 White from Cherry House blends young peaches and honey florals with a refreshing zest of lime. It's crisp and fresh on the palate with tart orchard fruits and brisk acidity. This finishes with a mineral tinge and dried nectarine notes.

  • Villa Creek 2021 'Avenger' Red Rhone Blend, Paso Robles
    The Wine Spectator
    Rating: 91 (10/15/2023)

    Boldly structured and rather muscular, this blend is full of personality, offering blackberry, grilled anise, cured meat and lots of freshly cracked pepper. Reveals big tannins on the finish. Best from 2025 through 2032.
  • Villa Creek 2021 'Avenger' Red Rhone Blend, Paso Robles
    Jeb Dunnuck
    Rating: 94 (8/30/2023)

    Blueberries, darker cherries, pepper, and leafy herbs all emerge from the 2021 Avenger, a medium to full-bodied blend based on 42% Syrah, 23% Mourvèdre, 21% Grenache, 9% Petite Sirah, and the rest Carignan. This beauty has terrific purity, ripe yet building tannins, outstanding balance, and a great finish.
  • Villa Creek 2021 'Rocks & Flowers' Red, Paso Robles
    Jeb Dunnuck
    Rating: 92 (8/30/2023)

    I also loved the 2021 Rocks & Flowers, a juicy, more fruit-forward effort that bas both red and black fruits, some peppery, meaty, graphite notes, medium to full body, and a great finish.
  • Villa Creek 2022 'Cherry House' Rose, Paso Robles
    Vinous
    Rating: 90 (3/10/2023)

    The 2022 Rose Cherry House wafts up with an inviting fruit-driven blend of melon and white cherries complicated by fresh roses. This is round and soothing with ripe orchard fruits and a tinge of exotic spice. It leaves the mouth watering and finishes with medium length. A wild strawberry note resonates.