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Appellation:
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Fair Play Viticultural Area
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Location:
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7080 Fairplay Rd
Somerset, California 95684
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Phone:
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(530)620-2097
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Winemaker:
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Sam Patterson
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Tasting Room:
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Small
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Days/Hours:
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Thur thru Sun, 11:00 to 5:00
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Parking:
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Medium
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Picnic Facilities:
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Picnic Table Available
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Red Wines:
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Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Port Style
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White Wines:
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Sauvignon Blanc
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Production:
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1400 cases
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Map
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The Winery
Located on 80 acres the estate is on a portion of a pioneer era ranch that dates back to the 1880’s. The tasting room is located in the remodeled farmhouse, and features great use of the original wood. The tasting bar has the upscale feel of an old west bar, but with modern amenities. The original farm outbuildings have been preserved as they have stood for decades. The inviting picnic area, situated under massive spreading oaks, is surrounded by the wonderfully pastoral grounds. This is truly a wonderful piece of Americana in the Foothills.
The Vineyards
The estate has seven acres of Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo, Petite Sirah and Grenache vines, with Zinfandel and Syrah planned for the future. The vineyards are planted in the fine grained, well drained decomposed granite that is common in the Fair Play region. The hilltop exposure positions the grapes to receive the cooling breezes in summer, preventing them from maturing too soon. This allows them to stay on the vines long enough to develop the necessary complexity and concentration required to make great wine.
The Wines
If one thing characterizes the wines of Shadow Ranch, it would be a long, lingering finish. The Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and bright, with great citrus fruit. The Cabernet Sauvignon has black fruit, licorice and coffee, with a light toastiness in the finish. The Syrah has a great meatiness to it, and is wonderfully characteristic of the varietal. The winery also produces a port style wine that is made from four of the standard Portuguese grape varietals.
The Winemaker
The winemaker at Shadow Ranch is Sam Patterson. Sam has a Viticulture and Enology degree from the University of California at Davis, as well as a degree in business. He has worked as a viticulturist and vineyard manager in the Napa Valley, Carneros, Amador and El Dorado, wine regions before coming to the Fair Play AVA to produce his own grapes and create his own wines.