What to Buy
'08 Albarino All apricot and white peach, with floral nose. Pairs well with spicy food, sushi $27
'07 Tomori 68% Syrah, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot $38
'06 Sage 50% Malbec, 33% Petit Verdot, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon $40
'07 Big Easy 37% Grenache, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Tempranillo $38
Getting There
From Hwy 101, exit onto Hwy 46 E. Take 46 E five miles and turn left on Airport Rd. Turn right on Estrella Rd., then left on Pleasant Rd. |
Sitting atop a hill overlooking verdant Pleasant Valley, Silver Horse Winery offers visitors an unforgettable tasting experience. The Kroener family moved here in 1996 and began operating the business from a converted barn on the vineyard's property. In 2002, the family decided to embark upon an extensive renovation, resulting in an impressive tasting room that quickly became a "must-see" on the serious wine tourer's list.
The two-year-old tasting room is situated on a hilltop overlooking hundreds of acres of vineyards. Upon arrival, visitors are commonly heard complimenting the breathtaking views of some of the Central Coast's most beautiful vistas. The hacienda-style facility, covered with a hundred-year-old ceramic-tiled roof, features an inviting woodburning fireplace. Outside patios are strategically placed so tasters can literally drink in the view.
Winemaker Stephen Kroener has worked for the family winery since he started as a cellar rat in 1996. Stephen will be the first to admit that he has learned a majority of his vineyard and winery skills from some of the best in Paso Robles along with his father and grandfather. Stephen describes his handcrafted premium wines as 100 percent food friendly.
|
| "As a family, we're always looking to combine our love of food with our love of wine," Stephen explains. "As a winemaker, I want to create wines—whether they're varietal-driven or blends—that have nice, bright notes, and a well-balanced structure that's sturdy without being overpowering."
Each bottle of Silver Horse wine carries the inscription: "Not for us alone!" reflecting the Kroener family's convivial spirit. Recent releases demonstrate this further, in a Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon blend named_ Tomori after Stephen's little ones: Tommy, Morgan, and Tori.
The current case production for Silver Horse Winery is 1,500. Ninety percent of the wines are sold through the tasting room and wine club, usually within six to eight months of their release date. Tasting room visitors who realize this usually join the "S'orse Club" and have Silver Horse wines delivered to their door. Stephen has also recently developed a new winery, Way-Out Wine Company, with partner Justin Perino. The new winery's labels include NadaWines and The Velvet Rope, both fun, consumer friendly brands with great price points.
Visitors can spend an afternoon at the Silver Horse tasting facility, sipping wine, picnicking, playing bocce ball and horseshoes. They can even celebrate a major occasion on the grounds. The event facility's flexible layout holds up to 400 guests and totals 7,000 square feet. Event planners have several options indoors and out, including: the Barrel Room, with a dance floor, band, and food station; the Garden area,with an outdoor kitchen, tasting bar, and raised seating areas ideal for ceremonies; and an indoor/outdoor event facility surrounded by vineyards. It's not surprising that several winery events are also hosted here, including the Winery Music Awards, Bacchanalia for Old World harvest grape stomping, and Elegant Evenings with dancing and wine tasting.
Beyond a friendly family feeling, beautiful vistas, and great wines, the tasting facility includes a crush pad, production area, barrel storage, and a case goods warehouse—all reminders that the best of Silver Horse is yet to come.
|
){kind=link}