Roxo Port Cellars: A Taste of Old-World Ports on California’s Central Coast
Fueled by a passion for old-world style European Port wines, and a conviction that they could be mastered in the new world, Kim and Jeff Steele founded Roxo Port Cellars in 2005 in Paso Robles, California.
With Jeff as winemaker, the couple set out to produce several fruit-forward, balanced Port wines Método Português. Subscribing to the idea that a great wine starts with superior grapes, Jeff and Kim carefully select handpicked grapes from esteemed vineyards in Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, and Cienega Valley. “We try to get the best fruit we possibly can and then nurture it until it is ready for the bottle,” Jeff explains. He uses only traditional methods with minimal interference.
The strategy has paid off. Since its debut vintage, Roxo Port has produced vintage after vintage of fine, ultra premium Port-style wines. The portfolio includes two single varietals, Négrette and Barbera; three blends, Magia Preta (Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah), Paso Mélange (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot), and Ruby Tradicional (Touriga Nacional, Souzao, Tinta Roriz, and Bastardo—all traditional Portuguese winegrapes). Each wine has been received warmly by wine critics and judges. In fact, in the 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition alone, Roxo Port received four medals: the 2008 Barbera and 2008 Négrette won Gold; and the 2008 Ruby tradicional and 2008 Paso Mélange won Silver.
Roxo Port wines are elegant and structured, so they pair nicely with charcuterie, cheeses, chocolate—and another passion for Jeff—cigars. In fact, each September, Roxo Port is an enthusiastic sponsor of Crush & Roll West, a festival for lovers of premium cigars.
Visitors are invited to the Westside Paso Robles tasting room where they can enjoy Roxo Port Cellars, the wines of Chateau Margene, and walnut products from Limerock `Orchards in one idyllic location.