Home >Wine Store >Spencer Roloson Tempranillo

Plum, tobacco, dark chocolate, blackberry compote and black pepper.

Sam Spencer and Wendy Roloson are dedicated to producing California wines from the grape varieties typically found in the wines of the Rhône Valley and Spain. Year in and year out, these two create wines from Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Syrah, Tempranillo and Zinfandel. Located in the Clear Lake appellation of Lake County, the Madder Lake Vineyard is positioned directly north of Mount St. Helena, perched at 1,800 feet in the northern reaches of the folded and craggy Mayacamas Range. Littered with truck-sized boulders, stone and cobble of all sizes, this is a seriously steep and rocky vineyard with exceptional drainage and north/northwestern exposures. The proximity of Clear Lake and the orientation of the vineyard ensure warm days and cool evenings, allowing the grapes to slowly develop their flavors. This vineyard is planted with a Ribera del Duero selection of Tempranillo. The fruit is loosely clustered with thick skins that collaborate to create wine with monumental structure and inky black fruit.

With all those rich fruit and dark chocolate nuances in the wine, my recipe for Brined Short Ribs with 5 Onion Cavalo Nero will make for an excellent pairing. This is pure comfort food and best at this time of the year when family and friends are gathering. The braised short ribs are even better when made the day ahead. Serve with a side of my Soft Polenta and I can guarantee all of your guests will be swooning in delight.

Tempranillo may be Spain's "noble grape," but it has truly found a home here in northern California.