Earlier this month, I wrote about my recent trip to Paso Robles—a place that had metamorphosed since my last visit. When I had the chance to talk to Ben Mayo, the winemaker from Continental Vineyards, one of the early pioneers in the region started by Old Hollywood actors, I jumped at the chance.
The Original Founder of Continental Vineyards
In 1973, Herman Schwartz, the managing partner of Continental Vineyard collaborated with renowned Hollywood actors Wayne Rodgers, James Cann, Jack Webb, and Peter Falk to acquire a 2,500-acre property in Paso Robles. Their goal was to cultivate world-class wine grapes, and Schwartz played a pivotal role in this endeavor. His growing approach was unusual at the time. He used sustainable farming techniques. He is also credited with putting Paso on the map – he co-established the Paso Robles Vintners & Growers Association and was one of the original petitioners to form the Paso Robles AVA (along with Gary Eberle in 1982) and established the region as a high-quality grape-growing region.
Ben Mayo’s Background
Ben Mayo is a long-time winemaker from Paso Robles with a rich background in the wine industry. Previously he worked as lead winemaker for Eberle Winery. His career spans various facets of the winemaking process, from vineyard management to blending and aging, giving him a comprehensive perspective on what it takes to produce outstanding wines.
More about the Continental Wine Collection
The Continental Wine Collection features CV Wines, Broken Earth Wines, and Pull Wines.
CV Wines is named after the legendary 51-year-old Continental Vineyard located in Paso Robles. Continental Vineyard was also a grape grower (often for Napa Wineries), but a limited quantity went into the proprietary CV Wines, which were once exclusively available at the tasting room. The vineyard was replanted five years ago,
Rancho Tierra Rejada, Spanish for “land of worked earth,” is the original name of the 2,500-acre Paso Robles ranch that now houses the vineyards that produce Broken Earth Wines. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, grain and cattle were the primary commodities.
The Broken Earth portfolio includes a Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve Cabernet Franc, and Reserve Studium Red, a red Bordeaux blend, made from different lots. Ben told me about the importance of clones and how they adapt by their location. Like pinot clones, they bring different flavors and characteristics. He mentioned having different clones on separate sides of the vineyard.
Pull Wines is a product of the Rabobank Wine Estate. The brand was established to create high-quality, accessible wines that reflect the unique characteristics of Paso Robles’ diverse terroir and is aptly named resulting from the process it takes to draw out the best qualities of the vineyard.
Overall, Continental Wines Collection has established many new varieties that have never been planted in the US and produces 34 of the 72 varieties grown in Paso.
Sustainability
Continental Wine Collection supports sustainable practices from its vineyards to its production facility. The 713-acre vineyard is Certified California Sustainable, and Ben sits on the board of SIP.
They take a long-term approach to keeping balance in the vineyards and respecting the environment. “We deal with nature and keep the vines happy,” Ben said. They minimize tractor passes and tillage, don’t use harsh pesticides, plant nutrient-rich cover crops like clover to revitalize soils, and conserve water. Continental Wine Collection recently purchased 44 acres in Templeton Gap, and this is a transition year to get the property ready and start the sustainable processes.
Ben told me about how the effort of putting boxes up for raptors — eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls — has resulted in a growing number of birds that serve as natural rodent control.
At the winery, they have solar energy, a commitment to reduce bottle size, and a mindset to minimize the water used.
The Winemaking
Ben talked about his winemaking philosophy “to pick grapes across healthy vines with minimal intervention.” He’s done it for 26 harvests, and I was surprised to learn that only four employees including Ben are responsible for all the brands.
As we wrapped, Ben talked about how Paso has a special community of winemakers who share techniques, information and look out for each other. I noticed that six years ago when I visited, and I love to see it continue to flourish.
The Wines
- 2019 CV Reserve Cabernet Franc – I love Cabernet Franc and this one did not disappoint. This wine had black cherry, blackberry, violets, cassis and spice.
- 2019 CV Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – notes of blackberry pie, licorice, dark chocolate, vanilla, red fruit and herbs.
- 2020 CV Studium – The name means “the house of learning” in Latin and is the only proprietary blend for CV Wines. I tasted cherry, currant, violets, herbs and pepper.
Continental Vineyards is a cornerstone of Paso Robles’ rich winemaking history and a model of sustainability in the industry. From its Hollywood beginnings with Herman Schwartz to the innovative winemaking practices of Ben Mayo, the vineyard has consistently pushed the boundaries of quality and environmental stewardship.
