Besides a great value, I am constantly on the lookout for a great story, or at least an unusual story. In this case, it is how this wine got its name. I originally thought Broadside wine got its name from the many big barns that were found all over Paso Robles; after all, it was known as cowboy country, so you would think it would have something to do with, oh, I don’t know, cows. Which would suggest some barns with broadsides for cowboys to shoot at. But life is just not that simple.

Broadsides, besides being the flat side of a barn, originally was an old style of advertising that had nothing to do with barns. A cheap way to get the word out, long before Tick Tock or Twitter. Broadsides were a form of street literature, usually cheaply made, distributed, or pasted to a wall intended to be quickly read and then disposed of or plastered over by the next one. Popular in the 1500s and used up the 1900s, they were ads for a product, or an announcement for an event, and cheap entertainment such as the last words of public execution or even poetry and lyrics of songs, all usually printed with illustrations. Today, poetry broadsides are among the more thriving remaining specimens and the most collectible in this almost forgotten genre, and their long history is tied to the first printed broadsides. It progressed through a vibrant resurgence of broadside printing that emerged in America in the 1960s and 70s—mostly by smaller, independent printers seeking to commemorate a momentous event artfully. This is a long introduction to how Broadside Wines got its name. Owners Brian and Stephy Terrizzi named their winery after their obsession, their collection of antique Broadside poetry. I know, it sounds a little geeky.

After graduating from college, Brian worked in the financial world in the San Francisco Bay area. While attending a party and enjoying local wines, he was offered a job to work harvest for the late award-winning Zinfandel winemaker Kent Rosenblum. Within days, Brian knew he wanted to be a winemaker, making wine from Italian grape varieties in the Italian style. After a brief time working at Rosenblum, he left for Italy to study the language, wine, cuisine, and his roots. A few years later, at Fresno State, Brian found the perfect partner in viticulture, wine, and marriage. Brian Terrizzi met, fell in love with, and married Stephy when the two went to school for enology at Fresno State University. Brian for winemaking and Stephy for viticulture, the perfect wine couple. After making wine at Rosenblum and working in Italy, Brian and Stephy were looking at their next great project in Paso Robles. In 2005, one of Brian's best friends, Mike Sinor, took on the position as the vineyard manager of Margarita vineyard, not only a beautiful spot for a vineyard but also identified as one of the best areas's to grow Bordeaux grapes in Southern Paso Robles. As a testimony to the vineyard's quality, Robert Mondavi leased and planted the site to Cabernet Sauvignon in the mid-1990s. This was to be his flagship Bordeaux vineyard (outside of his Napa To Kalon Vineyard), but the project was abandoned after Constellation bought Mondavi. When the vineyard changed hands Stephy and Brian were in the right place at the right time and since 2006 have been making Cabernet Sauvignon from the site.

Leaning on his friendship with his old friend, the vineyard manager, Brian was able to handpick the Merlot and Cabernet blocks he wanted to work with for his new Cabernet. Those handpicked vineyards are still under long-term contracts today for Broadside. The Terrizzi's worked for two years on their first vintage of finished wine that had been aged in barrels for 18 months, and this act of love needed to be bottled. When it came to the question of what to call their new creation, all the names they wanted had already been trademarked. Therefore, they named their creation after their other passion, Stephy's Broadside poetry collection. 2006 vintage was the first Broadside Margarita Vineyards Cabernet released in 2008.

Margarita Vineyards is located only fourteen miles away from the Pacific Ocean, and the land benefits from a rare diversity of soil types, including ancient seabed. This maritime influence can be seen most dramatically at the vineyard's acclaimed Oyster Ridge block, where thousands of fossilized oyster shells spill out of the soil. In addition to the rich geological diversity, Margarita Vineyard has one of the coolest microclimates in Paso Robles. The surrounding hills are often covered in coastal fog, and during the day, the hot air from the vineyard valley rises to create a vacuum, drawing the cooling maritime breezes from the peaks through the vines. This all contributes to an extended growing season, allowing the grapes to ripen steadily and develop intense, concentrated flavors. Today, Margarita Vineyard has become Sustainability in Practice (SIP) Certified and one of the most sought-after Cabernet sources on the Central Coast.

For the Broadside Paso Robles Cabernet, the wine source most of its grapes, about 50%, from the Margarita vineyards along with San Juan Creek and Paso Highland grapes. Vineyards are long-term leased, and the same blocks are used for consistency. Paso Robles is a phenomenal region for Cabernet; the long growing season and diversity of soil types work together to promote consistent ripeness in the fruit. Paso also has one of the largest swings between daytime and nighttime temperatures among California wine regions - up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit between mornings & evenings! The result is a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with rich fruit flavors and silky tannins and a firm acid backbone.

The 2020 vintage saw a small but ridiculously good harvest. The Cabernet, Lagrein, and Malbec came off their vines at the end of September, while Merlot and Petit Verdot were harvested in late October and early November. The wines then spent a year and a half in a deep slumber, nestled comfortably in their wooden beds, before the final blend and bottling in March 2022.

The vast majority of this wine hails from Blocks 42 and 40 up in the Truesdale Vineyard, grown alongside grapes used by other world-class wineries. The Merlot and Malbec come from the famed Santa Margarita Ranch on the southern border of Paso Robles. Maturation: The wines spent 18 months in almost 40% new French and American oak as the depth of the base wine was dense enough to handle the added wood. Big blast of cedar, cigar box, and blackberry aromas with hints of olive. Jam-packed flavors of plum, black olive, and dark chocolate. Big, dusty tannins support. The seamless mouthfeel and a delicate core of acidity stretches out the finish.

76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 7% Merlot, 5% Lagrein, 2% Malbec

Rich, enticing aromas of blackberry, cedar and cocoa lead into big, powerful notes of plum, black cherry and allspice. Polished tannins complement a lush texture and a delicate core of acidity. The bold flavors linger on the long, balanced finish. Anthony Dias Blue Tasting Panel 92pts

Broadside Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Broadside Cab is our go-to wine for customers looking for a genuine Cabernet with structure for under $15. When we tasted this 2020 wine, we were not surprised by how balanced the wine was. Good blackberry and dark cherry fruit with some mocha and spice, balanced by moderate tannins. A great Cabernet at an unbelievable price. Start the new year off by restocking your everyday wine shelf after depleting it over the holidays. Let the good times roll.

Regular Price: $13.99

*Price is for a 12 purchase

$42 Mail in Rebate on 12-bottle purchase

Final cost $7.50 a bottle after MIR

Limit one MIR per household

Wine is packed in a 12-bottle case

*Wine pricing for these wine promotions are held for two weeks after the email offer.

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Cheers!

John Hannum,

Fine & Rare Wine Specialist

Monday-Saturday

9AM to 9PM