I am Russell P. From, winemaker and sole employee of Herman Story Wines.

Herman Story Wines are made, schlepped, peddled, and drunk with friends by me. The basic web design books tell me that you’re probably here for the basics: to find release schedules, ordering information and tasting opportunities for the wines I make, which sounds pretty good to me. The less time I spend writing this stuff the more time I spend in the cellar. So here you go, all the facts with none of the filler. An aesthetic I stand by and believe my wines do too.

I release my wines twice a year, in Spring and Fall. The current set was freed to the wild in mid-September, 2011, and includes the wines detailed below. If you want to get in on the action and try some of my stuff, please join the Wait List for my Wine Club, listed below. You can also visit me at my tasting room in Downtown Paso Robles at 1227 Paso Robles Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446. It’s open Thursday – Monday from 11AM – 4PM and I would love to see your shining face there.

Earnestly yours, Russell P. From

CURRENT WINES

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2009 Larner Vineyard Grenache (SOLD OUT)

137 Cases Made – $42.00 Retail

Vineyard: 100% Larner Vineyard – 100% Grenache

TASTING NOTES:
Working with Larner Vineyard fruit reminds me of splitting wood with my grandfather’s hatchet. Just like that hatchet, the fruit is the finest available. And after years of learning how to wield it, I no longer overpower my swing, having found that stepping things down a bit actually draws more out. I’m always surprised by what can come with patience. The 2009 Larner Grenache is like a long day working in the woods with scents of crushed rose petals, charred redwood, sage and sweet huckleberries. The focused palate carries you seamlessly into the evening with fresh blackberries, Spanish Chorizo, maduro wrapped cigar and chocolate covered orange slices. (DRINK NOW: 1-2 hour decant, CELLAR: 5 years)

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2009 Larner Vineyard Syrah (SOLD OUT)

206 Cases Made – $42.00 Retail

Vineyards:100% Larner Vineyard – 100% Syrah

TASTING NOTES:
You probably wouldn’t guess it, but I’m a pretty sentimental guy. I think that’s one reason I love working with Larner Vineyard fruit as much as I do: my wines from this vineyard seem to always remind me deeply of some meaningful time in my life. (I don’t know what it is about this site, but vintage after vintage, it seems to be true.) For instance, the 2009 Larner Syrah reminds me of my legendary Summer bar-b-ques. The nose is rich with cherry blossom, charred tri-tip, new truck tires, pomegranate and a subtle hint of curry; with an elegant yet expansive palate of ripe purple plum, violet, sweet pipe tobacco and campfire (DRINK NOW: 2 hour decant; CELLAR: 6-8 years)

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2009 Casual Encounters (SOLD OUT)
Red Rhone-style blend

233 cases made – $42.00 Retail

Vineyards / Blend: 40% Syrah, Laetitia, Arroyo Grande Valley
30% Grenache, Santa Barbara Highlands, Santa Barbara County
30% Mourvedre, Luna Matta, Paso Robles

TASTING NOTES:
2008 was my first vintage of Casual Encounters, and I was quite impressed by how dark and brooding it was. As you know, my wines are typically -how shall I say- HUGE, but this wine is a different sort of beast altogether, something looming with fangs and long arms…but from a distance. If the 2008 was a werewolf, then the 2009 is the cabin you’re holed up in waiting for the beast to strike. A nose of raspberry brambles, cedar chest, fresh forest, minced meat pie and dried violet. A lengthy, inky palate of apple from a roast pig’s mouth, leather, fig, white smoke and the sense of summer turning into fall. (DRINK NOW: 1 hour decant; CELLAR: 4-5 years)

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