L'Aventure
Summary
L'Aventure is a family-owned estate in Paso Robles' Willow Creek District, where founder Stephan Asseo cultivates 58 acres of predominantly Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot on limestone-rich hillside vineyards at 1,300-1,900 feet elevation. The winery combines French winemaking traditions with California terroir expression through high-density plantings, hand harvesting, and gravity-flow production methods, producing limited quantities of Rhône-Bordeaux blends.
Heritage & Leadership
L'Aventure was established in 1998 when French winemaker Stephan Asseo relocated from Bordeaux to California's Paso Robles region. After spending two decades producing wine in various French appellations, Asseo sought greater creative freedom outside the strict regulations of the French AOC system. He selected a 127-acre property in what would later become the Willow Creek District AVA of Paso Robles. Today, the winery remains family-owned and operated, with Stephan continuing as head winemaker alongside his daughter Chloé, who joined the team in 2016.
Vineyards & Wines
The L'Aventure estate encompasses 127 acres on the western side of Paso Robles, with 58 acres under vine. The vineyards sit at elevations between 1,300 and 1,900 feet, planted on steep hillsides with calcareous limestone soils. The estate follows high-density planting at 2,100 vines per acre, focusing primarily on Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot. The vineyard layout maximizes sun exposure while benefiting from cooling Pacific influences through the Templeton Gap. Additional varieties include smaller plantings of Grenache and Mourvèdre.
Philosophy & Practice
L'Aventure's winemaking approach combines French tradition with New World innovation. The gravity-flow winery enables gentle handling of the fruit, which is harvested by hand in small lots. Fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled tanks, with each vineyard block vinified separately. The wines age in French oak barrels, with specific programs tailored to each cuvée. The winery's signature style emerges in its Bordeaux-Rhône blends, which reflect both Asseo's French heritage and his adaptation to Paso Robles' distinct growing conditions.