Tablas Creek
Summary
Tablas Creek Vineyard is a 120-acre Paso Robles estate founded in 1989 by the Perrin family of Château de Beaucastel and importer Robert Haas, producing 25,000 cases annually of Rhône-style wines from limestone-rich soils at 1,400-1,800 feet elevation. The estate practices biodynamic and organic viticulture, employs traditional winemaking methods with native yeasts and French foudres, and has transformed American wine through their nursery program that introduced authentic Rhône genetics to over 600 wineries nationwide.
Heritage & Leadership
Tablas Creek Vineyard was established in 1989 as a partnership between the Perrin family of Château de Beaucastel in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and American wine importer Robert Haas of Vineyard Brands. The collaboration began after years of friendship and business dealings between Haas and the Perrins, dating back to the 1960s. Their shared vision was to bring Rhône Valley grape varieties to California's Central Coast, specifically to the limestone-rich soils of Paso Robles.
The founding partners selected a 120-acre property in what is now the Adelaida District AVA of Paso Robles after an extensive search for terroir similar to that of Château de Beaucastel. The first vines were imported directly from the Perrin family's estate in France in 1990, undergoing a three-year USDA quarantine process before planting began in 1994.
Today, Tablas Creek is led by Jason Haas, son of founder Robert Haas, who serves as General Manager and is a partner in the winery. The Perrin family remains actively involved in the partnership, with the current generation represented by Marc Perrin. The winemaking team is headed by Neil Collins, who has been with Tablas Creek since 1998.
Vineyards & Wines
Tablas Creek's estate vineyard encompasses 120 acres in the Adelaida District of Paso Robles, with approximately 70 acres under vine. The vineyard sits at elevations ranging from 1,400 to 1,800 feet above sea level on a site characterized by its limestone-rich soils, a rarity in California but similar to those found in the Rhône Valley.
The vineyard is planted primarily to Rhône varieties, including Mourvèdre, Grenache, Syrah, and Counoise for reds, and Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, and Picpoul Blanc for whites. These vines originate from cuttings imported directly from Château de Beaucastel, ensuring genetic authenticity. The oldest blocks, planted in 1994, now have over 25 years of age.
Tablas Creek's flagship wines include Esprit de Tablas (formerly Esprit de Beaucastel), a Mourvèdre-based blend, and Esprit de Tablas Blanc, led by Roussanne. The portfolio also features varietal bottlings and several limited-production wines from their estate vineyard. Production totals approximately 25,000 cases annually, with wines distributed nationally and internationally.
The vineyard's Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, combined with the calcareous clay soils, creates conditions that naturally limit yields to between two and three tons per acre. This concentration is further enhanced by the practice of dry farming, which forces vines to develop deep root systems.
Philosophy & Practice
Tablas Creek's viticultural and winemaking philosophy centers on authenticity and minimal intervention. The estate has been certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) since 2003 and received Demeter Biodynamic certification in 2017. These certifications formalize practices that have been central to their approach since inception.
The vineyard team employs dry farming techniques, using no irrigation after vines are established, which both conserves water and produces grapes with more concentrated flavors. Cover crops are planted between rows to prevent erosion, fix nitrogen, and increase biodiversity. A flock of sheep, alpacas, and donkeys grazes the vineyard during winter months, providing natural weed control and fertilization.
In the cellar, winemaking follows traditional methods. Fermentation occurs with native yeasts in neutral French oak foudres and stainless steel tanks. Red wines undergo extended maceration to extract color and tannin, while whites are whole-cluster pressed and barrel fermented. Aging takes place primarily in large French oak foudres rather than small barrels, minimizing oak influence while allowing controlled oxygen exposure.
Tablas Creek maintains an on-site nursery program that has been instrumental in introducing Rhône varieties to California. Since 1992, they have imported and propagated cuttings of 18 different Rhône varieties, many previously unavailable in the United States. This nursery material has been shared with over 600 wineries across California and beyond, significantly expanding the planting of Rhône varieties throughout American wine regions.