Specializing in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and other artisan wines from exceptional vineyards on California's Central Coast
News & Events
News
Ortman Family Vineyards Opens New Tasting Room
Paso Robles Press – Julia Bluff
With more than 40 years and two generations of experience in winemaking, the Ortman Family is bringing a unique outlook on crafting quality, artisan wines directly to wine lovers in Paso Robles with the opening of its new tasting room, located in the heart of the city’s historic downtown district.
2005 Ortman Chardonnay Scores 91 Points!
"91 POINTS...Fresh aromas and flavors...Overtones of wood smoke and spice...Beautifully done."
-Robert Whitley, Copley News Service, 01.10.2008
Laurie Daniel loves Ortman Pinot Noir!
2005 Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir
"A ripe, full-bodied pinot that nevertheless maintains it elegance and balance... Lovely spice, firm structure and a long, lingering finish"
Laurie Daniel, McClatchy Newspapers, 01.13.2008
Wine Enthusiast Report
2006 Edna Valley Chardonnay
"Showing the laser-pure fruit that Edna Valley is known for... Brilliant acidity leads to an impressively long, spicy finish."
Cal Poly Releases its First Vintage
Local state university bottles it first vintage of Cal Poly wines!
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/business/story/176532.html
Tasters' Choice Selections
-Wine News
88 Points - 2005 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
"Dusty cherry aromas with a wiff of clove. Crisp, delicate black cherry flavors.
Earthy, pungent close with fine, peppery tannins."
90 Points - 2005 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
"Forward aromas of charred oak, coffee and dusty gravel. Jucy cherry and cranberry flavors with drying mineral notes. Balanced finish with crisp acids and cherry fruit."
2004 Syrah Receives 89 Points from The Wine Enthusiast
-The Wine Enthusiast
2004 Ortman Vineyards Paso Robles Syrah
"89 points... Dry, soft and lush, it shows opulent blackberry, cherry, plum coffee and chocolate flavors with a spicy finish."
-Wine Enthusiast, September 2007
Scores in from the Pinot Report, Ortman takes 90+
-Pinot Report
91 Points for 2004 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Smart Buy! "Big and Rich..."
90 Points for 2004 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
Smart Buy! "Friut-forward pinot... good structure and balance; long finish..."
Patterson's The Tasting Panel Magazine
– Anthony Dias Blue
The Blue Reviews
2004 Paso Robles Syrah
“90 Points…Juicy flavors surround a core of firm acidity.”
2006 Paso Robles Syrah Rosé
“89 Points…Rich cassis and berry fruit; long and tangy with
spice and good balance.”
-Anthony Dias Blue, The Tasting Panel, June 2007
Appelation America & Laurie Daniel Recommends 2006 Syrah Rose
-Laurie Daniel
2006 Paso Robles Syrah Rosé
"A delicious and refreshing wine for a hot day and, at $16, it’s attractively priced."
Reviewed June 18, 2007 by Laurie Daniel.
Please click Here to read this article
Hospice du Rhone 2007
Annual Syrah Shootout
Ortman 2004 Paso Robles Syrah takes 4th Place!
Annual Hospice du Rhone Syrah Shootout, the blind taste test of 45 different Syrahs.
Laurie Daniel Recommedation
McClatchy Newspapers – Laurie Daniel
May 2, 2007
Ortman Family Vineyards 2004 Paso Robles Syrah
“Recommended…Black raspberry fruit, a taut core of acid and medium tannins.”
-Laurie Daniel, McClatchy Newspapers- May 2, 2007
Ortman Family Vineyards 2006 Paso Robles Syrah Rosé
"Delicious…Bright flavors of cherry, rhubarb and cranberry with a soft, round finish.”
-Laurie Daniel, McClatchy Newspapers- May 2, 2007
Dallas Cowboys Name Ortman Chardonnay to Starting Lineup
September 4, 2006
Ortman Family Vineyards’ Chardonnay has been named to the starting lineup of the Dallas Cowboys for a second straight season.
The Cowboys, widely known as “America’s Team,” selected the winery’s 2004 Chardonnay from Edna Valley to join a small group of wines that will be offered to luxury suite patrons at Texas Stadium during the 2006 National Football League season, which kicks off in September. The winery’s 2003 Chardonnay from Edna Valley was served at Texas Stadium during the 2005 season.
“We are excited that our Chardonnay has been upgraded from rookie to veteran,” said Winemaker Matt Ortman. “We consider it a great honor to belong to this elite team of wines.”
Wine is a Family Affair
SAN LUIS OBISPO TRIBUNE – Janis Switzer
June 9, 2006
Three years ago, Chuck Ortman was overseeing production of nearly a million cases of wine a year at the Meridian Winery in Paso Robles. As founder and head winemaker since its beginning in 1984, Ortman has been one of the most prominent and influential pioneers in the Paso Robles wine industry.
Today, at 67 years old, Ortman has a new venture, Ortman Family Vineyards in Edna Valley. With total production of less than 4,000 cases, his output is dramatically smaller, but judging from his wide, engaging smile, his sense of gratification is enormous.
Rachael Ray Praises Ortman Syrah Rosé
Every Day with Rachael Ray (April-May 2006) – David Tamarkin
April 14, 2006
Celebrity chef Rachael Ray gives high marks to the 2005 Syrah Rosé from Ortman Family Vineyards in the latest issue of her magazine Every Day with Rachael Ray. In an article entitled “Everything’s Coming Up Rosé,” the wine is described as “gorgeous” and “the richest of the bunch.” Click here to read the full article.
Ortman Stars in Wine Documentary
March 1, 2006
Winemaker Matt Ortman and Winemaster Chuck Ortman are featured in From Ground to Glass, a new wine documentary that recently premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. The film includes interviews more than two dozen winemakers from across California, including Paul Draper of Ridge, Warren Winiarski of Stag’s Leap and Joel Peterson of Ravenswood.
“We were honored to be included, and to be a part of such a unique film about wine,” said Matt Ortman. Visit www.fromgroundtoglass.com for more information.
Pinot Report Gives High Marks to Ortman Family Vineyards
December 19, 2005
The Pinot Report, a publication dedicated to news and appreciation of the Pinot Noir grape, gives high marks to the 2003 vintage Pinot Noirs from Ortman Family Vineyards in its latest issue, stating: “Veteran winemaker Chuck Ortman continues to impress with his balance-driven style of Pinot from Santa Rita Hills, and now also from the Willamette Valley in Oregon.”
Ortman Chardonnay Drafted by “America’s Team”
August 9, 2005
The Dallas Cowboys, widely known as “America’s Team,” have selected the Chardonnay Edna Valley by San Luis Obispo’s Ortman Family Vineyards to join their starting lineup of wines for the 2005 National Football League season. The Chardonnay belongs to a select group of wines that will be offered to luxury suite patrons at Texas Stadium.
"The Dallas Cowboys are a first-class organization, so it means a lot to us to have our wine selected by them,” said Winemaker Matt Ortman.
Ortman Earns Rare Double “Best of Show” Honors in New Orleans
May 16, 2005
Ortman Family Vineyards doubled up on “Best of Show” honors at a recent judging conducted by the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience, with the winery’s 2002 Pinot Noir and 2002 Chardonnay both earning gold medals and top honors in their varietal categories.
“It is a rare distinction for one winery to get best of show in two categories,” said Mark Hightower, a member of the board of directors for the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience.
Ortman Inaugurates Tasting Experience
April 23, 2005
Ortman Family Vineyards today unveiled its new tasting experience in partnership with the Saucelito Canyon Vineyard tasting room in Edna Valley. The tasting room will now pour current releases from both wineries.
“We are excited to share our wines with visitors to the Edna Valley,” said Winemaker Matt Ortman. “This is a great opportunity for our small family winery to enhance our visibility in San Luis Obispo County.”
The Saucelito Canyon Vineyard tasting room is located at 3080 Biddle Ranch Road in San Luis Obispo’s Edna Valley wine country. Visit www.slowine.com for more local wine tasting information.