Stephan Asseo This is Me

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1. 1. Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance - Profiles

   www.pasowine.com/wineries/prof - [Cached]

   Published on: 4/27/2008   Last Visited: 4/27/2008

   Coming from Bordeaux, Stephan Asseo "fell in love with Paso" in 1998 and has worked to craft the finest wines the wine field can give. Our unique Westside terroir provides the foundation for his classical viticulture and artisan winemaking skills. The proof of his passion for quality lies in our estate grown "Paso blends." Open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. 2815 Live Oak Road, Paso Robles, CA 93446. 805-227-1588. Email: stephanwines@tcsn.net. www.aventurewine.com
   
   A few short years ago, Stephan Asseo was a winemaker and consultant in France's famed Bordeaux region, and also owned his own winery , Domaine de Courteillac in Entre-Deux-Mers. However, Asseo wanted more. He wanted the ability to be able to experiment, to try new ideas, to grow different varietals. He knew he'd never get that chance in Bordeaux, and so France's loss is California's gain. Specifically, it is Paso Robles' gain, where Asseo purchased 127 acres in 1997 and founded Stephan Vineyards, where "Bordeaux meets the Rhône."
   
   Asseo's California winemaking adventure is appropriately called L'Aventure, and it symbolizes his realization of blending tradition and technology with artisanal methods and a passion for quality. Obviously Asseo brings years of experience and a distinguished tradition of winemaking to L'Aventure, and to that he has added state-of-the-art equipment and techniques. The result is a combination of winegrowing and winemaking that is already receiving attention and acclaim as the "Gran Cru of Paso Robles."
   
   Not surprisingly, the concept of terroir is an important one to Asseo, and it was with this priority in mind that he evaluated potential vineyard property. He chose the westside of Paso Robles near the Templeton Gap, a breach in the coastal mountain range where the cooling ocean breezes temper the hot summer days of northern San Luis Obispo County, and the resultant temperature swing from day to night can be as much as 40 degrees. The soils of this area are also well suited for vineyards, with limestone, clay, and rock-shell creating a lean environment for the grapes.
   
   To further accentuate the unique terroir of westside Paso Robles, Asseo planted his vineyards on primarily west facing slopes. He selected rootstock that he felt would be particularly suited to the soil and climate, and also planted a high density of plants per acre to further stress the vines and maximize the flavors. In addition, yields are kept low through irrigation and pruning techniques, resulting in a maximum harvest of only about two tons to the acre.
   
   For varietals, Asseo didn't stray far from his native France, but he certainly branched out from those grown in his native Bordeaux by adding some varietals typically found in the Rhône region.
   ...
   Asseo also turned to France for his cooperage, sourcing new oak French barrels crafted from forests in the heart of the country. He chose French oak because of its ability to be toasted more softly than other types of wood, a feature that allows more of the characteristics of the grapes to come through, not the barrel's. To someone who has placed such as emphasis on terroir, these characteristics are key. They are also among the reasons Asseo uses small tanks during his winemaking process to keep his vineyard lots separate until they are ready for blending.
   
   Stephan Asseo and his family invite you to come experience their L'Aventure, and see what the right mix of tradition, technology, and terroir can produce. The winery is located just minutes from Paso Robles, on Live Oak Road just off Highway 46 and Arbor, in the heart of the Templeton Gap.

2. 2. www.wineloversmeet.com

   www.wineloversmeet.com/news_vi - [Cached]

   Published on: 2/4/2008   Last Visited: 2/27/2008

   "When Robert along with his partners the Perrin Family chose Paso Robles to create Tablas Creek, it made a statement about the world-class potential of the Paso Robles American Viticulture Area (AVA)," said Stephan Asseo, Board Director of the Wine Country Alliance and owner of L'Aventure Winery.
   ...
   ● Stephan Asseo - L'Aventure Winery

3. 3. PharaohMoans Wines - Paso Robles Syrah - About Us

   www.pharaohmoanswine.com/about - [Cached]

   Published on: 12/21/2007   Last Visited: 12/21/2007

   Asseo has been praised by Robert Parker for "producing creative and adventurous wines that possess singular personalities as well as loads of potential for both near-term drinking and long-term aging."
   ...
   Our winemaker Stephan Asseo began his career as a winemaker and consultant in France's famed Bordeaux region. Stephan was looking for a new challenge where he would have the ability to experiment, try new ideas, and grow different varietals. He fell in love with Paso during a visit to California. In 1997, he purchased 127 acres, and founded L'Aventure Winery
   
   Asseo's winemaking philosophy is about blending tradition and technology with artisan methods and a passion for quality. Obviously Asseo brings years of experience and a distinguished tradition of winemaking to L'Aventure, and to that he has added state-of-the-art equipment and techniques. The result is a combination of winegrowing and winemaking that is already receiving attention and acclaim as the finest producers of Rhone style wine in California.
   
   Because of his emphasis on terroir, Stephan Asseo selected vineyards on the westside of Paso Robles near the Templeton Gap, a breach in the coastal mountain range where the cooling ocean breezes temper the hot summer days of northern San Luis Obispo County, and the resultant temperature swing from day to night can be as much as 40 degrees. The soils of this area are also well suited for vineyards, with limestone, clay, and rock-shell creating a lean environment for the grapes.
   
   He planted his Syrah vineyards on primarily west facing slopes. Stephan selected rootstock that he felt would be particularly suited to the soil and climate, and also planted a high density of plants per acre to further stress the vines and maximize the flavors. In addition, yields are kept low through irrigation and pruning techniques, resulting in a maximum harvest of only about two tons to the acre.
   
   Stephan believes that the characteristics of the grapes should come through rather than that of the barrel. Accordingly, he uses new French oak barrels as they can be toasted more softly than other types of wood. Asseo also uses small tanks during his winemaking process to keep his vineyard lots separate until they are ready for blending.
   
   PhoraohMoans Winery PharaohMoans winemaker - Stephan Asseo