Sterling Kragten of CASS Winery & Vineyard
Tell us about the sustainable and eco-friendly practices at the vineyard: CASS Winery is a certified California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance vineyard and winery in the Geneseo Sub AVA of Paso Robles. With an average of 286 sunny days annually, CASS Winery has harnessed solar power since 2009 for facilitating winemaking needs and the increasing demand from tourism. As one of the first wineries in the area to install a consumer-facing Tesla charger in 2015, CASS increased their EV chargers on property from two to eighteen in 2022.
As a California vineyard, the resource of greatest scarcity is water. CASS Winery’s responsible water usage initiative involves pulling water from their 1,100 feet well. This water is from below the water table and is not potable for human consumption. Treated with sulphuric acid, it is an excellent supply for agriculture. CASS uses a reservoir and drip irrigation to maintain the vineyard and recycles all winery wastewater back to the reservoir and vines.
The need for pesticides is averted by maintaining a balance of crop cover and compost for healthy soil. Native plants cultivate biodiversity of predator/prey populations in insects and mammals. Predator populations are further encouraged by the establishment of owl boxes lining the perimeter of the vineyard.
Tell us about the varietals you make: CASS Winery produces up to 24 labels of 100 percent estate-grown, award-winning Bordeaux and Rhône varietal wines. Known for their elegantly dry but fruit-driven white wines, CASS produces stainless steel aged single varietals of Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne. CASS blends all three varietals in MR BLANC, and barrel ages a blend labeled Rockin’ One Blanc. Cult favorites include Oasis Rosé, as well as a pure varietal Grenache with its light, strawberry profile and their spicier pure varietal Mourvèdre. Also earning accolades are the Rockin’ One Red GSM, Cabernet Sauvignon, Backbone Syrah, Reserve, Dessert Syrah and many more.
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