Fabulous Eco-Winemakers: Part 2

Connor McMahon of Fulldraw Vineyard

Tell us about the sustainable and eco-friendly practices at the vineyard: At Fulldraw, we are dedicated to the sustainable cultivation of Rhône varietal wines, committed to organic and regenerative farming, our team aims to create a sustainable and healthy environment for each and every vine on the estate. In order for our fruit to translate into wines expressive of the unique characteristics of the property, every practice we implement matters. Pruning practices are broken down by variety, as are canopy management and crop yields to assiduously capture the unique terroir. Each spring, we incorporate sheep into our farming operations, to mow the planted organic cover crop between vines, weed and naturally fertilize the vineyard. This reduces our need for machinery and increases the biodiversity of the soil on the estate. In addition, we are very diligent with our water usage, only watering when necessary. In 2016, we began working with renowned Texas-based architect Brian Korte of Clayton Korte to design a state-of-the-art winery. In 2020, the production facility opened, designed with the property’s geographical and climatic conditions in mind, including an open-air fermentation space utilizing the region’s cool evening temperatures to minimize the reliance on utility-provided energy.

Looking toward the future, we only hope to continue and further our commitment to sustainability, encompassing all aspects of our estate vineyard.

Tell us about the varietals you make: At Fulldraw, we produce 100 percent estate-grown and bottled Rhône varietal wines, with a focus on Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre. We strive to produce wines that are full-bodied, aromatic, complex and beautifully balanced, representing the true expression of our vineyard site located in the Paso Robles Willow Creek District AVA. The Fulldraw FD2 is our most widely available wine, a blend of 60 percent Grenache and 40 percent Syrah. It is nationally distributed in select wholesale markets. In addition to FD2, we also produce single-varietal and Rhône varietal blends, produced in small quantities from the estate. These wines are available at select retailers, direct-to-consumer or by joining the wine club.

What are a few wines that readers should try right now?

2018 Fulldraw Vineyard FD2

2020 Fulldraw Vineyard Bamboo

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