Art of the Vineyard

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Legendary Vineyard

Rarest Wonder Soil

This pristine land, which lies prominently in the premium viticultural area of the world, has become a legendary vineyard.

Legendary is an understatement as the land was tectonically formed 26-million years ago by three volcanoes emerging in lava fire from out of an inland sea of the ancient Pacific.

No other vineyard has such a multiplicity of micronutrient-rich soil types.  The soils of Carmody McKnight are mineral and nutrient profuse.  The wines, as demonstrated by the university examinations and studies, are the most mineral rich of all wines. The opulent natural flavors (not chemical added flavors) derive from soils that are complex in micronutrients, resulting in concentrated flavors and character.

This incredible natural endowment begins with the astonishing three volcanoes existing within the property lines, and the grapes actually grow in the magmatic soil which possesses all of the nutrients in the universe.  No other vineyard has even one volcano within its borders.

Then there are the limestone-calcareous soils which are bountiful in the Carmody McKnight vineyards and in California mainly unique to the Westside of Paso Robles.  Limestone soils have been proven over the centuries to be essential for superior wines.

Most impressive is calcium montmorillonite that is predominant in the Carmody McKnight Estate Vineyards.  In France, calcium montmorillonite is called “the wonder soil,” and “the swelling clay.”  Very few vineyards in the world possess this rare and most prolific soil.  Certainly, none in California outside of Carmody McKnight.  The soil contains no fewer than 67 minerals.  It is the most powerful nutrient known and the most significant detoxifier.

If all this were not extraordinary enough an even superior and inexhaustible wonder-soil was discovered.  Over 25,000 USDA soil series reviews were conducted by Cal Poly SLO and not one single match was found anywhere on earth.  This super calcium montmorillonite nourishing the resulting grapes and wine is unequalled in nutrient values and healing as well as cation exchange capacity (CEC indicates how efficiently soil conserves nutrients and water).

Legendary Vineyard

Rarest Wonder Soil

This pristine land, which lies prominently in the premium viticultural area of the world, has become a legendary vineyard.

Legendary is an understatement as the land was tectonically formed 26-million years ago by three volcanoes emerging in lava fire from out of an inland sea of the ancient Pacific.

30 Year Own Root Vines at Carmody McKnight Estate

30 year old Legacy Vineyard

No other vineyard has such a multiplicity of micronutrient-rich soil types.  The soils of Carmody McKnight are mineral and nutrient profuse.  The wines, as demonstrated by the university examinations and studies, are the most mineral rich of all wines. The opulent natural flavors (not chemical added flavors) derive from soils that are complex in micronutrients, resulting in concentrated flavors and character.

This incredible natural endowment begins with the astonishing three volcanoes existing within the property lines, and the grapes actually grow in the magmatic soil which possesses all of the nutrients in the universe.  Then there are the limestone-calcareous soils and calcium montmorillonite, known as “wonder soil,” that is predominant in the Carmody McKnight Estate Vineyards.  Very few vineyards in the world possess this rare and most prolific soil.

Over 25,000 USDA soil series reviews were conducted by Cal Poly SLO and not one single match was found anywhere on earth.

Essential Mediterranean Climate

Situated in the Westside of Paso Robles, Carmody McKnight is one of the closest vineyards to the Pacific, approximately 7 miles. Interestingly, the vineyards are not adversely affected by the proximity with downsides such as excessive fog, moisture and limited sunlight. The north-south slopes display an array of microclimate changes from hilltop to bottom. Photosynthesis is enhanced as the vineyards flourish in high elevations — the most ideal grape growing aspect.

During the growing season, the vineyard experiences a remarkable 50-degree temperature swing from day to night.  The greatest recorded range of diurnal temperature assures optimum net photosynthesis.  On a 24-hour daily average, the vineyard lies in one of the coolest regions in California and offers one of the longest growing seasons in the world.  Record temperature swings, essential for quality grapes, guarantees complex, layered, natural flavors.  Get More Details.

Big Sur Utopia

For Gary and Marian this rarest of agrarian land was spell-binding nonstop from the graceful rolling hills reaching out to the majestic, protecting Santa Lucia Mountains and the Pacific Ocean a few miles away.  This Big Sur dreamscape has been painted by Gary hundreds of times. Mother Nature left no room for wall to wall vineyards that plague once revered vineyard areas.

It was easy for anyone to become mesmerized meeting up with this pastoral valley, especially Michael Jackson on his very first visit with Gary.  He brought Quincy Jones, Olivia Newton John, and Dyan Cannon who were also awe-struck.  The enchantment soon encompassed Barbra Streisand, Steven Spielberg, Donna Summers, and other giants of the music and film industry.  They all envisioned forming a creative community and a private health spa on this Arcadian property. View More Here.

The Most Important Vineyard Research

University Studies at Carmody Mcknight Vineyard

Correlating Soil Nutrients to Flavors

We know well that a wild blueberry picked in the woods of Maine, or a tomato grown in a backyard with nurtured soils, or that ripe plum plucked from your tree in wild soils taste not much like the fruits and vegetables we now buy in our supermarkets.  The gene-splicing in these frankenfoods are a serious problem, but the major issue is that they grow on shockingly mineral-depleted soils. That is why there are few flavors or much nutrient value present in these frankenfoods.

Natural flavors derive from minerals and nutrients.  It is a simple fact and nature’s way.  Disease defense derives from minerals.  All major experts on this subject agree that most of the illness in this country, like diabetes which is now at epidemic proportions, and obesity (a mineral-starved condition), find their root cause in the mineral depleted soils that dominate our corporate farmlands.

Almost all wine made in this country acquires flavor structure from oak barrels or chips and winemaking manipulation with chemical additives that can be carcinogenic.  But with the new intense concerns about artificial flavor and color and natural flavors, what is actually known about soils and minerals and the relationship to flavor in wine and to our health is becoming front and center for the public and those serious about wine.

These were the scientific queries that prompted the most significant long-term research efforts ever undertaken regarding the impact of soil types, macro and micro nutrients, in respect to wine quality and flavor perceptions.  This innovative research found its ideal location with Carmody McKnight Vineyards.  The understanding of this critical soil-flavor-terroir-wine quality relationship has long been pursued, especially in Europe.  In fact, for centuries; but because of newly developing technologies, this was now the moment and Carmody McKnight was now the place.

For the first time the quality perception of wine ~ which has always been illusive and subject to varying personal interpretations, as well as price, was to be scientifically investigated with a constancy of parameters and vineyard and winemaking controls that heretofore were not available.

This seminal study and ensuing publications correlating soil nutrients to flavors would not only confirm but analyze the process of minerals to taste perception ~ the ultimate challenge of terroir, as well as understanding disease defense which cannot be more vital for all of us.  The Project Title: Assessing the Relationship of Wine Quality to Soil Type: A joint project between Cal Poly Earth and Soil Sciences & Food Chemistry, Food Science, Nutrition, & Statistical Departments, John Deere Global Ag. Services, State of California, Earth Information Technologies Inc., Motorola, and Carmody McKnight. The project was directed by Thomas J. Rice, Ph.D., C.P.S.S., Professor of Earth & Soil Sciences, California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), Earth and Soil Sciences Department; Joseph Montecalvo, Ph.D., Professor of Food Chemistry, Food Science and Nutrition Department Cal Poly, and the Department of Statistical Research, Cal Poly.

 

University Studies at Carmody McKnight Vineyard

Correlating Soil Nutrients to Flavors

Natural flavors derive from minerals and nutrients.  It is a simple fact and nature’s way.  Disease defense derives from minerals.  All major experts on this subject agree that most of the illness in this country, like diabetes which is now at epidemic proportions, and obesity (a mineral-starved condition), find their root cause in the mineral depleted soils that dominate our corporate farmlands. Read Full Article