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Kaleidos
PASO ROBLES
Steve Martell's passion for wine began during his college years at University
of California Santa Cruz where he graduated in agro-ecology and biology
with an emphasis on organic viticulture.
Time spent with friends enjoying a bottle of wine inspired Martell to establish
Kaleidos, which pays homage to his mother's store called Kaleidoscope in
Kalamazoo, where Martell grew up. He relates kaleidoscope's light and colors
that unite to create unique images, to the vines that combine the elements of
soil and sunlight to develop distinctive fruit characteristics.
In 2004, Martell acquired the 24-acre property in the rolling hills of Paso
Robles's Willow Creek District on the west side. With his wife Heather and
family, he parked his Airstream trailer on the property, rolled up his sleeves,
and planted about 2,500 vines on a little more than an acre, with more
planting planned in the near future. While waiting for the vines to mature,
Martell sourced fruit from Paso Robles' prized vineyards.
With a minuscule annual production of 500 cases, Kaleidos' focus is on
Rhône varieties, blends of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre, wines that are
bold, complex, and age-worthy. Amongst the whites, the portfolio includes
Grenache Blanc and Albariño.
Martell's consistent attention to detail can be tasted with just one memorable
sip at the con-temporary-designed tasting room in the hip industrial hub of
Tin City.
FACING PAGE: Sun rising over the Kaleidos Estate Vineyard
in the heart of the Willow Creek District, Paso Robles.
ABOVE LEFT: Harvest time for these Syrah grapes which are
carefully hand picked into ½ ton picking bins.
ABOVE RIGHT: Beautiful glass of our flagship GSM blend
Morpheus.
Photographs by Steve Martell
SAN LUIS OBSIPO COUNTY
