23 Sep Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Vinyl Vineyards 2023 “Jota” Iberian Blend, Geneseo Sub District, Paso Robles AVA

Good wine, good food, good company, and good music – that is all you need for a memorable evening. When my brother put some meat in the smoker and invited me over for dinner, I picked the wine. Add some music playing in the background and the Vinyl Vineyards 2023 Jota Iberian Blend was the perfect choice. A wine inspired by the connection between wine and music, it hit all the right notes and is the Please The Palate Wine of the Week.

About Vinyl Vineyards

Vinyl Vineyards is the vision of husband-and-wife team Jeff and Dina Hevert. After years spent living and working in cities including Miami, New York, and Los Angeles, they were drawn to Paso Robles and the opportunity to create something that offered an escape from the fast pace of everyday life. They took on a neglected vineyard and began transforming it into a place centered around wine, music, nature, and connection. Today, their 120-acre property sits within the Paso Robles AVA, where they farm using regenerative practices and produce small-batch wines from Paso Robles fruit.

Music is more than a theme at Vinyl Vineyards. It is an integral part of the experience. At the winery’s Sip & Spin tastings, guests select vinyl records to play while tasting the wines. There are no prescribed wine-and-song pairings; instead, the experience changes depending on the records chosen and the people in the room. It is a fitting expression of the winery’s philosophy to slow down, unplug, and enjoy the moment.

Tasting Notes

The 2023 Jota is an Iberian-inspired blend of equal parts Tempranillo and Mazuelo, the Spanish name for Carignan. The fruit comes from the Geneseo District of the Paso Robles AVA. Tempranillo brings dark fruit and structure, while Mazuelo contributes acidity, spice, and freshness. The wine was matured for 24 months in neutral French and American oak, allowing the character of the fruit to take center stage rather than being dominated by new oak. The Vinyl Vineyards 2023 Jota is earthy and savory, with dark berry fruit and subtle spice. The wine has firm, structured tannins, but there is also a freshness that keeps everything balanced.

Food Pairing

We enjoyed the Jota with smoked ribeye and New York strip steaks, grilled asparagus, a tomato and burrata salad, and bread. The wine had the structure and tannins to stand up to the richness and smokiness of the beef, while its acidity provided freshness alongside the meal.

Where To Purchase

The Vinyl Vineyards 2023 Jota Iberian Blend retailed for $44 and is available by calling or visiting the winery. And keep the music playing by checking out Vinyl Vineyards’ other small-production wines on the winery website.

Meet The Winemaker

Meet Jeff and Dina Hevert and get to know them in 30 questions on the Wine Soundtrack USA podcast.