Shell Creek

Shandon, California

Shell Creek Vineyards is a family owned vineyard (The Sinton family) located in the limestone laden hills near Shandon, California about 20 miles southeast of Paso Robles, California. The name of the vineyard comes from a creek that runs through the property in wet years that actually carries small pieces of fossilized shells that are found farther upstream on the property. The vineyard was planted in 1972 on its own roots and is known for its award winning Petite Sirah. Although Shell Creek does not have its own winery, several wineries across California produce and bottle our Petite Sirah and Syrah with a vineyard designation.

The vineyard started as 100 acres and has since expanded to 125 acres. It is a small portion of a large (5000 acre) ranch known as the Canyon Ranch, also owned by the Sinton family, which is a working cattle ranch. The cattle graze across from the vineyard and occasionally get loose and love to run into the rows to make life interesting.

Besides the award winning Petite Sirah we grow Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chenin Blanc, and Valdiguie (formerly known as Napa Gamay). As we mentioned, the vines were planted on their own roots, but as the vineyard ages we are replacing the vines with the wood from the older vines on new rootstock to make them more resistant to disease.

The climate at Shell Creek is ideal for growing grapes with warm summer days and a cool sea breeze in the evenings.