By Rick Riozza
For all you “Zinners” out there, we’re certain that you’ve opened quite a few bottles of the Paso Robles’ Opolo Zinfandel brand in the past two decades or so. Indeed, the wide range of Opolo wines are renowned as perennial “best buys” which provide a welcome point into the world of Opolo. The Summit Creek Zinfandel is currently the nation’s third highest-selling Zinfandel at around $14.
We recently revisited Opolo since many of their varietals have been showing up on our wine aisles. Zinfandel was the first varietal grown by the founders Rick Quinn and David Nichols, who were first neighbors, then friends, and finally collaborators in a shared dream: to create their own winemaking legacy in Paso Robles.
Rick and David started planting vineyards in 1997. Two years later, they established their family winery in the coastal mountains of the Willow Creek District. They chose the name Opolo as a nod to Quinn’s Serbian heritage, referencing a rosé-style wine that is native to the Dalmatian Coast.
At the time, the modern winemaking era in Paso Robles was just getting underway, but Rick and David recognized the region’s incredible potential. They focused on Zinfandel as the heritage grape of Paso Robles, as well as the Bordeaux and Rhône varieties for which the area would become famous.
Opolo has since become a cornerstone of the Paso Robles experience, producing widely acclaimed estate wines and gaining renown for its warm hospitality and legendary wine club. Opolo today makes a wide array of wines, including the iconic Mountain Zinfandel as well as limited-release reserves and vineyard designates. The vineyards of Willow Creek District are some of California’s most exciting terroirs. The vines are planted on terraced slopes tucked within the coastal Santa Lucia mountain range, where warm afternoons are reliably tempered by marine breezes that flow through the Templeton Gap. The limestone-rich soils of the Willow Creek District are highly coveted and similar to the calcareous soils found in many of the world’s greatest wine regions
They also grow fruit at Nichols East and Quinn East vineyards in the warmer Estrella District. These sites have proven ideal for varieties such as Petite Sirah, Tempranillo, Sangiovese and Barbera, and for Rhône, Bordeaux and Zinfandel grapes that bring dimension and complexity to our varietal blends.
Of course what’s very cool over at Opolo is that they believe in a strong, cooperative relationship with the land and environment is crucial. They practice sustainable methods in both the winery and vineyard operations in order to preserve our environment, water and local wildlife. Opolo is a “SIP” Certified operation as well as certified organic by “CCOF” in our 64-acre walnut orchard.
They grow barley between the planting rows in order to hold moisture in place and prevent erosion during the winter rains (when there is rain) and instead of cutting and removing the barley, we simply mow it in place to add beneficial nutrients back to the soil.
Owl boxes make great homes for nesting owls, as well as provide a natural rodent and pest control in the vineyard. And, water is recycled at Opolo through our two-tank wetlands’ system, which uses marine plants to filter the water so it can be reused in the vineyard. The wetlands also provide a habitat for beneficial microorganisms, insects, and birds.
And now: The winemakers tasting notes of some recently released Opolo wines:
2023 CABERNET SAUVIGNONSUMMIT CREEK | PASO ROBLES
The 2023 Summit Creek Cabernet Sauvignon offers a heady aroma profile of black
currant, plum, black olive, vanilla and caramel. The palate is sleek, voluminous and
varietally authentic with layered flavors of cherry, cassis, blue fruit and graphite with
hints of earth and mineral. Medium-weight tannins glide into a round, integrated finish.
RED BLEND SUMMIT CREEK | PASO ROBLES
The wine is a blend of varieties from multiple vintages, including Cabernet
Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot, as well as Zinfandel, Tempranillo and Petite Sirah. In the final blend, the Bordeaux varieties provide a foundation of richness and structure. The Zinfandel brings layers of accessible fruitiness, while the Petite Sirah contributes enhanced color and fruit dimension. Finally, the Tempranillo adds a touch of rustic spice. By combining lots from the 2021 to 2023 vintages, this wine delivers bright, fruity youthful flavors with the depth and maturity of extended barrel aging.
The Summit Creek Red Blend presents an enticing bouquet of plum, blue fruit, mulberry
and sandalwood. The mouthfeel is round and lively, with soft flavors of black plum,
strawberry, mocha, loam and vanilla bean. Notes of pepper and cinnamon spices emerge
on a smooth, lingering finish.
2023 ZINFANDEL SUMMIT CREEK | PASO ROBLES This Zinfandel offers bright bramble fruit aromas with notes of vanilla spice and sweet hickory. The mouthfeel is soft, juicy and integrated, with plush flavors of strawberry, raspberry and black cherry. Supple textures, energetic acidity and notes of toasted oak linger on a perfectly rounded finish.
2022 MOUNTAIN ZINFANDEL PASO ROBLES
Deep aromas of blueberry, cherry and fruit leather reveal notes of sweet baking spices. The mouthfeel is plush and expansive with seamless flavors of ripe plum, black cherry.
Finally, let’s finish off with a white wine: 2024 SAUVIGNON BL ANC SUMMIT CREEK | PASO ROBLES
The 2024 Summit Creek Sauvignon Blanc offers vibrant aromas of pineapple, kiwi and
Crenshaw melon. The palate is luscious and rounded, flooding the mouth with fresh
flavors of tropical fruit, peach and lime zest. Hints of stony minerality emerge on a clean, silky finish. Cheers!
