NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2017 / Over the course of the past decade, new and lesser-known vineyards outside of Napa Valley have produced outstanding vintages that have received international acclaim at an unprecedented rate. As California's viticulture landscape begins to shift dramatically, international wine consultant Steven Zoernack shared his thoughts on the state's emerging grape regions that will come to define the industry.
A few miles from the Pacific Ocean in southern San Luis Obispo County, the Arroyo Grande and Edna Valleys have become home to some of the west coast's most championed winemakers. Situated in between steep volcanic peaks, the area is full of wildly varying soils and has a tradition growing Chardonnay that dates back to the early 1970s. The region has grown to be respected for the quality and consistency of its wines. Despite these successes, water scarcity and a handful of big companies who dominated the valleys for many years have made it difficult for emerging winemakers to establish brands that could achieve national acclaim. As the economic environment becomes more favorable to independent growers, local wines are earning spots on wine lists around the world. Combined with a re-energized marketing effort from the San Luis Obispo Wine Country group, Steven Zoernack foresees the Arroyo Grande and Edna Valleys developing considerably in the coming years.
Further south from the Central Coast is Temecula Valley, a region of rolling hills in southern Riverside County where grapes have been grown since the 1960s. In recent years, the wineries here have undergone a collective effort to focus intently on their vineyards and prioritize quality. As a result, they began to produce bottles that are competing against California's most established regions. Temecula was known for its young, on the rise, independent growers throughout the 1970s and 80s, but took a major setback in the late 1990s when Pierce's disease decimated the region's vineyards. Essentially starting anew, the vintners who stayed began replanting with varietals and clones that thrive in the valley's hot summers and low rainfall. Their dedication is paying off, and in addition to significant improvements in quality, the area is quickly becoming the country's top destination for wine country outings.
Steven Zoernack attended Boston University's School of Engineering and Fordham University's School of Economics at Lincoln Center in New York. After a thirty-year career in the financial services sector, employed by some of the most prestigious investment banks of the times including Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns, Zoernack opted to follow a lifelong passion and pursue a profession in the agricultural industry as an independent wine consultant, conducting wine tastings and reviews for California's most prestigious wineries. In the coming years, Zoernack plans to branch into vineyard ownership, management and winemaking, with a focus on organic farming.
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