Creekcut
Get the Dirt from owner Jason Lamoreaux
“As a small winery, we have the freedom to be hands-on with every detail. We can experiment with rare varietals and unique blends. Because our wine club is intentionally intimate, we are able to engage with members on a more personal level. Creekcut is the result of our life-long dream to create and craft exceptional wines.”
What was your first vintage year? 2022
How many cases do you make per vintage? About 1300 per vintage.
Do you have a Tasting Room? Yes, we are open Mon-Thursday through Monday, 10am-5pm.
What wine/grape made you want to become a winemaker/start your own winery?
My wife Chris and I’s love for wine was sparked during a trip to Napa in 1995 and deepened through years of vineyard travels around the world. With a shared dream to return to farming, we searched for a place to grow something meaningful.
On our 30th wedding anniversary, we discovered a hidden gem on Vineyard Drive—twenty acres of calcareous-rich soil, ancient oaks, and a seasonal creek—perfect for our vision of Creekcut Winery.
What varietals do you work with?
We work mostly with Rhone varietals – Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, crafting both single variety wines as well as blends. We also make a white blend, rose and a Cabernet Sauvignon.
Why did you choose your vineyard location?
Our 20 acre estate vineyard consists of 10.5 acres of vineyards on two distinct elevations – Côte de Colline and Sheep Camp Incline. These elevations are bisected by the seasonal Sheep Camp Creek and the adjacent riparian forest of bay laurel, black walnut and oak. This forested area also serves as a protected wildlife corridor across the property. The Willow Creek District’s reputation for world-class Rhône varieties finds unmistakable expression here along this perfectly situated formation.
What type of oak treatment do you use?
Always French oak, but depending on the varietal, we vary the amount of new vs neutral oak.
What do you love about your winemaking region? What makes it different special?
Paso Robles is special because of not only the fabulous wines it produces, but because of the people and their sense of community. It’s also where we can share our passion for hospitality, helping others create unforgettable moments while falling in love with Paso Robles wines.
What’s the story behind your winery name / label?
The name Creekcut is an homage to the ancient creek that cuts through the heart of our estate terroir, sustaining our land’s native habitat and shaping the character of our wines.
What’s the one thing you wish someone had told you about the wine business before you started your own winery?
Start sooner! It is a long worthwhile journey, but start on your dreams sooner than later.
What’s so great about being small? What can you do as a small winemaker that wouldn’t be possible for larger wineries?
As a small winery, we have the freedom to be hands-on with every detail. We can experiment with rare varietals and unique blends. Because our wine club is intentionally intimate, we are able to engage with members on a more personal level. Creekcut is the result of our life-long dream to create and craft exceptional wines.
How do you view the future of the wine industry for small-lot winemakers?
There will always be a place for smaller wineries, as it allows for a more intimate customer experience and a more unique selection of wines than large producers.
Do you ever get tired of drinking your own wine?
Nope! Especially since every year brings more new and exciting wines.
If you could choose another wine region to work in what would it be?
Bolgheri, Italy. Love their Super Tuscan blends.
For more information about Creekcut, please visit their website or follow them on Instagram.