Rockbound Cellars
Get the Dirt from owner/winemaker Fiorella DeRodeff
“Being a boutique winery allows us to harvest each grape varietal by hand and ensure the quality of each wine. We have to be nimble, decisive and are able to focus on every batch. We love working all aspects of the business.”
What was your first vintage year? 2021
How many cases do you make per vintage? 2021-150 cases, 2022-250 cases, 2023-350 cases, 2024 350 cases.
Do you have a Tasting Room? Yes, at the BottleShop in downtown Paso Robles, 1102 Railroad St. No appointments needed but can make one online if desired.
Hours:
Thursdays 12-7
Fridays/Saturdays 12-8
Sundays 12-5
If not you, who is your winemaker? I own the winery and vineyard with my husband Colby. We moved to Paso Robles in 2018 and purchased a 33-acre property, which we had planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Merlot, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault, Counoise, Viognier. I subsequently completed the winemaking program at UC Davis and Colby manages the vineyard. Molly Lonborg is our consulting winemaker.
What wine/grape made you want to become a winemaker/start your own winery?
Cabernet Sauvignon. My and Colby’s love for wine began in different parts of the world. I’m from Peru and grew up in a family with a winemaking legacy, while Colby enjoyed wine with his family in California. We met in an Irish pub before I attended Cal Poly SLO, and our passion for the Central Coast grew.
What are your varietals to work with?
Favorite to make is Grenache for Rose and Cab Franc for reds. Interesting flavor profile and aromatics for both.
What vineyards do you source from?
All estate fruit. Nestled in the rolling hills of the Adelaida District AVA, our vineyard benefits from high mountain slopes and marine influences, creating ideal conditions for grape ripening and acid preservation. We prioritize organic, sustainable farming practices, hand-harvesting each varietal to achieve optimal ripeness. Our vineyard soils ensure excellent drainage and water retention, producing fruit with complex flavors. Our wines reflect the distinctive terroir, showcasing purity of fruit and balance.
What type of oak treatment do you use?
Our wines are aged in French oak barrels for a minimum of 18 months. We employ a medium toast, only 30% new. The rest we age in neutral barrels because we like to showcase the fruit, not the wood.
What do you love about your winemaking region? What makes it different special?
The Industry in Paso is very collaborative, and customers are very supportive of small brands like ours.
What’s the story behind your winery name / label?
We were inspired by the diverse soil types, including calcareous and clay on the property.
What’s the one thing you wish someone had told you about the wine business before you started your own winery?
How challenging farming and winemaking truly is.
What’s so great about being small? What can you do as a small winemaker that wouldn’t be possible for larger wineries?
Being a boutique winery allows us to harvest each grape varietal by hand and ensure the quality of each wine. We have to be nimble, decisive and are able to focus on every batch. We love working all aspects of the business.
How do you view the future of the wine industry for small-lot winemakers?
Future is promising for boutique wineries with unique experiences. We even have a vacation rental on the property for those guests who want a more relaxed and personal experience in Paso.
Do you ever get tired of drinking your own wine?
Never. It’s why we started.
If you could choose another wine region to work in what would it be? Argentina
For more information about Rockbound Cellars, please visit their website or follow them on Instagram.