Papera Ranch

07/02/2025

Took Wine Spectator's Tim Fish's advice to "drink now" and the Williams Selyem Papera Ranch 2022 is delicious! Robert Parker Wine Advocate seems to think so too. Thanks to everyone at Williams Selyem for another amazing Papera Zin.

03/09/2025

Another amazing Wine Spectator 95 Points for Carlisle Winery and Vineyards Papera Ranch 2022.

07/18/2024

Bitter sweet news that my friends, and amazing Papera Ranch winemakers Mike and Kendall Officer, and Jay Maddox are closing down Carlisle Winery and Vineyards after 34 wonderfully successful years, including many 95+ scores for Carlisle Papera, and three Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines (20th in 2007, 19th in 2008 and 12th in 2016).

Mike's dedication and infectious enthusiasm for Old Vine Zinfandel vineyards were the reasons I became the caretaker of Papera Ranch, and his support and incredible knowledge and skill were the main reasons for our success.

Bitter sweet because I will miss working with Carlisle, and their expert use of Papera grapes, but I also wish Mike, Kendall and Jay a wonderful, and well earned retirement.

2024 will be the last Papera harvest that Carlisle will work their magic on, but stay tuned for news on where Papera grapes are headed next.

Sonoma's Carlisle Winery will cease production with the 2024 harvest. Find out why founder Mike Officer is calling it quits.

05/12/2024

Another great critic score for Carlisle Winery and Vineyards Papera Ranch 2021. The other three wines in Wine Spectator's Hot Wine list were priced at $275, $280 and $1,290! Carlisle Papera - $54 - a bargain if you can get it! Thanks as always Mike, Jay and everyone at Carlisle.

04/14/2024

Bud Break at Papera. Start of the 2024 Vintage in the vineyard's 90th year.

03/09/2024

Bedrock Wine Co. Papera Ranch Heritage Russian River Valley 2021 - 93 Points - Distinctive and expressive, with cherry and cranberry flavors laced with mint and savory pepper accents. Finishes with fine-grained tannins. Zinfandel, Carignan, Alicante Bouschet, Grand Noir and Valdiquié. Drink now through 2032. 175 cases made - T.F. - Wine Spectator

05/19/2023

The Carlisle Winery and Vineyards Papera Ranch 2020. A survivor of the crazy 2020 growing season - dry winter, rains during bloom, 111F summer days, wildfires and smoke.

Wine Spectator 94 Points
Few Zinfandels show this much nuance and detail, yet there's an elegant power to this red, with cherry and raspberry flavors that mingle with orange peel and fresh sage. Ends with refined tannins. Drink now through 2032, 854 cases made. - TF

04/18/2023

Received a tiny allocation of a unique Papera wine. One ton of the 2019 harvest went to the Franscioni family at ROAR Wines. Cannot wait to try it.

07/31/2022

First grapes harvested early in Russian River Valley. Papera vines still working on it.

The wine grape harvest kicked off in Sonoma County early Friday morning in the Russian River Valley with a season that has started earlier than expected.

04/07/2022

What a great way to celebrate 15 years of caretaking this amazing vineyard. Thank You Carlisle Winery and Vineyards. And Thank You Tim Fish for your great coverage of both Carlisle and Bedrock Wine Co. Papera Zins in the latest issue of Wine Spectator

02/18/2022

95 Points from Tim Fish at Wine Spectator for Carlisle Winery and Vineyards Papera Ranch 2019.

08/16/2021

Getting there! Still a few weeks before the bell rings.