Flying Cloud

Paso Robles, California, USA

Stephen and Paula Dooley started Flying Cloud in 2003 after recognizing an opportunity to create approachable and food-friendly wines for a modest price. The new label allowed Dooley to focus on Bordeaux varieties from nearby Paso Robles, Sauvignon Blanc from Edna Valley, and work with varieties not included under the Stephen Ross Wine Cellars label. He has been able to develop the stellar Flying Cloud Wines while keeping them at a value-driven price. Flying Cloud wines are produced at Stephen Ross Wine Cellars, and the name Flying Cloud is an indigenous name which also pays tribute to the Eden Prairie airport in winemaker Stephen Ross Dooley’s home state of Minnesota.

Our Selections

Flying Cloud Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles 2020

85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petite Sirah from two certified Organic vineyards in Paso Robles. 96% was sourced from the Jack Knife vineyard and 4% from the Blind Faith vineyard. The wine was made using classic Bordeaux methods of production; the grapes were de-stemmed and crushed into small stainless steel tanks, pumped-over daily during the peak of fermentation, three weeks of skin contact, lightly pressed with a state-of-the-art stainless steel basket press, and aged in neutral French oak barrels for eighteen months. The wine has brilliant clarity with a deep brick red color. The aromas are uplifting, and reminiscent of blackberry, sage, and a hint of menthol. On the palate the wine is full bodied with fine grippy tannins and pleasing flavors of red plum and dried orange peel. This is an approachable Cabernet Sauvignon with balance and lingering flavors. 13.8% alcohol. 1197cs made.

Flying Cloud Sauvignon Blanc San Luis Obispo Coast 2023

100% Sauvignon Blanc from two vineyards located in the San Luis Obispo Coast AVA: 65% from the Marfarm Vineyard and 35% from the Trestle Vineyard. The San Luis Obispo Coast is located on the South-Central Coast of California. The appellation spans the coast from Cambria in the north to Nipomo in the south along the Pacific Ocean. The region is influenced by the cool afternoon breezes from the ocean to the west, bordered by mountains to the east creating a cool pocket in which to grow cool-climate grape varieties. It lies at 35 degrees latitude and therefore receives lots of bright light from a “directly overhead” sun. This is a unique climate of cool air temperatures and intense sunlight.

Stephen Ross Dooley’s notes on the 2023 vintage: “"2023 was a very cool year. The vines got quite a soaking of winter rains at around 45”, which help flush salts away from the root zone and contribute to the thirsty aquifer. We had an overcast, cool spring. The soil remained cool throughout the spring and early summer setting the stage for a long season and late harvest. There were a couple of rain events, one during early August and another during early September, but very small amounts of rain. We waited for ripeness and sugar...and continued to wait until the full moon in late September, when harvest started in full swing. Once we got going, we didn’t really let up until the next full moon in late October. Harvest was quite compressed. The acids were a bit higher this year, as expected. The wine quality is outstanding...dare I say probably the best we’ve seen in several decades."

The grapes were harvested by hand on September 21 and 29, 2023 and were then gently pressed off the skins using a membrane tank press. The freshly pressed juice was chilled before beginning fermentation then racked into stainless steel tanks (94%) and barrels (6%) for cold fermentation and aging. Brilliant pale straw color, with hint of green. Honeydew melon, citrus zest, lemon curd makes up the well-defined aromas, the palate is integrated with moderate alcohol and refreshing acidity, seamless and energetic, finishing with distinctive Sauvignon Blanc flavors.

13% alc, 5.74 TA, 3.37 pH - 766 cs produced.

Flying Cloud Zinfandel Paso Robles 2021

Primitivo is an Italian selection of Zinfandel and produces excellent wines when grown in a warm region such as the San Miguel District of Paso Robles. Both Jack Knife Vineyard Primitivo and Blind Faith Vineyard Petite Sirah are certified organic.

The countryside around Jack Knife Vineyard looks a lot like Tuscany with rolling hills and lots of vineyards. The climate is similar, Mediterranean with warm summer days and cool evenings. This site is 23 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, 700 feet above sea level and consists of well-drained, fine sandy loam soils.

The 2021 vintage came off the heels of a continued drought in California. There was a decent amount of pre-season rainfall in Paso Robles. However, most of the precipitation arrived during a single storm event, causing runoff that prevented much of the water from penetrating the soil. Canopies and vines were a bit smaller because of the lower rainfall. Yields came in around average, with fruit showing more structure and higher tannin levels than typical. Mild temperatures through harvest in September and October opened the stretch of time for picking at optimal maturity. This was a late harvest with long hang time yielding wines with concentrated flavors.

This is a deeply colored ruby purple wine with aromas of dark plum, blueberry, a hint of blackberry, spicy notes of anise, coriander, black pepper, and a hint of burnt orange rind. Youthful grippy but fine tannins.

84% Zinfandel (Primitivo clone) from the Jack Knife Vineyard and 16% Petite Sirah from the Blind Faith vineyard. 100% de-stemmed into 5-ton temperature controlled stainless steel tank, 14 day cuvaison/skin contact. Aged in 1-4 year old French oak barrels for 17 months.

14.5%. Alcohol, 5.21g/L Total Acidity, 3.74 pH. 197cs produced.