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 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 Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles 2021
Flying Cloud is produced at Stephen Ross Wine Cellars. For winemaker Stephen Ross Dooley the variety Cabernet Sauvignon invokes fond memories of his first decade of producing wine in the Napa Valley at Louis M. Martini winery in the early eighties. Stylistically, the wine is hearty and balanced with pleasing aromas and flavors characteristic of the variety, with a sense of place or terroir and has supple fine tannins.
The 2021 vintage came on the heels of a continued drought in California. We saw a decent amount of pre-season rainfall in Paso Robles this year. However, most of the precipitation arrived during a single storm event, causing runoff that prevented much of that lower rainfall total. Yields came in around average, with fruit showing more structure and higher tannin levels than typical. We experienced mild temperatures through harvest in September and October, which opened the stretch of time picking at optimal maturity. This was a late harvest with long hang time yielding wines with concentrated flavors.
This Cabernet Sauvignon 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, four weeks of skin contact, free run then lightly pressed with a state-of-the-art stainless steel basket press, and aged in neutral French oak barrels for seventeen months.
The wine is deeply colored with dark ruby-purple hues. Pretty aromas of blackberry, mulberry, bittersweet chocolate, clove and coyote mint. This is a rich, robust mouth-filling wine, expansive on the palate with polish tannins. Powerful,structured, elegant balance, a lovely Cabernet Sauvignon.
96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Zinfandel from Jack Knife Vineyard. 2% Petite Sirah from the Blind Faith Vineyard. Both vineyards are Certified Organic.
14% Alc | 5.93 g/l TA | 3.59 pH
Flying Cloud Zinfandel Paso Robles 2022
Zinfandel produces excellent wines when grown in a warm region such as the San Miguel District of Paso Robles. The countryside around Jack Knife Vineyard is reminiscent of 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.
2022 began with enormous potential for an average yield with superior quality. Spring was warm, bloom and set saw no bad weather and the summer began perfectly, setting the stage for an early harvest. But, as the berries were sizing up, a tremendous heat wave settled over California and the vines struggled; the berries stayed small, and the yields shrunk. Despite this, harvest was still early and the resulting wines boast a deep color and wonderful ripe fruit flavors. The final blend is 87% Jack Knife Vineyard Zinfandel and 13% Blind Faith Vineyard Petite Sirah.
Classic Burgundian methods of winemaking were used in making this wine; open-top stainless-steel fermenters, punch downs by hand, pressed with a modern stainless steel basket press, aged in French oak barrels, and put into bottle without fining or filtration. The wine is aged in 12% new French oak and 88% four-times filled French oak until bottling in May 2024.
Deeply colored ruby garnet hue. Fruit forward nose of cranberry, strawberry preserves, dried marjoram and thyme, and spicy vanilla and star anise. A medium body with soft, silky tannins leaves lingering flavors of crème brûlée, dried red fruits, and black pepper on the palate.
14.5%. Alcohol, 6.20g/L Total Acidity, 3.79 pH. 197cs produced.