Media and press
Awards and Accolades
2017 Petite Sirah Estate Block VI Paso Robles $48.00 Platinum 95 points
Best in Class | Best Petite Sirah
2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Block 1 Paso Robles $48.00 Gold 90 points
Sell Sheets
Radio Interview
"In a new edition of David’s “You Too, Can Be A Winemaker,” David talks with Erin Faulkner of Defiance Vineyard in the Paso Robles wine region, about her family’s journey into winemaking, and their methods of learning the grape-growing and winemaking industries. Their Cabernet Sauvignon really “wow’ed” David, and they have a fascinating story, still in the making…"
Today’s episode of Grape Encounters is the story of wines that were never supposed to exist. It begins with a family that decided to come together and take on a retirement project that would bring them closer to the earth. The Faulkner family has deep roots in the world of project management. They have been responsible for overseeing the construction of some of the most iconic building projects in the world, including the triumphant reimagination of the World Trade Center years after the 911 tragedy. With Bill and Cheryl Faulkner eager to find a post-retirement project that included their three adult children, a decade-long search led them to the purchase of a sprawling tract of highly-promising agricultural land in Creston, California; located in California’s Central Coast Wine Country. The property had no history as a vineyard, but expert advice convinced the Faulkners that it was special. It was their intention to grow grapes, but they never intended to make wine. Like all projects on their extensive resumés, they were guided by a determination to always be the best at what they do.
When Grape Encounters host David Wilson first met the Faulkners, they told him that their goal was to grow the finest grapes in the world… and they weren’t kidding. Upon tasting unbonded wines which they had produced solely to validate the quality of their grapes, David was stunned and urge them to consider making wine under their Defiance Vineyard label. They were skeptical if not downright resistant to the idea, but took David’s advice nonetheless. David introduced them to a highly-acclaimed winemaker, Adam LaZarre, who significantly bolstered their confidence. Among the first wines to be made were a Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. We don’t want to spoil this episode for you but, suffice to say, right out of the gate, these first wines were rock stars in every sense of the term.
If you have any doubts, consider this; both wines just received top honors at one of America’s most prestigious wine competitions. In fact, the Petite Sirah was named Best in Class among a crowded field of entries. Daughter Erin Faulkner joins David on this episode of Grape Encounters to share this amazing story about two wines that beat all odds to become true rock stars! It’s an amazing success story that you won’t want to miss!