Episode #10 – Mourvèdre Deep Dive, Black Friday Deals & Paso Robles Market Insights | With Darren

Episode #10 of Vino Frankel: A Taste of Sculpterra is here — and this week we’re diving into Mourvèdre, breaking down major Black Friday wine deals, and exploring the latest Paso Robles wine market insights.Paul Frankel is joined by Assistant Tasting Room Manager Darren Brown, who leads wine education, reserve tastings, art tours, and Sculpterra’s library wine program.Before the Mourvèdre deep dive, Paul shares big harvest updates: six diverse Cabernet lots, high extraction numbers, new oak barrels, and the official teardown of all crush equipment. Harvest is done — and now the cellar cleanup begins.This episode also digs into November’s heavy rainfall totals, why Paso Robles is officially out of the drought, and a detailed breakdown of why Paso continues to outperform Napa and Sonoma in vineyard investment performance.🕰 Episode Highlights:• Harvest & Cellar UpdateAll wines are barreled downSix Cabernet Sauvignon lots with major variation1,020-case plan for 2025 Bentley IronworksHigh gallon-per-ton numbers this yearMalo-lactic fermentation checks beginning December 1Full equipment teardown and acid-stain cleanup• Darren Brown Q&ADarren’s week offHome winemaking updateHow his wine preferences have evolvedThe Sculpterra wine he keeps returning to• The World of WineNovember rain: 4.65 inches so far in PasoOfficial end of drought conditionsGrapes still hanging—are they ruined after the rain?Paso Robles outperforming Napa/Sonoma in vineyard value and growthInvestor confidence heading into 2026• Sculpterra Event CalendarBlack Friday Case Sale (6–10 AM, 60% off)Winemaker DinnerCyber Monday Case SaleAuthor’s ShowcaseMusical Christmas at Sculpterra 🎄• TMI SegmentThe vineyard planted in 2003, first fruit in 2007The year Paul gave grapes awayMourvèdre struggles and early pruningBenefits of the Cross Arms canopy system• Animals in the Vineyard – DeerFencing solutionsRepellents, deterrents, and noise devicesDogs as vineyard guardsNetting considerationsWhen removal is legally required• Nerd Out on Wine – MourvèdreDarren breaks down the grape’s quirks, structure, and potential• Mailbag Q&AHow can you predict a grape lot will make amazing wine?Does Paul really taste from every barrel?🍷 Wine Tasting Lineup:2024 Mourvèdre Barrel Sample (bottling December 10)📍 Location: Sculpterra Winery & Sculpture Garden, Paso Robles, CA🎙 Host: Paul Frankel🎧 Guest: Darren BrownHave a question for Paul?Email: [email protected]