"The Santa Lucias stood up against the sky to the west and kept the valley from the open sea, and they were dark and brooding… When the Spaniards came, they had to give everything they saw a name… The suggestions sometimes came from the nature of the place itself: Tassajara, a cup and saucer; Laguna Seca, a dry lake; Paraiso, because it was like Heaven…" -John Steinbeck, East of Eden Rich and Claudia Smith arrived in Monterey County in 1973, their children and belongings in the car. Fresh out of college, the young couple was searching for the perfect locale to try out their newly-minted U.C. Davis training. Paraiso anchors the southern end of the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation. Today, almost 150,000 vines occupy the sixteen different vineyard blocks, situated in the hills and canyons of the estate's rough terrain. The vineyards, with their varying soils, elevations, and microclimates, produce grapes uniquely expressive of their site. Taken together, they offer the winemaker a painter's palette of complex, flavorful hues from which to choose. The Smith's experience as winegrowers has translated into huge demand for the grapes grown at Paraiso. In addition to the fruit supplied for their own label, the family sells P.V. grapes, under contract, to several other ultra-premium producers. Early bud break and fruit set are one of the advantages of Paraiso's highland location. Mid-season leaf pulling and other canopy management techniques help focus the vine's efforts. Harvest at Paraiso typically begins in mid-September and can run to late October. The Smith family employs sustainable agricultural practices at Paraiso, through the use of biodiverse systems and cover crops.
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