Saxum Vineyards

Where limestone meets legacy in Paso Robles' Willow Creek District, Saxum Vineyards transforms rocky calcareous soils into California's most coveted Rhône-style blends. The Latin name 'Saxum' meaning stone perfectly captures this estate's essence, where mineral-driven terroir creates wines of extraordinary depth and complexity.

Founded on the historic James Berry Vineyard planted in the 1980s, Saxum represents the vision of winemaker Justin Smith, who inherited both the land and an unwavering commitment to expressing Paso Robles' unique terroir. Smith's artisanal approach focuses on small-lot fermentations and minimal intervention, allowing the distinctive limestone-rich hillsides to speak through each bottle.

His philosophy centers on capturing the essence of place, creating wines that reflect the dramatic diurnal temperature shifts and Pacific coastal influences that define this exceptional microclimate. Saxum's portfolio showcases flagship Rhône blends including the legendary 'James Berry Vineyard' bottling, alongside single-vineyard expressions like 'Bone Rock' and 'Booker Vineyard.' These ultra-premium wines consistently earn critical acclaim from Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator, with many releases achieving scores above 95 points.

Smith's meticulous attention to detail extends from vineyard management through extended barrel aging, producing wines of investment-grade quality with remarkable aging potential. Limited annual production ensures exclusivity, with most releases allocated to a devoted mailing list of collectors worldwide.

The winery experience reflects Saxum's artisanal philosophy, offering intimate tastings by appointment only in their hillside facility.

Visitors discover panoramic vineyard views while sampling library wines alongside current releases, guided by passionate team members who share Smith's dedication to terroir expression. The rustic yet elegant tasting room showcases the estate's commitment to authenticity, where stone walls echo the vineyard's geological foundation.

Private tours reveal the gravity-flow winemaking facility and underground caves where wines age in French oak barrels. Discover Saxum Vineyards through The En Primeur Club's exclusive access, securing allocation-only releases from California's premier Rhône specialist. Contact our wine advisors to arrange private tastings and secure these highly sought-after expressions of Paso Robles terroir.