Rhone Rangers
| Company type | Not-for-profit organization |
|---|---|
| Industry | Wine production |
| Founded | 1980s |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | California, United States |
Key people | John MacReady (executive director) |
| Products | Wines composed of at least 75% Rhône grape varieties |
The Rhone Rangers consist of a collective of American wine producers dedicated to advancing grape varieties originating from the Rhône Valley, with their main activities centered in California. They established a not-for-profit organization focused on promoting wines composed of at least 75% of the 22 recognized Rhône grape types. The group's name, a play on The Lone Ranger, was inspired by a 1989 Wine Spectator article featuring Randall Grahm dressed as the Lone Ranger. Over time, additional winemakers joined this initiative.
During the 1980s, innovators such as Randall Grahm from Bonny Doon Vineyard and Bob Lindquist of Qupé Wine Cellars played key roles in popularizing Rhône varietals, leading to a resurgence in planting traditional grapes like Grenache, Mourvedre, and Viognier. The cultivation of Syrah notably increased after Gary Eberle at Estrella River Winery (now known as Meridian Vineyards) introduced this variety to the Paso Robles region and distributed his clone to fellow vintners. The group lacked formal structure and eventually disbanded in the early 1990s.
A revival occurred around 1998, spearheaded by John MacReady of Sierra Vista Winery who took on the role of executive director. This new phase adopted an approach modeled after the effective Zinfandel Advocates and Producers. The revitalized organization embraced Syrah as a blending component, resolving previous disagreements about its use. Tablas Creek played a significant part by importing fresh clones of many of the 13 grape varieties authorized in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, such as Grenache blanc, Counoise, and Picpoul blanc, thereby introducing these cultivars to California vineyards and sharing cuttings with other winemakers.
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