New Label Marks Historic Monterey Producer’s First Global Venture Into Iconic Central Coast Region
Monterey, CA, March 28, 2023 – Scheid Family Wines, the pioneering Central Coast winery known for its diverse group of consumer brands, is excited to announce the national debut of Fog & Light Vintage Reserve Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon. The new label is a reflection of the critical climatic elements found in the region that are necessary to grow the highest quality wine grapes. Fog & Light is launching this month across the country for purchase on premise, in retail locations, and through direct-to-consumer channels.
This will be the first global brand from Scheid Family Wines to come from the Paso Robles AVA. The area—a 35 by 25 mile stretch halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco—is known for its romantic coastal fog that settles nightly over the vineyards, followed by intense California sunshine that gradually softens away the marine layer. The large diurnal temperature shifts in the district (a 50° day-to-night fluctuation is common) have become the calling card that crafts classic Cabernets of structure, balance, and concentration. Scheid Family Wines’ network of grower partners within the Central Coast was instrumental in providing high quality fruit for the project that is commensurate with the best wines coming from the region.
“While we’re best known for wines from the Monterey growing region, we’ve been a long-time producer of wines from Paso Robles through our exclusive brand portfolio,” says Heidi Scheid, Executive Vice President. “Bringing Fog & Light to a national audience allows us to expand the breadth of our wines from the Central Coast and showcase a spectacular style of high-end Cabernet Sauvignon.”
Fog & Light is made by Dave Nagengast, a veteran vintner of the Central Coast with over 35 years of experience, 22 at Scheid Family Wines. Nagengast has worked with a vast array of grape varietals and growing conditions during his winemaking tenure and sees his role as winemaker to allow the character and pure expression of each varietal and unique vineyard site to shine. He chose Paso Robles as the sweet spot for Fog & Light Vintage Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon for its ability to provide a different rendition of Cabernet that is both richly textured and opulent.
“The warm days in Paso Robles beautifully ripen our Cabernet, while the cool nights allow the vines a reprieve from their hard day’s work. Fog & Light honors this elegant daily dance between these two extremes,” notes Nagengast. “I have spent countless hours in vineyards throughout Paso, and I am incredibly excited to say that we are now in a place with this label where we can produce enough to share it with the country and stand behind it as a benchmark wine from the region.”
The Fog & Light Vintage Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (SRP $39) is an elevated wine presented in an elegant silkscreened, wax-dipped bottle. Aromas of blackberry, elderberry and plum meet dense ripe black fruit flavors with hints of tobacco and cedar. Full-bodied and structured, the integrated tannins lead into a smooth and savory finish. The wine can be enjoyed today or cellared for a special occasion.
Fog & Light is rolling out nationally now and will be available at select retailers; it can also be purchased online at https://fogandlightwines.
About Scheid Family Wines
Scheid Family Wines, a family-owned and operated wine company founded in 1972, is ranked among the top 20 largest wine producers in California. Based in Monterey County, Scheid is uniquely integrated to bring high quality estate grown wines to the marketplace from its sustainably certified vineyards and grower partners throughout the Central Coast. Scheid’s innovative, luxury-level winery is powered by 100% renewable wind energy generated by a 400-foot-tall wind turbine, which also supplies energy to many homes in the local community. The Scheid Family Wines globally distributed brand portfolio includes Scheid Vineyards, Sunny with a Chance of Flowers, VDR (Very Dark Red), Grandeur (made with organic grapes), Fog & Light, Metz Road, District 7, Ryder Estate, and HOXIE, a premium wine spritzer. Scheid Family Wines sells internationally to 26 countries and is one of the largest producers of nationally distributed exclusive brands.
