Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Kemp.
Hi Alex, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
It all began when I applied to Cal Poly SLO for the Wine & Viticulture major. I didn’t know much about wine other than raiding my parents fridge and I sure didn’t know what I wanted to study in college. I just thought wine sounded fun. When I was accepted to Poly it lit a fire in me. I started tasting any wine and reading any wine book I could find. The logical move for me was a short drive north to Paso Robles. I started as a cellar hand and quickly found opportunities to work abroad in New Zealand and Australia (harvest jump as they say). I met my wife, Ryan, and some of my best friends through these early experiences in the wine industry. As I’ve grown to call the Central Coast home, it was clear I wanted to bring people together in the community. I’ve done so by starting Terranean Wines with my wife. Wine has been a part of my life for a few decades now and I see it as a beverage to bring people together. It’s the perfect social lubricant to share a bottle of wine with friends and family at the dinner table.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Making wine truly puts you at the mercy of Mother Nature. Unlike other beverages, I only get to make wine once each year, so it’s a craft where no one ever truly becomes a master. The Central Coast is rich with wineries, yet many come and go over time — something I’ve seen firsthand. The key is to hold onto the passion you started with and never let go of the rope. Luckily, I’ve had some truly great mentors along the way.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My wife and I have a new small wine brand called Terranean Wines. We specialize in single vineyard Grenache bottlings and a Paso Robles multi-vineyard cuvee of Grenache. We are very focused on this variety. It is the perfect variety to capture the sense of place or our Paso Robles’ terroir. When growing Grenache you can dry farm it meaning the only irrigation it sees is from rain or moisture in the soil. Our calcareous soils are similar to those of Burgundy and Barolo, but we have a much warmer climate. The soils here bring an energy and vitality to the fruit and therefore the wines. Grenache is made for our mediterranean terroir. I’m most proud of starting a family and I will add family business to that. I hope it becomes something that gets passed from generation to generation and provides joy to all wine enthusiasts that drink our wines.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Passion. Passion breeds drive, creativity, and dedication to success.
Pricing:
- $85 2024 Coakley Vineyard Grenache
- $85 2024 G2 Vineyard Grenache
- $85 2024 Lambooy Vineyard Grenache
- $65 2024 Terranean Grenache
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.terraneanwines.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terranean__wines/
