Tucked in between the rolling hills of the Templeton Gap AVA and surrounded by vegetable gardens and roaming chickens, Clesi Winery is open Thursday through Sunday in their Tasting Room at 1873 Templeton Road in Templeton. After more than a decade in San Luis Obispo, Adrienne and Chris Ferrara of Clesi bought 30 acres in 2015 to return to the Templeton AVA. The winery and tasting room were built and completed in May of 2017.
It was just down the road in Templeton while working for another winery that Chris Ferrara and Adrienne Lindsay first met working harvest in 2002, and where Chris first fully realized his passion for exotic varietals while working under legendary winemaker Ken Volk. Today Clesi produces rare heirloom varieties like: Malvasia Bianca, Dolcetto, Sangiovese, Negro Amaro, Aglianico, Montepulciano and more. The estate ranch in Templeton has six acres of vines planted to Dolcetto, Sagrantino, Sangiovese, and Montepulciano.
Like the Sicilian trinacria stamped on the label, the inspiration behind Clesi is a symbolic trifecta. Equal parts legacy, curiosity and culture, Chris brings his Sicilian-American farming roots, love of eccentric varietals and reverence for Italian culture into his winemaking process. Because of this, Clesi wines are elegant, food-focused and meant to be shared amongst family and friends.
When you come to the tasting room, you sit at an ancient redwood slab table and enjoy the wines with Chris and others as friends. This is intentional. While traveling through Italy, Chris and Adrienne had their eyes opened to the concept of convivio – shared life – and embrace visitors in this style. And when you leave, you may have tomato seeds in your teeth and a bottle under your arm whose name you may or may not be able to pronounce – but it will be filled with beautiful wine.
The property is more than just a winery and vineyard. Adrienne keeps sheep and chickens. Chris tends to an organic garden and greenhouse that are more than an acre of production. The winery is family-friendly and dog-friendly.
