Rushrose GSM 2023

Few vinegrowers have had more impact on their state’s wine than the Millers of California. A farming family since 1871, they put the Central Coast region on the fine wine map when they decided to take the leap from produce to grapevines and planted two now-iconic vineyards: Bien Nacido in the Santa Maria Valley and French Camp in Paso Robles.

Bien Nacido—“well born,” in Spanish—was named for the passion the Millers poured into its development in the early 1970s. Famous winemakers Bob Lindquist and Jim Clendenen were some of the first to source grapes here, and were quickly followed by elite American producers like Sine Qua Non, Foxen and Paul Lato. Wine & Spirits magazine has since named the site one of the “Top 24 Vineyards in the World,” while Wine Enthusiast has deemed it “California’s Best Single Vineyard.”

Planted at the same time but almost double its size, the meticulously farmed French Camp is one of the world’s largest Certified Organic vineyards. It’s also one of the highest elevation sites in Paso, with temperature differences of up to 50 degrees between daytime and nightfall—a shift that keeps grapes extremely fresh and yields balanced wine with more complex flavors.

Rushrose is crafted with grapes from French Camp Vineyard, and is a special project made by the Miller family themselves.

“Any unsold fruit that was brought in was making really good wine,” says Director of Winemaking Jonathan Nagy. “The Millers felt this was a great opportunity to share something exceptional.”

A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre—a combination known fittingly as a GSM, popularized in France’s Rhône Valley—it’s a generous wine with ample brambleberry and strawberry flavors layered with savory tones of leather, earth and sage.