Art and Wine Merge at Sculpterra in Paso Robles
Visitors arriving at Sculpterra are greeted by a massive bronze sculpture by Dale Evers called Mega Focus. It is an awe inspiring 25 foot tall bronze sculpture of a man holding onto a bow and launching himself into the future, and the first of many larger than life pieces that will slow any wine lovers approach into the tasting room.
“We really try to make art and wine come together because wine lovers love art and art lovers love wine,” Sculpterra Owner, Dr. Warren Frankel said. “People say, what’s your business plan? That’s it.”
Sculpterra was developed out of Frankel’s love of art. He bought the land on Linne Road in Paso Robles in 1979 and began growing pistachios. Years later he met the man who would make the sculptures that would set his property apart. The late John Jagger had an eye for animals as evidenced by his stunning sculptures of an elephant, a horse and big cats.
“He had little sculptures in his home,” Sculpterra Wine Maker, Paul Frankel said. “He explained to us, I can make a small sculpture and make it huge.”
One sculpture called White Puma is unique in that it’s all one piece. There are no seems. The whole thing weighs 10 tons.
Complementing the great variety of art pieces is a wide variety of wine. Visitors can check out the different vines and grapes in an educational area. Sculpterra grows 12 different varietals in its vineyards.
“We can do a lot with a lot of varieties here with the awesome climate that we get every year,” Paul Frankel said.
Frankel studied for his job as wine maker and vineyard manager at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. His family entrusted the wine making operation to him. The first vintage was 2005.
“I think initially we were more known for the sculptures,” General Manager Kyle Coots said. “People come out for the sculptures, but they leave very satisfied with the wines. Paul has definitely brought the wines up to a level and a status. I think the wines speak for themselves.”
Sculpterra makes just under 10 thousand cases of wine a year. Frankel tastes every barrel and makes the blends himself, finding inspiration inside a blend of artistic and agricultural creativity that’s tough to find any place else.
“The art. The wine. The land, and the community of Paso,” Frankel said. “It’s a great place.”
