Stanger Vineyard

Stanger Vineyard
Paso Robles, California
USA 93446
Phone: (805) 237-2882
http://www.stangervineyards.com

Contact: Roger Janakus

The Stanger story actually begins in Illinois, of all places, when in 1977 Roger & Cheryl Janakus purchased a small home on 7 acres about 25 miles southwest of Chicago in a town called Lemont. Next to the house was a single row of grapes, table grapes no doubt because a serious wine grape wouldn’t be caught dead in such a harsh climate. Almost immediately, Roger began caring for the 8 vines but deep down he realized that those grapes could never really produce a drinkable wine. Trips to Napa and Sonoma fueled his envy for the real thing. He had spent summers on his Uncle’s farm in southwestern Michigan when he was a youngster and remembered vineyards were plentiful there. That’s it he recalled, I can remain in the Chicago area and grow wine grapes in Michigan. Soon a 145 acre farm was purchased just 1 ½ hours away. Close enough to go to anytime and most of the time. French wine grape vine clones were acquired and planted on a two acre patch of ground he called his vineyard. This little piece of heaven began to lose its appeal when fighting the elements; rain (either too much or too little) and frost, insects, animals and weeds. Then after a suggestion by Cheryl to move to California if we wanted to be serious about wine making, we sold the farm.
One look at Paso Robles and we knew it was what we were looking for. In 2000 we settled on our end of the road property, the “Journey’s End Ranch” on the West Side of Paso Robles. One year spent preparing the soil, bringing power to the property, fencing, roads, drilling two wells, trellising & planting and “voila” the rest is history. Little did we know then that the ranch turned vineyard would give us what every winemaker hopes for – perfection. In the years since we have added buildings, equipment and acquired a ranch on the East Side of Paso Robles which will become home to our winery and tasting room.

Winemaker: Roger Janakus

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