Ranchero Cellars

Ranchero Cellars is the solo project of acclaimed winemaker Amy Butler. It provides her an opportunity to explore unique and uncommon varietals, as well as tried-and-true Paso Robles Rhones with a singular style. From Grenache Blanc and Viognier to Carignan and Petite Sirah, wine lovers will find old friends and new favorites in her lineup.

Amy adopted Paso Robles as home in 2002, after a degree from UC Davis and a brief career in Napa Valley. Paso, she says, is “much more my speed.”

Her tenure here includes a six-year stint as winemaker at Edward Sellers Vineyards and Wines, where she found her stride with Rhones, and an ongoing portfolio of local consulting clients.

Ranchero’s namesake is a 1960 Ford Ranchero, which Amy drove in the early days of the wine company and whose photo features in some of the winery’s marketing materials. Sadly, the car’s maintenance required the same pocket money that Ranchero Cellars’ wine demanded, and Amy chose French oak barrels over a front-end rebuild. Today, you can see a scale model of the ‘60 on the tasting bar at Paso Underground (1140 Pine Street in Downtown Paso Robles) where Amy pours her award-winning wines on Fridays and Saturdays every week.