In 1996, the McDavid family embarked on a new adventure.  After an extensive search, we purchased over 95 rolling hilltop acres in Paso Robles, California.  Dotted with large studded oaks and a panoramic view in all directions, we found the right combination of terrior, climate, and setting to grow some of the best wine grapes in central coast California.  Our soil is laden with deep limestone deposits that impart unique, distinctive flavors.  With warm days and cool humid nights, our grapes mature naturally, where the sugar and physiological development occur at the same time.   We found our little piece of heaven here on earth and named it Emerald Hills.

Today, we have over 21 acres of producing grapes with several clonal varieties of cabernet sauvignon.  We chose a vertical shoot position trellis on our cabernet sauvignon to optimize light penetration and minimize disease pressure.  Our philosophy was to limit the impact on the environment and use practices that promote sustainable farming.  We have families of owls to help with small animal control, we use low-flow drip irrigation systems to contain water usage, and we heavily restrict the use of herbicides and pesticides.  Soon, we will have a solar power system which will supply the energy to run our irrigation pumps. 

Our wines are hand crafted in small quantities.  Each fall, our family hand picks only the finest of our grapes for our estate grown Emerald Hills Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.  Although we have been growing grapes for over 10 years, our first vintage wine was our 2003 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. We produced a total of 126 cases which quickly sold out.  In 2004 we produced only 157 cases of our Cabernet which won a gold medal /94 points at the California State Fair.  Our latest vintage, 2005 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, we bottled 214 cases on June 7, 2007 and will be released sometime in the spring of 08. We strive to grow the best quality grapes and wines to enjoy with family and friends.  Try our wines, we know that you will thoroughly enjoy our fruit forward style with long smooth tannins.