A Double Golden Hour for Serial Wines by Sunset International Wine Competition
Serial Wines is honored to be among the few Paso Robles wineries to receive Double Gold and Gold by Sunset Magazine recognizing the best of the best wines in the West. This long-standing and renowned competition is judged by Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine, and our fellow vintners and winemakers.
Both winning releases are from the 2023 vintage when cooler temperatures and longer hangtimes allowed for bright acidity and complex flavors to develop in certain varietals and AVAs across Paso Robles. The 2023 Serial White Blend earns a Gold with 93 Pts–a testament to Paso’s diverse terroir and ability to grow myriad varietals to their perfect expression. A unique blend of Chardonnay, Viognier, Clairette Blanche and Albariño–each carefully grown to add their unique characteristics to the blend.
The 2023 Serial Estrella District Albariño scored a Double Gold and 96 Pts for its singular focused bottling of this tantalizing Iberian varietal from a tiny estate in northeastern Paso Robles.
Both wines are the vision of winemaker Jeff Kandarian, originally from the Central Coast, who learned his craft among the best of Paso Robles winemaking mentors. For Jeff; our exceptional winegrowing partners; FARM Paso Robles, vineyard management team; and John Anthony Truchard, Founder and Vintner, we are humbled and grateful for the honor and recognition given to Serial Wines.
As summer sunsets into Fall, and the mammoth task of harvest comes upon us, we invite you to join us for a golden hour tasting top celebrate these wines at the stunning Serial Wines Tasting Lounge (LINK to reserve) in downtown Paso Robles. The golden light and delicate aromas reflected in these incredible wines will capture you as they did the esteemed judges at Sunset International Wine Competitions.
Curious? Read on for the challenges and inspiration behind each bottling - or simply collect them here.
2023 Serial White Blend, Paso Robles
Paso Robles
Gold | 93 Points
Paso gives us space to experiment. With the 2023 Serial White Blend, Paso Robles we took that freedom and created something intentionally layered and refreshingly different. The composition—Chardonnay, Viognier, Clairette Blanche, and Albariño —brings together varietals that each carry their own personality. Together, they speak as one.
Fermented and aged on neutral French oak with a small addition of lightly toasted acacia, this wine is built for texture without heaviness. On the nose, it opens with lemon curd, ripe pear, and white peach. The palate follows with richer tones of orange marmalade, a touch of marzipan, and a lingering note of toasted almond.
The 2023 vintage was defined by extremes. A cool spring delayed the growing season, and a long, slow ripening period added depth. These grapes were picked late, under pressure, and they delivered something compelling.
Seasonal Pairing:
Pair it with roast chicken over fennel, grilled halibut with stone fruit salsa, creamy corn soup, or a charred peach and burrata salad. This is a white wine that commands attention at the table and brings dimension to even the simplest summer fare.
2023 Serial Estrella District Albariño
Estrella District, Paso Robles
Double Gold | 96 Points
Albariño is not native to Paso Robles. That’s exactly why we were drawn to it. Grown in the Estrella District, where warm alluvial soils meet stark diurnal shifts, this wine captures a clarity that’s rare and compelling. The fruit was cold-fermented and aged in stainless steel to preserve its natural expression.
In the glass, it shows pale gold with shimmering edges. Aromatics of green apple, lychee, and white blossom rise first, followed by hints of sea breeze and white pepper. The palate is precise and mineral-driven, with notes of stone fruit, lemon meringue, and honeydew melon layered over a crisp, electric line of acidity.
We made only 200 cases. It’s Albariño at its most focused—pure, and fleeting. The kind of wine that disappears before you realize it, especially when the sun is low and the table is full.
Seasonal Pairing:
Serve chilled alongside oysters, citrus-dressed ceviche, grilled scallops, or a watermelon and feta salad. It’s the wine you reach for when the evening still feels like daylight and the air is thick with summer.