Poor Boy Red Blend

Varietal Composition: 50% Grenache, 50% Tempranillo 

Poor Boy is the original bourbon barrel wine pioneered in 2000 by Dan Philips and Julian Van Winkle. The idea to use the bourbon barrels came up in a conversation in 2001 when the two decided to collaborate. Julian sent Dan some old barrels.

Reclaimed bourbon barrels do not have the look of wine barrels. So, in 2005, when the winemakers first saw them, they were hesitant to use them but eventually discovered that they could have a magical influence on the wine.

The length of time in Van Winkle barrels varies depending on many variables: how many uses they’ve had, the wine, the year, the taste, and the balance. It’s a subjective decision of the winemakers who know the wine they are trying to create. The wine has a subtle bourbon influence – an element of complexity — while maintaining its integrity as a fine wine.