Vino Frankel A Taste of Sculpterra

Sculpterra Winery

Join winemaker Paul Frankel of Sculpterra Winery in Paso Robles, California, as he explores the world of winemaking, tasting, and food pairings straight from the heart of the Central Coast. Each episode of Vino Frankel: A Taste of Sculpterra brings stories from the vineyard and the iconic Sculpterra Sculpture Garden, blending the art, science, and joy of wine. Discover the passion behind Paso Robles wines, meet the people shaping Sculpterra’s legacy, and experience how every sip tells a story — and every visit inspires.

  1. May 21

    Episode #35 – Mixology, Syrah & Paso Robles Hospitality with Ashley Harkey

    In Episode #35 of Vino Frankel: A Taste of Sculpterra, Paul Frankel is joined by special guests Ashley Harkey and Brian Kusko for a conversation covering Paso Robles hospitality, mixology, Syrah winemaking, vineyard growth, Scottsdale adventures, and Sculpterra’s upcoming Taste & Tour event. The episode features a side-by-side tasting of Sculpterra’s 2023 Syrah versus the nearly sold-out 2022 Syrah, with discussions about vertical tastings, reduction in wine, oxygen exposure during fermentation, and why Syrah remains one of Paso Robles’ most underrated varietals. Ashley Harkey shares how she built her career in hospitality and bartending while also working as a tax accountant. She talks about creating craft cocktails at Bella Sera’s Enoteca restaurant, pairing wine with Mediterranean cuisine, building lasting guest relationships, and why sparkling wine has become her favorite style to drink. Brian Kusko returns to the show with stories from the Scottsdale Reptile Show, including his first ride in a self-driving Waymo vehicle. The group also discusses upcoming Sculpterra Shorts and social media videos, internet audiences from around the world, and the growing reach of the podcast online. Paul gives updates from the vineyard and winery, including: Recent bottling operations and PORT bottling challenges Vineyard growth and canopy management Tendrils and how grapevines signal active shoot growth Upcoming vine planting projects at Sculpterra The episode also previews Sculpterra’s upcoming Taste & Tour in the Garden event, featuring detailed food and wine pairings throughout the sculpture garden, including Viognier, Rosé, Figurine, and more. Additional topics include: Wine label laws and “Estate Bottled” requirements Food and wine pairing philosophy Hospitality culture in Paso Robles Bobcats in vineyards Why certain Spanish food names sound “cute” 🍷 Wines Featured 2023 Sculpterra Syrah 2022 Sculpterra Syrah 📍 Featured Guests Ashley Harkey – Bella Sera Hotel / Enoteca Bar Lead Brian Kusko – Media Producer & Brand Manager #VinoFrankel #Sculpterra #PasoRoblesWine #Syrah #WinePodcast #PasoRobles #CraftCocktails #Hospitality #WineTasting #BellaSera #SculpterraWinery Produced by EZF Media, LLC

    1h 12m
  2. May 14

    Episode #34 – Port Wine, Weddings & Life at Sculpterra

    In Episode #34 of Vino Frankel: A Taste of Sculpterra, Paul Frankel is joined by Chris Diez, Hector Palafox, and Craig Pearson for a behind-the-scenes conversation about winemaking, weddings, events, vineyard life, and the art of making PORT-style wine at Sculpterra Winery. The episode begins with a tasting of the brand-new Winemaker Signature #8, a limited-production blend featuring Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc. Paul explains the inspiration behind the collectible etched bottles, how each one is hand-numbered, and why the wine is designed for long-term aging. Hector shares his journey into the wine industry, from growing up around vineyards to studying wine business at Sonoma State and eventually becoming Sculpterra’s assistant winemaker. The group also talks about barrel steaming, rebuilding wine barrels, harvest work, and the reality of day-to-day winery operations. Craig discusses how he got started in wine sales, his love for Grenache, helping place Sculpterra wines in local restaurants and wine bars, and why he collects bottle #17 from every Winemaker Signature release. Chris talks about balancing both the medical field and wedding coordination at Sculpterra, including recent weddings at the winery, event planning challenges, and why springtime in the sculpture gardens is one of the most beautiful times of year. Paul also dives deep into the world of PORT wine — explaining Ruby Port, Tawny Port, Vintage Port, fortification, bottling challenges, and the history of PORT production dating back to Portugal and British trade routes. The conversation wraps with stories about bears, wildlife around Paso Robles, and what makes Sculpterra such a unique place to work, visit, and experience wine culture. 🍷 Wines Featured 2025 Winemaker Signature #8 J. Jagger Primitivo PORT #VinoFrankel #Sculpterra #PasoRoblesWine #PortWine #Winemaking #WinePodcast #CentralCoastWine #PasoRobles #WineTasting #SculpterraWinery

    1h 8m

About

Join winemaker Paul Frankel of Sculpterra Winery in Paso Robles, California, as he explores the world of winemaking, tasting, and food pairings straight from the heart of the Central Coast. Each episode of Vino Frankel: A Taste of Sculpterra brings stories from the vineyard and the iconic Sculpterra Sculpture Garden, blending the art, science, and joy of wine. Discover the passion behind Paso Robles wines, meet the people shaping Sculpterra’s legacy, and experience how every sip tells a story — and every visit inspires.