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He’s not even thirty years old, yet he’s doing something many crazy wine lovers only dream of, but never do. He’s making wine, under his own label. His name is Oscar Ramos. He’s the owner and winemaker for Ramos Torres Wines.
His age, 29, is not the only thing that’s surprising about Oscar and his wine. Oscar is making wine in California’s San Joaquin Valley. His tasting room is in Kingsburg, California… home to a huge raisin packing plant. That’s right, raisins.
I grew up in this area. It’s surrounded by vineyards. But these are table grape vineyards, not wine grape vineyards. Little did I know that a few pioneering farmers are growing wine grapes here as well.
Oscar is one of those pioneers. He’s also taking a leap of faith.
The Ramos Torres tasting room is located just off Highway 99. His store front is very stylish and hip with great art and a rustic ambiance. As I mentioned, it’s in Kingsburg. Kingsburg is a little Swedish town known for its quaint downtown and its hometown hero, Olympic gold medalist, Rafer Johnson. Not exactly wine country.
But Oscar believes the quality of his wines will draw wine lovers. He could be right. His wine is very good. I started with his 2006 Syrah. This was my favorite. It wasn’t the big wine I was expecting. And I think that’s what made it so drinkable for me. These grapes were grown on the San Joaquin River in Madera, California… just a few miles to the north. This award winning vineyard is organic, which is another huge plus for me. 
Oscar has definitely already carved out a unique winemaking style. He uses grapes from Lodi, Arroyo Seco and of course, Madera. Everything I tasted was very good. Go to the bottom of this article to see Oscar’s tasting notes of the wines I sampled.
Many of Oscar’s wines have already won awards. Keep in mind, he debuted his label just three years ago. Oscar graduated from California State University, Fresno with a degree in Oenology in 2003. Oscar says, he got into the program on a fluke.
“I was a business major,” said Oscar. “My family is in farming, so I went to the oenology department one day, just to check it out. I sat down and talked to a professor, and before you know it, he was signing me up for classes.”
Fresno State is the only university in California that has its own winery on site. Apparently it also has at least one professor who can spot a talented winemaker in the rough.
After college, Oscar started his winemaking career as an assistant wine maker for another Central Valley label.
“I guess I could have gone to Napa or Carnerros,” said Oscar. “But I knew I could make something really special right here.”
And he has.
For more information or to purchase Torres Ramos Wines, go to their website, www.ramostorres.com or call (559) 891-0237. The tasting room is located at 1665 Simpson Street, Kingsburg, CA 93631. RAMOS TORRES TASTING NOTES
2006 Syrah Madera, $20
Fascinating earth aromas recall Pinot Noir from France’s storied Burgundy region and are followed by notes of anise, cola, lilac, fig and a hint of cracked pepper.
85% Syrah, 10% Grenache
2006 Ventana Vineyard Grenache Arroyo Seco, $24
An intriguing nose teeming with rose petals, white pepper, wet soil and lavender is more reminiscent of wines of the northern Rhone than most California offerings.
95% Grenache, 3% Viognier
2006 Zinfandel Lodi, $23
Lovely fruit forward wine offers aromas of red and black bramble fruit which kick off this nicely balanced Zin which is more like a daytime appropriate Cru Beaujolais than the monster Zins ubiquitous in California. Layered notes of granite, sage, tar and toasty caramel back the bramble fruit, along with a nice dash of sweet kirsch and black cherry liqueur. The palate delivers jammy red and black fruit alongside plum, toast, toffee and an intriguing hint of cigar paper. A gentle acidic lift comes through on the finish, lending levity that makes this a Zin for food a as well as sipping.
75% Zinfandel, 25% Petit Syrah
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Lodi, $24
No winemaker tasting notes available.
2007 Ventana Vineyard Chenin Blanc Arroyo Seco, $ 20
Bright aromas of lemon meringue, red apple and kiwi fruit take center stage in this sunny wine, which also offers subtle notes of peach and sunflowers. Lots of bright acidity before a clean finish marked by cream and banana. A wine full of character with lots of food pairing potential.
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