The 2023 release marks a bold new chapter for the California brand known for expressive, unconstrained wines
June 12, 2025 (Windsor, CA) – Bootleg Wines is excited to announce the release of its inaugural 2023 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon, marking a new chapter for the brand known for celebrating the free-spirited, unconstrained side of California winemaking. This debut Paso Robles Cabernet joins Bootleg’s portfolio as a testament to the region’s rise as a powerhouse for world-class Cabernet Sauvignon. Priced at $24.99, the Bootleg Paso Cabernet Sauvignon will be available nationally at select retailers and online.
“The most exciting part about the Bootleg Paso Robles Cabernet is that the wine is brand new. I get the opportunity to conceptualize and create the wine from the ground up,” said winemaker Ben Salazar. Salazar brings more than two decades of hands-on experience across California and New Zealand to his role, leading Bootleg’s bold approach to crafting wines with energy and precision.
Paso Robles has emerged as a leader in luxury Cabernet Sauvignon, now claiming the No. 1 American Viticultural Area (AVA) for luxury Cabernet sales in the United States, surpassing Napa, Sonoma, and Lodi, according to IRI data for the total U.S. market in the 52 weeks ending March 23, 2025. The region commands a 24 percent market share in the luxury Cabernet category, outpacing Napa at 17 percent, and is the fastest-growing region in California for this segment.
Bootleg’s debut Paso Cabernet celebrates this momentum, tapping into the region’s distinct limestone soils, cooling marine influence, and dramatic temperature shifts that yield wines with natural balance and complexity.
“Paso Robles gives us the freedom to push boundaries,” Salazar said. “This is Cabernet Sauvignon crafted in the spirit of Bootleg: bold, approachable, and designed to be enjoyed without pretense.”
Crafted from 98 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 2 percent Malbec, the 2023 vintage was aged 11 months in French (95 percent) and American (5 percent) oak, with 24 percent new barrels. The result is a wine with rich notes of blackberry, black cherry, cocoa, and spice.
Balanced acidity and supple tannins make it a versatile pairing for barbecue, burgers, or a casual pizza night.
Located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Paso Robles is home to over 60 grape varieties planted across 40,000 acres, with Cabernet Sauvignon accounting for more than 50% of plantings. Its unique limestone soils, cooling marine layer, and the widest diurnal temperature swings of any major California wine region create ideal conditions for expressive, balanced Cabernet Sauvignon.
The release of the 2023 Bootleg Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon reflects Bootleg’s ongoing commitment to crafting wines that blend bold character with precision, rooted in California’s adventurous winemaking spirit.
For more information or to find the wine near you, visit www.bootlegwines.com.
ABOUT BOOTLEG
Bootleg celebrates the unconventional spirit of California winemaking — honoring those who dared to do things differently. Rooted in stories of smuggled vines, boundary-pushing techniques, and bold experimentation, Bootleg creates unapologetically expressive wines from California’s top regions, crafting bottles that are as free-spirited and approachable as those who enjoy them.