Kaleidos is a local gem. The winery, known for its award-winning Rhones, a picturesque setting in westside Paso Robles, and unique cupcake pairings, is named for Kaleidoscope, the Kalamazoo, Michigan, shop of winemaker Steve Martell’s mother.
Derived from the Greek words “kalos,” or beautiful, and “eidos,” or form, Kaleidos has been true to its namesake for more than 20 years.
“Crafted with care, rooted in family, and inspired by the land—Kaleidos Wine is a celebration of life’s beautiful forms,” Steve and his wife and baker, Heather, state on their website.
“The longevity of the Kaleidos brand is deeply rooted in our commitment to consistent quality and sustainable practices,” said Steve, who launched the winery in 2004 from his 24-acre estate in Paso’s Willow Creek District. “Personally, I find immense joy in the diverse work involved in growing grapes and winemaking. This process fuels my passion for creating a product that brings enjoyment to people’s lives.
“Knowing that our efforts contribute to memorable experiences for our customers is what drives our dedication every day.”
Kaleidos wines have also impressed critics, resulting in a slew of industry accolades.
“Over the years, we have received nearly 100 scores of 90-plus,” Steve said.
Standouts from the winery’s current release include 94-point ratings from Wine Enthusiast magazine for its 2021 Rhone blends Morpheus and Osiris.
The two blends also took home gold at the 2024 Orange County Fair Commercial Wine Competition, in addition to a third gold for the winery’s 2021 syrah and a double gold for its 2021 estate grenache Praying Mantis.
Producing only 750 cases annually, Kaleidos wines fly off the shelves. The syrah-heavy Morpheus blend has already sold out of 113 cases.
Grapes used for Steve’s lineup are either cultivated from 1.5 acres of grenache, syrah, and mourvèdre planted on his own estate or sourced locally.
“Given the small size of our vineyard, we can only produce about 25 percent to 33 percent of the fruit we require,” Steve said. “Therefore, we continue to collaborate with other vineyards. We are particularly interested in sourcing from small, premium vineyards and growers who prioritize sustainability, with a strong preference for organically farmed grapes.”
Organic viticulture was the focus of Steve’s degree in biology and agroecology from UC Santa Cruz, and he remains passionate about best practices in sustainability.
Presently, he is working with the International Fresh Produce Association, based in Newark, Delaware, in association with the USDA Climate-Smart Commodities program to implement and measure soil health-building practices.
The winery is not certified organic or sustainable, he conceded, “as the cost of these certifications outweighs the benefit for our small vineyard.”
Nevertheless, he takes great pride “in delivering products that not only meet high standards but also respect the environment and future generations,” he said.
The Martells also like to ratchet up their tastings, available by appointment only, with unique offerings such as paired treats courtesy of Heather, aka Little Miss Cupcake.
The couple updates their tasting flights monthly, with seasonal cupcakes available as an add-on with 72 hours’ notice.
“Although I’m not formally trained,” Heather said, “my passion for cooking and baking brings creativity and a personal touch to Kaleidos Wine. My familiarity with the unique flavor profiles of our wines enables me to craft cupcake pairings that elevate the tasting experience.”
For instance, she said she likes to pair the Morpheus blend with a chocolate and honey cupcake topped with a chocolate honeycomb crumble.
“The ’21 Morpheus has a lot of complexity to it, is fruit forward, and has a hint of earthiness that complements this pairing,” she said. “Another example is our Kaleidos grenache rosé paired with an orange blossom cupcake with strawberry filling. This pairing really brings out the strawberry candy and floral character in the rosé.”
When not hosting tastings at the Kaleidos estate, Steve and Heather can be found at industry events throughout San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.
Next up are the 11th annual Garagiste Festival Southern Exposure in Solvang Feb. 7 to 8 and the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance’s 10th annual BlendFest on the Coast.
At BlendFest, Steve will be participating in a winemaker dinner at San Simeon’s Cavalier Oceanfront Resort on Feb. 21 as well as the Sunset Grand Tasting at Oceanpoint Ranch in Cambria on Feb. 22.
“I believe these events are fantastic opportunities for us, but I am selective about which ones we choose to participate in,” Steve said. “I focus on events that attract consumers specifically interested in what Kaleidos has to offer.
“As a small producer, we resonate with the Garagiste crowd, and we also actively participate in Rhone Rangers events, given our focus on Rhone varietals.
“Additionally, the PRWCA [Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance] and their events are invaluable. They do an exceptional job promoting the region as a whole, which is particularly beneficial for smaller producers like us who may not have dedicated marketing departments.”
Garagiste Festival co-founder Doug Minnick, of Studio City, said Steve is a highly regarded participant at the Garagiste events, which highlight boutique producers throughout California.
“Steve is one of our very favorite winemakers, and not just because he has been pouring at The Garagiste Festivals since our first one in Paso in 2011,” Minnick said. “He has distinguished himself as one of the best producers in Paso, regardless of size. Impactful Rhones, creative blends, cabs—he does it all and does it extremely well.”
Kaleidos is also participating in Minnick’s new Garagiste Tasting Pass, offering two-for-one tastings at 78 artisanal wineries throughout California now until Dec. 31.
“Expanding our reach to share our wines with more people” is one of Steve’s objectives for Kaleidos, he noted, balanced with maintaining a high-caliber product.
“Our long-term goals are to remain relatively small, focusing on scaling production to a level that upholds the premium quality of our wines and allows me to stay deeply involved in the hands-on production process, while ensuring greater economic sustainability,” he said.
Being able to host experiences outdoors, offering breathtaking views of their vineyard and the picturesque surrounding landscape, he added, are icing on the cupcake. Δ
Flavor Writer Cherish Whyte is craving a grenache rosé-cupcake pairing. Reach her at cwhyte@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Jan 23 – Feb 2, 2025.