Wine & Spirits Names kukkula’s Aatto a Top 100 Wine of 2018

A tribute to Winemaker Kevin Jussila’s father, the 2015 Rhône-style blend is the only red wine from Paso Robles to make the magazine’s coveted list.

October 16, 2018 (Paso Robles, Calif.) – kukkula is pleased to announce its 2015 Aatto was named one of the world’s Top 100 Wines in 2018 by Wine & Spirits Magazine. The accolade appears in the current (Winter) issue.

Appearing under the list’s Best Rhône Blends category, Wine & Spirits’ editors note Jussila “ferments his wines without added yeasts and creates some unusual blends, like this one, which combines Counoise, Mourvedre, and Grenache in a muscular, lean, and deliciously red fruited wine. It has Paso’s effusive ripeness, but it’s tempered by a lean, mineral-inflected tannic structure that sustains and focuses the flavors.”   

As is the case with a majority of his portfolio, Jussila pulled from his Finnish roots when naming this wine. Aatto means “eve” in Finnish, and was named for his father, who was born on Christmas Eve.  

“My late dad was a dreamer like me. He was born in Finland in 1932, and jumped on a ship with one of his brothers to Canada and ultimately raised a family in Southern California,” says Jussila. “I feel totally privileged to be here today, and this wine gives a nod to him, acknowledging I’m here because of his dreams. My dad passed away in 2005 just as we began this project. So, this recognition is bittersweet, as he never tasted this wine named in his honor.”
 
About kukkula Winery

kukkula Winery located in Adelaida District in West Paso Robles is the dream of co-owners Kevin and Paula Jussila to craft world-class Rhone wine blends. Paying tribute to his Finnish heritage, kukkula (kook-koo-luh), means “the hill, or high place.” The organically-farmed estate wines are a reflection of the place and the duo’s passion. www.kukkulawine.com.