September Wine Month

September is California Wine Month and that is an exciting time for us folk in Paso Robles. We know wine. We love wine. It is arguably the lifeblood of this area. Every year across 11 sub AVAs in Paso Robles luscious plump grapes are grown to be made into a product that has always been in demand. Our vintners provide wine grown in the unique soils and hills of Paso Robles that cannot be duplicated nor ignored. In turn we welcome tourists who come to be relieved of the wearisome world and bask in the joviality that wine and cultivate. We’re very proud of the oasis we have created and in honor of this we have compiled a timeline of the Paso Robles Wine Industry for your enjoyment.

 

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1790’s: Wine grapes are brought to the area by Franciscan monks. Vines are established at the Asistencia on the Santa Margarita Ranch as well as Mission San Miguel Arcangel.
Late 1870’s/Early 1880’s: Indiana rancher Andrew York establishes Ascension Winery, later known as York Mountain Winery, planting some of the region’s earliest Zinfandel vines.
1886: The city of El Paso de Robles (The Pass of the Oaks) is founded.
1914: Ignacy Paderewski purchases Rancho San Ignacio and Rancho Santa Helena in Paso Robles. Grows Zinfandel and other varietals.
1950’s, 60’s, 70’s: Bordeux and Burgandy varietals introduced to Paso Robles area, most notably Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay.
1970’s and 80’s: Rhone varietals are introduced to the area. Gary Eberle and Cliff Giacobine plant 700 acres of Syrah, bringing to the region its first Rhone varietals.
1990: There are fewer than 20 wineries in Paso Robles.
1997 : JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery’s Bordeaux-style ISOSCELES named one of the top 10 wines in the world by the Wine Spectator.
2004: Still Waters Vineyards opens for business. 
2007 – AB 87 law passes, requiring wines of Paso Robles AVA origin to list Paso Robles first (prominently) on label
2008 : The Paso Robles AVA expanded by 2,635 to extend its southern border
2010 : Saxum Vineyard’s James Berry Vineyard 2010 wine designated number one in the world by Wine Spectator
2013 : Paso Robles Wine Country named Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s 2013 Wine Region of the Year
2015 : More than 32,000 vineyard acres and more than 200 wineries in Paso Robles AVA

References

www.discovercaliforniawines.com

PRWCA History