Latest harvest ever.
That’s the mantra heard frequently in and around Paso Robles Wine Country this fall. An unusually cool summer and unexpected, copious rains meant that vineyard owners, winemakers and workers were still hard at work when we visited in early November.
“Sorry about the occasional fruit fly,” said Annie, our host at Broken Earth Winery‘s industrial-chic tasting room, restaurant and music venue. “We’re still crushing back there now. We’re late because we had no warm days until July — about two months late.”
But, this means that 2023 will be a good year, said Mike Mooney, owner of Chateau Margene and refugee from the fast-paced world of high-tech and the film industry. He, his wife and son do nearly all the work it takes to produce their 3,000 cases a year.
“(This year) saw a good amount of rainfall, so the salts were flushed out (of the soil). A cool spring meant a late bud break by three weeks. Cooler weather meant we were able to let the grapes hang until we had the perfect balance.”
For the uninitiated, refreshingly uncrowded Paso Robles (pop 32,000) and Paso Robles Wine Country American Viticultural Area are situated about midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. If you want to sound like a local, pronounce Robles like “nobles.” Even better, just say Paso.
