![]() “I had read enough to get started from reading Hugh Johnson’s The World Atlas of Wine, but I had a disproportionate amount of merlot. ![]() It’s great to be a part of the history of modern winemaking in Paso.”ĭescribing the region as “Randy Dunn (a Napa Valley legend for his cabernet sauvignons) country,” Baldwin admitted he didn’t know much when he started planting his first grapevines in 19. We knew Paso was for real, and we had the pioneering spirit. “There were just a few of us in Paso Robles at the time, Ken Volk, Gary Eberle, and a few other hearty souls. “I came here in 1981 looking for soil, lack of water, and elevation, which are still the most appealing characteristics of Paso Robles,” said Baldwin connecting the old with the new. ![]() I loved the trip looking back at Justin’s history, much of which I experienced from 1996 on. A nostalgic Baldwin talked about his love of fine wine and what drew him to Paso Robles. Hosted by Justin Baldwin, a Master Sommelier (MS), two Bay Area wine writers, and Justin’s new winemaker, we tasted through six older vintages that proved the Isosceles ages beautifully. I recently attended a dinner in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Isosceles at the renovated Justin estate. It was the beginning of many little pieces that began adding up to making our North County wine growing region considered one of the finest, not only in California, but in the world. I’d describe it as a shot heard round the world when the tiny appellation of Paso Robles took the top trophy. And that was the first time an American winery received such noteworthy recognition. Justin’s wine was tasted among similar blends from 35 other countries that were competing. It was 1997 when the judging panel included 27 Masters of Wine.įounder and proprietor Justin Baldwin couldn’t have been more proud, deservedly so. No local wine lover, however, will ever forget the year that Justin Vineyard’s 1994 Isosceles won the Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande trophy for “best blended red wine worldwide” in London. In the early years, the wine community was made up of fewer than a dozen wineries. I’m among the many long-time wine aficionados who has appreciated Paso Robles wines for well over two decades.
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