A SPECIAL GROWERS’ REPORT OF AG ALERT ® CALIFORNIA Trees & Vines
Winegrapes grow at Tablas Creek Vineyard in Paso Robles. In 2018, the vineyard was recognized as certified regenerative organic. The wine region celebrates its sustainable farming practices.
Paso Robles vineyards focus on organics and variety By Caitlin Fillmore
In 2014, a grower-led effort recognized 11 viticulture subregions—from the large, wet, cabernet sauvignon-producing Adelaida area in the northwest to the southern tip’s Santa Margarita appellation, where chardonnay and zinfandel grapes grow from ancient oyster beds. “It was a big moment in helping the region talk about what makes us unified and help understand the diversity that exists,” Haas said. Today, Paso Robles boasts an estimated 200 tasting rooms and 400 labels. Tourism generated nearly $10 million in revenue in 2022, driven primarily by wine enthusiasts. Unlike other winegrape growing counties where bulk wine production outweighs tast- ing room tourism, 85% of wineries in Paso Robles produce 8,000 cases per year or fewer. “Direct-to-consumer sales is a high priority for an overwhelming majority of our brands,” said Christopher Taranto, communications director at the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. “Everybody relies on that.” Post-pandemic, the region continues to experience slightly lower tasting room numbers, See VINEYARDS, Page 7
In the Paso Robles wine region of San Luis Obispo County, where different microcli- mates, soils and growing conditions support an array of winegrapes, growers say their focus on sustainability and organic farming has built a regional brand and lures tourists.
Tablas Creek Vineyard, which advertises itself as the world’s first cer- tified regenerative organic vineyard, produces 30,000 cases per year in a region that seeks to celebrate its climate-smart winegrape production and carbon sequestration practices.
Jason Haas, partner and general manager of Tablas Creek, said the vineyard became the 17th winery in the city when it was founded in 1989. The company introduced the California Rhône movement to a region that initially primarily grew zinfandel grapes, he said. “We picked Paso...because we were looking for the right match for soils, climates and rainfall for grapes from the Mediterranean coast of France,” Haas said. “At the same time, we discovered it was a great place to make cabernet and Bordeaux varieties in a credible way. The agricultural raw materials are tremendous.”
6 Ag Alert February 14, 2024
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