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WINE TRAVELER
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NOVEMBER 2017
TRAVEL
"Pinot Noir region," with one particular varietal domi-
nating the vineyards, everything they grow here is good.
Maybe it's an emerging secret in much of America and
globally, but in Southern California, which includes 15
million people in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, it is
regarded most highly. Even the esteemed wine connois-
seurs of the Bay area in Northern California are discover-
ing the virtues of Paso Robles wines.
Standing behind the bar at the intimate tast-
ing room at Chateau Margene, John Mooney
is another lifetime resident of Paso Robles
whose father, Michael Mooney was one of the
early originators of vineyard planting with Bor-
deaux varietals. He notes that the wines of Paso
Robles continue to rise in stature. "You have to be sharp-
ening your sword in this industry or you'll get left be-
hind," he says.
Brecon Estate Wines has also developed a following
that seems above cult status. Brecon Estate
Owner/Winemaker Damian Grindley is world traveled
and considered Australia to open his winery but settled
instead on a location on Vineyard Drive in Paso Robles.
"It's the Rodeo Drive of Paso Robles," he says. "You don't
have the dynasty thing of Napa, but our vines are now 15
to 20 years old and it's getting interesting," he says.
One boutique winery that asked not to be mentioned
in this story has a six year waiting list to become a mem-
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VISIT PASO
ROBLES
Eric Jenson, owner and winemaker
of Booker Wines at harvest.
Epoch Estate's remodeled 1898
farmhouse on York Mountain.
Proprietor
Amanda
Grindley at
Brecon Estate.
