Big wineries versus small wineries. The west side versus the east side. Those who have been in the Paso Robles area forever versus the newcomers from Los Angeles. This vineyard versus that vineyard. Residents versus vineyards in regards to the water issue. Hell, even this winery versus that winery in regards to the water issue. On and on.
I know that Paso Robles will one day have subdivided AVA’s rather than the one AVA, Paso Robles, that we have lived with up to now but that’s not necessarily what I mean when I say the separation of Paso Robles.
Due to this blog which we’ve had since January of 2010 and my involvement in social media since January of 2009, I have had the opportunity to meet hundreds and hundreds of locals and tourists alike. Annie and I have been avid wine tasters since we met over seven years ago which is why we started blogging about this area but in doing so we have developed awesome relationships with many in the local industry.
From the locals we hear more “behind the scenes” stuff than maybe tourists do when they come to town. When people travel to the Paso Robles wine region we, the locals (wine industry folks, PRWCA, Travel Paso), want this area to provide a quaint, romantic, rustic, yet exquisitely comfortable getaway. It’s only when you live somewhere or are at least a very regular visitor of an area that you can see past the romance into what really is.
Not that there is not romance…you just tend to see more of the story.
Where I once saw a solid, thick foundation that Paso Robles had been built on I now see cracks. I see division. I see an ‘us versus them’ mentality growing. The “us” and the “them” that I am referring to go back to my original paragraph. There is no one “us” or one “them”. There are multiple issues going on and I wonder where these issues will leave Paso Robles in the future.
That is my concern. I love this area. I’ve been here for over 10 years and since moving here I have started four businesses (two still in operation), married Annie, had a son, bought a home, and developed some of the best friendships I’ve ever had. I owe most of this to the wine industry…so it troubles me to see the cracks in the foundation.
It’s possible there are always cracks in everything. Maybe I was naive (or maybe I still am) to the cracks before…blind to them. I am just seeing more of a divide in this area. I see it with a small handful of the wineries around now that seem to have a different vision of what Paso is. Maybe that’s changing things. It could simply be growing pains of a once unheard of, up and coming wine region.
I’m not writing this because I have the answers. Instead I’m writing this as a reminder of what makes Paso Robles great. It’s working together regardless of disagreement. It’s wineries supporting wineries. It’s winemakers supporting winemakers. We control the destiny of this area. If our hope is to preserve the rich history, the quaint feeling, the award winning downtown, and the culture of this unique little paradise we must tell that story.
It would be pretty amazing to see those that have this east side versus west side mentality grow up and realize it’s all Paso. Sure, the soil may be different and the west side gets more rain but screw that. The east side is Paso too and if you think they aren’t making great wines go over and try them again. The other thing I know is that many west side wineries get east side fruit…so go figure.
It would also be pretty awesome if we could come together to protect the water and take care of the environment. Who doesn’t have skin in the game on this issue? We all do. So figure it out and stop bickering about it.
It would be lovely if the conversation about big wineries and little wineries could end as well. Go taste and buy wine wherever you want…your choice. But to say big wineries are a problem or that a 200 case winery is insignificant is ridiculous. The wine business is like the animal kingdom…the weak will disappear and the strong will survive. And by the way, there are some BIG wineries making really nice wines. Don’t knock them until you try them. I also urge everyone to go and support the little guys too. We have some of the most outstanding small production wineries in the world right here.
Lastly, the newbies versus the natives. It’s all good folks. I was a newbie once. All the “L.A. folks” are more than welcome. I just give you this piece of advice…understand the local culture. Be part of this unique community, do not let yourself feel as though you are above it. I don’t care if you move in here with bags of money but no amount of money can make an asshole pretty.
So that’s my rambling for today. I just wanted to get a few things off my chest. I see things and hear things weekly but I try to keep my mouth shut and realize it’s just part of life. It would be unwise to name names and all that so I put it here and hope one or two people understand what I’m trying to say and work a little bit harder to fill the cracks in the foundation.
Cheers to those that get it!
Come on after all the money I spent at Mary Kay I’m sure I’ve got to be pretty.
Gary, haha…you’re as pretty as they come!!
We’re newbies for sure, and in the process of trying to get a small — and environmentally friendly — residence built in the Creston area. We’ll be paying substantial fees to SLO County for the right to use the water from our existing well. In the near future, the county government will be providing and installing water saving toilets and shower heads, free of charge, for rural residents, paid for by new development.
I’m not exactly thrilled to be writing a check for our part in this, but I realize it’s now the price of admission. For long time residents, the water issues must be the biggest crack in the foundation. If I perceived that my water had been sucked dry by a combination of drought and agriculture, or drought and homes…..well, you’d see some serious unhappiness.
I hope issues of growth, development and water usage can be dealt with directly and effectively. I can’t help thinking there is enough for everyone if properly managed. I’ve been visiting Paso seriously for over a decade. The quality of wine has become spectacular during that time, along with the quality of life built around the wine. I’d hate to loose any of it.
Ed, well said. Water is definitely a huge issue and it’s made bigger because some folks don’t seem to think they need to help be part of the solution. Hopefully it gets ironed out. Time will tell…but time is of the essence. I appreciate your thoughts!
Where ever man puts his hand Trouble intrigue control greed etc. is bound to follow. Ah man being man. It’s been going on since the beginning of time and it will never end, but I know this if God wills that we should get back to Paso as were dying to we’ll just try to love everyone keep smiling keep looking up.
Well said, Agustin. It has been going on since the beginning of time…over every issue under the sun. Keep smiling, keep looking up…indeed! 🙂
Awesome post! Thanks for writing this!
Dani, thanks for the comment. Do you agree? Or at least see some of what I’m talking about?
I am going to keep my mouth shut…
Me too, Mauricio. Lots of opinions and lots going on. 🙂
I can’t!!!…Here is my take on the water issue:
As most of us know, grapes are made of 99% water…
Solution: Cap production to maintain quality to 5 or 6 tons/acre max (if you want to be able to put “Paso Robles” on the label) and you will see big decrease in water use by vineyards, an increase in wine quality and an increase in revenue coming from grape buyers.
Benefits go to growers, the environment and the reputation of the AVA. Big wineries can find cheap fruit else where.
I think this is a good way the local wine industry can help itself and help with the water issue. This would also help local wineries get fruit from Paso that otherwise will end up making wines and revenue for wineries up north. The money and the fruit stays within the AVA.
What do you think?
Mauricio, it sounds reasonable but I would have to hear from those that would oppose that idea. I agree with the premise of keeping quality high here in Paso while at the same time helping the environment. Seems this would hurt big farmers most…yes?
Big or small farmers will be able to farm the way they want but if they go over the quota of 5 or 6 ton/acre, the wine made from this fruit cannot have the AVA name on the label. If they sell their grapes out of the AVA, let say, to a winery up north the wine label most likely will read “California” not Paso Robles. The big farmers are already selling their fruit to wineries that blend the fruit with sources from all over California.
Less fruit/acre, less input (water, fertilizer, pesticides), better quality, local wineries will want to buy the fruit for a higher price…
It is just an idea for times like this!
Mauricio, it honestly seems to make sense to me. Would be interesting if anyone in power would think it makes sense too.
Informative post ! We’ve been coming up to Paso for over 15 years now. (we’re one of those ‘evil’ LA folks 🙂 ) Now we have the opportunity to move up there. We really like the ‘real people’ feel that we’ve missed since growing up in the midwest. Your post makes me start to think as we’ve just started to do solid research. The water issue does seem to be quite serious. Paso has a great future in front of it. Many of the wines are as good as you can fine anywhere, and it will only get better.
Keep up the great work. Your Blog posts are interesting and helpful.
Curt, really appreciate the comment and kind words. There’s a lot of research and experimentation going on in the world of water in Paso. My gut tells me they will get it figured out…but there’s always that small chance they won’t. I don’t regret living in Paso, in fact, it’s the best place I’ve ever lived. That said, there are issues and I’d rather bring up the conversation than ignore it or bicker about it. Cheers to you, glad you’ve been enjoying Paso. 🙂
Sorry it took me so long to respond, but I’ve been on the road. Big wineries can get much cheaper fruit elsewhere, but they are in Paso to get quality fruit. They pay a premium for Paso fruit. Most vineyards in Paso already are cropping at 5-6 tons/acre. Our vineyard rarely produces more than 3 tons/ acre. Wineries are not in Paso to get cheap fruit, but quality fruit and they pay extra for it. Please don’t let emotions drive this topic. Paso grows less than 3% of the grapes in California. The wineries are here for quality not quanity.
Gary, I’m glad to hear your point of view. You’ve been in this business for a long time and more importantly you know Paso better than darn near anyone. I didn’t realize Paso is only at 3% of the grapes grown in CA…I’m kind of glad to hear it’s that low.
Less than 3%. Wineries are here for the quality of our fruit not the quanity.
Good info, thanks Gary!! Hope to see you soon.