By Lori Budd of Exploring the Wine Glass
There is no love story if people don’t come together. There needs to be that singular moment where fireworks spark, perfect music is playing and the couple leans in for the memorable kiss that brings butterflies to their stomachs. In the wine world, that perfect moment is harvest. It’s the time where the entire year’s work culminates into a dance between sunrise and science. In Paso Robles, this season is celebrated in both the vineyards and tasting rooms.
The so-called “normal” people, you know, non-winemakers typically mark their calendars with birthdays, anniversaries or holidays. But for winemakers, the stars on the calendar correlate to the weather forecast, tasting the grapes and quietly and politely asking Mother Nature to play nicely in the sandbox for just a bit longer. When October comes, in between the typical traffic, there are tractors and trucks pulling bins filled with fruit. Sticky hands and purple stained clothes are the badges of honor for winemakers and this is their gametime.
A Labor of Love and Timing
Harvest is the ideal blend of art and science. It’s a careful balance between intuition and analytical data. Winemakers can be seen walking the vineyards, tasting the fruit, checking seed color and of course, measuring Brix (sugar levels.) High quality wine is not just about the numbers, each bottle needs to tell the story of the grapes used to make the wine. Picking time is essential. Too soon and the wine may lack depth. Too late and the wine loses its spark. It is a fun but stressful time.
In Paso Robles, the diurnal shift (temperature differences between day and night) allow the grapes to develop their rich flavors while maintaining their all important acidity. The balanced relationship in the vineyard is no different than what’s needed to ensure a healthy relationship with a partner. It’s this dance between passion and restraint and intensity and calm, that gives birth to such a beautifully crafted wine.
Community in Every Cluster
In Paso Robles, harvest isn’t just about the vineyards tucked into rolling hills. Paso is alive and thriving right in the heart of downtown. Downtown Paso, with its hub being the park, includes over 30 wineries in a four by four block radius and is a hub of activity year-round. Here, the community is welcomed like family and the wineries work together to help promote the entire area. This comradery can be felt in every poured glass.
During harvest, that relationship is electric. Laughter spills out from tasting rooms where visitors become part of the story as they sip the wine in their glass. The downtown wineries are more than just places to sip; they’re the pulse of Paso Robles’ winemaking spirit. It’s a place where collaboration, creativity, and a shared passion of the craft come together to make the magic happen.
Paso’s Signature Style
Paso Robles brings something beautifully authentic to the table. Sometimes referred to as the wild wild west, Paso isn’t truly wild. It may be just a bit rebellious. But it definitely has a whole lot of heart. With over 40 grape varieties thriving in Paso, harvest is a kaleidoscope of colors and aromas. White varieties such as Viognier and Chardonnay, grow just as wonderfully as Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc. Paso provides both Bordeaux and Rhône aficionados a place to fall in love.
It’s this diversity that makes Paso wines so dynamic. Each vineyard, each block, has its own story, and come harvest, they all come together to be the narrative of the region.
A Toast to Harvest Month
As we celebrate Harvest Month in Paso Robles, it’s the perfect time to stop by your favorite downtown tasting rooms, chat with the winemakers, and raise a glass to the season that makes it all possible. Be sure to check the website for harvest month activities.
Harvest isn’t just a process, it is a love letter written in juice, soil, sun and sweat. And here in Paso Robles, we sign the letter with a smile, a little dust on our boots, and maybe just a hint of wine on our lips.
~Slàinte!
About Lori Budd
With a passion for wine that bubbles like the finest Champagne, Lori Budd is a wine educator who loves bringing the joys of vino to others. A certified Spanish Wine Scholar and WSET Level 2 Award holder, Lori has mastered the nuances of wines from Albariño through Zinfandel. As a champagne specialist, she can sabrage a bottle open with flair while explaining what makes the region unique. Lori founded Cabernet Franc Day to spotlight this oft-overlooked Bordeaux variety. Based in Paso Robles wine country, she is dedicated to promoting the extraordinary region. When Lori pours, good times are sure to flow; she promises to never tell you what to drink, but she’ll always share what’s in her glass. Follow along her journey through her award winning blog and nationally ranked podcast; Exploring the Wine Glass.
