The name Hope appears in every chapter of the 30-plus year wine industry history of Paso Robles, California. Chuck Hope planted one of the first vineyards just east of the Salinas River in 1978, and helped establish the Paso Robles region’s solid reputation for high quality grape growing. He helped other vineyards get their start and helped found what is now the Paso Robles Wine Alliance.
Chuck’s son, Austin Hope, grew up sharing his father’s passion for grape growing and the Paso Robles region, and became a winemaker. Today, this innovative farming family owns Hope Family Wines, producer of the Liberty School, Treana, Candor, Troublemaker, and Austin Hope brands.
While the Hopes are steeped in winemaking tradition, they are known for blazing new trails. Austin is a champion of the anti-snob approach to wine drinking and embraces new technology and non-traditional marketing methods. Treana, the Hopes’ first label, is one example.
“We made a very bold decision to launch Treana White as a Rhône-style blend in the 1990s,” Austin says. “With the launch of Treana Red in 1996, we helped inspire the now thriving genre of distinct Paso blends which incorporate both Rhône and Bordeaux varietals. Several Paso Robles producers have since made a real name for themselves with these types of blends.”
More recently, Austin Hope’s iconoclastic practices have expanded to include multi-vintage winemaking. Hope Family Wines introduced its first multi-vintage label, Candor, in 2008. In the summer of 2010, an additional multi-vintage wine, Troublemaker, a Rhône-inspired blend was launched.
Austin, who was named Winemaker of the Year at the 2009 California Mid-State Fair, believes that Paso Robles’ diversity is its biggest strength. “We can grow excellent Rhône varietals here, especially Syrah and Grenache, and then go five miles east and grow world-class Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel and Merlot, as well,” he says. “We haven’t been pigeonholed to just one varietal, and that’s a good thing.”
It’s evident that the name Hope will appear in Paso Robles’ next chapter, too.
WHAT TO BUY
’09 Treana Red – $35
Red currant, plum, strawberry, spice, ripe red cherry, hints of anise seed, cocoa
’10 Austin Hope Grenache – $32
Plum, cherry, blackberry, spice, leather
Troublemaker, Blend 4 – $20
Black cherry, licorice, dark berry, strawberry, hints of leather
CONTACT
805-238-4112
info@hfwines.com
hopefamilywines.com
TASTING
Tasting Room Open Fri–Sat 10–4
1585 Live Oak Rd.
Paso Robles, CA 93446
SPECIAL NOTES
Private tastings and tours, pet friendly, sustainable farming practices, picnic area, wine club discounts.
Touring & Tasting is a media company that produces a wine and travel magazine and is also partner in the Hitched Wine Club.
Steve Cooper is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Hitched. You can follow him on Twitter at @hitchedmedia.
