Paul Hobbs Winery

Paul Hobbs Winery – Greatness Across All Vintages

Located within the scenic California wine country, the Paul Hobbs Winery stands as the exemplification of passion, precision, and artistry in winemaking. Established by acclaimed winemaker Paul Hobbs, this vineyard has become synonymous with exceptional wines that capture the essence of the terroir and reflect a commitment to quality that extends from the vineyard to the bottle.

Origins of Excellence

"It all began on an orchard." These simple words encapsulate the roots of Paul Hobbs' journey into winemaking. Growing up as one of eleven children on a family-run orchard in upstate New York, Hobbs developed an early appreciation for farming. The discipline instilled in him through planting, harvesting crops, and selling them at farmers markets laid the groundwork for a lifelong connection to the land.

Hobbs' father, the driving force behind these family endeavors, introduced him to the concept of terroir. Tasting the same apple variety grown in different orchards left a lasting impression, shaping Hobbs' vineyard-specific approach to winemaking.

Although inspired by his great-grandfather's legacy as a doctor, Paul Hobbs initially pursued a degree in chemistry at Notre Dame University. It wasn't until after graduation that he succumbed to his father's encouragement, eventually earning a Master's degree in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis. Thus, Paul embarked on a path that would lead him to play a pivotal role in transforming a portion of the family orchard into a vineyard.

An Impressive Start

Paul Hobbs' winemaking journey began impressively with him working side-by-side with Robert Mondavi, handpicked for the inaugural Opus One team. This experience, coupled with subsequent roles at Simi Winery and consulting for esteemed estates like Peter Michael, Lewis Cellars, and Bodegas Catena, honed Hobbs' expertise. These formative years deepened his belief in the transformative power of compelling vineyards.

Birth of Paul Hobbs Winery

In 1991, Paul Hobbs reached out to viticultural titans Larry Hyde and Richard Dinner, seeking to purchase five tons of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. These grapes marked the debut releases of Paul Hobbs Winery. Today, these relationships persist, with Hyde and Dinner's vineyards playing a crucial role in the winery's continued pursuit of greatness.

Paul turned his dream into reality in 1998, with the establishment of the Katherine Lindsay Estate in Sebastopol, California. This vineyard, named in honor of his great-grandmother, serves as a heartfelt tribute to Paul's familial origins on the New York family farm, acting as a perpetual wellspring of inspiration. Since its inaugural harvest in 2003, Paul has been steadfast in expanding the winery's vineyard presence, which now spans eight sites in prime appellations.

A Mélange of Terroir

Over the years, Paul Hobbs has become renowned for identifying and cultivating both new and historic vineyards. With a collection of eight sites in premier appellations for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon, the winery's portfolio showcases the singular nature of each site, spanning Russian River Valley, West Sonoma Coast, and Napa Valley. Paul Hobbs Winery's commitment to excellence is evident in its diverse range of wines:

Vineyard Designate Wines

These wines, each sourced from a single vineyard, channel the nuances of their origins, delivering energy, purity, and exquisite balance.

Appellation Wines

Combining various vineyard sources, these wines offer a snapshot of each vintage, conveying the distinctive elements of every season with elegance and finesse.

Cuvée Wines

Representing the pinnacle of estate vineyards, Cuvée wines are deeply nuanced expressions of terroir, released via allocation to mail list members.

Sparkling Wine

Built on centuries of history, these sparkling wines utilize the traditional method and premium Pinot Noir to yield vivacious, well-balanced, and inherently celebratory creations.
Partner Vineyards

TO KALON VINEYARD

Among the distinguished vineyards under the Beckstoffer umbrella, To Kalon stands out as one of the most renowned. Acquired from Beaulieu Vineyard in 1993, this historic vineyard was initially planted by Napa pioneer Hamilton Crabb in 1868 and has consistently yielded some of Napa Valley's finest red grapes. After a meticulous replanting in 1994, featuring multiple clones of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, along with modern trellising and closer vine spacing, To Kalon continues to produce highly sought-after vineyard-designated wines. In a move to ensure its preservation, the property was placed under a land conservation easement in 2007, forever safeguarding it from non-agricultural development.

DR. CRANE VINEYARD

Planted by Napa pioneer Dr. George Belden Crane in 1858, Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard holds a rich history. During the 1920s, the site was home to the Chinatown of the City of St. Helena. Acquired by Beckstoffer Vineyards in 1997, the vineyard's gravelly loam soils underwent a comprehensive replanting in 1998. This revitalization included multiple clones of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc, ensuring that the vineyard continues to contribute to the legacy of this esteemed viticultural region.
These are just two of the wineries’ spectacular partner vineyards, where they source grapes for their top quality wines.

Paul Hobbs Winery's commitment to sustainable practices is not just a philosophy but a way of life. Partnering with both estate-owned and partner vineyards, the team strives to showcase each vineyard's particular origins in wines that promise elegance, balance, and purity.

Unveiling the Winemaking Process

The knowledge and craftsmanship of Paul Hobbs Winery is revealed in their meticulous winemaking process. Clusters are manually harvested using small shears to ensure grapes arrive at the winery as pristine as they were on the vine. The winery then ferments solely with native yeasts originating from source vineyards and the cellar, resulting in dynamic wines with distinct aromas, flavors, and textures. The wines age in finely grained French oak barrels, allowing a delicate transfer of oxygen that elevates the character of each grape variety and vineyard site. Bottling occurs unfined and unfiltered after seamless integration of all elements, expressing each site's inherent character with maximum clarity.

A Fusion Of Science And Artistry

For Paul Hobbs Winery, winemaking is a fusion of science and artistry. Their work in the fields and vineyards is inextricably linked, aiming to interpret each terroir and transmit the energy of each vineyard site into the glass. The winery's dedication to preserving the integrity of the grapes and using minimal technology in the cellar speaks to their unwavering commitment to quality.

From orchard roots to vinous heights, the journey of Paul Hobbs is a testament to the transformative power of passion, perseverance, and a profound connection to the land which is translated into every bottle.

Written by: Arabella Maislinger