Making the best wine the California Central Coast has to offer for over 30 years.
The Hope family has been farming in Paso Robles for more than 30 years. When they arrived in this barely-discovered region, they planted apples and grapes. Little did they know that the rolling, oak-studded terrain of Paso Robles would one day become a viticultural terroir of significance and one of the top winegrowing regions for quality red wine within the Central Coast.
Gone are the apple orchards. Today, the Hopes cultivate mature vineyards of the varieties best suited to their area including Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Mourvedre and Grenache. Vine density has increased and each vine is asked to produce very little fruit. The terroir of this domain expresses itself in its unique regional character. Regardless of the varieties planted, the expression of Paso Robles is displayed in the glass with spice, licorice and berry in the nose, soft textures and silky tannins on the palate.
Hope Family Wines consists of six individual brands: Liberty School, Treana, Quest, Austin Hope, Troublemaker, and Austin.
Stretching from Santa Barbara to Monterey, California’s Central Coast is a vast and varied region that hosts some of the premier vineyards in the country. Within this region, numerous microclimates influence the character of each varietal, making Central Coast wine distinct and noteworthy. At the heart of this region is Paso Robles. The Hope Family estate vineyard is planted in the rich calcareous loam of the Templeton Gap, the coolest microclimate in Paso Robles. It is within this unique microclimate that the warm, sunny days and cool, coastal nights most closely match the climate of the Rhône Valley as well as Napa’s acclaimed Rutherford district. Thus, the Rhône varietals planted here reflect the true varietal characteristics of the Old World. Unique to the Central Coast wine region is the wide array of soil compositions that allow growers to plant vines in the climate and soil that will reliably produce the finest characteristics. The marine sediment and dense, clay-based soils all show their influence in the flavor profiles of the wine they produce.
In Paso Robles and throughout the region, Hope Family Wines has long-standing relationships with over 50 growers to ensure only those grapes with the truest varietal characteristics go into our wines. We will accept nothing but the best and are willing to work hard to find it. One hallmark of vineyards we work with is careful limitation of crop yields to ensure concentrated flavors. We view the Central Coast as our spice rack and we carefully and purposefully source from vineyards that present true varietal characteristics to produce reliable and delicious wines.
Our winemakers and vineyard managers maintain an intimate and vital relationship wherein yearly tracking ensures vine health and consistent production. Hope Family Wines is committed to sustainable growing practices that promote vine health, improve wine quality, and ensure that growers remain profitable. Spraying is only done when necessary, not on a calendar, and never after August first. The number of tractor passes is kept to a minimum, protecting the integrity of the root structures and avoiding compacting the soil. Hope Family Wines works actively with the Central Coast Vineyard Team to promote best practices in the vineyards we work with. We also use the self-assessment tools put together by the Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers to gauge progress and identify areas for improvement over time. This multipronged approach to growing, from winter pruning through fall harvest, ensures we use only the finest grapes for each of our labels.
They say that farming is the noblest profession. We like to think of it as a labor of love. One that, for generations, has challenged us to preserve the land we farm and ensure that our preservation of our natural and human resources is handed down to the next winegrowers in our family. It’s our way of life.
Chuck and Austin Hope believe that their stewardship of our estate vineyard reaches far beyond the vineyard rows to ensure the ecosystem thrives. They’ve created wildlife corridors so the native quail, deer and maybe a wild boar or two, can pass through the vineyard.
Austin farms with a conscience. But he doesn’t take the easy path. Our estate vineyards are SIP Certified ensuring we are focusing on preservation and protection of our natural and human resources. This year, we’ve stepped up on our sustainability focus by only sourcing grapes from winegrowers whose vineyards are SIP Certified. This way, our wines are not only made with purpose, but with a focus on People, Planet and Prosperity.
One visit to our estate vineyard and you’ll know that Chuck and Austin Hope are dedicated winegrowers who love the land. Oak trees are protected. Our creek beds are alive with wildlife and native plants. Red Tail hawks nest here. California Quail coveys are year-round residents that grace the vineyard. The vineyard is alive with everything that defines Paso Robles!
