At Hope Family Wines, sustainability isn’t a buzzword—it’s a legacy. One that spans generations, reflects the land we love, and guides the choices we make every day in Paso Robles.
For owner and winemaker Austin Hope, farming regeneratively isn’t a trend—it’s a natural continuation of the values passed down by his father, Chuck Hope. “Leave the land better than you found it,” Chuck always says. It’s a simple rule, but one that shapes our vineyard management philosophy.
This deep sense of care is woven into everything, from the way we tend the soil to the name of our estate honey. “Queen Honey,” the wildflower honey now produced by bees on the estate, honors Austin’s mother, Marlyn Hope. Known for her warmth and strength, Marlyn has long been the heartbeat of the Hope family and the glue that holds our community together.
That same sense of community extends far beyond the vineyard. Through regenerative organic farming, we are working to create a positive impact not just on our estate, but across Paso Robles—encouraging local biodiversity, protecting native species, and supporting a future where the region thrives for generations to come.
What Is Regenerative Organic Farming?
Regenerative farming goes beyond sustainability. It’s about actively improving the land—restoring soil health, encouraging biodiversity, and building climate resilience. At Hope Family Wines, this means working with nature, not against it.
Over the past decade, the team has gradually shifted its practices:
- 2011: SIP (Sustainability in Practice) Certification
- 2018: Began planting cover crops to protect and nourish the soil
- 2019: Stopped using herbicides
- 2020: Adopted low tillage and compost applications to build soil health
- 2025 (ongoing): Introducing sheep for grazing, increasing native plantings, and expanding pollinator habitats
These efforts are part of a larger commitment to regenerative organic farming—a rigorous approach guided by the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation, which emphasizes biodiversity, soil vitality, and long-term ecosystem health.
It’s a practice that looks forward—and one that Austin hopes will leave a lasting legacy for his own children, and for anyone who calls Paso Robles home.
The Role of Bees
No regenerative system is complete without pollinators. Bees are a cornerstone of healthy ecosystems. They facilitate pollination, strengthen crop resilience, and help create the conditions for plants—and entire landscapes—to thrive.
The introduction of five bee hives on the estate and the planting of native California flowering plants are creating a thriving pollinator corridor. The bees support vineyard health, contribute to natural crop setting, and represent an important piece of the larger environmental puzzle.
Within every hive, the queen plays a vital role. She anchors the colony, ensures its growth, and sets its tone. Much like Marlyn Hope, the queen bee is the force that keeps everything moving forward—a reminder of the strength behind this family’s name, and the intention behind our farming.
Why It Matters
This way of farming may start with the soil, but it ends in the glass.
When you enjoy a bottle of wine from Hope Family Wines, you’re tasting the result of thoughtful, intentional stewardship—of land that’s cared for, not just used. The healthier the vineyard, the better the fruit. The better the fruit, the more expressive and balanced the wine.
But more than that, you’re participating in something meaningful. You’re supporting a system that values the future over shortcuts. You’re helping protect pollinators, preserve biodiversity, and sustain a landscape that’s worth passing down.
Regenerative organic farming isn’t just better for the land—it’s better for the wine. And it’s a way for all of us to be part of something that lasts.