Cellar No. 8

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Winemaker, Cellar No. 8

Winemaker, Cellar No. 8

Paul is perhaps one of the most unassuming and affable winemakers in the business. Born in North Dakota, the son of a Lutheran minister, Paul was from an early age fascinated by science. Paul went to school at North Dakota State and graduated with a degree in microbiology in 1977.

"1978 was the first time I tasted wine. Well that’s not true, but it is the first time I though about what I was tasting.

With a major in microbiology from North Dakota State University, he brings a true understanding of science to winemaking. He hoped to go into environmental microbiology, but decided to move to CA in the spring of 1980 and he got a harvest job at Souverain.

"It was supposed to last two weeks, and they just couldn’t get enough of me." That led to a full time position. In 1984 he was promoted to lab manager, and in 1988 he became the winemaker at Asti. Paul received his 25th year of service award this past year.

Paul especially enjoys dabbling with the diverse flavors that emerge from the vineyards, "...to bring out the best the vineyard has to offer." He appreciates the state-of-the art facility in which he makes the wines as well as the history and the people that work with him—many of whom are second generation employees of the site that dates back to the 1880’s.

"My favorite part of the job is blending and tasting – seeing how different components fit together, and realizing that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts."