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Windward Vineyard
PASO ROBLES
Marc Goldberg and Maggie D'Ambrosia have an intense passion for Pinot
Noir. For the owners and winemaker of Windward Vineyard the passion runs
so deep that they have produced this varietal exclusively for the past 25 years
in the distinctive Burgundian style.
Goldberg was bitten by the Pinot Noir bug on his travels to Burgundy. His
vision was to make a "great American, Burgundian style wine," as he states.
Marc and Maggie, former hospital administrators, searched locations on the
Central Coast that would support their vision.
In 1989, the couple found a 26-acre barley farm that came with a 70-year old
barn in an enclave on Paso's west side. The region, blessed with cool ocean
breezes blowing through the Templeton Gap plus the calcareous soils, proved
to be ideal for Pinot Noir. The 15-acre vineyard was planted in 1990 and the
first vintage was produced in 1993.
The majority of grapes grown in Paso at the time were mainly sent to Napa,
and Goldberg was advised by local growers that the region was too hot for
Pinot Noir. He soon learned the history of Pinot Noir planted in Paso Robles
by Dr. Stanley Hoffman in the mid 1960s, under the advice of the famous wine
consultant, Andre Tchelistcheff, who recommended Pinot Noir planting in this
microclimate. When Goldberg happened to taste Hoffman's 1976 vintage he
was convinced that the westside of Paso was ideal for Pinot Noir.
FACING PAGE: The tasting room of Windward Vineyard was
established in 1989.
ABOVE: Husband and wife owners Maggie D'Ambrosia and
Marc Goldberg enjoy the fruits of their labor over a wine
barrel at Windward Vineyard.
Photographs courtesy of Windward Vineyard
SAN LUIS OBSIPO COUNTY
