The Inspired Intermedia digital book collection
Issue link: https://inspired.uberflip.com/i/1175874
127 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