Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/581407
6 / the tasting panel / october 2015 UP UpFront with Highspire Whiskey Award-winning Paso Robles winemaker Austin Hope often refers to himself as both a dreamer and a traditionalist. I also happen to know he is a creative innovator, as evidenced by his Hope Family Wine's award-winning releases over the years, including Treana, their flagship Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah blend. Or Troublemaker, an atypically blended red crafted from multiple vintages and varietals and christened with Austin's boyhood nickname. But, in spite of all his winemaking accomplishments, I've never heard Austin say he could perform miracles. And yet, I've recently seen him turn wine into rye whiskey. by Richard Carleton Hacker / photos by Celeste Hope Highspire Rye coming to life on the bottling line at the distillery.