Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1011938
{ SOMMjournal.com } 103 San Luis Obispo County, or SLO, follows the Pacific Ocean along California's Central Coast from Arroyo Grande to Paso Robles. Venturing through the towns, cities, and beachfront communities dotting the inland hillsides of the Santa Lucia mountain range, The SOMM Journal handpicked a group of standout family-owned wineries and set out to document our experiences with nine wine-buyer "campers" in tow. Celebrating a Milestone at Peachy Canyon Winery When Doug Beckett and his wife Nancy founded Peachy Canyon Winery in 1988, Paso Robles was a sleepy agricultural zone best known for its expansive ranches, fruit and nut orchards, and sulfur-rich mineral baths. Although Chardonnay, Cab - ernet Sauvignon, and Merlot vines as well as a few blocks of Rhône varietals were already in the ground, Doug chose to work with Zinfandel planted there by Italian families from the turn of the century to when his family arrived in the early 1980s. In hindsight, he says wouldn't have done it any differently. "To me, Zinfandel is the benchmark that put Paso Robles and the Califor - nia wine industry on the world map to stay," Beckett said during the opening night dinner for Paso Somm Camp. "It's a grape that has the ability to grow in the warm California sun and still has enough natural acidity to make world-class wines that are elegant, agewor thy, and very food-friendly." Named for the rural road where the early wines were made, the Peachy Can - yon brand made its first big splash in 1992 when the Especial Zinfandel ranked among Wine Spectator's "Top 100 Wines of the World." As the years passed, Doug and his team went on to develop a wide range of bold, rich, and expressive wines with fruit from the family's four estate properties and other premium vineyards on Paso's west side. This year, Doug, Nancy, and their sons Josh and Jake will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the winery with a special limited-release wine comprised of 80% Zinfandel, 15% Grenache, and 5% Syrah. All fruit used in the blend was grown a few miles west of downtown Paso Robles at the family's Mustang Springs CAMP [ ] [ ] Peachy Canyon Winery founders Nancy and Doug Beckett. PHOTO COURTESY OF EDNA VALLEY VINEYARDS The view of the Edna Valley at dusk from Edna Valley Vineyards. The Peachy Canyon Zinfandel from Mustang Springs Ranch. "In my opinion, the aromas and pure fruit flavors of these wines really reflect the sites where the grapes are grown without too much winemaker intervention." —Marilyn Snee, Sommelier