PASO ROBLES, Calif., Oct. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Epoch Estate Wines (www.epochwines.com), producer of ultra-premium Rhone variety wines from west Paso Robles, announces the appointment of Matt Hobbs as its General Manager. Matt was previously Vice President of Marketing and Sales at The Vines of Mendoza in Mendoza, Argentina. Prior to that, he was Vice President and General Manager of Paul Hobbs Winery in Sonoma County, California. Matt comes to Epoch Estate Wines with extensive experience in building and leading high-quality brands and organizations in the wine, food and beverage industries.
"We are thrilled that Matt has joined us on our mission to establish Epoch Estate Wines as a preeminent producer of world-class Rhone variety wines from our historic vineyards in California's west Paso Robles wine region," says founder Bill Armstrong.
Matt joins a team that includes consulting winemaker Justin Smith, of acclaimed Saxum Vineyards in Paso Robles, and winemaker David Jelinek, previously with Harlan Estate, Joseph Phelps and Groth wineries in the Napa Valley. "I am delighted and honored to join the team at Epoch Estate Wines in their pursuit of crafting and presenting wine lovers with top wines from west Paso Robles," said Hobbs. Benchmark Consulting (www.benchmarkhr.com) conducted the search.
About Epoch Estate Wines
Located in the rapidly emerging west Paso Robles region of California's Central Coast, Epoch Estate Wines is dedicated to the boutique production of ultra-premium quality Rhone variety wines. Founded in 2004 by prospectors and oenophiles Bill and Liz Armstrong, it is committed to becoming one of the region's leading wineries. More than 95 acres of estate vineyards, including the legendary Paderewski Vineyard, have been planted to 10 different Rhone variety grapes and a select amount of a zinfandel and tempranillo. Epoch Estate's first wines are scheduled to be released in 2010. For more information, please visit www.epochwines.com.
About the Paderewski Vineyard
In 1913, famed Polish pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski visited Paso Robles seeking the healing effects of its hot mineral baths for his rheumatism. He fell in love with the area and stayed to establish Rancho San Ignacio and plant what would become a prized zinfandel and petite sirah vineyard. Paderewski crafted award-winning wines from his vineyard in the 1930s and sold it shortly before his death in 1941. After laying fallow for decades, the land was rediscovered and acquired by Bill and Liz Armstrong in 2004 during their search for the ideal place to fulfill their dream of making extraordinary Rhone variety wines. They fittingly rededicated this distinctive terroir to winegrowing and revived its name in honor of Ignacy Jan Paderewski and his original vision for this land. Characterized by limestone soils, steep slopes and the maritime influence of the nearby Pacific Ocean, the Paderewski Vineyard was replanted in 2005.
About Ignacy Jan Paderewski
Born in Poland in 1861, Ignacy Jan Paderewski was renowned as the most famous and popular pianist of all times. He traveled by private train throughout the United States in the early 1900s performing concerts in sold-out town squares and halls. Paderewski was the first pianist to perform solo at Carnegie Hall in New York City. He spoke seven languages and in 1919 became Prime Minister of newly independent Poland. Ignacy Jan Paderewski was an unparalleled virtuoso and patriot. For more information about his life and the annual Paso Robles festival held in his honor, please visit www.usc.edu/dept/polish_music/ and www.paderewskifest.com.
SOURCE Epoch Estate Wines
Epoch Estate Wines
