Paul Hobbs, Founder and Winemaker
Paul Hobbs Winery
One of 11 kids, Hobbs grew up on the family farm in New York, near Lake Ontario.
Since landing his first full-time wine gig with the late Robert Mondavi in 1978, Hobbs has made one big splash after another. One of his first wine-making jobs was working on the first Opus One project, the high-profile collaboration between the Mondavis and the Rothschild family of Bordeaux, France, that focused on producing ultra premium wines.
Since landing his first full-time wine gig with the late Robert Mondavi in 1978, Hobbs has made one big splash after another. One of his first wine-making jobs was working on the first Opus One project, the high-profile collaboration between the Mondavis and the Rothschild family of Bordeaux, France, that focused on producing ultra premium wines.
In 1990, while taking part in the Wildflower Century bike ride through Sonoma’s West County, he fell in love with the Sebastopol area. It reminded him of the farm back in New York. He purchased a parcel of land and named it after his great-grandmother Katherine Lindsay, who founded the family farm.
Not only are his estate wines prized by collectors, they regularly earn some of the highest accolades. In 2005, his Paul Hobbs 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer to Kalon Vineyard scored the coveted 100 points from Wine Advocate; the 2013 vintage also notched a perfect score, as did the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard.
With his global wine-consulting business expanding, Hobbs spends only half of his time in California; nevertheless, he still calls it his favorite place. Sebastopol is where he’s most personally motivated and invigorated. "There are so many beautiful places around the world, but you can’t say there’s anyplace more beautiful than here," he says, calling his winery the mother ship of his operations. His wife and two young children also live here.
Purchase one of the following Paul Hobbs Wine Tasting Selections and receive an evite to join us on Zoom. Visit our website for more information.
Not only are his estate wines prized by collectors, they regularly earn some of the highest accolades. In 2005, his Paul Hobbs 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer to Kalon Vineyard scored the coveted 100 points from Wine Advocate; the 2013 vintage also notched a perfect score, as did the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard.
With his global wine-consulting business expanding, Hobbs spends only half of his time in California; nevertheless, he still calls it his favorite place. Sebastopol is where he’s most personally motivated and invigorated. "There are so many beautiful places around the world, but you can’t say there’s anyplace more beautiful than here," he says, calling his winery the mother ship of his operations. His wife and two young children also live here.
Purchase one of the following Paul Hobbs Wine Tasting Selections and receive an evite to join us on Zoom. Visit our website for more information.