Juggling Wine on Four Continents with Paul Hobbs

Winemaker Paul Hobbs has seen, and done, it all in the world of wine. He grew up on a farm in upstate New York, considered a career and medicine and, thanks to a few unplanned detours, ended up making wine in California for Robert Mondavi. He was on the team that created Opus One, the first French-American joint wine project, then became head winemaker at Sonoma’s influential Simi Winery. He went on to play a pivotal role in the ascent of Malbec in Argentina and founded his own winery in Sonoma, where he specializes in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and, of course, Cabernet Sauvignon for which is so well known. Today, he is either partner or owner of wineries in Argentina, Armenia, California, France, Spain and New York.

The Paul Hobbs portfolio includes Crossbarn and Paul Hobbs Wineries in California, Hillick & Hobbs Estate in New York's Finger Lakes region, Viña Cobos (and subsidiary winery Felino) in Mendoza, Argentina, Alvaredos-Hobbs in Spain, Crocus in Cahor, France and Yacoubian-Hobbs in Armenia.

In this conversation, we revisit the early days of California’s post-prohibition wine industry and wrestling with French winemakers over the best way to make Cabernet Sauvignon. Paul talks about the pioneering early days of Malbec in Argentina and what the future may hold for wine in South America )(hint - Cabernet Franc is awesome) and the other countries where he continues to be a powerful force in wine. Here is a candid conversation with a wine OG – cheers!