About Us
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A Little Background on Garretson Wine Company.
The fact that Paso Robles has emerged as California’s leading “Rhône Zone” can be attributed in no small measure to the efforts of Mat Garretson. This former Atlantan was already a fan of Syrah, but it was his introduction to Viognier that opened his eyes to the entire spectrum of this exotic family of grape varieties. “In 1982, a fellow retailer gave me a bottle of wine labeled ‘Condrieu’ as a birthday present,” recalls Garretson. “I wasn’t too impressed...until I opened the bottle.” That bottle sparked an obsession so complete that Garretson is often referred to as ‘Mr. Viognier’ by his fellow winemakers.
At the time of his ‘one bottle epiphany,’ Rhône wines in America were relegated to cult wine status. “By the late 80s there were some very profound wines being made from Rhône varieties in California,” remembers Garretson, “but they were mainly seen as a curiosity by the public. I felt that if Rhône wines were ever going to catch on in this country somebody had better start beating the drum.” And seeing the need, that’s exactly what he did. In 1991 Garretson founded The Viognier Guild. What began as an informal organization dedicated to promoting Rhône wines quickly became a full-time job. “I soon realized that my real passion was wine, and thought, ‘do I want to be 80 years old and lamenting the fact that I didn’t follow my passion?’” So Garretson took a leap of faith, and put the word out to wineries that he wanted to move West. “I knew that I eventually wanted to be making Rhône wines,” Garretson says, “and that naturally had me interested in Paso Robles. I thought I’d have to pay my dues working for wineries in the North, and then eventually relocate in San Luis Obispo County to pursue that dream.” Luckily for Garretson, opportunities to work on the Central Coast emerged before his planned move to California. By 1993, Mat had pulled up his Southern roots for a new home (and employment) in Paso Robles.
Over the years, Garretson’s Viognier Guild evolved into Hospice du Rhône, host of the world’s largest international celebration of Rhône wines. The event, held in Paso Robles, brings together Rhône producers and fanatics from around the globe for three days of seminars, meals and tastings all focused on the wines that so captivated Mat over 25 years ago. Nearly every article written on the California Rhône movement in the last 15 years has quoted Garretson or mentioned his organization.
In 1997 while on a sales trip, Mat was introduced to Amie White, the woman who would later become his wife. “We met at a restaurant,” recalls Garretson, “and soon found we had mutual interests…in Rhône wines, Paul Weller, France. After I found out that we also shared the same birthday it became clear that someone up there was sending me a signal!” 1997 was also a year of new beginnings professionally, as Mat made his first commercial harvest of Syrah. Garretson Wine Company was born.
By 1998, Mat and Amie were married and in the following year Amie gave birth to their first son, Jack Francis. As a family man, Garretson found a sense of serenity. He also took pleasure that year in the knowledge that people were enjoying his first wines. 2000 witnessed the birth of the couple’s second son, Thomas Berwyn. The demands of a growing family, a full-time job, the couple’s own expanding wine business and management of Hospice du Rhône became almost too much to bear. On April 1, 2001, the Garretsons took yet another leap of faith and opened their own winery and tasting room. “The ability to focus on one full-time job instead of two has resulted in more quality time for my family," Garretson believes, “and it is resulting in better wines under our label.”
From the very first release, Garretson Wine Company has enjoyed not only commercial success but critical praise as well. High scores from Robert Parker as well as Wine Spectator, Decanter, and Wines & Spirits magazines for Garretson wines – coupled with very small production and wide distribution – ensures that the fruits of the couple’s labor meet an eager audience. At present, the Garretsons' wines are sold in over 30 U.S. states and a growing number of overseas markets.
Garretson Wine Company’s focus is solely on crafting the best Rhône wines possible. In honor of the couple’s shared heritage, each wine features some manner of Gaelic-inspired reference. “You may not be able to pronounce the names,” admits Garretson, “but remember, you don’t pronounce wines. You drink them.
While over the years Garretson has been no doubt instrumental in bringing fellow wine drinkers into the Rhône wine fold, he still feels a strong sense of obligation to keep spreading the word. “If I hadn’t been given that bottle of Condrieu so long ago, all of this may never have happened,” he insists. “That one bottle led me to California, led me to a wonderful woman and an incredible family...not to mention all of the friends I’ve gained along the way. Just think: perhaps a bottle of one of our wines might just have the same affect on someone somewhere. That would be the finest honor we could hope for.” |
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