We are pleased to announce that Gary Eberle, long ago dubbed ‘The Godfather’ of Paso Robles wine, has agreed to serve as Chief Judge at the seventh annual Winemaker Challenge International Wine Competition in January.
Eberle was recently honored by the California State Fair with its Wine Lifetime Achievement Award, joining the likes of wine industry legends such as Robert Mondavi and Richard Peterson.
Gary launched his winemaking career in the 1970s at the Estrella River Winery in Paso Robles. He led the charge to gain American Viticultural Area (AVA) status for Paso Robles, and his 1980 Eberle Winery Cabernet Sauvignon was the first wine to have the Paso Robles AVA on its label.
"Before that, all of the wines from Paso Robles were designated San Luis Obispo County," Eberle said.
Gary also was the first vintner to plant Syrah along California’s Central Coast, and the first winemaker in America to bottle a 100 percent varietal Syrah.
Eberle has served as a judge at all six of the previous Winemaker Challenges.
Information about the wine competition can be found at www.WinemakerChallenge.com
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