In 1981, when much of Paso Robles was still cattle country and old-vine Zinfandel, Justin Baldwin planted 160 acres of Bordeaux varieties on Chimney Rock Road, west of town. He was chasing a specific idea: that this limestone country could make a red to stand beside the great wines of the Left Bank.

A banker’s bet on Bordeaux

Justin Baldwin came to wine from finance, and he came with a clear template. Inspired by Château Margaux and the structured, age-worthy style of Left Bank Bordeaux, he planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot on the calcareous soils of the Willow Creek District and set out to build a winery that could rival the wines that had moved him. At the time it was an unproven idea. Paso Robles had no reputation for fine Cabernet, and the west-side hills were better known for grazing than for grand cru ambitions.

ISOSCELES

The wine that changed the conversation was ISOSCELES, a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot named for the triangle of the three grapes. It earned national acclaim and put a Paso Robles label on serious collectors’ shelves for the first time, years before the region was widely taken seriously for Cabernet. ISOSCELES remains the flagship, and it is still the wine most associated with JUSTIN’s name.

Where Tablas Creek made the case for Rhône varieties in Paso, JUSTIN made the case for Bordeaux. Together they bracketed the two styles that still define the region.

The land

The estate sits on the west side of Paso Robles, where calcareous, limestone-rich soils and the cooling influence of the Templeton Gap give the fruit firm structure and acidity. The combination of warm days and cool nights, and soils that stress the vines just enough, is what lets the Bordeaux varieties here build both ripeness and backbone.

More than a tasting room

JUSTIN is one of the few Paso Robles wineries built as a full destination. The estate is home to the JUST Inn, a small luxury inn, and a restaurant, making it a place to stay and dine as well as taste. For visitors who would rather stay in town, JUSTIN also runs a downtown tasting room at 811 12th Street in Paso Robles. The winery was acquired by The Wonderful Company in 2010, which has continued to invest in the estate and its hospitality.

Visiting JUSTIN

The estate at 11680 Chimney Rock Road is a scenic drive west from downtown, through the rolling vineyards and oak hills of the Willow Creek District. Tastings at the estate are best booked ahead, and the restaurant and inn make it a natural anchor for a longer visit. The downtown tasting room offers a more casual way to try the wines without the drive.

Frequently asked questions