Paul Hobbs

Paul Hobbs is a luminary in the world of winemaking, often referred to as “The Steve Jobs of Wine” by Forbes Magazine in 2013. With over 40 years of experience, Hobbs has left an indelible mark on the industry, earning accolades like “Wine Personality of the Year” twice from Robert Parker of The Wine Advocate. His remarkable achievement of receiving over ten 100-point scores across his portfolio places him among the elite winemakers globally.

Hobbs’ journey began with a solid educational foundation, graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a BS in Chemistry in 1975 and obtaining an MS in Viticulture & Enology from the University of California, Davis in 1978.

What sets Paul Hobbs apart is his unique blend of traditional farming values, rooted in his Western New York family farm upbringing, and a pioneering scientific approach to winemaking. He is renowned for challenging conventions and embracing innovation, particularly in the early 90s when he pioneered site-specific, vineyard-designated wines. Robert Parker aptly describes him as a “truffle-hunting dog” for discovering exceptional vineyards.

Hobbs’ career also saw him as a pivotal member of the inaugural Opus One winemaking team in 1979, a joint venture between Robert Mondavi and Mouton Rothschild. However, it was his transformative trip to Argentina in 1988 that marked a significant turning point. Here, he played a pioneering role in elevating Malbec to its current fame, as chronicled in Ian Mount’s book “The Vineyard at the End of the World: Maverick Winemakers and the Rebirth of Malbec.”

Today, Paul Hobbs is a global winemaking force, presiding over eight wineries worldwide: Paul Hobbs Winery, Crossbarn, and HOBBS in California, Hillick & Hobbs in the Finger Lakes, New York, Viña Cobos in Argentina, Crocus in Cahors, France, Yacoubian-Hobbs in Armenia, and Alvaredos-Hobbs in Galicia, Spain. His unwavering commitment to excellence, both in land stewardship and crafting wines that encapsulate the essence of place, continues to inspire and redefine the art of winemaking. Paul Hobbs remains an icon and a true visionary in the world of wine.