July 25, 2025 (Paso Robles, CA) — As the Paso Robles wine country prepares to kick off the 2025 harvest season, local vintners are entering this year’s vintage with optimism. A temperate spring followed by steady summer conditions has led to strong berry set and the potential for a larger-than-average crop — particularly for hallmark varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, and Syrah.
According to Wine Business Monthly, many growers in the region are reporting a heavier yield with smaller berry size — a promising combination for both volume and flavor concentration. With warm days and cool nights continuing into mid-summer, the region’s consistent growing conditions are expected to give winemakers added flexibility in harvest timing and stylistic expression.
“It’s been a mild and steady growing season so far, with spring and summer unfolding gradually,” says winemaker Orion Stang, who works with over 20 vineyards in the Los Alamos, Santa Ynez, Paso Robles, and SLO Coast appellations. “That kind of extended timeline bodes well for quality—allowing for consistent ripening and the potential for a more spaced-out harvest. Right now, our focus in the vineyard is on hang time and developing balanced, expressive fruit. We’re seeing really uniform growth, which is always encouraging.” Stang crafts wines for Claude Philippe and his own brand, Emercy Wines.
As harvest crews mobilize and production capacity tightens across the region, a full-service custom crush facility — Fortress Custom Crush — has officially opened its doors and is actively booking clients for the 2025 vintage. Entering a new era under fresh ownership, Fortress Custom Crush offers expanded services and state-of-the-art equipment for premium boutique and mid-sized producers. The facility features private winemaking spaces, small-lot temperature control, full lab services, and flexible barrel and case good storage — all in the heart of Paso Robles wine country.
“Fortress was designed to give winemakers the creative freedom and technical support they need to make their best wines,” said Jeremy Leffert, General Manager and Director of Winemaking at Fortress Custom Crush. “From high-end equipment to tailored service and scalable infrastructure, we’re ready to support both established brands and new labels entering the market this harvest.”
A New Chapter for Wine Hospitality in Paso Robles
Castle-Inspired Destination is Reimagined – Grand Reveal Launching this Fall
Complementing the production powerhouse of Fortress and coming online this fall is a 9,000-square-foot hospitality center located adjacent to Fortress Custom Crush. With expansive indoor-outdoor flexibility, the hospitality center is currently undergoing a stunning transformation ahead of its grand opening this fall. Renovation is currently underway with new spaces for wine tasting, private events, corporate gatherings, wine club parties, and seasonal celebrations.
“We are thrilled to be bringing this vision to life,” said Azurae Shults, owner of Ciel Bleu Event Design, who is supporting event management and design at the hospitality center.
“With its stunning architecture, flexible indoor-outdoor layout, and thoughtfully designed guest experience, the space will offer an incredible canvas for everything from curated tastings and wine club pick-up parties to elegant weddings and executive retreats”, adds Greer Woodruff, owner of SCOUT Rental Company, who is a consulting partner with Shults.
At its core will be a collaborative tasting room, giving Fortress Custom Crush clients an exciting platform for deepening customer engagement, experience and brand-building. In addition to tasting room access, producers will benefit from shared office space and a collaborative environment that fosters innovation and connection among boutique producers.
“The energy in the industry right now is coming from smaller, independent producers”, says Stang. “As the landscape shifts, it’s creativity that’s going to drive the future, and we’re seeing that in the wines being made. This is a word-of-mouth community, and we’re lucky to be surrounded by a collective of passionate producers who genuinely support one another. The new collaborative tasting room concept is a natural extension of that spirit—bringing together like-minded winemakers under one roof and offering visitors a deeper, more diverse experience.”
“The shared facility model is built to complement and elevate small-lot winemaking while empowering producers to grow their direct-to-consumer and brand presence,” adds Leffert. “It’s an exciting addition to what makes Paso Robles such a dynamic and evolving wine region.”
The hospitality center’s full brand identity remains under wraps until the fall, when owners say they will host a grand opening celebration once the renovation is complete.
As the 2025 harvest nears, Fortress Custom Crush is filling up with boutique and mid-sized producers eager to secure production space in Paso Robles. Offering premium equipment, tailored service, and small-lot flexibility, Fortress is purpose-built to help winemakers craft exceptional wines with confidence and control.
Winemakers interested in joining Fortress for the 2025 vintage are encouraged to reserve space now, as capacity is limited and demand is strong. To schedule a tour or inquire about custom crush services and hospitality offerings, visit www.fortresscustomcrush.com.
