Leading Paso Robles Winery Shines a Light on
Two Unsung Grape Varieties
April 14, 2026 (Paso Robles, CA) — One was born of happenstance, the other by design—but both shine a light on unsung grape varieties grown in Paso Robles. Introducing the 2023 Austin Hope Estate Graciano and 2023 Austin Hope Saint Macaire, available now at the winery’s tasting rooms and online.
“The California wine industry is still young enough to stay curious and promote discovery, especially here in Paso Robles,” said Owner-Winemaker Austin Hope. “Alternative grapes like Graciano and Saint Macaire expand our horizons and give wine drinkers new flavors to enjoy and explore.”
Graciano: A Surprise Bestseller
Releasing today is the 2023 Austin Hope Estate Graciano ($129) The story of this wine begins in 2012, when Hope sought to replant a struggling block at his family’s estate vineyard in the Templeton Gap District of Paso Robles. His intent was to grow the newest clean clone of the famed Monastrell grape, a legacy variety from Spain’s renowned Rioja region also known as Mourvèdre. Along with select neighboring wineries, Hope acquired cuttings from a reputable nursery and planted them at the estate.
However, once the vines began producing fruit, Hope sensed that something was amiss—the grape clusters didn’t look or taste like Mourvèdre. DNA testing at UC Davis confirmed his suspicion: the vines were actually Morastel, better known as Graciano, another noble varietal from Rioja with a similar name but a very different identity.
Some local growers chose to pull the mistaken vines and start over, but Hope decided to keep them. Before these estate vines came into their own, Hope began making a Graciano from the Paso Robles Highlands District—and it has become a surprise hit, selling out quickly to a dedicated fan base of members and guests.
Now comes the winery’s first Graciano made exclusively from the original estate planting, which raises the bar on what is possible from Paso Robles Graciano. Balanced and restrained, the 2023 Austin Hope Estate Graciano delivers lush tannins, vibrant acidity and a lingering, elegant finish.
The wine’s label depicts an original painting by Austin Hope, which is titled “Digging through the Darkness”—a nod to his life’s journey and his explorations of this noble Spanish grape.
Saint Macaire: Lost Then Found
Released earlier this spring, the 2023 Austin Hope Saint Macaire ($75) comes from what is today known as Tufera Farms in the Creston District—a vineyard estate that Hope acquired last year after contracting fruit from the site since 2007. In 2020, Hope offered a planting contract for a new 4.91-acre contracted planting of Saint Macaire at Tufera Farms, placing a rather significant bet on a largely unknown grape. The first fruits of that planting are now in the bottle with the 2023 vintage.
Saint Macaire is one of Bordeaux’s “lost grapes,” a variety that largely disappeared after the phylloxera crisis of the late 19th century. Along with Carménère and Gros Verdot, it fell out of favor and was never widely replanted, making it one of the rarest Bordeaux varieties in the world today. Historically, it was grown on the Right Bank near the medieval town of Saint-Macaire, where it was prized for its deep color, soft texture, and ability to bring richness and balance to blends.
Hope felt that Paso Robles—home of some of California’s most dynamic Cabernet Sauvignons and Bordeaux-style wines—could be a perfect proving ground for Saint Macaire.
“As a winery, Cabernet Sauvignon is our foremost calling card, but we also enjoy pushing the boundaries of what can be grown and enjoyed from Paso Robles,” Hope said. “Wines like Graciano and Saint Macaire only add to the excitement surrounding our region.”
About Hope Family Wines
Hope Family Wines is one of the pioneering heritage wineries that helped spark the modern winemaking era in Paso Robles. Owner & Winemaker Austin Hope grew up in Paso Robles as the son of winegrowers Chuck and Marlyn Hope, from whom he inherited his love and respect for the region. Hope Family Wines today spans six brands that exemplify the world-class quality and diversity of Paso Robles: Austin Hope, Treana, Quest, Austin, Liberty School and Troublemaker. In the fall of 2022, Hope Family Wines was named “American Winery of the Year” by Wine Enthusiast’s annual Wine Star Awards. Most important, Hope Family Wines works with 50 partner growers and a dedicated family of employees who make it all possible. More at HopeFamilyWines.com.
