Troublemaker Continues to Break the Rules with Innovative New Packaging
September 10, 2026 (Paso Robles) — Trouble now comes in a box as Hope Family Wines introduces new alternative packaging for its Troublemaker wines, which have been proudly breaking the rules since 2010. The new 1.5-liter boxed versions of Troublemaker Red Wine and Troublemaker White Wine add yet another innovative twist to the brand as it continues to grow its distribution footprint across the United States.
Produced exclusively for a major national U.S. retailer, Troublemaker’s “Wine-in-Box” packaging lands as a line extension of the regular bottled versions that are available across the country in all Hope Family Wines markets. It represents a bold step forward for a brand that prides itself on continually pushing the envelope.
“Who says that great premium wine can’t come in a box?” said Owner-Winemaker Austin Hope. “The ‘Wine-in-Box’ format is yet another way we’re challenging conventional wisdom to give wine drinkers something new, exciting and different.”
Sourced from select vineyards in Paso Robles and neighboring AVAs on California’s Central Coast, Troublemaker is known for using an eclectic range of grape varieties to create multi-vintage wines that are uniquely delicious and approachable. The Troublemaker Red Wine often blends Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and other grapes, while the current Troublemaker White Wine includes Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Viognier and Grenache Blanc.
Born in the Vineyard
Troublemaker is a wine that goes to the heart of the Hope family’s journey in Paso Robles dating back to 1978, when Austin Hope’s parents, Chuck and Marlyn Hope, planted their first vineyard in Paso Robles—initiating a local winemaking legacy that is now nearly 50 years strong.
“When I was a teenager, I was bit of a troublemaker, so my father would send me to work in the vineyard as punishment,” Hope said. “But it turns out it wasn’t punishment at all, because I loved being in the vineyard.”
He added, “Troublemaker is not only an ode to how I fell in love with farming and winemaking, but also to what makes the Paso Robles wine community great: our ability to blend hard-fought tradition with a rebellious thirst for innovation.”
Inside the Box
Troublemaker’s Wine-in-Box format is perfect for the poolside, outdoor gatherings, tailgates and other occasions where traditional glass bottles are frowned upon or not permitted. The box’s corrugated cardboard is recyclable, renewable and biodegradable.
The Troublemaker package’s “bag-in-box” technology makes the wine more resistant to oxidation after opening, and the exterior of the box also includes a “born-on” packaging date to remind consumers to drink the wine in its youth.
“This is a perfect wine for tonight or the weekend, or for an upcoming party,” said Jason “JC” Diefenderfer, VP of Winemaking at Hope Family Wines. “And once the box is opened, the wine stays fresh for up to two weeks, allowing you to enjoy it at your own pace.”
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, and the winery’s flagship Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon has twice been named a “Top 10 Wine of the Year” by Wine Enthusiast. 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.
