DuBost Winery
Get the Dirt from owner Kate DuBost & Winemaker Zachary Raines
“We love Paso because we have strong roots in the community and have been here for a long time. We have seen Paso and our county as a whole blossom right before our eyes into a world class wine growing region and a popular destination spot without all the hullabaloo. The people for the most part are humble and hard working, yet relaxed and easy going and we feel that is reflected in our wines.”
Our winery and vineyard is located on property that has been in the Dubost family since 1882. We planted our first grapes in 2001. We brought electricity to our property and broke ground in 2005 for a strawbale winery. Our tasting room is in a corner of the barrel room.Our sons are our winemakers and growers. Jacob Raines, our oldest son, hooked us through his talent and passion and was tragically killed in 2010. Zachary, his younger brother, moved over from Peachy Canyon, where he worked with Terry Culton for four years. Zachary carries on the passion and finesse that we love so much. Our goals are to remain a small, handcrafted, family run winery. My husband Curt, is a school superintendent and I still work with schools as a mathematics specialist.
What was your first vintage year?
2003
How many cases do you make per vintage?
800 - 1500 depends on the year..
Do you have a Tasting Room?
Yes. Open daily 11-5. Sometimes you have to honk for service if we are out in the vineyard.
If not you, who is your winemaker?
Zachary Raines, our son.
How did you get your start in the winemaking business?
KATE: Our son, Jacob, who loved it so much we couldn’t help but love it, too.
ZACHARY: As a cellar rat, scrubbing floors,cleaning tanks, punching down and repacking valves @ the Horse (Wildhorse) with my brother Jake.
What wine made you want to become a winemaker/start your own winery?
KATE: Jacob once said Tempranillo made him want to be a winemaker.
What varietals do you work with?
Rhones (Syrah, Viognier, Grenache) Tempranillo and Zinfandel.
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Which varietal/wine is your favorite to make? Why?
ZACHARY: Probably Grenache but I respect what they all have to offer, which is why I like getting out the lab coat and beaker and making blends. Grenache can be a chameleon much like all varietals but it can be soft and feminine or stout and strong, it’s great for blending and maybe it’s self-gratification but I enjoy taking a given varietal and making multiple distinct lots with completely different attributes.
What vineyards do you source from?
KATE: Dubost Estate, Starr, McGourty, Colbert, Circle S and Worth Hill for their variety and location.
What type of oak treatment do you use?
ZACHARY: A plethora of forests ranging from French and Hungarian to American and Russian, a venerable arsenal of spices from the rack ranging from no new oak to 100 % new oak depending on the blend. Why? Because there is an Oak for every occasion.
What do you love about your winemaking region? What makes it different special?
KATE: We love Paso because we have strong roots in the community and have been here for a long time. We have seen Paso and our county as a whole blossom right before our eyes into a world class wine growing region and a popular destination spot without all the hullabaloo. The people for the most part are humble and hard working, yet relaxed and easy going and we feel that is reflected in our wines.
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What's the story behind your name/label?
KATE: Its my husband’s family name. Dubosts have lived and worked in the Adelaida Hills since 1882. But not at grapes or wine until this generation. Our logo.....you tell me.
What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about the wine business before you started your own winery?
KATE: It’s like childbirth. Painful, exhilirating and some of the hardest work you will ever do.
We're curious…do you ever get tired of drinking your own wine?
KATE: Yes and then I have a scotch.
Is it considered bad form to dip into your inventory?
KATE: Never.
Do you still have a day job?
KATE: Yes.
For more information about DuBost, visit their website at www.dubostwine.com.