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illustration: Carlo Cadenas
When Paul Clifton was a teenager growing up in Salinas, Calif., he knew which way the wind was blowing by following the scent of chocolate from a nearby factory. He used this as a clue to the day’s surfing conditions his first passion was out in the waves of the Pacific. As director of winemaking for Hahn Family Wines in the Santa Lucia Highlands, his other passion is now in the vineyard, where his surfing knowledge has proven unexpectedly applicable.
“As a surfer, you are really tuned in with the weather,” says Clifton. Understanding the fog, wind, and sun gave him perspective on weather patterns that impact not only the surf, but also the vines. “If the wind is hard onshore, that’s not good for surf, and it also will shut down the grape,” he says.
Peter Byck
WX Brands in Novato, Calif. had been well positioned for the past year with a portfolio of 11 national brands and 43 “exclusive” brands sold in some of the world’s leading grocery chains. According to the company, its flagship brand, Bread & Butter, saw an estimated 72% increase in sales volume to more than 860,000 cases in 2020 after growing by 49% in 2019 and 70% in 2018. CEO Peter Byck has been with the company (formerly known as Winery Exchange) since 1999 and he has a long personal history in the wine industry as his family founded Paradise Ridge Winery in Santa Rosa, Calif. in 1994.
Through his family’s winery, Byck also fully appreciates the challenges of recent years as Paradise Ridge burnt down in the 2017 wildfires. The winery is one of the North Bay’s leading wedding venues; and after the family opened the rebuilt winery in 2019, they saw its events business derailed in 2020 due to the pandemic. For WX Brands, however, Byck told the Wine Analytic
Housing and Development Newsletter
The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance on Jan. 12 announced that the Beckett family, founders and owners of Peachy Canyon Winery, are the 2020 Wine Industry Person(s) of the Year.
The annual award recognizes a person or people who exemplify the spirit of the Paso Robles Wine Country with outstanding leadership, vision and stewardship. While the award normally is presented at the alliance’s annual gala, the event was canceled because of pandemic restrictions. Instead, the Beckett family Doug, Nancy and sons Josh and Jake will be honored in an upcoming “Where Wine Takes You” podcast as well as in an episode of the weekly Paso Wine Zoom Hangout.
The Beckett Family. Courtesy photo.
–The Beckett Family, founders and owners of Peachy Canyon Winery, have been named the 2020 Wine Industry Persons of the Year by the Paso Robles Wine County Alliance.
This award annually recognizes individuals who exemplify the spirit of Paso Robles Wine Country with outstanding leadership, vision, and stewardship. This award is typically presented at the PRWCA’s annual gala, which will not take place this year due to limitations on large gatherings. Instead, the Beckett Family, including Doug and Nancy Beckett, Jake Beckett, and Josh Beckett, will be honored in an upcoming Where Wine Takes You podcast as well as an episode of the weekly Paso Wine Zoom Hangout. An in-person celebration to honor the Beckett family will take place in the future once large gatherings are able to take place.