Austin Hope
Austin Hope | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth year and age Bakersfield, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Winemaker, winery president |
| Known for | President and head winemaker at Hope Family Wines |
Austin Hope (born in 1973) holds the positions of president and head winemaker at Hope Family Wines, a winery located in Paso Robles, California. The company oversees several labels, including Liberty School, Treana, Austin Hope, Troublemaker, and Candor.
As a third-generation agriculturalist, Hope relocated from Bakersfield to Paso Robles in 1978 after his parents, Chuck and Marlyn Hope, acquired a property initially dedicated to apple orchards and grape vineyards. Observing the region's favorable conditions for viticulture, the family redirected their efforts toward grape cultivation. Immersed in this environment from a young age, Hope developed a profound connection to the area's winegrowing heritage.
During the 1980s and 1990s, the family operated as grape suppliers for multiple wineries. A significant collaboration involved working with the Wagner family of Napa Valley to provide Cabernet Sauvignon grapes for the Liberty School label. While pursuing a degree in fruit science at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Hope gained practical experience by working alongside Caymus Winemaker Chuck Wagner and at wineries in France's Rhone Valley. Upon earning his Bachelor of Science in 1996, he contributed to transforming the family enterprise from bulk grape production into a full-fledged winemaking operation.
That same year, the Hope family purchased Liberty School from the Wagners and established Treana Winery. Austin Hope took on the role of assistant winemaker for Treana’s inaugural vintage before being promoted to head winemaker of Hope Family Wines in 1998. Today, the company produces more than 400,000 cases each year.
In 2000, they launched the Austin Hope label, which highlights Rhone varietals cultivated in their Templeton Gap vineyard situated on Paso Robles’ cooler western side. The family's portfolio grew with the introduction of Candor Wines in 2008—a multi-vintage brand featuring Zinfandel and Merlot sourced from vineyards across Santa Barbara, Paso Robles, and Lodi—and Troublemaker in 2010. Austin Hope champions the practice of blending across multiple vintages to improve both complexity and drinkability.
Recognition
In 2009, Hope earned the title of Winemaker of the Year at the California Mid-State Fair. Additionally, he has held the position of chairperson for the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, reflecting his influential role within the local wine community.