< All Blog Posts

Ep 112: Next Gen of Paso Wine – Featuring Cal Poly’s Wine & Vit Team

October 10, 2024

Where Wine Takes You – Episode Highlights 

LEARN BY DOING

In this episode of Where Wine Takes You, host Adam Montiel takes you inside Cal Poly’s premier JUSTIN and J. Lohr Center for Wine and Viticulture. This world-class facility, located in San Luis Obispo, serves as a state-of-the-art educational hub for the next generation of wine industry leaders. Opened in 2021, the Center boasts a 15,600-square-foot winery equipped with a fermentation hall, bottling room, barrel storage, and a research lab—providing an immersive learning environment for Cal Poly students. The facility also includes a 12,000-square-foot E. & J. Gallo Winery & Family Building featuring viticulture and enology labs, lecture areas, and shared offices for students and faculty.

During this live-recorded session, Adam sits down with key figures shaping the Cal Poly Wine and Viticulture Department, including Winery Manager Jim Shumate and Department Head Benoît Lecat, Ph.D. Joining the conversation are three current students—Augusta, Gracie, and Caden—who share their experiences learning the ins and outs of the industry through Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing philosophy.

Together, they discuss the evolution of winemaking education, the importance of research and innovation in the industry, and how the Center is helping students prepare for careers in wine production, viticulture, and wine business. Learn more about the Cal Poly Wine and Viticulture Department and the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

In this episode’s Travel Paso Spotlight, Adam chats with Bryan Yates, founder of the Bovine Classic, a unique gravel bike race happening on Saturday, Oct. 26 in Paso Robles. Bryan gives an inside look at how this “seriously unserious gravel hoedown” has become a popular event for cycling enthusiasts and highlights its connection to the Paso Robles wine region. For more details on the Bovine Classic and how to register, head to thebovineclassic.com.

And as always, for all things Paso—where to eat, stay, and explore—head over to Travel Paso.

 

*****

Where Wine Takes You (WWTY) is Executive Produced by Paso Wine

WWTY is recorded, edited, produced, and hosted by Adam Montiel. Follow Adam on Instagram @AdamOnTheAir and check out his daily podcast Up + Adam as well as The Pour with Adam Montiel. To connect with Adam, learn more, or for Spotify or other pod links, visit AdamMontiel.com

For the latest in Paso Robles Wine Country, check out PasoWine.com and follow on Instagram @PasoWine. Download the free Paso Wine App as your guide to all things wine country. 

Original music on WWTY, “Good Company,” performed by Moonshiner Collective.

©2024 Where Wine Takes You, All Rights Reserved.