We turn the tables on three Paso Winemakers who believe old-school vintage is the future.  We  talk unicorn albums, spinning harvest records, and more!

OWNER/WINEMAKER, VILLA CREEK CELLARS

Why vinyl? (vs digital?) What sparked your interest/love of vinyl? It’s nice to slow things down a bit in this 160 character world. I started collecting when I was old enough to ride to the record store.  Went to digital in 1985 when cd’s came out and tossed my albums. BIG mistake!

If your house was on fire what is the #1 album you’d save? Today, it would be Flight Facilities, Live with the Melbourne Synphony Orchestra.

What is the one album you do NOT yet have – your unicorn? It’s hard to say, there are SO many.  Maybe The Rolling Stones, Sticky Fingers original pressing where Andy Warhol did the cover with a zipper that had a condom inside.

What  album would people be surprised to learn that you own (& love)? I have an original pressing of Split Enz first album which is laser etched with some cool  design.

If you named an album after yourself/your life what would the title be? Life’s Been Good.

Vinyl is making a comeback, what wine/variety do you see coming back into mainstream popularity? White Zinfandel (dry) seems to be coming back.  You could also say Grenache as there was a fair amount of that in those early Hearty Burgundies from Gallo.

Making wine vs drinking wine? – what do you play during both scenarios? Making wine is drinking wine.  It is a constant mix of new and old.

OWNER/WINEMAKER, BUSHONG VINTAGE COMPANY

Why vinyl? (vs digital?) What sparked your interest/love of vinyl? I love collecting cumbersome, expensive, and high maintenance objects so I couldn’t think of anything better than vinyl records! Oh, and the artwork, that’s it, the artwork. And sound, sound is great, much better than digital. I was lucky to have a brother 15 years my senior who turned me on to HiFi and vinyl, thanks Jeff!

If your house was on fire what is the #1 album you’d save? Tough question. It would be hard to grab all 5000 during a fire that’s for sure. If a fire was at my house I’d probably grab Ryan Adams Live after Deaf Boxset. I know he’s justifiably getting some heat right now but that is a record sale that on-line demand “broke the internet.” If a fire took place in the tasting room I’d probably grab the Cake Boxset that was a much sought after Record Store Day (April 13)  selection a few years back. It’s the most, “I’m going to steal that record”, record in the tasting room.

What is the one album you do NOT yet have – your unicorn? Gotta be the Best of Bread or Herb Alpert & Tijuana Brass Whipped Cream & Other Delights, both super rare and hard to find! In all seriousness, don’t really have a unicorn album but I’m sure one will reveal itself in some future search, that’s the best part of collecting, you never know what you’ll find. An A&M 45 single of the Sex Pistols God Save the Queen would be a cool score but only if I found it just like the John Cusack scene in High Fidelity!

What album would people be surprised to learn that you own (& love)? Fujiya & Miyagi Light Bulbs and/or The Naked and Famous Passive Me, Aggressive You. I also love my picture disc copy of Len You Can’t Stop the Bum Rush. I guess that’s more than one. Oh well.

If you named an album after yourself/your life what would the title be? I’ve been down that road brother….

Vinyl is making a comeback, what wine/variety do you see coming back into mainstream popularity? Emerald Riesling, Cold Duck or Green Hungarian. I’m rooting for Green Hungarian, I think a brewery might already be making some….

Making wine vs drinking wine? – what do you play during both scenarios? Harvest calls for a diverse playlist. I think our favorite in 2018 was Leon Bridges Radio on Pandora. I know, digital, but who has time to flip a record during harvest! I’ve never started a bottling day without listening to Sleigh Bells Demons and a box of DK’s Donuts. In the tasting room, it’s guest picks. The customer is always right!

OWNER/WINEMAKER, CORDANT | NELLE

Why vinyl? (vs digital?) What sparked your interest/love of vinyl? Other then the sound being more pure. I was originally intrigued but the ritual. I like the idea of whole album. Getting up to flip the record. All that stuff.

If your house was on fire what is the #1 album you’d save? Hard to say. Currently my collection at home is not organized, but when I do, I am going to have a section for “in case of fire” so I can grab a run…

What is the one album you do NOT yet have – your unicorn? So many. Off the top of me head I’d like the original pressings of the first two Pavement records.

What album what people would be surprised to learn that you own (& love)? My taste in music is all over the place. I’m not sure that I’d surprise anybody. One that is rare and surprises people is A$AP Rocky’s first mix-tape, “Live. Love. A$AP.” Domestically was only released digitally, but a couple hundred copies were pressed in Germany. People are surprised it is a thing. And I do love it.

If you named an album after yourself/your life what would the title be? No Idea…

Vinyl is making a comeback, what wine/variety do you see coming back into mainstream popularity? Grenache. I know that seems silly as a winemaker from Paso, but outside of our bubble Grenache is not mainstream. But it’s coming…..

Making wine vs drinking wine? – what do you play during both scenarios? Making wine, hip-hop, very Loud. Drinking wine, jazz.