There’s something about the first drop of wine that pours out of the bottle. The first swirl as the wine coats the edge of the glass. That feeling as you bring it to your lips and get the first taste of something new, exciting, transformative, and fresh. 

Wine is more than what meets the eye. It isn’t just a beverage, it’s the connection between land, food, community, and stories that brought you to the table in the first place. In Paso Robles, that truth is written across every vine, every gathering, and every wine-stained glass. For us, Chris and Jason Lamoreaux, that’s the heartbeat of our story at Creekcut Wines. 

A Dream Decades in the Making 

Our brand wasn’t built overnight. We’ve poured over 30 years of grit, love, and wine into building something we can be proud of. It started when we were just high school sweethearts, starting out our lives and discovering the world together. 

That hunger for travel and new experiences brought us wine tasting in Napa in the late ’90s, where we felt captivated by a product that did more than just fill your glass, it brought people together. Over the years, we worked, we traveled, and we dreamed… and one question lingered noisily in the background: Where would we build our own winery someday? 

Searching for “Home” 

At the start, that question seemed almost impossible to answer. With wineries all around the world, how would we know where the perfect spot was? We knew we wanted to do this right, so we set out with a goal to learn, discover, and study. 

We found many places that felt perfect, but none had that “home” feeling we craved… until we walked the land in Paso Robles. Paso isn’t just about terroir (though that matters). What truly makes this region extraordinary is the people. We were captivated, and after an abundance of wine and knowledge, we knew the Willow Creek District was where we were meant to be. That’s when the real search began. 

Why Paso? 

So why Paso? It’s unlike any region in the world. Yes, the soils are varied and complex, and the hot days, cool nights, and ocean breezes make perfect growing conditions for Rhône varietals…but what makes Paso extraordinary is harder to measure. 

While we got a sense of this during all our visits and “research” (if you can even call endless wine tasting tours research), it became undeniably clear as Creekcut started to unfold before us. Paso is defined by community—neighbors don’t just wave as you drive by; they roll up their sleeves and help you process your fruit and bottle your wine. 

Here, success isn’t measured by a single vineyard. It’s measured by the strength of the region as a whole. There’s a generosity woven into Paso that’s unlike anywhere else we explored. 

The Anniversary Call 

Seven years of searching was no quick venture. We had our sights set and our ambitions high, and we weren’t willing to settle. Then, on the morning of our 30th wedding anniversary, Aug. 10, 2021, the universe answered. 

We woke up to a call, canceled our flight to Phoenix, and drove to what would soon be not just our land, but our legacy. When we walked that property, taking in the slopes, the soil, and the seasonal creek that cuts through the middle, Creekcut was born. 

It was the culmination of years of searching, traveling, and wondering, and the beginning of something far greater than we imagined. 

Naming the Land 

We chose the name Creekcut for the seasonal creek that runs through the heart of our Paso Robles property, cutting straight through the land and shaping it into the beautiful estate we’re now fortunate to have. Sheep Camp Creek is a reminder that in Paso, the land teaches patience, resilience, and respect. It shows how time, weather, and stewardship shape a place into something truly special. 

The land of Paso values hard work, determination, and dreaming big. Those same values have led us to this moment the next chapter we’ve been building toward, rooted in the land we love and the community that inspires us. 

The Paso Welcome 

After purchasing our 20 acres on Vineyard Drive, we walked across the street to meet our neighbors at Willow Creek Wine Co., Brian and Natalie Brown. What happened next was the purest expression of Paso’s character. 

Brian and Natalie didn’t just greet us, they embraced us wholeheartedly. They shared their wealth of knowledge, invited us into their space, and before we knew it, they were helping us source fruit for Creekcut’s very first vintage. They went further still, becoming our consulting winemakers and guiding us in every winemaking decision. 

Their generosity and deep wine knowledge have allowed Creekcut to become what it is today, and we’re incredibly grateful. They showed us why Paso Robles was the place we’d been searching for all this time: it’s about building each other up, not just building wineries. 

Growing Roots 

What truly stands out, is how the community embraces us every step of the way. That spirit of connection continues to shape Creekcut today and is reflected in the dedication and passion of everyone who helps bring our vision to life, starting with our first team member. 

In February 2025, we welcomed our first employee, Stephanie Robinson, as Tasting Room and Wine Club Manager. Originally from just outside Chicago, Stephanie moved to the Central Coast to study Food Science at Cal Poly, planning to become a food chemist. That all changed during a study abroad program in South Australia, where she discovered wine and fell in love with the science and artistry behind it. 

After graduating, she gained hands-on experience in Paso Robles, working in both hospitality and winemaking. Eager to learn more, Stephanie earned her WSET Level 3 and spent several vintages abroad — in New Zealand, France, and back in South Australia — learning not only new winemaking techniques but also how wine brings people together around the world. 

Yet, after all her travels, it was Paso that called her home. A recommendation from a Cal Poly classmate Cole Meusel, Assistant Winemaker at Willow Creek Wine Co., connected her with us. After a few conversations, we knew she shared the same values and passion for community that define Creekcut. Stephanie brings warmth, curiosity, and genuine enthusiasm for sharing the story of Paso — and of our wines. 

Downtown Paso & the Social House 

Downtown Paso is a story in itself. While locking in our tasting room took a few extra months, we were graciously offered to pour in various downtown locations. The owners invited us, our story, and our wines, opening their doors so we could begin sharing Creekcut with the community.   

What’s the Social House? A question we ran in circles around for months, but turns out, the answer was simple: we’re social people. We make wine because it brings people together, and we want to do that as much as possible, not just from 10-5, Thursday through Monday. As the vintner’s house, we invite you to walk in and share a glass, a story, and an experience with us, whenever you see our open door. 

The Social House is our way of reflecting Paso’s culture—creating space for connection, not just tastings. 

More Than a Winery 

Wine is never just a beverage. It’s an invitation. It’s a conversation starter. It’s magic in the way it can transform the energy of a room. Here, community isn’t a buzzword, it’s a way of life. Winemakers share equipment, swap barrels, taste each other’s wines, and cheer for one another’s successes. 

Paso is large enough to be world-class, but small enough to feel like a family table where there’s always room for one more seat. 

Creekcut was born out of a dream decades in the making. Paso has received us with open arms, inspired us to create something meaningful, and given us a home. Through these wines, we hope to share that sense of belonging and passion with others. 

Every bottle tells the story of the land and soil, but also of our neighbors, friends, and family who have encouraged and supported us along this journey. Paso is where dreams are not only possible but welcomed. It’s where our thirty-year love of wine finally found its home, and where our long search has ended. 

It’s where we now get to tell not only our story, but Paso’s story. 

Wine is more than a beverage. In Paso Robles, it’s a way of life, and we’re honored to be a part of it.