There are thousands of wineries in California alone. If you dare to think globally, the number is in the tens of thousands. The vast majority of them are small, boutique, wineries such as ourselves.
Once a wine drinker begins to discover the many facets of wine – from the grape varieties to the terroir in which they’re grown, the crafting of the wine itself and the food with which it‘s consumed - it becomes an endless exploration. One of the facets of the journey is knowing the story behind how and why an individual winery has come to exist. The human element in winemaking is at the very least an edifying intangible, and may even fundamentally influence the final product in the bottle. So, here is the story of who we are, how Crooked Road came to be, and a bit about our mission as a winery.
First a school teacher, next an investment banker, Judy became a full-time mother, homemaker and community volunteer. After the nest emptied, a circuitous 5-year quest with much investigative research resulted in the formation of Starr Ranch in 2000. On the westside, 12 miles from Paso Robles, the ranch is home to 35 acres of wine grapes, 80 acres of walnuts and a plethora of fruit trees. It sits high in the hills of Adelaida, enjoying 40-degree diurnal temperature swings and the limestone soils distinctive of the area, and ideal for ultra-premium grapes.
Alexandra is Judy’s niece. Despite a goodly number of years difference in ages, they are grounded in family values and history, and bound by laughter, friendship and common interests. In 2003 Alexandra took a break from her career and spent a year in Paso Robles helping out with all manner of vineyard and ranch activities. Of course, she fell in love with wine and Paso Robles. She has since resumed her career in Washington D.C. where she is a notable professional in real estate asset management.
During the time Judy and Alexandra spent together in the vineyard, a new concept formed. The vineyard came to show its real potential during this period and the two learned about viticulture, viniculture and the remarkable possibilities of the grapes grown on the ranch. In a desire to continue to work together and to take their joint interests to the next level, the Crooked Road label was born.
Their goal is to make between 300 to 500 cases of wine annually. The grapes will all be grown at Starr Ranch where their quality will be assured and overseen by Judy. The wine will be handcrafted and monitored on site in small lots that will receive individualized treatment providing unique opportunities for aging and blending. Every finished bottle is a cherished product of heart, soul, site, expertise and painstaking care.