Ignacy Jan Paderewski

ENGLISH	ARTIST	STATESMAN	FRIEND	POLSKI

From the label on the back of the bottle:

"Paderewski arrived in Paso Robles in late 1913 after ending his concert tour due to severe pain in his gifted hands. The sulfur baths of the area were suggested to him by a dear friend as a possible cure. He stayed at the world-class Hotel El Paso de Robles, took the baths, and, indeed, was cured.

Paderewski grew to love Paso Robles and Paso Robles grew to love him. He is credited with bringing Zinfandel grapes to the area in the early 1920s following his as Prime Minister of Poland immediately following World War I.

Paso Robles, Paderewski's "home away from home" is now recognized as one of the premier Zinfandel growing regions of the world. It is with great honor and appreciation that the Winemakers of Paso Robles present this first-ever collaborative blend at "A Celebration of Zinfandel".

Paderewski purchased Rancho San Ignacio, a ranch of about 2500 acres, at Paso Robles California in 1913. Paso Robles is situated about half-way between San Francisco and Los Angeles, not far from the Pacific Coast. Paderewski's father was a manager of estates in the area around what is now northwestern Ukraine. Paderewski had learned quite a bit about agricultural practices from his father and took a very active role in the management of Rancho San Ignacio. Like his father, he believed that crops should be planted that are best suited to the climate of the area and was critical of his neighbors for using too much artificial irrigation. He chose to plant almond trees, pioneering a major industry in California, and by 1935 had 12,000 trees under cultivation. In addition to that he cultivated walnuts, pears and the above-mentioned vineyards. He not only initiated the first major production of the zinfandel grape but also the petit sirah variety.