Ep 173 The Highlands District: Featuring Willow Creek Wine Co. | French Camp Vineyard

The Highlands District of Paso Robles stands as a rugged, remote, and often overlooked sub-AVA defined by its extreme diurnal temperature shifts and high elevation. Unlike the more commercialized areas of Paso, this frontier-like region relies on historic old-vine sites, such as Shell Creek and French Camp, to produce wines with distinct structure and mineral-driven profiles. Fifth-generation farmer Nicholas Miller and winemaker Natalie Brown highlight the region's unique viticultural challenges, including frost pressure and the necessity of innovative, autonomous UV-light technology to maintain organic farming standards. Beyond the vineyard, the discussion addresses shifting consumer habits, noting the rising demand for non-alcoholic alternatives and the need to reposition wine as a central element of celebratory occasions rather than a generic beverage. This remote stretch of California continues to defy expectations through its resilience and commitment to site-specific, artisanal production.