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Winemaker's Corner: An Interview with Gabriel
Where are you from?I am originally from Mendoza, Argentina.
How long have you been making wine in America?
Before coming to the United States, I worked as a winemaker in Argentina for four years. I worked in California for one year, and I have been making wine in Pennsylvania for four years now.
What got you into winemaking?
I was in contact with the process of winemaking ever since high school, where I graduated with a degree in chemistry and industrial process. My plan after that was to go to college to become an agronomy engineer (which is basically the science behind agriculture), but I wrote down the wrong application dates! When I went to apply for entry, I had missed the deadline by just one day. I was completely disappointed in myself, so I spent the whole day with my father driving to every university in Mendoza until I finally found a college that offered a winemaking degree I could complete in two and a half years. I decided to apply, thinking this would be better than losing an entire year of schooling. After I got my degree, I fell in love with the craft and went back to school for a master's degree in oenology and viticulture.
What is your favorite wine that you make?
My favorite wine at Paradocx is the 2012 late harvest Traminette. This is a wine that has a lot to offer: well-balanced with a diversity of aromas, flavor, and finish. I specifically love the jasmine aromas. My sister has jasmine plants in her backyard, so every time I smell this wine, it automatically transports me back to her house in Mendoza.
What is your favorite part of winemaking?
My favorite part of winemaking is the harvest. There is truly nothing like it. Each year comes with new challenges, differences, and excitements, which makes every harvest completely different. I just love it!
What is your most memorable experience working at Paradocx?
I am lucky enough to have many, but the most memorable experience for me was when we won a double gold medal at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition for our 2014 Yield, which is a blend of five varieties of white grapes. I am a strong believer that blends are the best way for a winemaker to express yourself in your wine.
What is your favorite meal? What wine do you enjoy with it?
I have two: one is called an Argentinian lomo, which is a thick cut of Argentinian sirloin on toasted flatbread or French baguette with tomatoes, olive oil, arugula, prosciutto, provolone cheese, sunny side up eggs, salt, and cracked black pepper. This sandwich is perfect paired with a Malbec Grand Reserve. The second is simple Argentinian barbecue paired with a Cabernet Sauvignon.
Where do you see Paradocx wines heading in the future?
Paradocx has had great, steady, and innovative growth over the past four years. The winery is heading toward having a product for every likelihood and taste with premium dry wines that are recognized at the state, national, and international levels in a way that backs up the excellent grape quality we have here in Pennsylvania. Our signature wines are balanced with complex aromas and flavors, easy to drink, and can be consumed on a daily basis. I anticipate having dry, sweet, and semi-sweet special vinification that will make you discover, or rediscover, your love for wine.
What is one fun and goofy fact about you?
I am a very animated talker. I use different sounds and motions to get my point across. At the same time, I come off as very professional and serious, which makes it easy to joke with people. They always believe what I'm saying, even when it's something completely absurd!
Upcoming Events: August
Location: Liberty Place
Cost: $2 off ALL flights and wine by the glass! Plus 10% off bottle, can, and pouch purchases with the purchase of flight or glass of wine.
August 6 & 20 9:00am-1:00pm Come see us at the Lansdowne Farmers' Market. The mission of the Lansdowne Farmers' Market (LFM), inaugurated in May 2007 and open every Saturday from Memorial Day weekend to Halloween, is to “bring fresh, local food to Lansdowne; foster economic development in the borough; promote Lansdowne and its events, businesses, artists, and musicians; and provide a community gathering place.”
Location: 30 N Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne, PA 19050
August 6 & 20 9:00am-1:00pm OR come see us at the Phoenixville Farmers' Market. The Phoenixville Farmers' Market is a producer/grower market committed to providing locally grown, fresh food; to preserving our agricultural heritage; and to building community. Stop by and pick up a bottle of PDX wine while shopping all the local vendors!
Location: 200 Mill St., Phoenixville, PA 19460
August 12 6:30pm-8:30pm Local Floral Workshop: From Your Garden to Vase...Celebrating 'Local' Design. Join Mara from The Farm at Oxford and Ali from Burlap and Blooms for another fun summer evening of wine and flowers. Mara grows and sells specialty cut flowers to local customers and florists. Ali designs for special events using local florals and elements whenever possible. We both quite often get questions about how to use the floral bounty you can find around you. In this evening workshop session, we'll talk about how to identify and work with florals from your own garden and the abundant local areas around you (foraging can be fun!); and offer visual instruction and hands-on assistance with designing your own gorgeous arrangement to take home with you. Of course, there is wine and the gorgeous ambiance of the Paradocx Vineyard on a warm summer evening. Invite a friend or family member to join you, or invite all the girls for a girls' night out!
Click here to sign up online (pre-payment required for online tickets). As of right now, there are 16 spots left!
Location: Landenberg
Cost: $75 per person, $10 off for Wine Club members on a maximum of two tickets
August 13 5:00pm-9:00pm Summer concert series featuring a Sinatra cover band. Live music, wine, and food trucks: what could be better? Bring your friends and family (leave the dogs at home!) and enjoy music under the sunset. We have some outdoor seating, but feel free to bring your own beach chairs or blankets to share. No outside alcohol permitted. Pre-purchase tickets here for a discounted price!
Location: Landenberg
Cost: $12 at the door, $10 with pre-purchased ticket. Ages 21+ fee includes one glass of select wine and entrance to concert.
August 14 & 28 10:00am-2:00pm Visit us at the Headhouse Farmers' Market. Established in 2007, this market is located in the historic Society Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia. Featuring more than 40 vendors, Headhouse is one of The Food Trust's largest farmers’ markets. Beyond the abundance of fresh produce, you can also find a great selection of locally prepared foods and artesanal goods such as soups, canelés, ice cream, coffee, and wine.
Location: S 2nd St. & Lombard St., Philadelphia, PA
August 14 2:00pm-6:00pm Family Fun Night at Paradocx! Bring the whole family for an evening of fun at the winery. Bounce house, hayride, face painting and of course WINE. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy live music and food tucks. Please no outside alcohol or pets.
Location: Landenberg
Cost: Admission is FREE!
August 19 6:30pm-7:30pm Blind Tasting of Paradocx Wines! How well do you know your wines? Join us for a blind tasting of four of our wines. Mingle and light fare at 6:30pm, wine pouring at 6:45pm. Taste all four wines, guess them correctly, and a winner will receive a special gift! Pre-payment required for online tickets. Space is limited. RSVP today! As of right now there are 35 remaining reservations.
Location: LandenbergCost: $18.00 per person, $2 off for Wine Club members on a maximum of two tickets
August 20 12:00pm-8:00pm Beer at Paradocx Launch Party! Join us as we launch beer flights and by the glass to the Market at Liberty Place. Celebrate the Market at Liberty Place's annual birthday bash with live music and delicious food from our market neighbors. Enjoy locally-made beers from the Boxcar Brewery & Levante Brewing Company. Follow us on Facebook for up to date info & like the event to enter to win a beer flight for two!
August 27 5:00pm-9:00pm Summer Concert Series featuring The Rose Project. Enjoy a glass of wine while being serenaded under the stars. Bring your friends and family (leave the dogs at home!) and enjoy the music. We have some outdoor seating, but feel free to bring your own beach chairs or blankets to share. No outside alcohol permitted. Pre-purchase tickets here for a discounted price!
