All those who appreciate a fine glass of wine will definitely agree with me when I say wine is an essential part of life and possesses the power to elevate every gathering. And while we love our favorite reds, whites and bubblies, every bottle captures the passion and expertise of dedicated winemakers, often working tirelessly behind the scenes.

In this interview, we speak with Pablo Avalos, Head Winemaker at Gibson Wine Company in California. Avalos, whose wines have garnered multiple medals at the Sommeliers Choice Awards 2024, shares his journey, the challenges of winemaking, and his vision for crafting exceptional wines.

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Edited excerpts from the interview.

Tell us a little about your background and journey into winemaking.

I got into winemaking at a young age, growing up in Mexico. My dad, uncles, and several relatives worked in the wine industry, and they’d often bring bottles of wine home. Funny enough, as a kid, the only wine I liked was Gewürztraminer because it was sweet. The dry wines didn’t quite hit the mark for me back then—I was expecting them to taste like grape juice, but they were far from it! Still, my passion for winemaking never faded. When I moved to the U.S., I started working in vineyards. About a year later, I got my first chance at a winery, the old Fetzer Winery (now Bonterra) in Redwood Valley, California. That experience taught me a lot about the process of making wine and really sparked my commitment to the industry. Later, I worked for Asti Winery in Cloverdale, where I stayed for 11 years. I learned so much during that time, but I realized I needed more growth opportunities to become the head winemaker I wanted to be.

What inspired you to become a winemaker?

The idea of drinking my own wines and going a step further than my parents really inspired me. I wanted to make them proud by earning a college degree and advancing my career. Along the way, many winemakers encouraged me to work hard and keep learning, and they were right. Hard work combined with education paid off and today I have finally achieved my dream of becoming a head winemaker! I always aspired to be featured in wine industry publications, and I’ve been fortunate to achieve that as well. My wines have also won several medals, including double golds and Best of Show. It has been incredibly rewarding to see the results of my passion and dedication.

Image Credits: Gibson Wine Company (Instagram)

What’s your current role, and what does a typical day look like for you?

As head winemaker, I wear many hats. I handle dry goods purchasing, oversee the bottling projects, and manage the Cellar, Lab, and Maintenance departments. My days are long—at least 10 hours during the season and 12 hours during harvest. I start my day by checking emails, visiting the bottling line, cellar, and maintenance departments to see how things are going. After that, I taste the fermenters to check on their progress and decide if any tanks need nutrients or other adjustments. Once that’s done, I work on bottling blends or bench trials to perfect our wines’ profiles. It’s a busy day, but I love it!

In your opinion, what defines a good winemaker?

A good winemaker is someone who can craft quality wine with the fruit and resources available. There are always challenges—whether it’s dealing with less-than-premium fruit or a facility that doesn’t have all the latest equipment. The key is to be creative and overcome those challenges to still produce excellent wine.

What’s the hardest part of a winemaker’s job?

Deciding when to pick the grapes—especially with unpredictable weather—is one of the toughest decisions. For example, if rain is in the forecast but the grapes haven’t reached optimal maturity, we have to decide whether to risk rot or pick them early. This year has been particularly challenging, with a late growing season, high humidity, and rain causing up to 50% crop loss in some vineyards. Another challenge is working at a winery without all the equipment we need to make tasks easier. It’s much less stressful when you have the right tools.

Image Credits: Gibson Wine Company (Facebook)

What do you do when you're not working or making wine?

When I’m not at the winery, I love watching horse racing, either at the track or on TV. I also enjoy playing golf, hunting, and other outdoor activities that help me relax and recharge. Whenever I can, I head back to Mexico to visit family and explore historic places I never had time to see growing up.

What’s your idea of a good life?

For me, a good life is doing what you love regularly. I find joy in watching horse races at Santa Anita Park with a glass of wine in hand. It’s all about discovering what makes you happy and making time for it.

Any favorite wine books you’d recommend?

Two books come to mind: The Winemaker by Richard G. Peterson and Wine for Normal People by Elizabeth Schneider. Both are excellent reads for anyone interested in wine, as they break down the complexities in a way that’s easy to understand.

Header image sourced from Pablo Avalos (Facebook).

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