York Mountain Road meanders through the gnarled madrone and under the overhanging branches of oaks draped with Spanish moss. Around a curve, the winery appears nestled against the hillside, its weathered brick and stone looking as if it has stood for a hundred years, as indeed it has.

The winery came to life in 1882, founded by Andrew York and christened Ascension Winery. With initial plantings of Mission, Zinfandel, and Alicante Bouschet, the vineyards surrounded the winery buildings and flourished on the sunny hillsides. York and his sons and grandsons tended the vines, crushed the fruit andsold the wine locally as well as shipped barrels by horse-drawn wagon to the San Joaquin Valley and over the hill to the coast for shipment to San Francisco by steamer. Following Prohibition, the York brothers expanded their plantings and purchased grapes from neighboring vineyards to supplement their own. Around this time Polish statesman and pianist Ignace Paderewski began bringing Zinfandel from his Adelaida vineyard, Rancho San Ignacio, to York Mountain to be made into wine.

119 years later, David and Mary Weyrich, owners of Martin & Weyrich Winery, also in Paso Robles, became the just the third local family to take over stewardship of this priceless landmark. As new owners, they plan to continue and hopefully even improve upon the winerys venerable winemaking tradition.

York Mountain Winery is unique in many ways, says David Weyrich. The winery is located just 7 miles west of Highway 101off Hwy 46W in Templeton. Though close to other vineyards and wineries, its climate and soil conditions are unlike any othercreating one of the smallest recognized appellations in the country. In this tiny corner of the world, tucked into the mountains between Cambria and Paso Robles, endless rolling hills and deep valleys stretch out into the horizon. Cool coastal influences, combined with plenty of sunshine, mean this is land where grapevines thrive.

As longtime residents of Paso Robles and owners of Martin &Weyrich Winery since 1981, David & Mary Weyrich respect York Mountains rich history and recognize its significance to the local wine industry. Plans for the facility include a complete restoration of the rustic tasting room and the creation of a wine museum. In addition, the original farmhouse located on the property will be transformed into a romantic bed & breakfast retreat, perfect for special occasions and weekend sojourns into wine country. The Weyrichs also plan to expand the vineyards at York Mountain and ill start by planting 30-40 acres of grapes, mostly reds, including Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The small, family-run operation employs several of the Weyrichs eight children. Their focus is clearto create a variety of handcrafted world class wines in a growing region unique within and indeed beyond Paso Robles.

With re-planting and renovation soon to begin, the Weyrichs realize the future of York Mountain Winery will depend on an appreciation of its past. But with roots that run deep in San Luis Obispo County, this family-run operation will stay just thatowned and operated by a family that, like York Mountain itself, holds deep ties to the Central Coast.

David, Mary and their children invite you to come visit, enjoy the breathtaking mountain views under the shade of the Sycamore trees, and enjoy a glass of award-winning York Mountain wine.