Stephan and Matthew Glunz (fourth generation) with Matt and Will Glunz (fifth generation).

Fourth-generation winemakers welcome guests for tastings, tours, and conversation

—Glunz Family Winery opened in Paso Robles in 2014 with a focus on quality and value. “Since opening Glunz Family Winery, our primary goal has been to produce exceptional wines at accessible prices, and we’re proud to say we’ve achieved just that,” General Manager Stephan Glunz said.

The winery sits on 40 acres, with 10 acres dedicated to zinfandel and Bordeaux varietals. Grapes are also sourced from vineyards in Paso Robles, Edna Valley, and Santa Barbara County, allowing the family to produce a diverse lineup. Many of the wines have earned strong reviews while maintaining prices between $28 and $65 per bottle.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the last decade, Stephan said, has been the people they’ve met in Paso Robles. “In Paso Robles, there’s a strong sense of community and a genuine willingness to help one another,” he said. “It seems everyone, from winemakers to vineyard managers and cellar workers, is ready to lend a hand when needed.”

Stephan said the winery has grown alongside the region’s increasing popularity. “It’s been exciting to witness the remarkable growth in Paso Robles since we acquired our property in 2013,” he said. The tasting room is open daily, and Glunz Family Winery is now establishing distribution in multiple states, which Stephan called “a very exciting development for us.”

Affordability and approachability remain core to their winemaking philosophy. “As fourth-generation owners, my brother and I grew up in the wholesale side of the business in Chicago, where we learned the importance of overdelivering on quality while maintaining attractive pricing on the shelf,” Stephan said.

The winery’s standard tasting fee is $20, but it’s waived with any wine purchase. Complimentary tastings are also offered on Wednesdays through a collaboration with Tobin James Winery, a neighbor and longtime friend of the family.

Granddaughter Nora Glunz (fifth generation) and Grandpa Joseph Glunz (third generation) harvesting zinfandel.

While the family preserves tradition, they also embrace innovation. “I wouldn’t say we’ve flipped the script, however, we are always exploring new techniques in the cellar and experimenting with different vineyard sites, oak treatment, and yeast strains each year,” Stephan said.

A hallmark of that tradition is the Mission Angelica, a dessert wine produced in a solera style. “We’ve continued the tradition started by my grandfather and father in the 1950s, adding to the solera and taking out a small amount each year,” Stephan said. “It’s a truly enjoyable project that connects us to our family’s winemaking legacy.”

Family involvement extends beyond ownership. “My brother Matt and I handle all winemaking and daily operations while our other brother Joe and sister Suzzie oversee our national sales wholesale business,” Stephan said. Their parents, once skeptical of the move from Chicago, now live on the property. During harvest, even the family’s children help pick grapes or work the bottling line in the summer to earn money for the fair.

Visitors can currently taste the Glunz 2022 Reserve Cabernet, featuring estate and mountain-grown fruit from Paper Street Vineyard, aged 22 months in French oak, and the Glunz 2024 Sauvignon Blanc from Vogelzang Vineyard in Santa Barbara’s Happy Canyon, one-third barrel fermented for bright, fresh flavors of Meyer lemon, tangerine, and freshly mowed grass.

Stephan said the aim for every guest is simple: “We want to ensure that their visit is as relaxing and enjoyable as possible. We typically pour six current releases and encourage customers to engage with our knowledgeable tasting room staff. They are happy to answer any questions you may have about our wines, vineyards, or our family’s history in winemaking.”

Glunz Family Winery & Cellars is located at 8331 Highway 46  in Paso Robles. It is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit glunzfamilywinery.com, or call (805) 238-1400.

—Skye Pratt