PEOPLE

Chris Cameron
, Vice President, Director of Winemaking

Chris Cameron is an International winemaker with a dynamic career in the wine industry that spans over 30 vintages. He has a committed and passionate approach to all aspects of winemaking.

Chris has been making wine in the Paso Robles wine growing area for the last four vintages and is very excited about what the area can do viticulturally, in being able to ripen both Bordeaux and Rhone varietals. In addition, Chris has significant crush and winemaking experience in Australia, Italy, France and Turkey.
He achieved international success by winning “The Best Merlot Worldwide” at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in London in addition to receiving recognition with many highly respected publications. His Australian credits include winning, among many others, their industry’s most prestigious wine award, the “Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy”.

Chris’s philosophical approach to winemaking can best be described as minimalist intervention. He feels that truly great wines are inherently dependent on the vineyard and the real art of winemaking is the ability to translate what’s on the vine to bottle. Structure and balance are the most critical components of a wine and each varietal released must be an accurate reflection of the style and the region.

Chris’s interpretation of  the vineyards and varieties is heralding a new era for the Company.

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE WINE INDUSTRY




• R and deR Fredericksburg Trophy - Best Merlot Worldwide
 (International Wine and Spirit Competition London)

• 96 points rated Wine Spectator
• 97+ points rated Robert Parker Jnr
• 100 points rated Langtons Wine Investment Guide



• Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy (Royal Melbourne Wine Show)
• World’s top 20 Cabernet Sauvignons (Harpers Magazine UK)


• Best New World Cabernet Sauvignon – The Wine Review Singapore
• Dr Gilbert Phillips Trophy - Best Red Wine in Show 
 (Royal Sydney Wine Show)
• Best Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy - (National Wine Show Canberra)
• Best Semillon and Runner-up Wine of the Year Winestate annual awards
• Best Varietal Chardonnay Trophy (Royal Adelaide Wine Show)
• Best Sauvignon Blanc (Australia and New Zealand) 2001 WINESTATE Awards
• Intervin (USA) Black Diamond Award 1996, 1997 1999
• In total over 70 major trophies and 600 medals domestically and internationally
• International Wine Show Judge

Gerald R. Forsythe, Owner

In January 2006, the ranch and vineyard were purchased by Indeck Paso Robles, LLC, owned by Gerald R. Forsythe. Indeck Paso Robles, LLC is part of the Forsythe Group of companies, which is comprised of a diverse portfolio of companies in numerous industries, including energy services, industrial power equipment, sports and entertainment, agriculture, real estate development and banking. Although new to California, the Forsythe family has long roots in agricultural enterprises in Illinois, where they are a leading entrepreneurial and philanthropic family.

On the national and international stage, Mr. Forsythe is one of the most influential entrepreneurs in open-wheel racing.