News & Press

Meg Maker: Toward Metamodern Wine

In a thoughtful new essay, wine writer and educator Meg Maker explores the cultural evolution of wine through the lenses of premodernism, modernism, and postmodernism, ultimately looking toward a new era: metamodernism.

Maker defines this shift as a move toward idealism, playful experimentation, and the shedding of "postmodernism's ironic detachment." In her exploration of how this new phase is surfacing in the industry, she highlights Tablas Creek and our General Manager Jason Haas as leading examples of this holistic, forward-thinking approach:

"Practitioners like Jason Haas of Tablas Creek, a pioneer in regenerative organic viticulture who blogs and speaks extensively to share strategies with industry peers. He knows wine is not a zero-sum game."

Maker suggests that this "metamodern" gesture is part of a broader movement toward wine commentary and practice that celebrates wine "playfully, intuitively, [and] holistically." She envisions a future for the industry that honors both science and expressive creativity—a path she describes as hopeful and a "good way forward."

Press Release: Tablas Creek Vineyard Announces New Winemaking Leadership, Promoting Chelsea Franchi and Craig Hamm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Paso Robles, CA — Tablas Creek Vineyard is pleased to announce a new chapter in its winemaking leadership, promoting Chelsea Franchi to Director of Winemaking and Craig Hamm to Winemaker. The promotions reflect the continued growth of the estate's production team and a long-planned transition that positions two longtime Tablas Creek leaders at the forefront of the cellar.

Both Franchi and Hamm have spent their careers at Tablas Creek developing deep knowledge of the estate's vineyards, wines, and philosophy.

Chelsea Franchi joined Tablas Creek while studying Agricultural Business and Wine and Viticulture at Cal Poly, beginning in the tasting room before moving into the cellar after graduating in 2008. She was promoted to Assistant Winemaker in 2009 and has been a central figure in planning, management, and cellar leadership ever since. In 2020, she was recognized by her peers as Paso Robles Cellar Worker of the Year. As Director of Winemaking, Franchi will oversee all cellar operations, guiding the winemaking team through harvest, blending, and bottling while continuing Tablas Creek's focus on transparency and education through her long-running Notes from the Cellar blog series.

Craig Hamm, promoted to Winemaker, brings more than a decade of hands-on experience at Tablas Creek. A Templeton native, Hamm grew up working in his family's vineyard before gaining cellar experience at Meridian and Justin. Since joining Tablas Creek in 2013, he has become an indispensable member of the production team, known for his attention to detail, calm leadership during harvest, and familiarity with the winery's native fermentation program. In his new role, Hamm will play a lead part in day-to-day winemaking decisions and the execution of Tablas Creek's cellar operations.

Supporting this transition, longtime Winemaker Neil Collins will step into the role of Director of Production, reflecting his expanded focus on both vineyard and cellar operations. Collins has served as Tablas Creek's Winemaker since 1998 and has played a key role in shaping the estate's farming and winemaking philosophy. His new position allows him to concentrate on long-term production strategy while supporting the next generation of leadership.

"I have considered it a great honor to be the winemaker at Tablas Creek Vineyard over the past couple of decades." Said Collins. "One of the things that I have taken great pride in is the building of a great cellar team. I cannot imagine hands that I would feel better about passing the reins to than Chelsea's. For 18 years, we have worked side by side; she is irreplaceable to me. Craig has worked with us for 13 years and is accomplished in the cellar, of course, but much more than that. He brings creativity and a great drive to always push the wines to the next level; he is smart, ambitious, and driven. These two, with the help of assistant winemaker Amanda Collins and Cellar Master Kaitlyn Glynn, will without question bring our wines to new heights of excellence. I'll watch with pride and pleasure. Neil.”

The new leadership structure ensures continuity while recognizing the contributions of a team that has grown together over many harvests, positioning Tablas Creek for its next era of winemaking.

About Tablas Creek Vineyard

Founded in 1989 as a partnership between the Perrin family of Château de Beaucastel and Robert Haas, Tablas Creek Vineyard is a pioneer of Rhône varieties in California and a leader in regenerative organic farming in Paso Robles.

SevenFifty Daily: Landing a Wine Harvest Job

In a recent SevenFifty Daily guide titled "So, You Want to Land a Wine Harvest Job?", author Tina Caputo provides a practical roadmap for wine professionals looking to gain hands-on production experience.

The article features our own Erin Mason, our Regenerative Agriculture Specialist, who shares her personal journey from directing an Atlanta wine program to working in the cellar:

"Erin Mason... got her internship through industry contacts. She directed the wine program at an Atlanta restaurant before telling California winemaker Ian Brand that she was looking for a change. 'Within a month,' Mason says, 'I quit my 10-year job and moved to California.'"

Mason emphasizes that the path to a permanent role often begins with the tenacity and flexibility shown during these seasonal stints:

"Mason’s harvest experiences eventually landed her a permanent job as the first regenerative agriculture specialist at Tablas Creek Vineyard in Paso Robles. She advises would-be interns to have a plan for when the season ends. 'You need to know what you want to do after that,' she says. 'Almost never does harvest turn into anything long-term. It’s like: right time, right place, right person. The stars have to align.'"

The guide highlights that while the work is physically demanding, the rewards come in the form of deep professional development and a unique understanding of the "changing rhythms of the season."

Fermentation Publisher Tom Wark to be Interviewed by Jason Haas

Tom Wark, publisher of the wine business commentary blog Fermentation, recently announced he will be the next guest on our ongoing interview series, "Conversations With Jason."

In his post, "The Art and Craft of the Interview and the Rules for Being Interviewed," Wark notes the unique position of winemakers initiating interviews and highlights Jason Haas's early engagement with media:

As many of you know, Jason is General Manager of the respected and celebrated Paso Robles winery, Tablas Creek—a Rhone Varietal specialist. Jason has been knee deep in the media as one of the first winery principals to produce a blog beginning in 2006. He has been actively communicating with his clients and the larger public since the beginning."

That interview is now available on our YouTube page:

Super Vino Bros Highlights Tablas Creek as a Landmark Producer in California Wine

The wine blog Super Vino Bros recently featured Tablas Creek Vineyard in their "Producer Highlight" section, calling the estate one of the "defining names in American wine."

The article traces our origins back to the collaboration between the Perrin family of Château de Beaucastel and importer Robert Haas, and recognizes our impact, calling our estate “a living library of these [Rhone] grapes, and the nursery they built on-site helped spread these plantings across the state.”

After meeting partner and general manager Jason Haas, the authors concluded with a clear recommendation:

Talking with him and his brother about the story of their family's project, and where American wine is headed, was a real highlight. If you come across their bottles in a shop, they're worth picking up. Tablas Creek is a serious operation.

Holiday Gift Ideas from Tablas Creek: $10 Flat-Rate Shipping on 8 Holiday Packs, Gift Wine Club Memberships, and More

At Tablas Creek, we want to help you celebrate the holiday season in style. We have several ways in which you can give the gift of Tablas Creek, including eight special holiday gift packages (on which we include $10 ground shipping to any of the 42 states we can ship to), Tablas Creek gift cards, gift VINsider memberships and more. Holiday gift packs are only available through December 31st.

Important Deadlines:

Monday, December 15th: last day to ensure delivery by Christmas with $10 flat rate ground shipping.

Thursday, December 18th: last day to ensure delivery by Christmas in California using standard ground shipping, and across the country with upgraded FEDEX 2-DAY AIR. Select this option at checkout for an extra $10/pack (so $20/pack total).

Shop all holiday gift packs on our website here.

Wine Buisiness Monthly: Revamping On-Premise Sales with Wine on Tap

In a new article by Sarah Brown exploring the resurgence of wine on tap, Tablas Creek is highlighted as one of the category's pioneers.

"Over the years, the kegged program has grown to account for 7% of the winery's annual wholesale orders, equivalent to just shy of 900 cases of wine, and now, in the tasting room, all tastings are conducted with wine poured from tap. Customers don't mind at all, [Jason] Haas observed, and it saves on wine waste and ensures a fresh, perfect pour every time."

Wine Spectator: "The Last Grape: Muscardin's New Life in California"

In a new article, Aaron Romano shares our news of the 2023 Muscardin completing the Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape collection at Tablas Creek, and explores the grape's potential and significance for California wine. For the article, he spoke with our Jason Haas:

The fact that we have the opportunity to continue to introduce new grapes and push the boundaries of that American Rhône movement feels important. It’s out in the world now. I’m looking forward to [trying] other people’s attempts with it.