River Run Vintners

About:

J.P. Pawloski works his boutique winery in the rural outskirts of Watsonville, California near Aromas, about a half hour south of Santa Cruz.J.P. spent his early year's river rafting for pleasure and by working as a river raft guide in Northern California.  His passion for the wine industry was fueled due to a long history of  dabbling in winemaking, home brewing and apprenticing in the restaurant industry. "The fermenting business was fermenting in my mind" -- but he needed something, some sort of sign, to tie everything together.That sign would come in the early 80's.  J.P. and his wife Kristine decided to settle down and have a family.  While searching for a home they came upon their present property which included a former winery aptly named River Run.  Whether it was fate or coincidence the name was a perfect fit for the river rafter from Northern California. The winery came with it's own challenges, "The termites were taking care of it" quips J.P. By 1982, J.P. had renovated the old winery and River Run Vintners was established - a beloved hobby had turned into J.P.'s full time business.

JP carefully selects the vineyards in which he sources the fruit for his wine.  He has cultivated long-standing relationships with the grape growers, continuously working with the vineyard managers to emphasize each vineyards unique potential.  All wines at River Run Vintners are hand-crafted by giving personal attention to each barrel.  His passion is to illustrate the terrior in each vineyard he sources from and craft it into a wine that expresses the true potential of the fruit.  Sourcing grapes allows a broader spectrum of fine wines to be produced from areas best suited to grow them.River Run Vintners started and continues to this day to be a family-run winery.  JP's personal attention to detail with each barrel keeps his current production levels from 1,000 to 3,000 cases per year.

You are invited to come experience River Run Vintners and witness this passion first hand and meet River Run's esteemed winemaker JP Pawloski.   Bushy beard, straw hats, and colorful Hawaiian shirts, JP appears more Californian artist than wine maker.  His love for the craft shines through in his offerings. He has clearly kept that spirit in the wines he offers.  Those who have had JP's wines write about them as an experience - an expression of true craft and a man's passion.