Award-winning wine, friends and family at Mystic Hills Vineyards.

Academy-award-winning film editor and family welcome visitors to their boutique winery

—From the time they planted their Mystic Hills Vineyard, Joel and Judy Cox have consistently demonstrated a passion for providing unsurpassed experiences and award-winning wines. By offering private, complimentary tastings at their vineyard and winery, the Cox family lends a personal touch to their interactions with each guest.

“We have so much love for people,” Judy said. “We offer private tastings by appointment only, which allows us to spend two or three hours with each person or group. This gives us the chance to get to know one another, share our story, and just enjoy being together.”

Theirs is a true love story filled with tenacity, hard work, and family. Married for 56 years and counting, Joel and Judy encourage and support one another even when their careers sometimes take them miles apart. Their winery is a family-run operation with their children and grandchildren pitching in to help with the vineyard, oversee tastings, and manage the wine club.

Joel, an Academy Award-winning film editor who frequently works with Clint Eastwood, has edited numerous films including “Gran Torino”, “Unforgiven”, “Million Dollar Baby”, “The Bridges of Maddison County”, “Letters From Iwo Jima”, and more. He fell in love with Bordeaux wines while traveling with Eastwood to the Cannes International Film Festival.

In 2004, Joel and Judy purchased their 14-acre hillside ranch in San Miguel and planted their boutique vineyard in 2007. Utilizing the same professional and creative love he holds for film, Joel consistently earns awards for each of their Mystic Hills wines.

Award-winning wines

Winemaker and vintner Keith Roberts has been with Mystic Hills since the beginning, working the vineyard and creating hand-crafted, estate-grown Bordeaux-style wines with Joel. Their teamwork has led to the winery being named the Monterey County Winery of the Year and San Luis Obispo County Winery of the Year.

“Joel puts the same integrity and hard work into everything that he does,” Judy said. “When he sets out to do something, he does it right. And, Keith is such a wonderful, knowledgeable guy. He has so much experience, and he has the same ideas as we do, so it’s just an ideal partnership.”

The climate at the winery, which is part of the Pleasant Valley Wine Trail, typically consists of crisp mornings, hot days, and cool afternoon winds. These temperature swings and the way the team works the land contribute to the growth of superior fruit for Mystic Hills wines.

“We don’t fertilize, we don’t spray our vines, and this ensures pure, beautiful wine,” Judy said.

Owners, Joel and Judy Cox. Photo by Brandon Bomberg.

Making beautiful wines with consistent balance and character takes time. After the grapes are harvested by hand and separated, they are placed in neutral oak barrels and aged 18 months before blending, then left alone for another year. Once bottled, it’s another six months before the wines are released.

Not long after releasing their first Mystic Hills bottles in 2011, they started racking up awards including gold at the 2015 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition for their 2011 Unforgiven wine. Aptly named after Joel’s Oscar-winning film with Eastwood, this rich, velvety blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, petit verdot, and malbec remains a favorite among customers.

In addition, Mystic Hills has consistently earned awards from such prestigious events as the New York International Wine Competition, the Critics Challenge International Wine Competition, the Los Angeles International Wine Competition, and more. Their 2017 Reserve Unforgiven is bottled in pristine quality glass and available in limited quantities. Each bottle is hand-signed, and decorated with a medallion designed by the couple and placed onto each bottle by Joel.

Their Gran Trio blend includes cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and merlot. The name for their h.e.a.r.t.s. rosé was coined using the first initials of their grandchildren’s names – Heather, Emma, Alexander, Rachel, Tyler, and Savannah. Joel and Judy call it a “rosé for red wine drinkers” with rich, fruity flavors. Offerings of other varieties, such as their “Joyride” merlot, are produced in limited quantities, and most feature labels that are created by their son, David.

The Cox Family unveiled their 2020 wines at their fall gathering and pick-up party in early November 2024. With aromas and tastes of cherry, dried strawberry, caramel, cocoa, and hints of vanilla, the fruit from 2020 has been transformed into a stunning lineup of wines.

Tasting room, wine club, and movie nights

At the Mystic Hills tasting room, it’s all about providing a warm welcome and exceptional hospitality to everyone who visits with the Cox family. Their home has a spacious covered patio with gorgeous views of the vineyards and surrounding hills. The landscaping includes several sitting areas and an outdoor kitchen. Son-in-law, Chris, likes to fire up the pizza oven, while Judy and daughter Becky frequently prepare charcuterie boards for guests.

“We want to get to know people and share our love of family and wine with them,” Judy said. “Everyone enjoys sitting outdoors, but when it’s cold, we just go inside. We’re not fancy people; we greet everyone when they arrive, and welcome them like one of the family.”

It’s free to join the Mystic Hills Wine Club with a membership commitment to purchase six bottles twice yearly at a 20-percent discount. Each shipment contains information about the wines and special recipes from Chef Chris. Club membership also includes complimentary private tastings, invitations to special events, and more.

Adding to that personal touch, every shipment of Mystic Hills wines includes a piece of artwork by one of the Cox grandchildren with messages such as, “Happy Fall, We Love You All” attached.

Their annual Movie Night with Joel takes place on the first Saturday of August. In 2025, the Cox family is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the event and has a few surprises for everyone who attends. All tickets include food, award-winning wine, popcorn, candy, games, prizes, and plenty of stories from Joel about his films.

Mystic Hills Vineyard is located at 79550 Watkins Lane in San Miguel, just 10 miles north of Paso Robles. For wine tasting appointments, or more information visit mystichillsvineyard.com, follow them on social media, or call (805) 610-1099.

—Meagan Friberg