The Record family: Chris, Tricia, Randy, Anne, Mindy, Madelynn, Joel and Joel Jr.

Boutique brand awarded Best in Class for its 2012 Reserve Syrah

– Record Family Wines, a family-owned winery in Paso Robles, is set to debut its 2012 Reserve Syrah this weekend at Sunset Savor the Central Coast. The wine, slated for release this fall, was awarded the Best in Class and a Gold Medal in the Sunset International Wine Competition. Judges described the wine as “floral with perfumed violet … a generous palate with strawberry compote character, sturdy tannins and a lingering finish.”

The competition, now in its fourth year, brings together Sunset Wine Editor Sara Schneider’s “dream team” of more than 50 judges representing master sommeliers, seasoned wine journalists, experienced winemakers and retailers for the annual April judging. Results are announced in the October issue of Sunset.

“We are honored to be selected Best in Class with such a prestigious panel of judges and among thousands of wines,” said Tricia Record Swartz, co-owner and sales and marketing director for the winery. “We don’t enter many competitions as we are still growing, but this accolade is a validator to the stellar wines coming from our estate vineyard in Paso Robles.”

The family will be showcasing the 2012 Reserve Syrah throughout the weekend of events beginning with Thursday, Sept, 24, at “Strings at Sunset,” and then at the main event at Santa Margarita Ranch.

Located in San Miguel, East of the Salinas River in the newly minted Estrella District AVA of Paso Robles, the 75-acre estate Paso de Record Vineyard is planted primarily with cabernet sauvignon and syrah. While most of the fruit is purchased by wineries in Paso Robles, the family keeps selected blocks of fruit for its own estate wines. Record Family Wines is a boutique brand making 900 cases per year and open by appointment only.

“It’s inspiring to see the fruit that we passionately farm be recognized for its quality,” said Mindy Record Martinez, co-owner and vineyard manager. “As we learn about the vineyard, adapt to each vintage and taste the expression of the fruit in the glass, it makes the hard work worth it.”

The family says that the Record Family wine label symbolizes, “the responsibility women have held and will continue to carry on through future generations of the family’s agricultural heritage.”

“Women have always played an important role in the family business,” said Anne Record, mother and co-owner. “From supportive wives and mothers to working the land and holding important positions in the family farming enterprise. I am proud of our daughters’ commitment to the family business.”

Sisters Tricia and Mindy are leading the charge with the wine brand and represent the fifth generation of agriculture for the Record family. Co-owners and parents Randy and Anne are lifelong farmers in California with ties dating back to the early 1900s.