Ignacy Jan Paderewski
Born in Poland in 1861, Ignacy Jan Paderewski was renowned as the most famous and popular pianist of his day - the Elvis of his time. He traveled by private train throughout the United States in the early 1900s performing concerts in sold-out town squares and halls. Paderewski was the first pianist to perform solo at Carnegie Hall in New York City. He spoke seven languages and in 1919 became Prime Minister of newly independent Poland.
In 1913, Paderewski visited Paso Robles seeking 
the healing effects of its hot sulfur-rich mineral baths for his rheumatism. He fell in love with the town of Paso Robles as well as with the surrounding land with its rolling, rocky hills that reminded him of his Polish homeland. Paderewski purchased over 2,000 acres on the west side of town and established Rancho San Ignacio where he planted what would become a prized zinfandel and petite sirah vineyard. Paderewski took his grapes to York Mountain Winery where they were crafted into award-winning wines. The LA Times in 1920 stated that his wine was "more coveted than his music." As everything comes full circle, we are thrilled to once again have wines from Paderewski’s vineyard at the historic York Mountain Winery property in our Epoch Estate Wines Tasting Room.
