In Paso Robles’ golden light, a century-old Zinfandel vineyard stood watch, its ancient vines telling a story of hard work, heritage, and devotion. Janell Dusi’s connection to this hallowed ground ran deep. Summer days spent exploring the vineyard alongside her brothers ignited a burning passion, forging an unbreakable bond between her heart, the land, and its enduring legacy.

Janell’s passion blossomed into J. Dusi Wines, initially, unveiling the Dante Dusi Vineyard’s unique charm. Situated in the Templeton Gap, this 100-acre haven showcases diverse soil types, elevations, and sun exposures. Janell selectively harvests small batches to highlight the vineyard’s full potential, from the oldest section’s 1940s dry-farmed vines – carefully pruned for generations – to the varied soil types and spacious vine spacing, yielding complex, intense flavors.

Janell’s connection to Zinfandel is deeply personal. This sentiment is evident in her approach to winemaking, where she seamlessly blends respect for tradition with a modern touch. From the very beginning of J Dusi Wines, Zinfandel has been at the core. Whether it’s Zin blends, dry Zin rosé, Zin port, or even Zin grappa, Janell has explored many different avenues to showcase the versatility and richness of this grape.

When it comes to vintage variation, Janell embraces the distinct characteristics that each growing season brings. She strives for a restrained style of Zinfandel, allowing the natural fruit and presence of the grape to stand out while maintaining elegance. Every growing season brings its own challenges, whether it’s too much wind, not enough rain, heat spells, or frosts. Janell ensures that these unique conditions are reflected in the wines she creates.

While Zinfandel remains the cornerstone of Paso Robles, Janell has observed the rising recognition and accolades for Rhone varieties in the region. When planning and planting at Paper Street Vineyard, she was eager to experiment with these Rhone grapes, particularly with the aim of crafting a GSM blend. However, after the second harvest, it was the Mourvèdre barrels that demanded attention with their unique character.

Initially, Janell had not intended to produce a 100% Mourvèdre, but the exceptional quality of these barrels made it clear that this wine deserved to stand alone. Each year, during the blending process, Janell considers the “Cornflower Blue” label as a potential blend or a rotating wine in the lineup, yet it consistently turns out to be the pure expression of Mourvèdre that shines through. Just like at Dante Dusi Vineyards, she refrains from adding anything to the grapes or wines from Paper Street Vineyard, showcasing the terroir and the dedicated effort her family invests in farming the land. The high elevation of Paper Street and its limestone-rich, rocky terrain make vineyard work challenging, but it’s precisely these conditions that contribute to the distinctive and beloved profile of her Mourvèdre.

In 2013, Janell embarked on planting Paper Street Vineyard, navigating varied soils and sun exposures across 350 acres. Local winemaker McPrice Myers advised planting Clairette Blanche on the north-facing slope, an unfamiliar variety that sparked Janell’s interest. After initial years of dormancy, the vines flourished, revealing a grape with captivating depth, weight and body, delightfully diverging from her Zinfandel heritage.

In Paso Robles, rural heritage is honored and preserved, evident in the charming downtown area with its historic buildings and local farmers’ markets. This heritage is seamlessly blended with a spirit of artisanal craftsmanship, as local winemakers experiment with diverse grape varieties and innovative techniques to produce unique, high-quality wines. The region’s winemaking is characterized by a hands-on approach, where small, family-run wineries thrive alongside larger, well-established estates.

Step into J. Dusi Wines, where every sip transports you to a world of heritage and terroir. The Historic Vineyard Tour of The Benito Dusi Ranch, marking its 100th year in 2025, is an immersive odyssey. Explore the rustic farmhouse, uncover hidden wine rooms, and taste wines rooted in the same soils. Cozy charcuterie and wine pairings unfold in the basement, while rare vintages await in the old winery cellar’s library. Here, memories kindle, and emotions flow. The Dusi family invites you to share their enduring passion, forged over five generations of love, toil, and tradition.

The wines featured in the Wine Recommendations section were provided by the winery for the purpose of review. The selection and tasting of these wines were independently conducted. No compensation or incentives were provided for inclusion in the story. As always, the top priority is to provide readers with informative reporting.

Wine Recommendations

2022 Zinfandel, Dante Dusi Vineyard- a tour de force, bursting with intense, ripened flavors of blackberry and strawberry, including subtle hints of dark chocolate. Silky, refined tannins provide a luxurious texture, coating the palate with elegance. This full-bodied Zinfandel wine showcases exceptional balance, marrying richness with precision and vibrancy.

2021 Paper Street Zinfandel- this impressive wine displays a sturdy, refined structure and exceptional complexity. Dark fruit flavors of blackberry, plum, and raspberry unfold on the finish, complemented by subtle spices. Velvety texture and silky tannins add depth and nuance, making for a rich and memorable experience.

2019 Paper Street Cornflower Blue- this 100% Mourvèdre  boasts rich flavors of blackberry and plum meld seamlessly with warm spices, balanced by a silky smooth finish. Structurally sound, this wine showcases exceptional depth and harmony

2021 ‘Fiorentino’-  vibrant red fruit aromas and earthy undertones. Flavors of plum, strawberry, and blackberry unfold on the palate, accented by a spicy pepperiness. The wine concludes with a satisfyingly long, savory finish.

2021 ‘The Don’-  aromatics that explode with black fruit intensity, accented by subtle notes of vanilla. The palate is treated to a velvety textured, full-bodied wine that is powerful with a finish that lingers effortlessly.