REMINISCENCE Regarding the Late Dr. Harold Olmo, by Gary Eberle (Eberle Winery, Paso Robles)

Dr. Olmo was a giant in the forming of the modern California wine industry. Most people know of so many of his accomplishments in grape propagation, creating new varieties, and improving existing varieties and where to plant them. What most people don't know is what a great influence he had in the early interest in to Paso Robles area as a great grape growing region.

I was fortunate to have him as a professor and mentor in '71 through '73 at U.C.Davis. He was so high on the potential of the Paso area that he would say that it would be the next great red wine region in California. He was the major reason that the Estrella River Winery (now Meridian), established there in 1973. Unfortunately he didn't foresee the white wine revolution that hit soon after and left us treading water for a decade and a half.

He was also very instrumental in the planting of the first Syrah vineyards in the state. After Brian Croser peaked my interest in the variety, it was Drs. Olmo and (Curtis) Alley that really pushed me to plant Syrah in Paso Robles. They felt it would be a natural for the area. In early 1973 we made two 2 day trips to Paso to dig holes and gather soil samples from all over the present appellation. He was very instrumental in the selection of the present day location of most of the vineyards within the appellation. I remember the two round trips on I-5 between Paso and Davis and just listening to him talk about grape physiology, and how often people would plant on a certain location without really investigating the soil and weather.

However, what I remember most was how down to earth he was. He was one of the most important viticulturist in the world and yet he was always open and available. During the '70s I would call all too often with a couple of questions and he always took my calls or called me back with the right information. I will always treasure the time I got to spend with this man. He was a giant in this industry.

Gary Eberle

[Dr. Harold Olmo passed away on June 30, 2006 at age 96, a man greatly respected throughout the world and by the industry he helped to spawn in California.]