Benito Dusi Ranch established 1925

We are celebrating a remarkable legacy that began in 1925 with the planting of our first vineyard. Over the past century, five generations of the Dusi family have nurtured the dream of our ancestors and cultivated a reputation for producing premium winegrapes, all while remaining dedicated to our community and the preservation of Paso Robles’ rich history.

Italian immigrants Sylvester and Caterina Dusi purchased land, built a home, and planted Zinfandel vines on a property in Paso Robles that would later become known as Benito Dusi Ranch. Their three children – Guido, Dante, Benito – worked the ranch alongside them, helping to grow and sell high-quality Zinfandel grapes to California vintners throughout the early 1900s. When Guido and Dante were called to war in 1944, 11-year-old Benito remained, continuing to farm and live at the ranch until his passing in 2019.

These two early generations persevered through Prohibition, the Great Depression, and numerous challenges in the ever-changing wine industry. They bought additional land in 1945 and planted the Dante Dusi Vineyard. By the 1950s, they were among the first in California to open a tasting room.

Over time, fruit from both of our family’s vineyards gained recognition, and the name Dusi Vineyard became one of the first in California to be featured as a vineyard designation on wine labels, highlighting our commitment to quality. Our Zinfandel grapes have been sought after by renowned wineries for decades, including Ridge Vineyards, who has been purchasing from us since 1967.

We, the third, fourth, and fifth generations, continue today to uphold the sustainable farming practices that have been in place for nearly a century. From head-trained vines to the use of crawler tractors, we remain steadfast in preserving the land while embracing new techniques as they emerge. Looking ahead, we’ve integrated new varietals, established J Dusi Wines, winery and tasting room, developed Paper Street Vineyard, and launched Paper Street Wines.

Farming and winemaking is not just what we do; it’s who we are. Through determination and love for this land and this place, we’ve kept the dream of our ancestors alive for five generations... so far! Each of us is proud to continue the legacy, and we all look forward to seeing what’s around the next corner.

Mike, Joni, Michael, Dante, Matt, Ali, Delaney, Parker, Janell, Billy