Paso Primero was founded by Tom and Emma Holt, ex-employees of Tanners. Tom left Tanners to study winemaking at Plumpton College in 2010, graduating with highest honours.
After spells working around the world, including New Zealand with Kate Radburnd at C J Pask, and Canada (near Niagara where Tom recalled the struggle with the sheer cold of winter killing too many vines), they settled on Somontano in northern Spain as the source for their first wine, Paso Primero Tinto with it's distinctive 'ladder label' and wren symbol. Somontano means 'under the mountain' and at 750 metres the region produces grapes of very high quality (due to the high altitude and cool climate found in Somontano) which are selected from mature, family-owned vineyards around Barbastro. The wines are made in an ultra modern winery at Sommos where Tom is helped by the DeBeroz family, the leading lights of the Somontano appellation. Quality of fruit is vital and the wine is designed to be fresh and fruity with about 30% barrel-aged for six months. Tempranillo, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon all perform well, while the Holts love working with Gewurztraminer and Riesling. They have also branched out into vermouths - their Paso Vermú proving a huge and immediate hit in Shropshire and Spain.
Spain
