Tin City: A Toast to Tenacity premieres at the Fremont
–Permanently stained hands, an aching back, and barrels of dreams that weigh heavy on the mind. These are the proud battle scars of Paso Robles’ small lot wine, beer, spirit, and cider makers. Fierce in their passion and prolific in their execution, these oft misunderstood masterminds are making a name for themselves–and a home for their barrels-in Tin City, USA.
Enter a concentrated village hidden away in the heart of Paso Robles Wine Country— a wine region within a wine region—populated by humble, heartfelt, and hardworking souls working at the razor’s edge of their craft (and their budget). Roll up your sleeves and lean in. The stories, and sips, are born of grit, risk, and irreverence.
Welcome to Tin City, as detailed by director Dina Mande’s new documentary of the same name. The film will have its world premiere and three screenings at the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival starting March 14.
Over the past five years, this industrial epicurean playground has grown into a mecca for food and wine travelers from around the world. Ever watchful, Mande has caught it all over the last couple of years. Yes, hoses have been hoisted and apples mashed, but there have also been ups, downs, and flashes of pure genius. More than “spirited,” these artists are pushing the bounds of the status quo.
“The documentary pulls back the curtain and allows viewers to dive past the average wine tasting room banter,” Mande said. “You actually get to meet these creative souls and understand the vision behind true boutique wine, cider, and craft beer. This is the unmistakably human element within the bottle. Once you know their stories, you can’t un-know them. It only deepens what’s in your glass.” A through-line of rebellion connect this motley crew of artisans. From small lot wine to dry hopped cider, each workspace is a universe unto itself.
“There is an allure; putting a vine in the ground and, many years later, having that thing be so much bigger. There is a linear component to the moment of consumption, going all the way back to the field,” says Aaron Jackson in the opening scene. “There are very few things we consume in this world that give people that much joy and connect those two processes.”
Producers interviewed and featured within the film include Aaron, Benom Wines, Brian Benson Cellars, Clos Solene, Desparada, Field Recordings, Giornata, Jacob Toft, Lefondusac, Levo, Nicora, ONX Wines and Turtle Rock Vineyards. Tin City is also home to a clutch of unique cidermakers (Tin City Cider), brewers (BarrelHouse Brewing Company), distillers (Wine Shine), and foodie artisans (Negranti Creamery and Etto Pasta).
For more on Dina Mande and Juice Media, go to hellojuice.com.
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