Winemaking philosophy behind Paragraph

Winemaking, for me, has always been a series of choices. What to select, what to preserve, and what to leave behind. These decisions define not only the wine itself, but the philosophy behind it.

At Paragraph, the starting point is simple: wine comes first.

Alcohol-removed wine is often defined by what is missing. I see it differently. The question is not what to remove, but what must remain. Structure, balance, aromatic expression, and a sense of place are not optional elements of wine. They are its foundation.

This way of thinking shapes every decision we make.

It begins with the selection of base wines. Not all wines are suitable for dealcoholization. The wines I choose must have the intensity, structure, and balance required to remain expressive after transformation. I am not looking for wines to correct, but for wines that are already complete.

Blending plays a central role in this process. By working across vineyards, altitudes, and vintages, I aim to build complexity and coherence. Without alcohol, balance must be constructed differently, with greater precision and intent.

Dealcoholization itself is not a separate step. It is an extension of winemaking. I use low temperature vacuum distillation to gently remove alcohol while preserving the most delicate compounds. An aroma recovery system allows me to capture and reintegrate the volatile elements released during the process, helping the wine retain its identity.

Even with the right tools, the process remains interpretative. Once alcohol is removed, the wine changes. Texture shifts. Aromatics evolve. My role is to guide the wine through that transformation, to restore balance and coherence.

This requires a different mindset. Not one of replication, but one of intention.

I am not trying to recreate the original wine exactly as it was. That would be impossible. What matters is creating a wine that stands on its own. A wine that remains structured, expressive, and complete, even without alcohol.

Because winemaking has never been about preserving something unchanged. It has always been about shaping what the wine can become.

And at Paragraph, that is exactly what I aim to do.

- Duncan Shouler