Pax Mahle has been shaping California wine for more than 25 years. In Part One of this two-part conversation, Chris sits down with Pax to hear about growing up in Florida with two hippie parents, finding his way into the wine world through restaurants and retail, and ultimately building his namesake winery — losing it, then fighting to get it back. They also dive into the Wind Gap years, a project that helped define the fresher, more balanced "New California" style. Pax's journey is full of remarkable achievements, good times, and hard-earned lessons, all while producing wines in a wide variety of styles, working with vineyards across the state, and spending time with some of the most influential winemakers from around the world. This is a candid, fun, deep-dive conversation, packed with insight and stories from a true 21st-century California wine pioneer who is also a dear friend.