(Wines&Vines) - Ortman Family Wines, one of the more notable names of the Central Coast wine industry, will close by the end of December. Matt Ortman, winemaker and general manager, said the conjunction of a weak economy and increased competition within the wine industry motivated the closure the winery and tasting room he and his family have been running in Paso Robles, Calif. The Ortmans first announced the news Tuesday by posting a statement on the Ortman Family Wines website. Signed by Matt and Lisa Ortman, it explained they could no longer meet the winery’s debt obligations, and the family would have to close. “With heavy hearts, we are letting you know that we are shutting down Ortman Family Vineyards effective Dec. 23,” they wrote. Read more at: http://www.winesandvines.com/template.cfm?section=news&content=94601&htitle=Ortman%20Family%20Wines%20To%20Close Copyright © Wines & Vines