These 14 Wineries Are Just A Starting Point
Think the only place to find world-class California wines that compete with other global wine regions like the Rhone Valley in France or Piedmont in Italy is Napa Valley? Think again. Taking a gorgeous drive down the coast from the famous wine region north of San Francisco, passing Monterey and Big Sur, youll enter into a once-sleepy Central Coast almond farming community known for its thermal hot springs that is gaining global acclaim: Paso Robles.
Paso Roblespronounced row-bulls and referred to more casually and simply as Paso among localshad a reputation for producing high-alcohol red wines, particularly cabernet sauvignon and zinfandel. But over the last decade, a collective of wineries has quietly moved away from those overly tannic or fruit bomb wines to create gorgeous, layered, nuanced wines that have caused people rethink to Paso.
In a region with more than 200 tasting rooms and 11 diverse viticultural areas enjoying the maritime effects of the Pacific Ocean, producers experiment with dozens of grape varietals. You can taste more than 60 single varietals and blends including syrah, grenache, mourvedre, roussanne, petite syrah, viognier, grenache blanc, sauvignon blanc, clairette blanche, and yes, zinfandel and cabernet.
Theres a level of authenticity you dont get elsewhere, Yount added. Paso was built by dreamers they could chase that dream here and now have a style and hospitality they want to give and be a part of.
Paso Robles Wine Tastings With The Vintner
Several of Paso Robles many boutique, family-run wineries offer the unique opportunity to get away from the crowds and talk one-on-one with a Vintner, aka winemaker a rarity at the more popular California wine countries!
Wine tastings at these small wineries may be more expensive but are well-worth every penny: youll get to taste wines along with the vintner that made them and learn first-hand why and how they do what they do.
Torrin Wine
This boutique winery known throughout the region for its exquisite Rhone style blends is owned and operated by Scott and Viquel Hawley. The Hawleys have a strong commitment to sustainable production and opened their tasting room in late 2018 after twenty years of producing small batch wines.
Scott only makes around 2,000 cases of wine per year, so the wine that you taste is truly unique and hard-to-come by. Make sure to try the Duvarita Pinot Noir one of the best Pinot Noirs in the area! Tastings are by appointment only so make sure to book in advance via their website or call ahead.
- Torrin Website | Address: 6360 Peachy Canyon Road, Paso Robles
Clos Solène
Owned by French natives, this small family-owned winery produces wines known for their incredible texture and purity.
Try out their dessert wine, Sweet Clémentine, and their bubbly wines, Cuvée Jean and Cuvée Juliette, while you are there these favorite wines of Guillaume are named after their three young children!
Paso Robles Wine Region
The Paso Robles Wine Region is located on the Central Coast of California, midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The region is known for its Mediterranean climate, diverse soils and landscapes, and for producing some of Californias most esteemed wines. Paso Robles is home to more than 200 wineries and produces a wide variety of wines, from Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay to Zinfandel and Rhône varietals. The regions wineries are spread out across the rolling hills of Paso Robles, making it a beautiful and scenic place to visit.
Climate change Paso Robles has a hot summer Mediterranean climate that is classified as a Climate Zone by the Koppen-Geiger Climate Zone classification. Paso Robles current climate is also classified as an extreme drought due to the ongoing drought. Paso Robles average temperature is 73 degrees Fahrenheit, with highs reaching 86 degrees and lows reaching 50 degrees. Due to Paso Robles average rainfall of 4.5 inches per year, the weather is extremely dry.
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What Kind Of Wine Does Paso Robles Produce
We have been buying wine from Paso Robles way before we went wine tasting here. Trust me, now that you know about Paso Robles, you are going to notice their wines on the shelves of supermarkets and at many fine-dining restaurants everywhere.
Paso Robles, California, consists of 40,000 acres of vineyards, with more than 200 wineries. Most of the wineries in Paso Robles are family-owned and operated businesses.
They have the ideal weather for winemaking. With their warm sunny days and cool nights, it creates the perfect climate to produce a variety of over 40 wine grapes.
Some of the favorites of the Paso Robles region are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne
About The Paso Robles Ava
Paso Robles Wine Country is an American Viticultural Area located in San Luis Obispo County, Ca. It has approximately 26,000 vineyard acres planted with wine grapes and is well known for its heritage varietal zinfandel, Rhône-style wines, and red blends and styles that are unique to Paso Robles Wine Country.
Grapes were first introduced into the Paso Robles area in 1797 by missionaries at Mission San Miguel Arcangel, where more than one thousand vines were planted. Commercial wine growing, however, wasnt started until the 1880s with the establishment of Ascension Winery, today is known as York Mountain Winery, the longest continuously operating winery in the County. Since 1990, when there were fewer than 20 wineries in Paso Robles, a large expansion of activity has seen the number rise to more than 200 wineries today.
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Daou Vineyards & Winery
The Daou brothers, Georges and Daniel, have become leading lights in the Paso Robles AVA thanks to the success of both their triple-digit-priced flagship reds like Patrimony and Soul of a Lion, as well as their everyday-priced reds and whites that reliably overdeliver for the money. Reservations for the daily tastings, which are available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., often fill up six weeks in advance, so plan accordingly. daouvineyards.com
Getting To Paso Robles By Car:
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- From the North: Take US 101 South. To go downtown, take the 17th Street exit. If you come down on the Pacific Coast Highway, California Route 1 see the directions from Cambria & San Simeon.
- From The South: Take US 101 North. To go downtown, take the Spring Street exit. Follow Spring Street north to our City Park, located at the corner of 12th and Spring.
- From The East: Take Highway 46 or 41 from Interstate 5 and the valley, which will bring you right into town on 24th Street. To get downtown, turn left onto Spring Street.
- From Cambria And San Simeon, or if youre coming from Pacific Coast Highway Route 1 from the North: Take Highway 1 South. Three miles past Cambria will be Highway 46 , turn left going east toward Paso Robles, then take US 101 North. Downtown Paso Robles is accessible by using the Spring Street offramp. Then follow Spring Street north.
- From Morro Bay: Take Highway 41 East to Atascadero then US 101 North. Downtown Paso Robles is accessible by using the Spring Street offramp. Then follow Spring Street north.
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Get To Know Paso Robles
As with all distinct wine tasting regions, the range of wineries in Paso Robles offers wine connoisseurs something unique. Its been said by a number of people and organizations that Paso Robles resembles what Napa or Sonoma was like in the 70s in other words, a far less pretentious and more laid-back wine and food-loving destination that offers some of the best wine tasting experiences in the country right now.
Theres a lot that goes into making wineries in Paso Robles such an appealing destination, of course, but it starts with the land itself. Paso Robles is actually the biggest AVA in California, but it is quite distinct in its characteristics. Unlike the generally warm and steady weather seen in most of Californias wine-growing regions, in Paso Robles, youll find that the average daytime temperature fluctuates more than any other California appellation.
The microclimate that results from these fluctuations affords the area optimal growing conditions for the wineries in Paso Robles. In fact, there are more than 40 wine grape varieties that are grown in the area, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Viognier, Roussanne, and of course, Zinfandel, the areas heritage wine varietal.
Is Paso Robles Wine Tastings Better Than Solvang
The two regions of Paso Robles and Solvang have similar sceneries, tasting rooms and experiences. The only real difference between the regions are the types of grape varieties which means that no region truly stands above the other.
Wine tastings in Paso Robles will mainly consist of red varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel and Syrah. In Solvang, however, Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier are largely produced with a few red varieties too.
So essentially, when deciding whether to visit the region of Paso Robles and Solvang, it comes down to preference. Solvang wine country is more suited for white varieties, where Paso Robles is more suited for heavy red varieties. So, for red-wine enthusiasts, Paso Robles is best, whereas Solvang is most suited for white-wine enthusiasts.
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What Wine Is Paso Robles Known For
Paso Robles produces a wide range of Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Bordeaux blends. Its no secret that many of the areas winemakers have worked hard over the years to cultivate the land and take advantage of the regions climate to produce some of the best cabernet sauvignon in the world.
Although the wineries have changed a few times over the years, they remain very important to Paso Robleswine culture. The wineries are very different from one another because they have a lot of history and a lot of spirit, Giubinni explained. I believe it is critical to preserve the wine industrys history for the future of the industry. Justin Winery wines should not be missed, in addition to their exceptional quality. York is known for its sweet white wines, whereas Rotta Winery is known for its dry reds, and Justin Winery is known for its sweet whites. Rotta, Pesenti, and York are all excellent places to sample wines in addition to Rotta, Pesenti, and York.
The Best Restaurants In Paso Robles
Before we let you go forth and imbibe, can we just talk about food for a sec?? The restaurants in Paso Robles are just as incredible as the wine: locally sourced, made with passion and precision, and of course, absolutely delicious.
Youll find most of the Paso Robles restaurants clustered downtown, but we also found some other incredible restaurants sprinkled nearby that are worth a trip. Here are for of our favorites:
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Savor And Stroll At An Outdoor Art Gallery
Unique artistic impressions surround art devotees and wine lovers at Sculpterra Winery and Sculpture Garden in the El Pomar AVA. Paul Frankel, winemaker since 2008 and son of owners Dr. and Mrs. Warren Frankel, states that art is about supporting the winery and the winery is about supporting the art.
Artists Dale Evers, John Jagger, Bob Bentley and others showcase their work around a gazebo. The open area is amidst the vineyards and often used for weddings. Additionally, a stage for live music is in full view of an expansive gaming area with chess tables, a bocce ball court and cement foosball table.
Guests can bring a picnic lunch and enjoy a glass of wine while indulging in a healthy dose of art appreciation.
So What Is Wine Tasting And Why Is It Fun
When most people think of a day out wine tasting they envision drinking copious amounts of fermented grape juice in beautiful locales, and that is about as far as they get.
Officially, wine tasting is defined as a gathering of critics, buyers, friends, etc., to taste a group of wines for comparative purposes.
What neither of these take into account is that wine tasting is equally about the enjoyment of tasting a variety of wines, but also learning the story and history behind the wines, winery and region.
Yes, you will be visiting beautiful locations and consuming a decent amount of wine, but the goal isnt just to drink the wines.
You get to hear the stories, walk through the vines where the grapes grew, learn why the unique terroir makes this wine taste so different than the one youd tried at another winery before and what specific steps the winemaker took to create the masterpiece in the glass youre sampling at that moment.
It is often these stories and experiences that add to our enjoyment of wine and wine tasting.
Wine tasting in Paso Robles is also an opportunity for you to taste a number of wines you may not have tried otherwise and compare different varietals, learn about your specific preferences and so much more.
While there is some recommended etiquette to wine tasting , it shouldnt be snobby or pretentious.
However, you will enjoy the experience more if you ask questions and learn a little about what your trying, the proper way to taste and have an open mind.
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Bruce Munro: Light At Sensorio
Displayed along the Paso Robles rolling hills is a fiber-optic light show. General admission tickets range from $30-$40 per ticket. Unfortunately, we did not do it on our last trip to Paso Robles because it was a holiday weekend and sold out. The Light at Sensorio exhibit looks like an incredible experience and something I would love to do in the future.
Best Wineries On Paso Robles East Side
In sitting down to write this piece, it was difficult to decide how to break down the individual producers. If you have been following along on Winetravelers Paso Robles wine adventures, you know this was a very busy trip researching places to stay, where to eat and things to do in Paso Robles, and as promised its now time to highlight a few more must-visit wineries. Each one is unique, and every stop demonstrated the hospitality, passion and distinctively varied terroir of Paso Robles. So, my Paso Robles winery recommendations will be broken out simply by geography.
I say a few wineries because with more than 40,000 vineyard acres across the Paso Robles region and over 200 bonded wineries , in our five-day exploration we barely scraped the surface. That said, we did cover a range of options from large producers to small production wineries, and from those that specialize in Bordeaux varietals to those making Rhône-style wines.
I highly recommend perusing each winerys directory listing page for more in-depth information and I dont recommend visiting more than two to three wineries per day. This will give you the opportunity to enjoy your tastings, but also to have the option of relaxing with a glass of wine overlooking the stunning views, geeking out with a winemaker over viticultural management, or exploring potentially haunted caves.
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Getting To Paso Robles By Train:
If youre looking for a grand, scenic adventure we highly recommend taking Amtraks Coast Starlight train, which operates daily between Seattle and Los Angeles.
The train will bring you directly into Paso Robles downtown, where you can easily walk to a number of excellent hotels or start hitting up some of our great downtown winery tasting rooms. Cypher Winery has their tasting room at the train station so you can start enjoying it immediately!
Want someone to do all the planning for you? We offer a 3-Day Central Coast Hearst Castle & Wine package from Los Angeles or San Francisco that includes train tickets, two nights downtown hotel accommodations, and a full day Hearst Castle and Paso Robles Wine Country Tour.
Paso Robles Hotels & Where To Stay
There are plenty of places to choose from when looking to book an Airbnb or hotel for your stay in Paso Robles. To get to the many wineries you will either need to drive, Uber/Lyft, or book a tour.
You are not going to find a hotel that is within walking distance of all of the wineries. As long as you book a hotel within the city of Paso Robles, you should be about 10-20 minutes from all of the wineries and downtown Paso Robles.
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Wine Tastings In Paso Robles
We welcome guests to savor and enjoy a variety of award-winning wines. Our wine stewards will provide a hosted wine tasting, VIP wine flights, and delectable charcuterie plates. Groups will be provided with a cozy seating area to relax and enjoy your wine tasting experience. You can also add an additional selection of food to enhance your tasting experience.
How Much Is Wine Tasting In Paso Robles
Wine tasting fees can vary widely from one winery to another. The average tasting fee can range anywhere from complimentary to $50 per guest for anywhere from four to nine tastes . The average cost is $15-$25 per person, per winery.
Most of the wineries will waive tasting fees for those guests who purchase their wine or join their wine club.
If youre looking for a tour or an elevated tasting experience, wineries will often charge higher tasting fees which may be non-refundable.
Keep in mind that wineries are in the business of selling their wine, not tastings so if you find a wine or winery you like, we strongly encourage you to buy some bottles or join their wine-club.
Not only will you be supporting a local business, but most are small, boutique wineries that dont distribute their wines and only offer them for sale directly through their tasting room. So this is your only chance to bring them home to enjoy later. Now thats our kind of souvenir!
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