Paso Robles, CA
I was fortunate to recently spend two whirlwind days in Paso Robles, CA with the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. Here is a peak into all we were able to do in those two days while trying 150+ wines from 40+ wineries.
An Immersive Paso Robles Wine Adventure
If you’ve been longing to experience the diversity of Paso Robles’ wine country, look no further. This two-day itinerary promised a unique blend of adventure, education, and indulgence. Let’s dive into the highlights.
Day 1: Discovering the Heart of Paso Robles
Arrive at Villa San Juliette: A Welcome to Remember
Our Paso Robles journey begins at the elegant Villa San Juliette (VSJ). Nestled in the northeast corner of the Paso Robles AVA, this vineyard greeted us with an unforgettable welcome dinner. As the sun sets, painting the sky in stunning hues, we sipped VSJ’s finest wines and indulge in a culinary feast. Joining the celebration was Alta Colina Vineyards, Austin Hope Vineyards & Winery, and Thacher Winery, each contributing to our introduction to this spectacular wine region.
Morning Vineyard Visit: Tablas Creek Vineyard & Regenerative Organic Certification
The next morning we embarked on a vineyard tour like no other at Tablas Creek Vineyard, pioneers of Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC) in the U.S. Here, sustainability goes beyond words, and we witnessed first-hand the practices that put this vineyard at the forefront of eco-conscious winemaking. Booker Vineyard, Robert Hall Winery, and MAHA Estate also joined to showcase their own ROC initiatives.
Lunch in the Adelaida District: McPrice Myers Wines
After a scenic ride through the hills, we reach McPrice Myers Wines in the Adelaida District, home to the highest-elevation vineyards in Paso Robles. A 360-degree view of the region awaited us as we enjoyed lunch and wine from Adelaida Vineyards, Chronic Cellars, and McPrice Myers. With calcareous shale and limestone underfoot, we got a sense of what makes the Adelaida terroir so special.
Underground at L’Aventure: Limestone Caves and Calcareous Soils
Next, we went underground at L’Aventure to explore the caves and discover how calcareous soils shape the region’s wines. This part of the journey gives a tactile sense of the roots that nourish Paso Robles vines. We also heard from Calcareous Vineyard and Linne Calodo as they shed light on how limestone affects their winemaking.
Evening Tasting at Castoro Cellars: Strolling Dinner
As the day wound down, the festivities continued at Castoro Cellars. A stroll-through tasting featured 14 local brands: Aaron Wines, Bezel, Castoro Cellars, Copia Vineyards, Donati Family Vineyard, Epoch Estate Wines, High Camp Wines, J Lohr Vineyards & Wines, JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, Shale Oak Winery, Thacher Winery, Turley Wine Cellars, Volatus, War Room Cellars. They guided us through the region's broad spectrum of wines. To top it all off, dinner among the vines rounded out the evening, with all wineries sharing their bottles at the table for an unforgettable feast under the stars.
Day 2: A Deeper Dive into Paso Robles’ Wine Diversity
Great Whites at Eberle Winery
Day two kicked off with a crisp change of pace as we visited Eberle Winery to explore the potential of Paso Robles’ white wines. Known more for its reds, this region still holds some hidden white wine gems. We met producers like Barton Family Wines, Rococo Wines, and Gary Eberle of Eberle as they poured their refreshing whites to start our day.
Exploring Willow Creek District: Lopai Cellars
From here, we headed to the Willow Creek District, one of the cooler microclimates in Paso Robles. At Lopai Cellars, we walked the rows of vines and learned about the district’s unique characteristics. Cairjn Wine Cellars, Denner Vineyards, and LXV Wines joined the lineup and discussed what makes Willow Creek so ideal for growing premium grapes.
Harvest Activity at Tin City: Get Your Hands Dirty
A trip to Paso Robles during harvest wouldn’t be complete without some hands-on experience. In Tin City, we were paired with one of the local wineries to assist with the day’s harvest activities. Whether it’s working in the winery or prepping for the next day’s pick, this immersive experience offered a glimpse behind the scenes at wineries like Aaron Wines, Caliza Winery, MCV Wines and ONX Wines & Vineyards. I personally got to experience ONX Winery and it was a BLAST! We got to taste from the barrel the different stages of fermentation and taste their delicious wines.
Dinner Adventure at Margarita Ranch: Zipline & Cookout
Our final stop is the Margarita Ranch, home to Ancient Peaks Winery and the adventurous Margarita Adventures zipline course. I visited the ranch/winery back in 2011 so it was fun to be back! We soared over the vines and took in the views before heading to Oyster Ridge Barn for a rustic yet elegant cookout. The evening was a celebration of Paso Robles, with incredible wine, food, and memories to last a lifetime.
I highly recommend a visit to Paso Robles, CA which is half way between Los Angeles and San Francisco. If you would like a more customized itinerary, please reach out. I would love to help!
Other wineries to visit in Paso Robles, CA:
Copia Vineyards
I personally belong to the wine club at Copia and have since I met Anita & Varinder in 2021. We became friends and I finally got to meet them in person and see the beautiful winery in September of 2024. You definitely don’t want miss visiting this gorgeous property with not only top notch wines but top notch hospitality.
Turtle Rock Vineyards
I have also belonged to the Turtle Rock wine club since 2021. They are worth a visit if you’re at Tin City. Don Burns has been making these incredible wines after being the assistant winemaker with Justin Smith at Saxum.