Paso Robles Wineries

Most Paso Robles Wineries produce top quality wine. This is a result of two key elements. First, most are dedicated family owned or boutique wineries that pride themselves on their vineyards and winemaking skills.

The second is the remarkable terroir of Paso Robles, which is a Mediterranean climate ideal for wine grape growing.

The history of Paso Robles wineries goes back to the 1880s. The high quality of Paso Robles wineries and resulting wines have long been known in the wine loving San Francisco and Los Angeles market for ages.

Yet it’s only been in the last decade or so that the region is making a dent in the national and even international market.

Recently, producers from Paso Robles came to New York to present the wine trade with a wine tasting and dinner paired with regional courses.

Paso Robles Wineries Tasting and Dinner for the New York Trade

I’ve had the great fortune to visit Paso Robles and experience the high quality of the wines twice.

The first time was with an organization created to celebrate Rhone grape varieties from both France’s Rhone Valley and California’s Paso Robles.

The second time was on a post trip to Paso Robles with the Wine Bloggers Conference (WBC). Both experiences involved visits to wineries and seminars as well as walk around tastings.

During the tasting and dinner, held at The Dutch restaurant, I was excited to see that Christopher Taranto, long-time Communications Director of the Paso Robles Wine Alliance, was sitting across from me.

Paso Robles Wineries : Christopher Taranto

It had been Christopher who organized the trip after the WBC conference. He is always a significant source of information about Paso Robles wineries. The reason is that he has tremendous insight into the region, its wineries, and the unique combination of factors that helps wineries in Paso Robles produce such exciting wines.

The producers from Paso Robles wineries included Thacher Winery (showing off their Blanc de Blanc 2013), Tablas Creek Vineyard (showing off their Vineyard Esprit de Tablas Blanc 2015 and Counoise 2016 (a native Rhone varietal), Ancient Peaks Winery showing their Santa Margarita Ranch Sauvignon Blanc 2017 and Santa Margarita Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2016,

Paso Robles Wineries : Dinner Theme

The culinary and hospitality team at “The Dutch” took care to present a beautifully set table with an appropriately rustic Paso Robles theme. The excellent culinary pairings was most impressive.

Yet before I reveal more details about the food and wine pairing, you may be curious about the climate and terroir of Paso Robles. This is a region that can produce high acid white wines to rich, oak-aged red wines and everything between.

Paso Robles Wineries : Terroir

Paso Robles is located about halfway between the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco. It is a popular weekend getaway for these two key cities. Increasingly Paso Robles is attracting international visitors as well.

The topography is hilly, with summers featuring very hot days and cool nights. Rain is mostly in the winter, so there is little chance of mildew or rot during harvest.

The town of “Paso” (as it is often called) began in 1864. Like many small towns in the West, it was originally rural and rustic yet soon gained a reputation for its thermal springs. When the Southern Pacific Railroad reached Paso Robles, land developers were quick to entice San Francisco residents to take a train down and buy some land as a vacation home to enjoy the springs and rural ambiance.

Paso Robles Wineries – History

Though commercial winemaking began in the 1880s, wine tourism did not really come into play until the late 1980s. For example, family-owned Tablas Creek Winery - during this dinner represented by Jason Haas - bought their Paso Robles property in 1986 in partnership with the French Perrin family from the S. Rhone Click to Tweet .

The winery specializes in S. Rhone varietals, with good examples showcased by the Blanc blend and Counoise.

Though Paso Robles is mostly known for its Rhone varieties, Giornata Wines specializes in Italian varietals and brought a wonderful Nebbiolo and Aglianico.

The owners of Thacher Winery and Vineyard met in 1992, but it was not until 2008 they decided to move to Paso Robles and open a winery that specializes in native Rhone as well as California varieties. They brought a delicious and refreshing Blanc de Blanc 2013.

Paso Robles Wineries : Winemaker Personalities

Booker winery is known for its historic owners, the respected Claude and Dick Booker who purchased a great deal of land in the area. Current owners Eric and Lisa Jensen bought the property and originally sold grapes, yet having been selling wine under their own label since 2005. They brought the red blend My Favorite Neighbor 2016.

Ancient Peaks winery is owned by three winegrowing and ranching families, with their terroir responsible for the refreshing Santa Margarita Ranch Sauvignon Blanc 2017 and the juicy smooth-tannin Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Turley wine cellars has long found Paso Robles a great climate to produce their Uenerroth Zinfandel 2016, while JUSTIN Vineyards and Winery showcased their Savant 2016.

Paso Robles Wineries : Food and Wine Pairings

Because of the diversity of the wines, The Dutch restaurant thought it best to create three different flights of food to pair with all the wines. Click to Tweet So for example, “snacks” of deviled crab eggs, smoked salmon, and eggplant dip could be paired with the bright Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas Blanc, the Atlas Peaks Santa Margarita Ranch Sauvignon Blanc 2017, and even the more tannic red Giornata Luna Matta Vineyard Nebbiolo 2014.

The Appetizers of farmer’s salad, American burrata, and Korean style bums were all very well paired with the Tablas (red) Counoise 2016, the JUSTIN vineyard Savant 2016 (Syrah and Cabernet blend), and the Turley Wine Ueberroth Zinfandel 2016.

And the Spinach gnocchi, Rabbit pot pie, and Rack of lamb that paired so nicely with all the wines, including the Giornata Wine Luna Matta Vineyard Aglianico 2016, the Ancient Peaks Winery Santa Margarita Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Booker Vineyard My Favorite Neighbor (red blend) 2016.

Paso Robles Wineries : Evening of Storytelling

It was a night filled with storytelling from all the producers, some really exceptional wines, and also – for me – the exciting feeling of being here at a special moment of time, when Paso wines are finally receiving the recognition they deserve.

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If you like this article you will like:

— Dominus Estate
— Chappellet Family Winery
— Hess Collection
— Frog’s Leap

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About Author Marisa D’Vari

D’Vari contributes to Forbes.com, Financial Times, World of Fine Wine, Quarterly Review of Wine, Decanter Robb Report, San Francisco Chronicle, South China Morning Post, and more.

She holds the (WSET) diploma, Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, a Certified Wine Educator through the Society of Wine Educators … to see it all, please click on bio

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