Yes. I don’t expect to find a lot of Pinot. I do buy Tidings and Beta/Jasud.
A few to hit - and some are pretty obvious:
Tablas Creek - a very ‘non-Paso’ Paso winery and, though not ‘old world’ in style, more so than most in the area
Willow Creek Wine Collective - not far from Tablas - making some interesting wines, including a couple of different Chenin Blancs from older vine sites
Monochrome Wines in Tin City - specializing in white wines only, and doing some fun stuff
Hope that helps
Cheers
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Tablas Creek does make a Pinot called Full Circle from a small vineyard at the Hass family home in Templeton (cooler). The name is an allusion to Robert Haas importing Burgundy for years. Not sure the make enough to pour at the Tasting room, though. Probably my favorite tasting room overall in the area and the wines are Paso in a more restrained style.
-Al
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I’d recommend RN Estate: https://www.rnestate.com/
He sources his pinot from cooler areas, and all his wines are more restrained and balanced.
We also like Aaron’s pinots.
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Tablas Creek is a must visit on every Paso Robles trip for me. That said, I’ve yet to be impressed enough by the Full Circle to actually buy it. I’ve had it at the tasting room a couple of times, and their Rhônes just have an extra gear when tasted side by side.
I remember Windward being fairly good, but I haven’t visited in almost six years, so YMMV.
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I’ve never purchased the Full Circle Pinot. I also try to stop at Tablas Creek whenever I’m in the area.
I thought about mentioning Windward because it’s one of the few Pinots from Paso fruit. But it appears to have merged with another winery (Ascunion Ridge).
Adelaida Vineyards and Winery also produce a little Pinot Noir from Paso fruit, from the old Hoffman Mountain Ranch vineyard that has some vines dating to 1964. I think most of the Pinot in the vineyard was grafted somewhat later from cuttings from the original vines. I believe the original vines are own-rooted. Not sure whether they pour it in the tasting room (suspect they don’t generally).
-Al
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We used to go to Paso every year. We haven’t been in 2 yrs. Wineries that we always visit- Tablas Creek (wine club members) and Turley. Turley is just south of Paso and a very easy drive. Highly recommend. Not Pinot Noir, but delicious, consistently lovely Zinfandels.
We used to be Adelaida members. They do have Estate pinot, but they are bigger, fruitier than Old World.
Other wineries that might be of interest that make more balanced wines (not pinot)- Epoch, Turtle Rock, Desperada.
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Agree that the Adelaida Pinots are bigger style, Windward edging that way as well.
-Al
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Terry Hoague makes Pinots.
Terry Hoague is no more as a winery.
I think Clos solene might fit what you’re looking for. I would second Monochrome, quality whites. Maybe look into Alta Colina, as I think they be a style that would fit.
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The Terry Hoage Pinot Noirs were a label called Decroux and may have been Jennifer’s project. The grapes mostly came from Sta Rita Hills or one from Arroyo Grande.
-Al
Agree with Tablas Creek, Turley, and Clos Selene. Clos Selene is probably the most obvious fit but the most expensive to taste and to buy. Tablas Creek has a wide range but across the board I find a more refined and more old world expression than is typical in Paso Robles. Turley might not seem obvious but I really do think that their zins would appeal to someone who likes old world pinot (they certainly appeal to me). I find both Tablas Creek and Turley refreshing stops on a Paso weekend.
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I was there just 3 1/2 years ago. They were pouring mostly Pinots at the time which were just OK.
The bottom line w Paso - if you want Pinots, Paso is probably not a good bet. Can you find them? Of course - but you are better off going south to either Edna Valley or even further south to SBC (about 90 minutes)
Cheers
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Hi everyone,
So sorry for the long delay in replying to this post (which likely has grown stale). The majority of the Pinot noir vines at HMR (22 acres) are original, versus 10 acres that were planted in 1999 as cuttings. As to the ripeness of the wines, I’m surprised that anyone finds these Pinots big, especially in relation to Old World wines of recent vintages. In the last 10 years, as the plants have declined in health, they are making less and less sugar. Here are the numbers for the last 5 vintages. Please be assured that the label alcohols are honest. I don’t use the fudge factor and would be happy to supply anyone who’s interested with the ETS Labs reports:
2019 Pinot Noir HMR: 14.2%
2020 Pinot Noir HMR: 13.3%
2021 Pinot Noir HMR: 13.4%
2022 Pinot noir HMR: 13.3%
2023 Pinot noir HMR: 12.8%
As far as Red Burgundy goes, I’d encourage you to send your wines (in small 60ml tubes) to ETS to see how the wines have gotten higher in alcohol over the last 5 years compared with Pinot from California.
Best,
Jeremy
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