Paso Robles Report

[Dave_McCloskey]

Ken -

Hmmm, my bad. What’s the road/Hwy. that goes from PCH to Paso? For example, if you were coming south on PCH from Hearst castle, you’d make a left (East) onto this Rd./Hwy., go over the mountain pass and then hit Paso. I didn’t think that road was 101, but it’s been a couple of years, so it’s a bit foggy in the memory bank.

[Ken_Zinns]

@Dave McCloskey

Ken -

Hmmm, my bad. What’s the road/Hwy. that goes from PCH to Paso? For example, if you were coming south on PCH from Hearst castle, you’d make a left (East) onto this Rd./Hwy., go over the mountain pass and then hit Paso. I didn’t think that road was 101, but it’s been a couple of years, so it’s a bit foggy in the memory bank.

That’s Hwy. 46, which basically follows the Templeton Gap over the mountains from Hwy. 1 along the coast. But I’ve never seen 46 as any particular “demarcation zone” between growing areas - 101 is the road that people generally think of in those terms for Paso.

[Taylor_Broussard]

@Dave McCloskey

Ken -

Hmmm, my bad. What’s the road/Hwy. that goes from PCH to Paso? For example, if you were coming south on PCH from Hearst castle, you’d make a left (East) onto this Rd./Hwy., go over the mountain pass and then hit Paso. I didn’t think that road was 101, but it’s been a couple of years, so it’s a bit foggy in the memory bank.

Dave, that’s Highway 46 (also Green Valley Road) between 101 and PCH (Hwy 1). 101 runs north/south but is more inland from Hwy 1. In California, all East/West routes are even numbers, while all North/South are odd numbers.

[Dave_McCloskey]

@Taylor Broussard

@Dave McCloskey

Ken -

Hmmm, my bad. What’s the road/Hwy. that goes from PCH to Paso? For example, if you were coming south on PCH from Hearst castle, you’d make a left (East) onto this Rd./Hwy., go over the mountain pass and then hit Paso. I didn’t think that road was 101, but it’s been a couple of years, so it’s a bit foggy in the memory bank.

Dave, that’s Highway 46 (also Green Valley Road) between 101 and PCH (Hwy 1). 101 runs north/south but is more inland from Hwy 1. In California, all East/West routes are even numbers, while all North/South are odd numbers.

Thank you Taylor. If I were to ever move back to California, that area would be #1 on my list. Those rolling hills and Live Oaks tug on the heart strings. I’m going to try and talk my brother into returning our two families to the house we rented in Paso a couple of years ago. Gorgeous place.

[Ken_Zinns]

@Dave McCloskey

@Taylor Broussard

@Dave McCloskey

Ken -

Hmmm, my bad. What’s the road/Hwy. that goes from PCH to Paso? For example, if you were coming south on PCH from Hearst castle, you’d make a left (East) onto this Rd./Hwy., go over the mountain pass and then hit Paso. I didn’t think that road was 101, but it’s been a couple of years, so it’s a bit foggy in the memory bank.

Dave, that’s Highway 46 (also Green Valley Road) between 101 and PCH (Hwy 1). 101 runs north/south but is more inland from Hwy 1. In California, all East/West routes are even numbers, while all North/South are odd numbers.

Thank you Taylor. If I were to ever move back to California, that area would be #1 on my list. Those rolling hills and Live Oaks tug on the heart strings. I’m going to try and talk my brother into returning our two families to the house we rented in Paso a couple of years ago. Gorgeous place.

Couple of photos from the summit of 46 coming from Hwy. 1 toward Paso - the lower one is looking out to Morro Bay and Morro Rock:
[resizeableimage=360,270]http://www.grape-nutz.com/kenz/images/39-view-from-hwy-46-summit.jpg[/resizeableimage]
[resizeableimage=360,270]http://www.grape-nutz.com/kenz/images/38-morro-bay-&-morro-rock-f.jpg[/resizeableimage]

[Dave_McCloskey]

Ken, I know exactly where you took those pictures, I have some from that same spot!! God’s country, brother!

[Ken_Zinns]

A few Paso vineyard photos - definitely a beautiful area:

Rio Seco Vineyard

James Berry Bone Rock

Alta Colina

[Dave_McCloskey]

Gorgeous!

[Kyle_Schlachter]

Epoch has the vineyard staked and vines ordered for the York Mt estate vineyard…

[Taylor_Broussard]

@Ken Zinns

That would be Hwy. 101, Dave. (29 is in Napa Valley). But as I’m sure you know, east and west of 101 is a rough guideline only - parts of El Pomar and Santa Margarita Ranch (east of 101) are cooler than parts of Adelaida to the west. And Templeton Gap (fairly cool) and San Miguel (warmer) both straddle 101.

Another AVA to watch that I should have mentioned is York Mountain. Although it’s outside of the Paso Robles AVA, it’s long been associated with it, since it’s located directly to the west. There’s not a lot planted there, but highly-regarded Shadow Canyon Vineyard is one of the vineyards there. Anthony Yount has planted his own vineyard there recently, with Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Clairette. And Epoch, who have built a new winery at their place in the York Mountain AVA (site of the historic York Mountain Winery), have indicated that they will replant the vineyard land there at some point.

Ken, any idea if Shadow Canyon Vineyards will produce wine again?

[Ken_Zinns]

@Taylor Broussard

@Ken Zinns

That would be Hwy. 101, Dave. (29 is in Napa Valley). But as I’m sure you know, east and west of 101 is a rough guideline only - parts of El Pomar and Santa Margarita Ranch (east of 101) are cooler than parts of Adelaida to the west. And Templeton Gap (fairly cool) and San Miguel (warmer) both straddle 101.

Another AVA to watch that I should have mentioned is York Mountain. Although it’s outside of the Paso Robles AVA, it’s long been associated with it, since it’s located directly to the west. There’s not a lot planted there, but highly-regarded Shadow Canyon Vineyard is one of the vineyards there. Anthony Yount has planted his own vineyard there recently, with Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Clairette. And Epoch, who have built a new winery at their place in the York Mountain AVA (site of the historic York Mountain Winery), have indicated that they will replant the vineyard land there at some point.

Ken, any idea if Shadow Canyon Vineyards will produce wine again?

Taylor, the last time I talked with Gary Gibson - which may have been 4-5 years ago - he had no plans to start making his own wine again, just continuing to farm the vineyard and sell fruit. I haven’t read or heard anything to the contrary since then. IIRC, 2007 was the last vintage he made under the Shadow Canyon label.

Some info from a visit to Shadow Canyon in 2008 is included here: Central Coast - April-May '08

Shadow Canyon Vineyard

[Ken_Zinns]

@Kyle Schlachter

Epoch has the vineyard staked and vines ordered for the York Mt estate vineyard…

Good news, Kyle - thanks. I’m hoping to go check out their new winery soon and I’ve love to see the vineyard site. Last I heard, they were going to make the old historic winery building into their tasting room - it was damaged in the 2003 earthquake and they were planning to do seismic retrofit work.

[BobMilton]

@Ken Zinns

@Kyle Schlachter

Epoch has the vineyard staked and vines ordered for the York Mt estate vineyard…

Good news, Kyle - thanks. I’m hoping to go check out their new winery soon and I’ve love to see the vineyard site. Last I heard, they were going to make the old historic winery building into their tasting room - it was damaged in the 2003 earthquake and they were planning to do seismic retrofit work.

Was there a week ago or so. The old winery needs a LOT of help - basically a partial shell is all that’s visible. They said they were shooting for next year to move the tasting room there.

[Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m]

It’s nice to see some great old trees survived the planting of those vineyards.

[Michael_Meadows]

@BobMilton

@Ken Zinns

@Kyle Schlachter

Epoch has the vineyard staked and vines ordered for the York Mt estate vineyard…

Good news, Kyle - thanks. I’m hoping to go check out their new winery soon and I’ve love to see the vineyard site. Last I heard, they were going to make the old historic winery building into their tasting room - it was damaged in the 2003 earthquake and they were planning to do seismic retrofit work.

Was there a week ago or so. The old winery needs a LOT of help - basically a partial shell is all that’s visible. They said they were shooting for next year to move the tasting room there.

I’ll be there with Jordan in a few weeks - look forward to seeing what’s set up and also what’s in store for York.

[Randy_Smith]

For gosh sakes, Mike, swing by Denner to see if Mad Anthony Yount is up to any crazed experimentation.

[Albert_R]

Been to Paso a few times over the last 5 years. We love it but don’t tell anyone. Early-on we were a big Denner fans and are still club members. This past August Epoch became our new Paso favorite. For the best views in Paso and OK wines go to Daou!

[Andrew_Kaufman]

I am trying to set up another “BerserkerFest” in Paso. I do not wish to hijack this thread but would love it if you people would check it out in the offline section.

[Michael_Meadows]

@Randy Smith

For gosh sakes, Mike, swing by Denner to see if Mad Anthony Yount is up to any crazed experimentation.

Twist my arm, I’ll tell ya…

[MichaelHL]

Great info here. I live in the area and visit/taste many often. Still working my way through but we are members of many clubs. Rhone whites are very nice as mentioned but I also love some of the reds, especially balanced ones on the bigger side. Most great places have been mentioned. Nicora, Law, Torrin, Denner, Tablas, Booker, Clos Solene, Herman Story, Epoch, Herman Story, Saxum, Turtle Rock, Kinero, Ledge, l’Aventure, etc. Also should check out Paix Sur Terra, The Farm, and ONX. Hopefully get to try some Magna Mater soon. Many good wines to choose from.

Definitely see Ali at 15’C in Templeton. She knows the wine and areas.

If you want cooler climate wines, definitely visit some over the grade in the San Luis Obispo and Arroyo Grande AVAs.