I’m headed to Paso Robles in September for 3 days with the spouse and friends. It’s been years since I’ve been there so looking for recommendations on wineries/tasting rooms to visit. Looking for two different (in most cases) categories: 1) Top quality and 2) great values. Also, any recommendations for drivers/car services that can handle 6 people would be great.
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Quality: Herman Story and Turtle Rock.
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+1 for Herman Story. Turley is also nice and falls into both quality + value. Calcareous has an amazing view and I liked their Malbec / Cab Franc blend (The Messer).
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Linne Calodo
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Lots of threads on this you can probably search, but
Top Quality that you can visit:
La aventure
Law
Top
Jada
Epoch
Turtle Rock
Herman Story
Levo
Fulldraw
Linne Calado
Value:
Alta Colina
Aaron
Thatcher
Paix Sur Terre
Nenow
Monochrome-whites only
Desparada
Tablas
Just hit up Tin City
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My 3 favorites in the high quality category are Turtle Rock, L’Aventure, and Torrin. L’Aventure has the best ambiance (and great wine), Torrin has solid ambiance and I like the wine a bit more, Turtle Rock is in Tin City so you don’t have vineyard views but the wine is excellent and it’s close to restaurants etc.
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Tablas Creek
They’re number 1 for quality and value. If you’ve been there before, then you probably already know this, but mentioning it just in case that’s not the case.
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Honestly no idea if they are equipped for tastings of any kind, but Ledge is criminally underrated and would likely respond to an email looking to set something up. Otherwise the big list a few posts above is spot on. Torrin and Turtle Rock among my favs, Law also delicious. Make sure to get a drive down 46W and up Vineyard Drive, just beautiful country.
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L’aventure is a great. Would also agree with Tablas for quality and value.
Not a winery, but if you can get into Somms kitchen, do it. Small ~15 seat restaurant. It’s a set menu with food and wine pairings that has over delivered when we’ve been there.
Second strong endorsement for Top Winery. Not only are the wines great, but the folks behind it are as passionate and generous as can be, and the visits are incredibly informative about winemaking.
Clos Solene appears to be a favorite of those who like the L’Aventure style . . .
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Thanks to all for the great details- sounds like 2-3 trips are in order. I will definitely post an update after the visit. The Somm restaurant really sounds like a fun evening. For those in the Sacramento area, they have something similar- The Kitchen restaurant. Wine is not included however during past visits they had an excellent list at fair prices. Plan 2-3 hours minimum as it is quite an experience. https://thekitchenrestaurant.com/
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Paso definitely requires multiple visits. I was there a couple of months ago. Had a blast. Over 4 days, I visited Herman Story, LAW, Clos Solene, Benom, Epoch, Copia, and Paix Sur Terre. My favorites were LAW and Clos Solene for wine quality and the more elevated experiences (paid up for them). Tin City was fun and casual, and would definitely visit again to explore more. Turtle Rock, Monochrome, and an elevated tasting at Copia are on my list for next time, as well as dinner reservations at Les Petites Canailles.
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Paso is way more fun than Napa. The variety, the more casual nature, the prices.
I would make multiple trips to Paso before I would return to Napa.
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We were last month and here were the outstanding places:
Epoch
Clos Selene
McPrice Myers
Tablas Creek
Calcarious
Copia
Jacob Toft
Herman Story is fine if you like 100% new oak in everything including the Viognier
Agree. We were Napa locals for years. Visited Cade, Odette and numerous others when they were just getting started. The vibe in Napa is far too commercial for me (but a Rutherford cab is still one of my favorites). It is fun visiting the wineries in the Sierra Foothills but you do have to hunt for quality wines.
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This thread is an eye opener for me! I have been turned off from wine country visits by the commercial vibe described above. Never thought of Paso as a destination until now. Thanks all!
Hey all! I know that this thread is about Paso, but don’t forget about Santa Barbara County for a visit sometime soon as well 
It’s amazing, but I find most people from LA, Orange County, and San Diego County tend to pass us by to go to Paso. We still have a long way to go to be considered a true Wine destination. I know that that may sound crazy to many on this board, but it’s very very very true.
Now back to Paso, I agree with so many of the comments that have been made. It really has exploded, and the opportunities to explore are becoming endless. That said, they’re definitely is an upswing in Tasting fees, bottle, prices, and a little attitude from time to time.
Cheers!
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Russell Fromm Has been consistent in his approach to Wine making for the last two decades. I always say that his Winery should be supported and endorsed by NASCAR!
Definitely not for the faint of heart, but he is very well loved as are his wines by many.
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