Paso Robles wineries to visit

WINE TALK
1

My wife and I, and another couple will be spending a couple of days there during Thanksgiving weekend.

Tablas Creek is at the top of the list. The big question is which wineries in the Paso area make non-Parkerized wines? When I see the word “gobs”, I go screaming in the other direction.

Thanks! [cheers.gif]

2

Larry, I’m going out on a limb here by suggesting that you go to Turley and buy their Cinsault. It’s a wonderful and pure low alc wine. Often 12.5% !

3

I’ve heard that Turley has pretty much done a 180 degree stylistic shift in their wine making. Only one way to find out!

4

I just moved to the area, and I too have been looking for leaner wines - which often means cooler climate wines.

To be honest, that style is tough to come by in Paso - the growing conditions are decidedly not cool climate, you can’t really make that style of wines when the temps regularly get into the 100s. You really have to go down to the Santa Barbara area (vineyards with strong ocean influences) to find the lower alcohol Syrahs and pinots.

While most of the wines are “big” up there, a lot of them are still balanced and delicious. Try these:

Tablas Creek for sure. Great winery. One of the few winery clubs that I’ve joined.

Try to get an appointment with Paix Sur Terre

Alta Colina

Turley

Do a search, there was a thread not long ago with a bunch of great recommendations. Check that out as well…

Also, if you want to take a drive down to the ocean, check out Stolo vineyards. They have some fairly delicious cool climate syrah and pinot. Take Santa Rosa Creek Rd from 46 down to Cambria if you like beautiful backroads and don’t get car sick!

The grill at Cass House in Cayucos also has a nice wine list, delicious food, and a superb location.

5

I do like the Turley wines these days. They seem much fresher and less heavy now that Tegan is the winemaker. The Cinsault is a $20 wine that you can only buy the at the winery and probably a very good choice for Thanksgiving dinner.

Also agree that TCV is great. Haven’t visited in a while but am a club member.

6

I used to run the other way, but their wines are much different now. The tasting room is great and the Juvenile is one of the great bargains out there for good Zin.

7

Turley’s wines are not old school or delicate by any stretch of the imagination, but they have pulled back from their biggest style of say 10-15 years ago, particularly (I think) dialing down the amount of oak. So you have big ripe fruit, but wines that still have freshness and energy and are not overly thick and heavy.

Denner is kind of similar, biggish Paso fruit but with a skilled hand and a moderate use of oak, so the wines are kind of “modern in a good way.” The tasting room and facility is beautiful, if maybe a bit too fancy for some.

I’ve always liked visiting Dover Canyon, as far as a friendly, rustic, smaller place that makes tasty wines at reasonable prices; sort of a classic “Paso before Paso started to become a big deal” winery. Not on the big side of Paso stylistically. I think it would be right on your way from Turley to Tablas Creek, if I remember correctly.

1 Like
8

You’re not going to find many truly old world wineries in Paso.

Might not be your wheelhouse, but I enjoyed Terry Hoage (now TH)

9

I would give Talley, Linne Calodo and Ledge a shot.

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Tablas Creek obviously, and Adelaida

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Carmody McKnight next to Justin.

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Btw, when I taste in Paso I always start at TCV and then move east.

13

Epoch, Denner, Adelaida for the wine
Daou for an amazing view and decent wine

14

Have not tasted at many places up there in awhile - what are tasting fees running at Epoch, Denner, Law, Daou, etc?

Cheers

15

I tasted at Denner and they were big and overpriced, at least for my tastes.

16

We have been going to Paso about once a year since my daughter went to college at Cal Poly about 10 years ago.
I would a agree with most of whats been said, the wines tend to be big and fruity and the price increases in recent years do not seem to be justified. I tend to look for the smaller off the beaten path wineries with minimalist tasting rooms. Here are some idea:

Dover Canyon - Tends to have some interesting blends

Daou - Breathtaking place, they do a good job with Cabernet, Adelaida is next door if you want to bother.

Caparone - One of the oldest wineries in Paso, their wine was $14 a bottle for as long as I remember and they recently raised it to $16.
I have had some fabulous Sangiovese and Anglianco form there, but the wine seemed to really go downhill a few years ago, but it might be worth a try. I hope things have gotten back to where they were.

Vista Del Rey - They do Zin and Barbera, the tasting room is literally in his garage. Best to call first to make sure they are there.

August Ridge - Italian wines, its out east in a nice setting. Thought the Barbera was was good and planning to go back.

Aaron Jackson - If you like Petite Sirah he does a good one. Nice tasting room experience.

17

Larry, what are some producers and regions you enjoy already? Could be California, France, Spain, anywhere. That may give some insight into where you may want to visit.

18

Beaujolais, Loire, Jura. My favorite winery in CA is Edmunds St. John. I’m not fond of new oak as a primary component. It should be a supporting element, at most. If that puts me as an AFWE-er, that’s perfectly ok.

19

in addition:

Calcareous has a wonderful view as well as interesting wine.

Daou has wonderful view and although the QPR of the tasting room selections was kinda low last year. Wine was good but expensive.

The caves at Eberle are worth checking out. The wines are generally not in the same league, but the Barbera justifies stopping and taking a cave tour, making for an interesting visit.

20

RN Estate makes really nice wines that are old word in style. The fruit for his pinots are sourced from cooler areas and his other wines are grown on site. You do need an appointment.