To me Paso Robles is this wonderful tucked away AVA, making approachable but exciting wines not much less in quality than Napa, Sonoma, Walla Walla, Willemette, etc. Paso wines are unctous, fruity, balanced, exciting and delicious. I love Zinfandel, and for me Paso pretty much takes the Zin blue ribbon. Sure, Napa produces some delicious Zin, but you’re gonna pay 2-3 times what Paso charges, and most of the time Paso’s are better. They make great cabs, zins, rhones, pinots, you name it.
I’ve been pinning to spend a few days tasting through wineries in Paso Robles for ages. It’s always a catch 22: If I’m on a job, I have $ but can’t go. If I’m not on a job, I don’t have the cash. I’ve resolved this year to give it a go. I combed through Cellartrack and Wine Berserker forums, tasted wines from friends, and tried the odd bottle from the store. Here’s the wineries I’m dying to visit, in no particular order:
- Villa Creek
- Nadeau
- Halter Ranch
- Adelaida
- Pipestone
- Treana
- Hug
- Saxum
- L’Aventure
- Booker
- Torrin
- Chateau Margene
- Turley
- Dunning
- Tolo
- Edward Sellers
- Justin
- Opolo
- Grey Wolf
- Denner
- Donati
- Thunderbolt
- Castoro
- Doce Robles
- Four Vines
- Zin Alley
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