While Napa Valley and Sonoma remain the frontrunners of California wine, the Paso Robles region has officially put the central coast on the map for its own award winning wine. Located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Paso Robles boasts a more relaxed, small town vibe that celebrates its rural roots. With over 40 different wine varieties and 26,000 acres of vineyards, Paso Robles has become a top destination for wine tasting. We’ve compiled a list of Paso Robles wineries that should definitely be on your list to visit.

Day 1

Wine and Music

Vina Robles Winery and Amphitheatre
3800 Mill Rd.
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 286-3680
Yelp: 4 stars, 85 reviews
Reservations: Not required
Directions: From US-101, take exit 231B for CA-46 E toward Fresno/Bakersfield. Continue on CA-46 E for 3 miles. Turn right onto Mill Rd. Winery will be on the left.

Swiss proprietor Hans Nef and his managing partner R. Michel wanted to combine their european roots with California’s heritage, hence their motto, “European Inspiration – California Character.” Stop in to the hospitality room and taste the many award winning estate wines such as the Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Later, enjoy live music at the outdoor amphitheatre with bands such as Tears for Fears, Ringo Starr, George Thorogood and Judas Priest.

Insider tip: Bring out your inner artist and book the Art and Wine class where an instructor will help you create your own painting while sipping on a glass of wine.

The First Wine Caves in Paso Robles

Eberle Winery
3810 CA-46
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 238-9607
Yelp: 4 stars, 266 reviews
Reservations: Not required
Directions: From Vina Robles, continue east on CA-46 for 1 mile. Make U-turn, winery will be on your right.

Another pioneer of the Paso Robles wine region, winemaker Gary Eberle released his first bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon in 1979 to rave reviews. This officially opened the door to Eberle’s winery debut with the first wine caves in Paso Robles.

Now, over 30 years later, Gary is still greeting guests as they stop in to enjoy the complimentary tastings of the Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Muscat Canelli. Tours of the facilities, including the caves, happen every half hour. Enjoy your wine out on the scenic deck that overlooks the vineyards and the bocce ball courts.

Insider tip: In advance of your visit, call to the tasting room to order a gourmet picnic lunch from Cahoot Catering to enjoy while you’re there.

Beautiful Grounds

Broken Earth Winery
5625 CA-46
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 239-2562
Yelp: 4 stars, 38 reviews
Reservations: Not required
Directions: From Eberle Winery, drive southwest on CA-46 W. After 1.3 miles, turn left onto Union Rd. Turn right onto Golden Hill Rd. Drive 4 miles on CA-46 E. Winery will be on your right.

Originally a 2,500 acre ranch called “Rancho Tierra Rejada”, Broken Earth Winery officially planted its roots as a Paso Robles winery in 2006 after the ranch was purchased by the current owners. Aside from the generous pours of its PULL Cabernet Sauvignon and Reserve Chardonnay, the tasting room offers a beautiful assortment of gifts including jewelry and apparel.

Choose to picnic outside on the beautiful grounds or dine inside at the cafe which has an assortment of specialty foods and a full service espresso bar.

Insider tip: Create a custom wine label to put on a bottle of Broken Earth wine. It makes a great gift or keepsake from your trip to the Paso Robles wine region.

Western Americana

Tobin James
8950 Union Rd.
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 239-2204
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 286 reviews
Reservations: Not Required
Directions: Continue east on CA-46 E for 3.5 miles. Turn right onto Union Rd.

It was the “Blue Moon Zin” that put Tobin “Toby” James on the map back in the early 90s when he used extra grapes leftover from Peachy Canyon to produce the wine on a whim. The rookie wine won Toby a spot on the coveted “Top 100 wines of the Year” by Wine Spectator along with several gold medals.

Now almost 25 years later, with its western style saloon theme and fun ambiance, Tobin James has grown to a full fledged winery serving over 20 different kinds of wines. With unlimited tastings that don’t cost you a dime, you can try everything from the Zinfandel, the Chardonnay, to the Merlot.

Insider tip: Save room for the chocolatey flavored dessert wine called Liquid Love.

First Class Hospitality

Asuncion Ridge Tasting Room
725 12th St.
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 461-0675
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 24 reviews
Reservations: Required for the Inn. Not required for the tasting room.
Directions: Turn left onto CA-46 W and drive for 7 miles. Turn left onto Union Rd. Take a slight right onto 13th St, then turn left onto Spring St. Turn left at the first intersection to 12th St, winery will be on the left.

Travel into downtown Paso Robles and enjoy the tasting room that is Asuncion Ridge. The recently renovated building has a warm, comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. Open later than most other tasting rooms and wineries, you have the luxury to slow down and try as many tastings as you’d like. Although very well known for its many varieties of Pinot Noir, be sure to try the Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc.

Planning an overnight stay? It would be a crime not to mention the gorgeous and romantic Asuncion Ridge Inn located in the Santa Lucia mountains. Owner Philip Krumal will make your stay so comfortable and relaxing, you won’t want to leave. The accommodations are first class with generously sized rooms and amenities including complimentary tastings at the downtown tasting room. However, its the million dollar views of the mountains all the way to the ocean that make the stay worthwhile.

Insider tip: Although the inn is a bed and breakfast, if you’re traveling with a group and book three or more rooms, Philip will prepare an evening gourmet meal just for your party.

Day 2

A Paso Robles Pioneer

JUSTIN Vineyards and Winery
11680 Chimney Rock Rd.
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 238-6932
Yelp: 4 stars, 249 reviews
Reservations: Recommended but not required
Directions: From US-101, turn right onto San Marcos Rd. After 5 miles, turn right onto Godfrey Rd. Godfrey Rd. turns into Chimney Rock Rd. Continue for 5.7 miles, winery will be on the right.

Launched in 1981, JUSTIN Winery is one of the “pioneers” of the Paso Robles wineries. Officially, it was the 1987 launch of ISOSCELES—a blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and merlot—that put its name to the forefront of central coast wine making. Now, with over 25 different vintages, JUSTIN has risen to the top. Take a tour of the winemaking grounds, then enjoy lunch at the award winning JUSTIN restaurant. Celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey and Josh Brolin have been known to make an appearance. Reservations are required for dinner.

Insider tip: Have brunch or lunch at the JUSTIN restaurant and your tastings for the day will be complimentary.

Leader of the Pack

Grey Wolf and Barton Family Wines
2174 CA-46
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 237-0771
Yelp: 4 stars, 51 reviews
Reservations: Not required
Directions: Head east on Chimney Rock Rd, then turn right on Adelaida Rd. After 2.5 miles, turn right onto Vineyard Dr. Drive 9 miles, then turn left onto CA-46 E. Winery will be on the left.

Grey Wolf started off in 1994 as a small boutique, family owned winery. Adding the Barton label in 2011 might have grown the winery in taste and flavor, but it’s retained its small, laid back, California boutique feel. Stop in, be greeted by the two family dogs, and enjoy delicious tastings of the reds which have names such as “Little Red”, “The Jackal”, “The Alpha”, “Big Bad,” and double gold winner “The Dance.” The Barton label carries the whites like, “Sentinelle”, “Albarino”, and “Chenin Blanc”.

Insider tip: Didn’t plan a lunch? Grey Wolf provides a menu in the food “shack” next door.

Dam Fine Wine

Castoro Wine Cellars
1315 N Bethel Rd.
Templeton, CA 93465
(805) 238-0725
Yelp: 4 stars, 172 reviews
Reservations: Not Required
Directions: Take a left onto CA-46 E, then turn right onto N Bethel Rd.

There is a double meaning to Castoro Wine’s motto, “Dam Fine Wine”. First, it’s really good wine. Second, owner Niels Udsen, is nicknamed “Beaver”, which translates to “castoro” in Italian. Since beavers build dams, Niels has spent his life like a beaver building Castoro and its wines, hence the motto. Although known for its Zinfandel, be sure to try the 2014 Balena Whale Rock which displays an orange blossom, pineapple, and mango aroma.

Throw some frisbees on the custom built 18 hole disc golf course. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or an ultimate frisbee expert, the course is for everyone to enjoy. Castoro also plays host to events such as its annual Beaverstock, the Earth, Food and Wine Festival, and the annual Highway 46 Block Party.

Insider tip: Pick up a bottle of the Due Mila Nove, the latest and a very special wine from the popular Due Mila series. The bordeaux blend, aged 26 months, is the longest barrel aged wine in Castoro’s history. Since it was produced in a very limited quantity, it is considered a special treat.

Live Naturally, Enjoy Wildly

Wild Horse Winery
1437 Wild Horse Winery Ct
Templeton, CA 93465
(805) 434-2541
Yelp: 4 stars, 41 reviews
Reservations: Not required
Directions: Head south on N Bethel Rd toward Herdsman Way. After 2 miles, turn left onto Vineyard Dr. Continue onto Templeton Rd. Turn right to stay on Templeton Rd, then left onto Wild Horse Winery Ct.

While its name comes from the wild mustangs that roamed the hills in the area, its the llamas that steal the show at Wild Horse Winery. Take a selfie with Dolly, Salvatore, and Floyd—all very friendly and fun. Wild Horse is well known for the four mass produced wines you see in grocery stores, however, stop in the winery and you will experience a selection unseen by most.

With their motto, “Live Naturally, Enjoy Wildly” the winery takes pride in its multi-vineyard sourced varieties of Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Blaufrankisch, and Viognier.

Insider tip: During your visit be sure to say hi to the winery’s mascot Floyd the Llama, along with his friends Dolly and Salvador Dali.

Award Winning Pinot Noir and Zinfandel

Sextant Wines
1653 Old Price Canyon Rd
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 542-0133
Yelp: 3.5 stars, 30 reviews
Reservations: Not required
Directions: Get onto US-101 S to exit 200 for Los Osos Valley Rd for 20 miles. Turn left onto Los Osos Valley Rd, then left onto S Higuera St. Take a sharp left onto Vachell Ln, then left onto Buckley Rd. Turn right onto CA-227 S then right onto Old Price Canyon Rd.

Named to the 2014 Wine Enthusiast’s “Top 100 Wines” list, Sextant’s Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir came in at #49.The tasting room has an upscale feel, but you don’t have to be an expert to enjoy the pours. Start with Wheelhouse Zinfandel and Chardonnay and then move to the reds like the GMS blends.

Insider tip: Splurge on the Estate Tour and learn all there is to know about the region and the wine. Receive tastings from the current wine list and enjoy a gourmet lunch.

Paso Robles has established itself as a top destination for every kind of wine palate. From the vineyards to the coast, the hardest decision you will have to make is which wine club to join.

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Author

WineCountry Staff