Paso Robles Is For Red Wine Lovers
Paso Robles, California - A secret paradise for red wine lovers.
🎶 Red, Red, Wiiiine…🎶 - the song that has been running through my head the entire time I was writing this article.
Are you a red wine lover? Or do you have someone special in your life who is? If so, I’m here to let you in on a little secret. Some of the BEST red wine in California is not coming from Napa and Sonoma. Ladies and Gentlemen, may I introduce you to Paso Robles, CA. If you’re not familiar with Paso Robles, CA, it is a city halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco on California’s central coast. Paso Robles continues to get increasing recognition as one of the state’s best sources of Bordeaux-style wine. The Cabernet Sauvignons from there is now regularly earning critics’ scores in the mid-to high-90’s and competing with the best wines that California and France have to offer.
For those of you who are looking for gift ideas for a red wine lover, or if you’re looking to plan a wine tasting trip in the future, I want to give you the lowdown on central California vineyards. If you were to ask anyone where the best wines are in the United States, I guarantee they would say Napa or Sonoma. Napa is like the Hollywood of winemaking, but here’s a little something that you may not know. Lately, the wine critics have been rolling out the red carpet in Paso Robles, CA, where some of the best world-class red wines are coming from. If you’ve got a wine lover that you want to give a gift to, you can really get a quality bottle of wine from a Paso Robles vineyard, spending a whole lot less than a bottle from Napa.
Why The Reds Coming Out of Paso Robles ARE So Good
Paso Robles is blessed with a climate that makes it absolutely ideal for winemaking. They have a prolonged growing season filled with warm days and cooler nights. This sort of weather is very similar to Napa minus the rain, which is why the Paso Robles reds have been topping the charts. The long season enables growers to ripen 69 different varieties of grapes, making wines perfectly balanced with sugar and acidity. This climate (the temperature and the weather) is the perfect scenario leading to such big world-class wines. As stated in an article in The Wine Enthusiast on December 21, 2020, 4 of the 10 best California red wines are currently from vineyards in Paso Robles. It’s easy to notice the price difference between Napa and Sonoma wines and those from Paso. A beautiful bottle of red from Napa can easily be priced at $100 where a similar wine in Paso Robles carries a price tag of $60. The price difference is real and is another thing that has added to the popularity of the Paso Robles reds.
All descriptions are from the Wine Enthusiast “The 12 Best California Red Wines of 2020”
Brady Vineyard 2018 Zinfandel (Paso Robles); $24, 96 points. Dense aromas of black currant, red flowers, and charred meat are wrapped in a rocky edge on the nose of this bottling. There is great cohesion to the palate, where rich red fruits are cut by crushed stone flavors, lifted by savory spice, and framed by ample acidity and tannins. —Matt Kettmann
Austin Hope 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles); $56, 95 points. Quite dark in the glass, this reliable crowd-pleaser begins with hearty aromas of black currant, black plum, lush oak, and caramel, accented by a hint of olive and loads of clove and nutmeg. The mouthfeel is hearty and rich, with just enough tannic weight to balance the creamy black-cherry, caramel, and chocolate-ice-cream flavors, which lead to an oaky finish. —M.K.
Lohr 2016 Cuvée Pau (Paso Robles); $60, 95 points. This is a dense and detailed wine, starting with rich, inviting aromas of dark berries, cherries, cocoa, vanilla, and mocha on the nose. Those lavish tones carry to the palate, which is framed by chiseled tannins. But the most intriguing aspects are the wild array of oregano and dried herbs that decorate the blackberry-jam and cherry-juice core. —M.K.
Vina Robles 2018 The Arborist Estate (Paso Robles); $18, 94 points. This is a screamingly good deal, offering both hedonistic pleasure and complexity through a blend of 41% Syrah, 35% Petite Sirah, 12% Grenache, and 12% Tannat. Aromas of roasted cherry, smoked meat, and cola spice lead into a hearty palate of black currant, roasted game and licorice. It’s balanced by bright acidity, making for a sip that will satisfy many. —M.K.
Visiting Paso Robles - A More Affordable Wine TastinG Experience
Paso Robles is one of those destinations that you’ve either never been to, or one that you keep going back to for more. One thing for sure is that it’s a well-kept secret for those individuals in the know. It has gained lots of attention with its incredible wines, but its chic downtown and locally focused restaurant scene has also added to the popularity of this area. It’s located right in the middle of LA and San Francisco, and is a 3+ hour drive or a 1-hour flight from both cities. Super easy!
Because Paso is easily accessible, it has become a popular destination for weekend visits. I have always loved my visits to the wine country and marvel at the way that the different vineyards all take on personalities of their own. One of the most beautiful ways to see a vineyard is on horseback and in Paso Robles, you can do just that.
Things To Do In Paso Robles, CA
Central Coast Trailrides is a family run business and offers daytime and sunset rides around several wineries. I have never had the opportunity to do this, but it sure sounds fun! Although downtown Paso looks quaint, there are boutiques and shops to browse around in and cute little cafes to eat at which also adds to the charm of this little town. There are more than a dozen tasting rooms, where you will likely be greeted by friendly smiles and generous pours. Some of the tasting rooms offer Bordeaux wines that are then paired with chocolate, cheese or charcuterie.
Another fun outing is the Paso Robles hot springs and mud baths. They have drawn visitors for centuries. Although there are fewer mineral springs now, you can still go to River Oaks Hot Springs where there are individual hot springs tubs that jet over a hillside with a vineyard view. They also have a partially covered spa in the main building where it is so easy to order sparkling wine where you can sip and soak!
In the summer and on wine festival weekends like Paso Robles Wine Festival and Harvest Wine Weekend, several of the wineries have regular free concerts in their grounds. You will likely be able to hear live music and attend outdoor events on the weekends from April through October at Sculpterra Winery And Sculpture Garden and Still Waters Vineyard. Just bring a picnic lunch from one of the local eateries and enjoy!!
For a weekend stay, I suggest looking into either The Piccolo or the Hotel Cheval. The Piccolo opened in October 2019 and has brought new levels of chic and excitement to downtown Paso. It’s attached to the iconic Paso Robles Inn, where Clark Gable and Theodore Roosevelt have stayed. The exposed brick detail in each of the rooms is designed to mimic the detail of the Inn’s Grand Ballroom. The hotel blends classic details with modern luxury which goes perfectly with the laid-back Paso state of mind. Another great place to stay is The Hotel Cheval. It is a lovely 16-room boutique hotel located just ½ block off the lovely and historic town square.
Additional Gift Ideas For Wine Lovers
In case you want some cool wine “swag” to go along with your Paso Robles wines, I have a few suggestions for you. Since wine is more fun when paired with cheeses, charcuterie, and chocolates, imagine this. Imagine the most delicious and crispiest potato chip in different flavors of cheese. Introducing - Wine Chips! It is the only chip designed exclusively for wine. These chips come in different flavors: Smoked Gouda (pairs well with Cabs and most red wines) Asiago (pairs well with Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc or Zinfandel) Blue Cheese (pairs well with Sauvignon Blanc, Port, Chardonnay), and Manchego (pairs well with Rose’, Champagne or any white wine or full-bodied red). You can also get these chips in different tasting kits, starter kits, and cheese collections. Yum!!
Another great gift idea for anyone who has wine sensitivities are these two products; The Wand and The Wave. These two items can be super helpful to anyone who suffers from wine allergies. The Wand can be placed directly into your glass of wine (best for on-the-go situations) removing harsh chemicals, histamines, and sulfites. The Wave attaches to the wine bottle and is the only product available that purifies your wine by removing both histamines and sulfites from an entire bottle of wine.
Sourcing red wine from Paso Robles as a gift for a wine lover is a great idea because it takes more thought than just grabbing a bottle from Napa or Sonoma. The quality of the red wine and the rising reputation of the grapes from California’s central coast are sure to impress - and it’s a great talking point and a fun taste testing activity for the receiver. Whether it’s Valentine’s Day, a wedding anniversary, a special Birthday, or just an “I’m thinking of you” gift - you can’t go wrong with red wines from Paso Robles, CA.
xx Barbara