Best Wineries in Paso Robles!

Paso Robles Wineries
Paso Robles Wineries

Do you have a favorite winery in Paso Robles? There are so many to choose from, it might be hard to narrow it down! However, PalataXposure recently did just that for you and named the 15 best wineries in Paso. As your Central California real estate agent, I’d like to summarize what they came up with.

Here’s what they deemed the best and why:

1.  Ancient Peaks Winery. This property was recognized as its own sub-appellation last year, the only one of its kind, and is surrounded by Santa Lucia Mountains. The Oyster Ridge blend is noteworthy!

2.  Booker Vineyard. After others bottled wine using their fruit, Eric and Lisa Jensen decided to bottle and debut their own wine in 2005, which the article notes as wine with purity and brilliance.

3.  Denner Vineyards. Farmed sustainably, with minimal irrigation, this newer vineyard has 17 varieties! They use half their fruit and sell the other half to other local wineries.

4.  Daou Vineyards and Winery. The Daou brothers sold a successful tech business so they could dedicate their time to winemaking. They focus on world-class grapes and outstanding, sophisticated wines.

5.  HammerSky Vineyards. Owned by a previous dentist, this picturesque property became a sustainable vineyard that yields Bordeaux varietals and well-known Merlot.

6.  Halter Ranch. This dates back to the late 1880’s. Ronald Reagan announced his second-term run for governor at the ranch! They are known for their Bordeaux and Rhone style blends.

7.  Herman Story Winery. Russel P. From uses an unorthodox approach of sourcing fruit from over 30 vineyards to create his prestigious wines. Nothing is done halfway, as the article states!

8.  Justin. It began in 1981, and by 1987, Wine Spectator already listed them at the #6 spot on their annual Top 100 list. They’ve won countless awards and feature a restaurant on site.

9.  Linne Calodo. The minimal interventionist style used here focuses on fruit ripeness and concentrated wines with rich flavors. The article declares them a runaway hit from day one.

10.  Niner Wine Estates.  Founder Richard Niner grew up on the East Coast and then fell in love with SLO County after moving here. There are now three vineyards, a winery and food pairings.

11.  Saxum Vineyards. What began as a single block of Syrah in 2002 later earned this vineyard the #1 spot on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list and a cult following.

12.  Tablas Creek Vineyard. They are known for popularizing Rhone varietals in the region. On site is a nursery with a grafting program that sources much of the area’s plantings.

13.  Tooth and Nail Winery. Robert Murray first worked with stone fruit in Hawaii, and then began growing grapes in California. He launched his own brand and sources fruit to many others.

14.  Turley Wine Cellars. This brand produces 30 wines from 35 vineyards and is doing better than ever! Larry Turley crafts wine from old vines and is known for California cult Zinfandels.

15.  Villa Creek. They purchase fruit from prominent vineyards, and their own vineyard is farmed organically and bio-dynamically. They produce many uncommon varietals, and they have an amazing restaurant.

Were any of your favorite wineries left off the list? Share which ones in the comments! If you haven’t been to some of these Paso Robles wineries, now is the time to visit! If you want to move to the Central California region, contact me, your Central California real estate agent.

From Grace Borzini
grace@oakshoresrealty.com

Leave a Reply