It’s one of the best times of the year to visit the world-class wineries of Paso Robles. Located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Paso Robles has been producing superior wines for decades. But the Paso Robles AVA gained broader, worldwide attention when it was honored in 2013 as Wine Enthusiast’s Wine Region of the Year. Although there are more famous California wine regions, Paso Robles should be considered for your next wine vacation. After all, a last minute getaway to Paso Robles is more affordable than wine regions like Napa or Sonoma.
Alta Colina Winery
2825 Adelaida Road
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 227-4191
www.altacolinawine.com
Peacefully tucked away in the Adelaida District, Alta Colina specializes in producing premium quality Rhône-style wines. Founded in 2003 by owner/winemaker Bob Tillman, Alta Colina features several signature wines despite a limited production. This includes excellent varietals and blends like 12 O’Clock High Viognier, GSM and Old Estate 900 Syrah. The tasting room is open Thursday-Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by reservation. Also on the 31-acre property is a unique Trailer Pond, with five vintage trailers for overnight guests. Clearly, Alta Colina is among the top wineries in Paso Robles.
About Alta Colina Winery’s Owner Bob Tillman
An esteemed graduate of MIT and Stanford University, Bob Tillman spent 25 years in Silicon Valley, working as an engineer for Hewlett-Packard.
Giornata Wines
470 Marquita Ave.
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 434-3075
www.giornatawine.com
One of the marquee businesses in Tin City, Giornata is a rare winery that produces wines only from Italian grapes. A small production winery with a tasting room, Giornata was founded in 2003 by the affable and talented owner Brian Terrrizzi. Two years later while in college he met wife and eventual co-owner Stephanie. Exceptional wine selections currently offered include il Campo Bianco, Barbera and the popular Nebbiolo. In addition to the couple’s estate vineyard, Giornata sources its wines from local vineyards like Luna Matta and Margarita. Wine tasting at Giornata is available by appointment. Visitors to Tin City should also visit Terrizzi’s lovely pasta shop, Etto.
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Justin Vineyards & Winery
11680 Chimney Rock Road
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 238-6932
www.justinwine.com
Named 2016 Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast, Justin is renowned for its Bordeaux-style wines. With vineyards dating back to 1981, Justin Vineyards & Winery was founded by Justin Baldwin and wife Deborah. In 2010, the large production winery was sold to billionaire Stewart Resnick, whose holdings include Fiji Water. Today Justin Vineyards & Winery features a beautiful Westside estate, in addition to a downtown tasting room.
Justin Winery Estate
The estate also features the Restaurant at Justin for gourmet dining and world-class lodging at the Inn at Justin. Both the estate and downtown wine tastings are open daily. Wine tasting visitors should ask for superb choices like Justification or Isosceles.
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Thacher Winery
8355 Vineyard Dr.
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 237-0087
www.thacherwinery.com
Established in 2004, Thacher Winery is located on a historic property in the Westside hills of Paso Robles. Owned by spouses Sherman and Michelle Thacher, the 52-acre winery features an elegant tasting room and event space. Despite being a small production winery, Thacher offers several recommended choices, like Valdiguie and quirky label names like Oddly Natural and Constant Variable. Outdoor wine tasting is currently available daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with advance reservations recommended. Sherman and Michelle also offer a breathtaking wine country vacation rental for extended stays.
Union Sacré Winery
460 Marquita Ave.
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 369-2777
www.unionsacre.com
Deriving its name from the heritages of its two founders, Union Sacré Winery is an acclaimed producer of French wines. Located in Tin City, the small production winery well known for its single vineyard, single varietal wines. Among the suggested wines are La Marianne, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. The hard-working team of owners Xavier Arnaudin and Phillip Muzzy have more than 25 years of experience combined in working in wineries along California’s Central Coast. Outdoor wine tastings are available by reservation for groups up to four.
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About The Author:
Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS Local from 2012-2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS Local websites, including CBS New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago. His other stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC.com, NJ.com and Radio.com. He is a Media Fellow of Stanford University.