The Perfect Wine Weekend in Paso Robles

Image: Paso Robles Wineries

PASO. ROBLES. One of our favorite places in the world to wine taste — and thankfully only a few hours' drive from LA! This burgeoning wine region, home to 11 sub-AVAs and over 200 wineries, is BLOWING UP and there's no surprise why. There are few regions in the world that make such high quality wines AND such an amazing variety of wines. Paso produces mind-blowing Rhône and Bordeaux blends, as well as exceptional wines made from Spanish and Italian grapes (and so much more)! Based on the unique climate, over 40 varietals grow beautifully here — so you are GUARANTEED to find something you love no matter your palate.

We could make a hundred Paso weekend itineraries based on the number of fantastic wine producers and restaurants here. So consider this our first of many...

To help you plan your perfect trip, here are some suggestions for your itinerary. This is a tiny sample of the phenomenal cuisine and world class wineries you should check out on your next visit. We've shared a mix of well-known spots as well as some hidden gems we discovered in our travels here. To us, these all represent true expressions of Paso Robles, emphasizing the many different winemaking styles, grape varietals and terroirs of this diverse region. Note: you won't find any of the super big wineries on this list. This is because we like to focus on wines you can't easily get at home. However, if you do have a favorite mass market Paso wine, you certainly should consider a visit as many of them offer special / reserve wines they only sell through their winery/club.

DAY ONE

Stop #1: Alta Colina

Image: Alta Colina

• We love them for: their gorgeous Rhône wines, particularly the Sun Worshipper and Old 900 Syrah. We also love their fun, yummy Carbonic Grenache — this chilled light red wine is so refreshing with notes of fresh strawberries, stewed rhubarb and hibiscus. We can't think of anything better to drink on a hot summer day and would pair it with tuna sashimi or poached salmon.

• Website: AltaColina.com

Stop #2: Wine & Food Pairing Lunch at Le Cuvier

• We love them for: their delicious wine & food pairing experience. They pair five of their incredible wines with five gourmet food bites. A couple standouts for us were: 1) the 2019 L'Enfant du Pape (a GSM blend) paired with a crostini topped with wagyu steak tartare, avocado, fire roasted red bell pepper, cornichons, whole grain mustard, orange zest and fleur du sel, and 2) the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon paired with a salad of frisee, goat cheese, grapefruit, fennel pollen, mint and arbequina olive oil. (I know - salad as a wine pairing?! Sounds crazy but it works in this case. It REALLY works.) PS - their wine tasting notes are so creative and hysterical, don't forget to read them!

• Website: LCWine.com

Stop #3: Booker Vineyard

Image: Booker Vineyard

• We love them for: their certified organic Rhône wines, particularly Vertigo Ext (GSM Blend) and Fracture (100% Syrah). Their indoor/outdoor tasting room has the coolest vibes, expansive vineyard views and a bocce court.

• Website: BookerWines.com

Stop #4: Dinner at Les Petites Canailles

• We love them for: their delicious French farm-to-table fare. A few of our menu favorites are the Burgundy Escargot Risotto, Leeks a la Plancha and their succulent Wagyu filet served with fries & bearnaise sauce. They also have a wonderful selection of wines focusing on France...you may be a bit burnt out on Central Coast wines after tasting them all day, so the French wines here are a welcomed change of pace (and reasonably priced, too!)

• Website: LPCRestaurant.com

DAY TWO

Stop #1: Epoch Estate Wines

Image: Epoch Estate Wines

• We love them for: literally everything they do. Their wines are STUNNING. We have a serious crush on their winemaker, Jordan Fiorentini. The tasting room, up York Mountain, surrounded by eucalyptus and redwood trees, is absolutely beautiful and the staff really know their stuff. They have an excellent charcuterie and cheese plate that brings out even more deliciousness in the wines. Highly recommend!

• Website: EpochWines.com

Stop #2: Lunch at Etto Pasta Bar in Tin City

Image: Etto

• We love them for: their fresh pastas (of course), particularly the Amatriciana and Pomodoro Alla Vodka, as well as their locally-sourced beef meatballs and focaccia. Make sure to stop by their marketplace next door to pick up some of their fresh/dried pastas, locally sourced veggies, fresh pastries and Italian specialty foods.

• Website: EttoPastificio.com

Stop #3: Desparada in Tin City

• We love them for: their elegant and complex whites and reds (you must try the Fortunata Falanghina and the Sackcloth & Ashes Red Blend). The tasting room is beautifully designed and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Plus it's located inside Tin City so a stone's throw from a lot of other great wineries, breweries & restaurants.

• Website: Desparada.com

Stop #4: Paso Robles Wine Merchant

Image: Paso Robles Wine Merchant

• We love them for: their selection of small production, sustainably-farmed wines in their Bottle Shop. They stock some great up-and-coming producers of the Central Coast that aren't carried anywhere else. They also have fantastic cheeseboards and oysters. You may be lucky enough to catch one of their events spotlighting different local wine producers - keep an eye on their site's Events page for details.

• Website: PasoRoblesWineMerchant.com

Stop #5: Dinner at Fish Gaucho

Image: Fish Gaucho

• We love them for: their tequila & mescal flights and killer modern Mexican cuisine (some of our favorites are the ceviche, short rib enchiladas and street style elote). You can walk right over from the Paso Robles Wine Merchant!

• Website: FishGaucho.com

We hope you've found this guide helpful as you plan your next Paso adventure. Have any feedback or suggestions you'd like to share? Email us at info@winesocietyla.com or drop us a comment!