Tablas Creek Vineyard, one of Paso Robles premier wineries, was one of our winery stops last June. The story behind this winery is one of a partnership between two international wine community families. The families are Perrin of Château de Beaucastel (a winery located in the southern Rhône valley, France, which is noted for its Châteauneuf du Pape wines) and Hass of Vineyard Brands. They were convinced that Rhône grape varieties would do well in California's Mediterranean climate. After a search they decided on the west side of Paso Robles. The winery was established in 1989, it is now 36 years old. I have had the pleasure of visiting this winery over the years, and what follows is an update on a recent visit. This Paso winery tops my list because it is hard to pass up their Rhône-style blends and Rhône varietal wines.
Wine Tasting, Tablas Creek Vineyard © Spaswinefood
Even though it was a hot June day we enjoyed a wine tasting in the garden area.
Wine Tasting at Tablas Creek Vineyard
Yes, despite the hot weather we took a table in the garden area. The misting and umbrellas keep us cool and shaded from the heat. Tablas is on my list because it is hard to pass up their Rhône-style blends and Rhône varietal wines.
Exploring Wine Tasting Options,Tablas Creek Vineyard © Spaswinefood
Tablas Creek Vineyard, June 2025 © Spaswinefood
Tablas Creek are the pioneers of Rhône-style wines in Paso Robles Wine Country. I can not think of a better introduction to the Rhône varietals (except being in France) than Tablas Creek. This lover of Châteauneuf du Pape and other Rhône Valley wines is convinced.
Welcome to Tablas Creek Vineyard © Spaswinefood
Tablas Creek was the first Rengenerative Organic Certified Vineyard in the world. They were organic since the beginning, followed by 2003 certification; and also been Biodynamic since 2010, followed by 2017 certification.
Tablas Creek Vineyard © Spaswinefood
Domaine de Beaucastel & Tablas Creek Vineyard © Spaswinefood
Tasting Tablas Creek Vineyard Wines © Spaswinefood
Tablas Creek Vineyard © Spaswinefood
Wine Time, Tablas Creek Vineyard © Spaswinefood
After tasting whites, rose, and red we would conclude with a number of red wines.
Tablas Creek Vineyard © Spaswinefood
Their twenty plus wines are made using Rhone Valley traditions, with what they have learnt in three decades in Paso Robles. The winemaking techniques at Tablas Creek include the use of native yeast during small lot fermentation, followed by aging in large neutral French oak barrels.
Garden Patio, Tablas Creek Vineyard © Spaswinefood
Just in case you are wondering what Rhone varietal wines are, it is the indigenous grape varieties that grow in the Rhone Valley, like Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Viognier and Roussanne. For a complete list of red and white varietals grown at Tablas Creek checkout their website:
Every time I visit Tablas I reflect back on my earlier visits.
Earlier Tablas Creek Experiences
Supporting sustainable winemaking while exploring a wine region is what I look for when I travel. Perhaps is not surprising that one May evening at Thomas Hill Organics (THO) we selected a Tablas Creek Vineyard wine. Whenever Spaswinefood is presented with a wine list, or in the Paso Robles area, I am drawn to Tablas Creek Vineyard wines. I love Tablas Creek Vineyard use of sustainable farming in the production of their Rhône-style blends and varietal wines.
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| Tablas Creek Vineyard, Patelin de Tablas Blanc 2017 © Spaswinefood |
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| Patelin de Tablas Blanc 2017, THO Style © Spaswinefood |
It was hard to pass up selecting one of Tablas Creek Vineyard wines (Rhône-style blends and Rhône varietal wines).
Earlier Wine Tasting with Paso Robles Rhône Rangers
During an earlier wine bloggers visit in 2019 we did a brief walking tour of Tablas Creek Vineyard with Jason Haas. Jason who has run the estate since the mid-2000's is the son of the late Robert Hass. After the tour we returned to the tasting room to sample wines from local wineries that had tasting stations setup. What the four wineries have in common is that they are members of the Paso Robles Rhône Rangers. Paso Robles Rhône Rangers mission is to (1) provide education and promotion of Rhône varietals and blends, and (2) promote the region as a top producer of Rhône varietal grapes and wines. This visit to Paso Robles Wine Country was indeed special because we meet these talented winemakers.
During an earlier wine bloggers visit in 2019 we did a brief walking tour of Tablas Creek Vineyard with Jason Haas. Jason who has run the estate since the mid-2000's is the son of the late Robert Hass. After the tour we returned to the tasting room to sample wines from local wineries that had tasting stations setup. What the four wineries have in common is that they are members of the Paso Robles Rhône Rangers. Paso Robles Rhône Rangers mission is to (1) provide education and promotion of Rhône varietals and blends, and (2) promote the region as a top producer of Rhône varietal grapes and wines. This visit to Paso Robles Wine Country was indeed special because we meet these talented winemakers.
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| Paso Robles Rhône Rangers © Spaswinefood |
During that visit Tablas Creek Vineyard was one of the four wineries, which had their winemakers sharing wines. Our host winemaker, Jason Haas poured us two wines and a barrel sample.
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| Tasting Tablas Creek Wines © Spaswinefood |
The first wine was an Esprit Blanc De Tablas 2012 (a blend 75% Roussanne, 20% Grenache Blanc and 5% Picpoul Blanc).
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| Esprit Blanc De Tablas 2012 © Spaswinefood |
The second wine was Patelin de Tablás Rosé 2013 (a blend 73% Grenache Noir, 22% Mourvedre, 5% Counoise).
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| Patelin de Tablás Rosé 2013 © Spaswinefood |
Then we were in for a special treat, a barrel sample of Tablas Creek Vineyard Terret Noir 2013.
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| Tablas Creek Vineyard Terret Noir 2013 © Spaswinefood |
More on Paso Robles Rhône Rangers
The Rhône Rangers dedicate themselves to the grapes whose ancestral home is in France's Rhone Valley. The French government recognizes 22 varieties in the various appellations that comprise this large and diverse wine-growing region. Rhône Appellations (including Cote Rotie, Hermitage, Condrieu, Chateuneuf du Pape, Gigondas, Bandol, Cotes du Rhone and several others) each choose a different subset from the collection of grapes known (from their place of origin) as Rhone varietals. For a wine to be considered a “Rhone Ranger” wine, and poured at an official Rhône Rangers tasting, the 22 recognized accepted varieties must comprise at least 75% of the blend.
During that Tablas Creek visit I can not think of a better introduction to the Rhône varietals (except being in France) than spending some time with Paso Robles Rhône Rangers. Just in case you are wondering what is a Rhône varietal here is an overview provided by, the Rhône Rangers of course:
The Rhône Rangers dedicate themselves to the grapes whose ancestral home is in France's Rhone Valley. The French government recognizes 22 varieties in the various appellations that comprise this large and diverse wine-growing region. Rhône Appellations (including Cote Rotie, Hermitage, Condrieu, Chateuneuf du Pape, Gigondas, Bandol, Cotes du Rhone and several others) each choose a different subset from the collection of grapes known (from their place of origin) as Rhone varietals. For a wine to be considered a “Rhone Ranger” wine, and poured at an official Rhône Rangers tasting, the 22 recognized accepted varieties must comprise at least 75% of the blend.
Tablas Creek Vineyards, Paso Robles
Tablas Creek Vineyard is one of the premier wineries to visit in the Paso Robles area. Moreover, if you prefer to drink wines from organically farmed vineyards then put Tablas Creek Vineyard wines on your list for the following two reasons: (1) it is Certified Organic and Biodynamic, and (2) it produces great wines. Tablas Creek's wine production is centered around its 120 acre estate vineyard.
Tablas Creek Vineyard is one of the premier wineries to visit in the Paso Robles area. Moreover, if you prefer to drink wines from organically farmed vineyards then put Tablas Creek Vineyard wines on your list for the following two reasons: (1) it is Certified Organic and Biodynamic, and (2) it produces great wines. Tablas Creek's wine production is centered around its 120 acre estate vineyard.
Staying Cool, Tablas Creek Vineyard, June 2025 © Spaswinefood
You will be treated well at Tablas Creek, one of the premier Paso Robles wineries. If you are looking for a winery with excellent Rhône-style blends and varietal wines then Tablas Creek Vineyard is a must. I invite you to join me in my travels in Paso Robles, California, and elsewhere in the sharing of these adventures at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon and at Spaswinefood on Bluesky and Facebook.
CHEERS!!
Sharon
Vignettes from June 2025 and earlier visits
Paso Robles, California
© Spaswinefood
Wine Tasting, Tablas Creek Vineyard, Paso Robles © Spaswinefood
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