I am off to Greece and bringing with me some Tablas Creek wines. Tablas Creek Vineyard, one of Paso Robles premier wineries, was one of our winery stops during our September visit. 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 37 years old. I have had the pleasure of visiting this winery over the years, and what follows is an update on a recent visit.
Tablas Creek Vineyard with Friends, September 2026 © Spaswinefood
Wine Tasting at Tablas Creek
Fortunately, I have had the pleasure of visiting this winery over the years. Even though, it was extra special to return here with friends. We (John, Emanuel, Norma, Ann and Louisa) have been friends for around 30 years, and this year we decided on Paso Robles for our wine country adventure. When we arrived at Tablas Creek Vineyard, 9339 Adelaida Road, Paso Robles, it was our first winery stop of the day.
Domaine de Beaucastel & Tablas Creek Vineyard © Spaswinefood
Tablas Creek pioneered California’s Rhône movement and has close ties with the famed Château de Beaucastel in France. Its grapes are dry farmed and biodynamic. Tablas Creek was the first Regenerative Organic Certified™ vineyard in the U.S. This Paso winery tops my list because it is hard to pass up their Rhône-style blends and Rhône varietal wines.
Return to Tablas Creek Vineyard, Paso Robles © Spaswinefood
Our Tablas Creek wine tasting, our first event of the day, took place outside in the garden area.
Garden at Tablas Creek Vineyard © Spaswinefood
There under the umbrellas our host introduced the wines.
Tablas Creek Wine Tasting, September 2026 © Spaswinefood
We gathered around a large Table for an OUTDOOR Focused Flight Tasting.
Tasting Rhône Style Whites & Reds, Tablas Creek © Spaswinefood
Tablas Creek winery offers a number of tasting options. We enjoyed exploring both their white and red flights. We also tasted some of their newer wine offerings, like Vaccarèse.Here's to Vaccarèse © Spaswinefood
In case you are wondering Brun Argenté or Vaccarèse (pronounced vɒk-ɜ-rɛz. (vock-uh-rez)) is a red wine grape, which is grown primarily in the Rhone Valley, France. It is a permitted grape in a Châteauneuf-du-Pape blend. Tablas Creek notes: Vaccarèse reminds us more of a Loire-style Cabernet Franc than it does anything from the Rhone. It has a lovely deep purple color, with a nose of pine forest and minty juniper. The mouth shows notes of tobacco and spice, medium body, some tannic grip, and black fruit flavors coming out with time.
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.
Always A Pleasure to Return to Tablas Creek Vineyard © Spaswinefood
Whenever I return to Tablas Creek it immediately brings back memories of earlier wine adventures.
A Year Ago
I still remember our 2025 visit, even though it was a hot June day, we enjoyed a wine tasting in the garden area.
Wine Tasting, Tablas Creek Vineyard, 2025 © Spaswinefood
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 Creek Vineyard, June 2025 © Spaswinefood
It is hard to pass up their Rhône-style blends and Rhône varietal wines. During that visit our host introduced us to a wide range of Tablas Creek wines.
Tasting Tablas Creek Vineyard Wines © Spaswinefood
Tablas Creek Vineyard Wines © Spaswinefood
Wine Time, Tablas Creek Vineyard © Spaswinefood
After tasting whites, rose, and red we would conclude with a number of red wines.
Red Wine Time: 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, 2025 © 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 earlier visits.
Memories of Tablas Creek Vineyard © Spaswinefood
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). Note: Thomas Hill Organics (THO) has closed after 17 years of operation.
Wine Tasting with Paso Robles Rhône Rangers, 2019
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
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 Vineyards is located in Paso Robles American Viticulture Area (AVA), San Luis Obispo County, California's third largest wine region. Maybe you have heard that Paso Robles Wine Country has 11 Viticultural Areas. When you say that Paso Robles Wine Country has 11 Viticultural Areas (sub-appellations) what does that mean? First, Paso Robles American Viticulture Area (AVA) was established in 1983. Since the wine region was established it has grown significantly. Paso Robles, home to so much diversity in wine, is now a large and very diverse wine region, with over 200 wineries in the appellation. Over the years I have been introduced to the amazing diversity of Paso Robles 11 sub-appellations that showcase the uniqueness within Paso Robles Wine Country. Tablas Creek Vineyard has its own unique niche. Moreover, if you are interested in checking out Paso Robles's greener wineries, then put Tablas Creek Vineyard on your list. The winery offers a number of wine tasting options. You can also take a tour of the winery to learn more about Tablas Creek's wine production.Staying Cool, Tablas Creek Vineyard, June 2025 © Spaswinefood
Put it on your list because 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.
Sharon
September 2026 & Vignettes from June 2025 & Earlier
Paso Robles, California
© Spaswinefood
Tablas Creek Vineyard, September 2026 © Spaswinefood
Tablas Creek Vineyard, Paso Robles 2025 © Spaswinefood
June 2025, Tablas Creek Vineyard © Spaswinefood
Domaine de Beaucastel & Tablas Creek Vineyard © Spaswinefood
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