Earlier this month, just before summer was about to come to an end, off we (Ann, Marion, Luisa, Emanuel, Norma, John and I) went to Paso Robles Wine County. Our adventure included two wineries in the Adelaida District (Daou Vineyard and Tablas Creek Vineyard). Daou is know for its Bordeau style wines whereas Tablas Creek is know for its Rhône style wines. We also visited Niner Wine Estates, a family owned estate winery, in the Willow Creek District. Niner's estate vineyards include, Bootjack Ranch in the Geneseo District, and Heart Hill Vineyard in the Willow Creek District, Paso Robles; and Jespersen Ranch in the Edna Valley. Besides wine tasting at these wineries we ate lunch at Niner Wine Estates and Daou Vineyard. Our culinary outings also included the Hatch, and the Grace and Rose restaurants. It was a perfect summer's end with friends.
Through vignettes this post will highlight our explorations. I look forward to future sharing of each wine country activity. First, here is an intro to Paso Robles Wine Country.
Welcome to Paso Robles Wine Country
Paso Robles American Viticulture Area (AVA) established in 1983 is a large and very diverse wine region. It is home to so much diversity in wine, with over 200 wineries in the appellation. Paso Robles 11 sub-appellations showcase the uniqueness within Paso Robles Wine Country. Its 40,000 vineyard acres, produce more than 60 wine grape varieties – from Spanish (Albariño, Verdelho, Tempranillo) to Italian (Sangiovese, Nebbiolo and Barbera), Bordeaux to Rhône, including the area’s heritage variety Zinfandel. The most widely planted varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Syrah, and Chardonnay. The “Other Red” varieties such as Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Petit Verdot, and others (like Portugese Touriga Nacional).
Our visit was only an introduction to what the AVA has to offer. Paso Robles not only has fascinating wineries but also has an amazing culinary scene. What follows are some vignettes from our two-day adventure:
Day 1: Niner Wine Estates, and The Hatch
We arrived in Paso Robles and drove to Niner Wine Estates to begin our wine country adventure.
Wine Tasting and lunch: Niner Wine Estates
We did wine tasting over lunch at Niner Wine Estates, 2400 Highway 46 West, Paso Robles.
The hospitality at Niner starts on “Heart Hill,” where century-old trees are planted in a heart shape. The food is equally romantic, sourced from a chef’s garden with over 300 edible crops in addition to their own honey and eggs; look for dishes seasoned with lavender, lemon verbena, and magnolia petals. While vegetable heavy, the menu often features unusual cuts like rib eye spinalis and pork secreto. Wine Enthusiast
Niner welcomed us with a Zinfandel Nouveau wine.
While we waited for our reservation time we explored the garden area. Soon we were seated on the outside patio.
Time for Dinner: Hatch Restaurant © Spaswinefood
We loved our dinner at The Hatch. After dinner we toured downtown Paso Robles a little before heading back to our hotel. Do not forget to take a stroll down 13th Street where you will find an appealing mix of tasting rooms, boutiques, coffee shops, and live music on many weekend nights. Also, do not forget to checkout the sweetest little downtown square, just a block away.
Day 2: Wine Tasting Tablas Creek, Wine Tasting and Lunch at Daou Vineyard, Dinner at Rose & Grace Restaurant
Wine Tasting Tablas Creek
Tablas Creek Vineyard, one of Paso Robles premier wineries, was our first winery stop of the day. 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. Their winery established in 1989, it is now 37 years old. Fortunately I have had the pleasure of visiting this winery over the years.
Tablas Creek, 9339 Adelaida Road, Paso Robles, 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.
Our wine tasting at Tablas Creek was our first event of the day.
We gathered around a large Table for an OUTDOOR Focused Flight Tasting.
Tablas Creek winery offers a number of tasting options. We enjoyed exploring both their white and red flights.
Wine Tasting and Lunch at Daou Vineyard
Wine enthusiasts visiting Paso Robles head to Dauo Mountain for one of the best views in town.
Daou Mountain began as Hoffman Mountain Ranch when in 1961, Dr. Stanley Hoffman, a Beverly Hills cardiologist, moved his family to Paso Robles to follow his dream of becoming a winemaker. The property would become known for producing notable wines, and the birthplace of Paso Robles modern winemaking. Hoffman hired André Tchelistcheff as a consultant, and together, they developed the Hoffman Mountain Ranch vineyard and winery, the first gravity-flow winery in America and first commercial-scale winery in Paso Robles. When the Daou brothers Georges and Daniel acquired the original Hoffman Mountain Ranch property, they completely restored the original redwood winery preserving a vital part of Paso Robles history. Today it is one of the must visit wineries in Paso Robles.
Welcome to Daou Montain © Spaswinefood
Dao Vineyards at 2777 Hidden Mountain Road, Paso Robles has continuously produced some of the finest Bordeaux style wines in Paso. Though their flagship wines are in the triple-digit range, they also have excellent, more moderately priced offerings. From their tasting patio, it is hard to find a better view of Paso Robles Wine Country.
Put this winery on your list!
After a beyond amazing wine country day we met at Rose & Grace for dinner.
We arrived at Rose & Grace at day's end.
When we left Grace and Rose that evening with full stomachs and happy memories.
It is hard to beat summer's end in Paso Robles with so many wonderful wineries and a vibrant culinary scene. We were treated so well at the Paso Robles wineries and restaurants we visited. If you are looking for a wine country adventure Paso Robles 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
Summer's End Vignettes, September 2026
Paso Robles, California
