Paso Robles

Wineries that I would recommend include Justin, Carmody-McKnight, Tablas Creek, and especially Calcareous. The view from the tasting room at Calcareous is nothing short of spectacular.

I've also been to Turley but was not impressed and tried Four Vines, but they are housed in a small shed along side the road so nothing special there either even though the wines are good.

I've only ever stayed at the Courtyard so I can't help with other hotels.

If you have a chance try a restaurant called Artisan. Outstanding food and very friendly staff.

A reply! I thought this was going to scroll of the page.

Thanks Dick T. I'll look up Artisan on the web tonight.

I don't need fancy wine rooms, so if it's good wine but a rustic shack, I still want to hear about it. Some of my best tasting experiences were in tiny rooms with boards over saw horses for a table.

Villa Creek
Tablas Creek
Justin
Denner
Dover Canyon
Terry Hoage

These are all indicative of big, rich Paso wines.

Thanks Danny.

In addition to the above I would try L'Aventure and Linne Calodo.

If you are looking for a bed and breakfast try the Just Inn at the Justin Winery. Expensive but very cool. Justin also has a great restaraunt for dinner called Deborah's room. I ate there twice when I was out there 2 years ago.

My favorites from the trip were Justin, Four Vines and Tablas Creek. Linne Calodo has great wine but they arent very friendly in their tasting room.

Thanks. I will be sure to check out the website for the B&B. Some people look on their lodging as "just a place to sleep" but it's always part of the vacation for me.

Edit: Just checked the B&B. Very nice. On the short list right now. Is it nearby anything, like say the Hotel H is in Healdsburg?

I'd also recommend Jada, and if you don't mind a bit of a drive to the east, Sculpterra is an amazing place to visit. They have very dramatic and LARGE original sculptures all over their grounds, and it's really something special to see. If you're looking for the next, "up-and-coming" thing, check out Vines on the Marycrest. It's a one man operation but his wines are very, very good. And he, personally, is a great guy.

Chilicat, its not near anything other than the Justin Winery and the other wineries called the Far out Wineries. Tablas Creek and Denner are close. Four Vines and Linne Calodo are abotu 10 minutes away and off the main highway. Dont recall the name of it. Its about a 15 minute drive into town but it is all nice country roads. My wife and I counted deer we saw on the drives. The most we got to was about 20.

The room also includes a great homemade breakfast. Its different every day. They have a pool and hot tub that overlook the vineyards. Very cool.

Don't know how I missed this thread until now. We were in Paso for the first time in August. Great experience. Here are my suggestions:

Hotel Cheval is a new and extremely well done 16ish room hotel near the downtown square. It is an easy walk to most of the downtown tasting rooms and restaurants. I also understand that Tobin James has a guest house and offers some "pay for the price of your room by buying wine" deal that's pretty reasonable; but I can't comment on the accomodations.

For downtown restaurants, I'd recommend (in this specific order too):
Bistro Laurent
Artisan
Villa Creek

As for wineries to visit....starting with downtown, I'd be sure to hit the Edward Sellers tasting room. I love their wines and it's a nice intimate experience. (Unfortunately we were there mid-week sort of off-season, so many of the other downtown tasting rooms were not open on the days we could stop in).

Venturing out, I'd be sure to go to:
Adelaida; it was our best experience of the trip.
Turley-I am a fan (I know many are not) and know that they've opened a new tasting area at their property since we visited, so would advise going there.
Linne Calodo is very nearby Turley and has a virtually new and modern tasting room. Big blends, but are not cheap.
Four Vines-we didn't get there, but I understand they are a lot of fun and probably open later than anyone else

Have a great trip!

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD - STAY ON THE WEST SIDE OF PASO!!!!

The wine on the west side is far superior...

Thanks guys. As lovely as Just Inn sounds, I will be looking into one of the places in town. I like being in the thick of things and a short walk from tasting rooms and eateries. Copying all these suggestions for future planning.

Any comments on my time of year? September, after Labor Day. Do I chance running into harvest crunch and smaller rooms being closed?

quote:

Originally posted by Chilicat:
Thanks guys. As lovely as Just Inn sounds, I will be looking into one of the places in town. I like being in the thick of things and a short walk from tasting rooms and eateries. Copying all these suggestions for future planning.

Any comments on my time of year? September, after Labor Day. Do I chance running into harvest crunch and smaller rooms being closed?

That time of year there are many events at the various wineries (crush parties, harvest parties, etc.) so finding hotels rooms could be a real problem. Paso doesn't have nearly the amount of hotels that are in places like Napa so call in advance and guarantee.

Regarding other wineries, I've never been to Linne Colado but I've had a couple of their wines lately and really like them. I'd go there if I had the chance. L'Aventure also sounds like a nice place to go. I just had a bottle of their Optimus meritage this week and it was quite a delight.

quote:

Originally posted by Nimitz:
I'd also recommend Jada, and if you don't mind a bit of a drive to the east.

Visited Jada Saturday 25th September with an old colleague who lives in Templeton. Very friendly folk at Jada.

Nice touch to pair artisan cheese with their wines. I also like the fact they were using white and red blends of mainly Rhone varietals rather than just a single varietal. The noses were attractive and the wines were full of fruit but also had some acid, restraint and elegance, not the high octane Paso wines I had been expecting.

Visited several other wineries as well but I'd recommend both Jada and Linne Caloda if in the area.

quote:

Regarding other wineries, I've never been to Linne Colado but I've had a couple of their wines lately and really like them. I'd go there if I had the chance.

We stopped buying from them after we had a terrible experience with them... just jerks. Whatever.

Also, try Nadeau (really tiny)

Dover Canyon is another one... since Mary left I have not gotten one email or mailer. I have asked for them, too... and we used to buy A LOT from them. Oh well.

It is a short drive south to Santa Maria to visit Core, and they just opened a new tasting room.

Otherwise, I agree with what others have said:
Tablas Creek - good tour and wines
Justin - also good tour and wines, except for the embarrassment of Sauvignon Blanc. Yuck.

We have stayed at Summerwood Inn a couple of times and it was great.

Did anyone mention Booker yet? Yummy...on the west side. I think the boys from Barrel 27 have a tasting room on the east side.. nice stuff, great price point on Rhones.. and if they are pouring their own labels.. McPrice Myers and Herman Story (Russell From) you will be in for a treat... Right next store is Hug, Auggie is a class guy with nice pinots and syrahs..

Paso is a great time.. enjoy!

Just looked at the dates on this, LOL!

quote:

Linne Calodo has great wine but they arent very friendly in their tasting room.

Linne Calodo was humming at 16:15 Saturday 25th Sept. I thought they handled it well considering the crowd and noise. Pretty firm on full tasting price despite our driver only trying one wine!

Jada were in a class of their own for friendliness, my colleague has a 23 year old blind son opened with welcome arms. He loves the Jada folk and that speaks volumes!

quote:

Originally posted by Florida Keys Girl:

Justin - also good tour and wines, except for the embarrassment of Sauvignon Blanc. Yuck.

You are delusional, last 2 vintages of their sauvignon blanc have been awesome!

Nope. Not delusional, thanks. But, it has been several years since I've had the wine. I had not been inspired to try it again since... glad they have improved it, though.

I'm heading here in May. I have a lot of these places on my list to hit. Any other places anyone can reccomend?

Ecluse and Treana are right around the corner from Haoge. Ecluse is small & friendly and a good place to chat for a while. Several wineries right there. I was not big on Windward.

Didn't see Booker mentioned and they are worth a stop. Here's a link on some notes from 08 that also mentions what they charge, etc. for tasting though it may be outdated by now.

http://www.cellartracker.com/event.asp?iEvent=5557

Just had an 06 Terry Hoage The Pick that I brought to dinner tonight.

I spent two days in Paso last month had visited some really interesting wineries. Those I would recommend include...

Alta Colina - Small production but great wines.
Denner - Lovely view from the mountain and great syrah.
Linne Calodo - Wonderful Zin blends, but very expensive.
Epoch Winery - New place but stellar GSM wines.

Two we visited that I would not recommend are:

Le Cuvier - All wines taste like ports, way too intense for me.
Kenneth Volk - Tons of wine varietals but none that were better than mediocre.