Recommended wineries for Central Coast and Paso Robles.

Well, it depends on how far south you want to go, but if you get down to the Los Olivos or Solvang area, you'll want to get to Ephiphany (Eli Parker's own brand)in Los Olivos and in Solvang, Trio Cellars and Stolpman. Oh, they'll have the petite sirahs for you there, too!

I'd recommend these wineries:

Paso Robles - Justin, Turley, and Grey Wolf

San Luis Obispo - Edna Valley and Domaine Alfred

For links to these wineries, hours of operation, and more info go to: http://www.cheers2wine.com/central-coast-wine-tasting.html

quote:

Originally posted by PetiteSyrahFan:
...I am not interested in the wineries that make these overly extracted fruit bombs. The ones I am interested are ones that have stuck with traditional California style of winemaking or are trying to make their wines old world style...

isn't that a contradiction? just kidding, but i think i know what you have in mind... based on that, i'd recommend:

Babcock
Cargassachi
Garretson
Linne Calodo
L’Aventure

do yourself a favor, make time and contact Dave Corey @ Core Wine Co. in Santa Maria

Alban vineyards outside of SLO makes some great Rhone style stuff. Not sure if they do tours or anything, but my girlfriend used to work there and it was a really cool place and in a beautiful part of the county.

Here is a similar thread on this topic.

Also, Board-O posted notes on his visits to some of these wineries: 1, 2 & 3.

treat yourself to L'aventure and tablas creek...

I know the wines of the area quite well, but I've never visited, so I cannot vouch for the actual visiting experience. That said, within the context of your question (more restrained style with and an old world sensibility -- NONE of these except a Qupe white could really be mistaken for French)

Ojai
Melville
Brewer-Clifton
Qupe
Tablas Creek
Miura
Native 9

While I have been to several of these wineries, I highly recommend Tablas Creek if for no other reason to visit the nursery which supplies many other vineyards with Rhone varietals. There is something to be said for the pedigree of the winery as well.

Hey Everyone!

Thanks for all the good tips I was able to glean from this thread, my wife and I just got back a couple of weeks ago. Wow what a great region I must agree the west is the best!

We went to some of the East side places on the first day, Tobin James, EOS, Eberle, and Bianchi. Kind of disappointed, nothing too interesting. Except for one standout, RN Estate, Roger is making some great juice. I was very impressed with his style and his dedication. I highly recommend stopping by for a visit, but you need to make an appointment which is not too hard since he is very accommodating.

The second day and for the rest of the trip we stayed on the Westside. We went to Justin and took the tour, we visited Josh @ Tolo Cellars, Lone Madrone (old hat zin) and Tablas Creek (who gave us a great tour of facilities), very impressed with the wine making efforts. Came home with a few.

The third day we visited with L’Adventure, Linne Calado (stick n Stones), Turley and Four Vines, again we were impressed with the wine making efforts and brought a few bottles home from each of these places.

The fourth day we cruised to Hearst Castle, which is only 35 minutes from the heart of Paso downtown and the traffic is nearly non-exsistent. Went up the coast a little to view the Sea Lions on the beach. Makes for a nice day trip.

Stayed @ a great B and B, just outside downtown Paso. It is called Villa Buena Vista. If you are ever in the area, I recommend a stay with them. Just ask for Patty! A side benefit (unbeknownst to us) is the nice (industry) discounts you can get just mentioning in conversation that your staying @ Villa Buena Vista. Everyone knows Patty!

Then we had to come home, so sad. But lots of great memories, new friends made and some very good wine to drink.

Glad you had a good time in Paso, one of the best places to taste wine. I've been there a few times and liked it so much that I joined the wine club at both Justin and Tablas Creek.

For more moderately priced wines I don't think you can do better than Four Vines. The Mrs and I particularly love their Naked Zinfandel. Next to Justin is Carmody-McKnight, who are not very well known but make some really great wines. For those of us in our 50's or older you might recognize Gary Carmody from the TV show Land of the Giants (although I think his screen name was Gary Conway). The McKnight half of the partnership is his wife, a former Miss America.

The most beautiful winery in this area I've visited is without doubt Calcarious Vineyards. They are located on top of a mountain off Peachy Canyon and the views are simply spectacular. Their "Twisted Sister" meritage is fantastic too.

Qupe does not have a tasting room. Instead there is a winebar in Paso that sells their goods, at least I think it is in Paso, it might be in Los Olivos.

coelho alert coelho alert!

you are talking a 90 mile distance...

quote:

Originally posted by mareff:
Qupe does not have a tasting room. Instead there is a winebar in Paso that sells their goods, at least I think it is in Paso, it might be in Los Olivos.

quote:

Originally posted by mareff:
Qupe does not have a tasting room. Instead there is a winebar in Paso that sells their goods, at least I think it is in Paso, it might be in Los Olivos.

We tasted the wines of Qupe and Au Bon Climat with Rob Fry at the winery out in the wilds of Los Alamos.