Wine Tasting in Paso Robles, CA
Wine tasting in Paso Robles is high on my list of things to do. Not only do you find extraordinary wineries there, but the landscape is breathtaking.
No matter when you go or how often, there is always something different. Wineries are producing different wines, adding things to their tasting rooms and giving you something new to look at in their gardens or outdoor patios.
One of my favorite wineries is Rotta. It's not far from Peachy Canyon (also wonderful). Rotta has a smallish tasting room without a lot of flare. I fell in love with their 2008 Pinot Noir when I visited in 2010.
As the climate changes, so do the vintages. There are good years and there are not so good years for wines. Something tells me this year is going to produce some of the most amazing grapes since 2006. Unfortunately, we will have to wait for those grapes to be harvested, fermented and aged before we can enjoy a bottle.
In addition to wine vintages and winery updates, the actual wineries change as well. For instance, one of my favorite places to visit was Eagle Castle. they went bankrupt in 2012. Tooth and Nail is the new winery that resides in the beautiful castle now.
Some other wineries that are no longer there are Via Vega and Castoro. However, Donati, Bianchi and Niner (with its signature green heart) are still there. Tobin James winery continues to serve their wine patrons as well. Gotta love their marketing although I have yet to find a wine I like.
I will keep trying though!
That is the beauty of wine tasting. Wine is always evolving and aging. The wineries are coming and going. You never run out of options to taste and your taste is always changing!
If you haven't made it to Paso Robles yet, I highly recommend it. You will certainly get your fill of wine and beauty. You may even want to bring an extra memory card for your phone with all the pictures you will take. There is no better way to get away from the stress of life!
