Stop 1: Whalebone Winery
Tasting Fee: $5 (but they did have free tri-tip sliders on Saturday...amazing!!)
They had this great sign in a few different places on their property! So cute. The place was tiny, but we were the only people there so it was nice. The wines were pretty good. I would probably go back again at some point, especially if their "free bbq" sign is down by the road!!
Stop 2: Justin Vineyard
Tasting Fee: $10, keep the glass
Of course we had to go to Justin. We are Wine Society Members, plus their wine is just amazing. We go here every time we go to Paso. This is a must if you go wine tasting in Paso!!
Stop 3: Halter Ranch Vineyard
Tasting Fee: $5
This was a great atmosphere. They had wine tastings outside at a makeshift bar as well as inside at the regular tasting bar. Their reds were pretty good, even just the red table wine was decent. This could be a return stop at one point. Their hold farmhouse and ranch house were neat to look at too.
At this point in our trip we were getting a little hungry, but way out here there are not restaurants. Luckily we had brought cheese and crackers to munch on. So being the classy people we are what did we do?? We opened the tailgate and spread out the good and did a little "tailgating" at the winery parking lot.
Stop 4: Oso Libre Winery
Tasting Fee: $8
The atmosphere here was great too. They had a few tables set up outside where you could get a glass of wine and sit and look out over the vineyard with the sheep grazing and enjoy the beautiful sunny weather we were having that day. Their wines were also great. The owner was pouring wine for us that day and she was so friendly and nice. She told us all about the history of their winery and how they got started. This would be a place where I would enjoy one glass outside, don't know if I would do the tasting but overall great place.
Stop 5: Four Vines Winery
Tasting Fee: $7, keep the glass
No thanks. Not up to par with some of the other amazing wines you can get in Paso Robles. It was a fun atmosphere, but it was very crowded the staff was not very friendly, it was just overall not a great experience compared to everywhere else we'd been. Their red glass chandeliers were pretty awesome though!!
Stop 6: L'Aventure
Tasting Fee: $10, keep the glass
Way out on a dirt road that ends at their property, this winery would be worth checking out. They have a very small selection, only about 4 or 5 wines I think. But they are all very good. This place though is tasting only, unless you have money to burn, all of their bottles are at $45 with the most expensive being $80. And while the wines are all very good I can't justify spending that much money when there are so many other great wines for a lot less. It was a small place, the staff was friendly, and the wines were great. If you're looking for a new one to try it could be worth it!
Stop 7: Bella Luna Estate Winery
Tasting Fee: $0
This was a great place. The owner is a retired navy pilot, who also has flown in a lot of air races. He was really nice and loved to talk about his wines. This is the home of Fighter Pilot Red, which is a good red wine. He had numerous other red wines that are also very good. If you are with someone in the military this is a great one to go visit, or even if you're not it is still worth it!!
That was the end of our wine tour. And if you noticed other than our little tailgate party and tri-tip slider we did no eating. And as we were there on the Saturday of Valentine's Day Weekend there wasn't a whole to choose from if you didn't have reservations. We did end up at this little italian restaurant in downtown Paso Robles for dinner. It was ok, but not great, and seeing as I can't even remember the name it was obviously not that memorable.
We had a great day though!!
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