Wine Tasting

I love Paso Robles! It is such a beautiful area. And now that everything is starting to turn green and bloom it is even better. Mike and I go there often, people might think we are borderline alcoholics with how often we want to go. But it's so much fun. 

This time around we went just the two of us. We had an awesome day together hanging and drinking.

First stop: E.O.S Estates

Tasting Fee: n/a

The place itself is gorgeous, case in point this beautiful building above. They had an outdoor picnic area which would be wonderful to sit at. This is on the main road before you get into much of the town so it was a little busy. They allow you to taste four wines for free, and they do offer their higher priced estate wines for a tasting fee of $5. Mike and I just did the free tasting here and were not too impressed. We both said we might be willing to go back with others, though we would pay for the "better" wines and see how those go.

Stop 2: Vina Robles

Tasting Fee: 3 wines free, $5 for 7 wines

This place was also gorgeous. And while it was also on the main road it was much less crowded, there were only 3 other people in there when we were tasting. This gave us a much more one on one feeling with the pourer and we learned more about the estate and the wines. I did just the free tasting of 3 wines, and Mike payed for the full tasting. They also offer a "cuvee" tasting paired with cheeses, these is just a fancy word for fancy wines that are aged longer and mixed a little differently. Although, the lady pouring our wine must have like us because she poured us two of those wines at no additional charge. They had many good red wines. We actually ended up buying to bottles here, and like most places they waived the tasting fee with the purchase. We would definitely come back here with friends, we might even come back some time on our own and do the cuvee tasting ourselves. 

The other thing this winery offers that we might partake in is, Big Band Sundays. During the summer they do concerts outside somewhere on the property. Now doesn't that just sound fun...drinking wine and listening to live music in a gorgeous locale...yes, please!

Stop 3: Robert Hall

Tasting Fee: $5

Another gorgeous building on the main road into town. This is right across from Vina Robles and so we decided we might as well stop since it's, you know, right there. So we stopped. Their wines were not too bad. They had a few reds that we liked and some wines we didn't like. They offered a reserve wine tasting for $8 in which you got to keep the glass, but we just did the basic. We did end up purchasing a bottle of wine, although they did not waive the tasting fee with the purchase. 

While we were there they were getting ready to do a tour of their underground caverns and a barrel tasting, it was free so why not... The guide, Frank, was an elderly gentleman that clearly loved his job. He had a good number of jokes and was funny, always makes things more enjoyable!

These barrels are some of their aging barrels. They are untainted true wood, meaning that they were not burned to bend the wood or anything like that. So while aging in here you get the truest flavors of the wine. I just thought they looked pretty!

I'm going to save my corks and make this someday. I think it's way cool!!

Stop 4: Wild Coyote

Tasting Fee: $5, keep the glass

We had to stop here, seeing as it reminded us so much of our santa fe and adobe home styling of AZ. We were both glad we stopped. We were the only ones in there at the time of our tasting, and the young gentleman who was pouring our wine had lived in Scottsdale nearby where we are from, and so it was a nice enjoyable time. It was like drinking a glass of wine with a friend. The place was gorgeous. It sits up on a hill top with breathtaking views, and the wines were good too!

When you are standing at the bar tasting your wine, if you turn around and look out the doors, this is what you see:

Stop 5: Thunderbolt Winery

Tasting Fee: $5 standard, $10 reserves

This was a last minute stop decision. We were headed to another winery and decided to turn in. Glad we did, AMAZING!! This was by far our favorite stop of the day. The wines were amazing, it's off the beaten path so we were the only ones in there for our tasting. The owner, Aurora, was the wine pouring our wines. We had a great time talking to her and learning about her winery and the history behind the name and where they got started. Just so much fun. One of the most amazing things about this winery, she does food pairings with her tastings!! Yes, in that $5 or $10 price you pay you not only get to taste the wine but you get amazing foods paired to go with the flavor of the wines; baguettes, and cheese, and a panini!! It was great. We will definitely being going back here for sure. 

She also has an amazing military discount. We got the tastings for free and 20% off our purchases. It is these small family owned and operated business that I love to go and give my business. This is a definite recommendation for anyone going to Paso!!

(Unfortunately I was so enamored with the wine and food I didn't take any pics)

Stop 6: Tablas Creek

Tasting Fee: $10, keep the glass

Not a favorite. I didn't taste here because I had to drive home, but Mike was none too impressed. He said he probably wouldn't even bother coming back here. They had quite a few whites on their tasting list, which we are more red people so that didn't really do it for us. The reds they did have were ok, and were overpriced for what they tasted like. 

(No pics of this one cause we didn't really like it.)

So that was our wonderful Saturday in Paso, just Mike and I!