So once again I went wine tasting, I know big shocker. I went well Mike was out of town, I went with some friends. One of the guys has family that lives near San Luis Obispo and about 20 minutes from Paso Robles. Friday night we spent with his family at his childhood home (more on that later) and then went wine tasting on Saturday before heading back to Lemoore. I took Sunset with me so wine tasting had to be at all dog friendly places. Turns out there are a lot of them over there.
Stop #1: Donati Family Vineyard
Tasting Fee: $5
We had a good time here. It was our first stop so everyone was in a pretty good mood. For the $5 tasting fee you get to choose five wines. They have whites, red, and some dessert wines. They also had crackers with 3 different kind of toppings to put on. So we had a little wine, got a little snack and enjoyed ourselves. I enjoyed there chardonnay, and I don't usually like white wines. I ended up buying a bottle of that as well as a bottle of their red blend. They have a 15% military discount, and the tasting fee is waived with the purchase of a bottle of wine.
Stop #2: Croad Vineyards
Tasting Fee: $5
Set high atop a hill this place offered gorgeous views, in fact the picture of Donati Family was taken from up here. Croad only had red wines. I wouldn't say any of them were amazing, they were ok. If the prices hadn't been so much, $28-32 per bottle, I may have bought one of them. Also, in order for them to waive the tasting fee you would have to buy two bottles of wine. Not really worth it for me.
They did however have an adorable winery dog named Zin, who would peek her head over the counter to greet new customers.
Stop #3: Red Soles
Tasting Fee: $10
Very neat little place, and VERY dog friendly. They gave Sunset a bandana and took a picture for their cork board of furry visitors. Although the tasting fee is $10 they have an extensive list of wines to choose from, I want to say close 20, and you can taste as many as you like. They also had a military discount of 15% I believe, and he waived the tasting fee for all of us because of the military. It is always fun when you are able to meet the owners of the winery. This one is a husband and wife, and he had served in the military. We heard many great stories and had an all around good time. Their wines were good, and I did end up buying one bottle whose entire proceeds went to Boys and Girls Clubs around the area. Good wine for a good cause.
Stop #4: Lone Madone
Tasting Fee: $ 10, keep the glass
Our final stop of the day was Lone Madrone. I had heard they were dog friendly and their wines had been recommended. I wasn't too impressed with most of them. One of the other main reasons we stopped here is because they advertised hard apple cider, yum! Christina tasted it and said it wasn't great so I didn't even bother. They did have a red blend that was decent and not too expensive. I ended up buying it, although no military discount here, and they didn't waive the tasting fee with purchase. Not sure I would recommend this place. There were a lot of people in there though so maybe they have something I just wasn't getting.
One thing I have noticed is wine tasting with a dog slows you down a bit. It could also be the heat maybe. Regardless, I can't wait to go back and keep adding to my total. I'm at just over 30, only about 150 to go before I hit 'em all!!
