San Luis Obispo County Wine Country / About Wine, Food, and and Wine Country Living

Posted September 2006

Hit the Wine Trail

Downtown Paso Robles Wine Tasting

(PASO ROBLES, CA) – Not far from the Salinas River and right off Highway 101, the historic down town area of Paso Robles is easy to reach, and once you get there – easy to enjoy.

Once well known mainly for the Mid State Fair, Paso Robles is enjoying a cultural, and financial, renaissance. Historic buildings are seeing new tenants in a growing number of wine tasting rooms featuring local and regional wines, upscale restaurants, and unique stores.

Most of the current eleven tasting rooms are all within about two blocks from each other, the other two are several blocks down the street, but well worth the effort of a nice walk or getting in your car to check out.

Hice Cellars

Hice Cellars has a strong vegetarian and vegan following, though their wines delight the pallets of mainstream wine drinkers and aficionados as well. Organic and biodynamic practices are followed, and most wines are unfiltered. This extra effort is part of what makes owner Eric Hice a multi-award winning winemaker.

The wines are developed with balance in mind, and are as easy to taste without food, as they are to pair with a meal. Varieties include: Syrah, Tempranillo, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alicante Bouchet, as well as several whites. Here’s your insider hint: Get on the port list. Hice’s port sells out quickly and frequently isn’t available except to those in the know.

Tasting Fee: $5
Tasting Room hours: Thursday –Sunday noon to 7:00pm (summer); Friday – Sunday noon to 6:00pm (winter)
821 Pine Street, Unit D, Paso Robles, CA (866) 499-WINE

Silver Stone

You will enjoy this hip tasting room where the owners/winemakers developed a comfortably elegant space to reflect the wines. Though patrons favor the Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay (as have a number of wine judges), the Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc are definitely not to be overlooked.

Tasting flight covers approximately six wines and costs $5
Tasting Room hours: Wed - Sat noon - 7:00pm; Sunday, noon - 4:00pm
827 13th Street, Paso Robles, CA (805) 227-6434

Wine Attic

The wine attic is more than just a tasting bar, here you can get something to eat, browse the unique wine selection to purchase a bottle, or enjoy events like Jazz in the courtyard and featured winemaker nights. Wines found here are often not readily available to the public and it is a great way to find new favorites, or just explore something you wouldn’t be able to other wise. This is a favorite locals hangout.

Lunch on the courtyard is an agreeable experience, especially mid-September when the weather during the day hovers around a perfect 70 to 80 degrees. Cute shops off the courtyard give you a reason to stretch your legs and enjoy the local wares.

Tasting Fee: $2 per taste
Tasting Room hours: Mon – Wed 11:00am – 6:00pm; Thur – Fri 11:00am – 7:00pm; Sat 11:00am – 8:00pm; Sun 11:00am – 3:00pm
1305 Park Street Alley, Paso Robles, CA 93446 (805) 227-4107

Midlife Crisis Winery

Midlife Crisis is named for an idea that took hold and wouldn’t let go. Reportedly, the owner’s brother when he heard about the winery idea is said to have uttered, “A sports car would have been cheaper and we need to talk.” Now in its second year, their wine is as well received as their philosophy – Life is too short not to chase your dreams.

You can taste up to eight varieties in the tasting room, several named for the family’s Australian Shepards. You can also become a member of the Crisis Management Team, also known as their wine club

Tasting Fee: $3
Tasting Room hours: Thurs – Mon 10:00am – 6:00pm
1244 Pine Street, Suite A, Paso Robles, CA (805) 237-8730

Other Wine Tasting Rooms:

Anglim
740 Pine Street (at the Depot), Paso Robles, CA (805) 227-6813

Arroyo Robles
739 12th Street, Paso Robles, CA (877) 759-WINE

Bear Cave Cellars
1227 Park Street, Paso Robles, CA (805) 238-4329

Christian Lazo Winery
1244 Pine Street, Paso Robles, CA (805) 237-8730

Vinoteca
835 12th Street, Paso Robles, CA (805) 227-7154