Lose that last ten pounds, call Mom more, and learn French (finally). These are all well intentioned resolutions, but will they keep? That all depends. We think you’ll have a far greater chance of achieving your most hard-to-pin-down goals if you’re having a whole lot of fun while doing it. This New Year, resolve to take on a few rewarding and yummy declarations that push you out of your comfort zone and into a whole new world of Paso wine. As they say, balance is the key to happiness, right? And who says you can’t learn French while sipping on a really good Rhone? We call this “immersive study.” Thanks to these five Paso Robles wineries, you’ll be on the fast track to a brighter, more balanced, and totally tasty New Year.
Pop Better Bottles
Plenty of prep goes into the holiday season October through December, which means January can easily slip into a lax month of lazy choices governed by connivance over quality. By all means, relax and rejuvenate (read: nap shamelessly and often), but never compromise on flavor when it comes to New Year’s Eve! After all, this magical night is all about setting a good intention for the new year, and no one wants their 2017 mantra to be “just OK.” Just as you painstakingly puzzled over what to serve for Christmas dinner, set your sights on a bubbly sure to wow and inspire friends and family. The best part: we’ve done all the hard work for you. You’re welcome! Choose HammerSky Vineyards’ Naughty Princess: Detained Sparkling Brut, with a crisp mouthfeel and hints of apple. Let the ball drop, just don’t drop the ball on bringing a great bottle to the party.
Mapping and Directions: speedfind.com/HammerSkyVineyards
Spend Less, Savor More
Regardless of how, where, or when you celebrated the holidays, we all have one thing in common. We all have a little less cash sitting in our wallets, don’t we? Now is definitely the time to reel in the spending as well as some ridiculously awesome deals, no buyer’s remorse required. January is a huge month for massive wine discounts across beautiful Paso Wine Country, so take advantage and enjoy incredible flavor profiles all year long. At Sculpterra Winery, snag special savings all this month for visitors with a 35% discount on all case purchases and 50% off for wine club members. Psst! You’ll want to get your paws on Sculpterra’s fantastic new releases, including their 2015 Viognier, 2015 Grenache, 2014 Mourvedre and 2015 Syrah. Over at Eberle Winery, you can still pick up smashing “Rhone for the Holidays” deals at a major discount—so go now while the deals are hot! Case in point: a two-pack of Syrah and Cotes-du-Robles Bl
anc goes for just $45; take home Eberle’s Best Cellars Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and Vintage Port for just $123! The latter would be a perfect combo to pair with next year’s holiday dinners. Look how smart you are!
Mapping and Directions: speedfind.com/SculpterraWinery
Mapping and Directions: speedfind.com/EberleWinery
Explore More
New, fresh, exciting. These are all great words for the months ahead—and the wines you’ll soon discover, if you take the leap toward unexpected experiences! Delve head first into more than a dozen Paso Robles wineries at the annual Esprit du Vin food and wine celebration, slated for Jan. 14 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Pear Valley Estate Winery. Among a swath of 46 East wineries, you’ll find fine selections poured by iconic standout Eberle Winery (known for a friendly 
tasting room and way cool cave tours), Hearst Ranch Winery (whose 2013 “Lone Tree” Cabernet Franc recently won 91 points from Vinous), and Rendarrio Vineyards (follow on Instagram @rendarrio for all the latest on tasty Rhone wines and fun, edgy events). Stroll and take your pick of tasty bites from local chefs and artisan producers (we’re talking gourmet olives, cheeses, breads, and pastries). Perhaps you’ll lose that “last ten pounds” next year. And that’s totally OK. Live a little. And happy New Year to you and yours.
Mapping and Directions to Hearst Ranch Winery, San Simeon location: speedfind.com/HearstRanchWinery
Mapping and Directions to Hearst Ranch Winery, Cholame location: speedfind.com/HearstRanch
Mapping and Directions to Rendarrio Vineyards: speedfind.com/Rendarrio
This blog was written by Hayley Thomas Cain, food and wine writer for SLO New Times and PasoRoblesWineries.net. You can reach her at hthomas@newtimesslo.com or follow her on instagram @flavorslo.
If you’re looking for a place to spend the night in Paso Robles, checkout:
The Adelaide Inn is an iconic, locally owned hotel known for its friendly staff and lush landscaping. With spacious rooms and a convenient location close to highway 101 and the event center – home of the California Mid-State Fair – this hotel is a great choice for most travelers.
Directions: speedfind.com/AdelaideInn
L
a Bellasera Hotel & Suites is an elegant boutique hotel nestled in the heart of Central Coast Wine Country. Influenced by Mediterranean and Italian architecture, the luxurious accommodations reflect the aged sophistication of the Central Coast region and the relaxed nature of the California countryside.
Directions: speedfind.com/LaBellasera
Hampton Inn & Suites Paso Robles is nestled in the Central Coast wine region, home to over 200 wineries, beautiful beaches, mountains and diverse attractions. Relax and revive in a comfortable guest room with all you need for a successful stay. You can count on Hampton to deliver value, consistency and service with a smile. We love having you here®
Directions: speedfind.com/PRWine.HamptonInn
Experience the pristine countryside of Paso Robles Wine Country at Lekai Ranch. Lounge on the porch of your private suite and lose yourself in the tranquility and stunning views of the vineyards and oak studded hills beyond. This vacation rental is located just minutes from some of the most distinguished wineries and a premier olive oil estate, and only 15 minutes from downtown Paso Robles’ restaurants, wineries and shopping.
Directions: speedfind.com/Lekai | vrbo.com/701796
Enjoy the elegance, style and natural beauty of California’s Central Coast at the JUST Inn®. Surrounded by vineyards, our JUST Inn Suites offer luxurious appointments like fireplaces, Tempur-Pedic®mattresses, Frette linens, hydro-spa tubs, and range in size from 600–1,200 square feet. An overnight stay includes breakfast and a tour of the winery and caves.
Directions: speedfind.com/JustinWine