After years of intense drought, California is finally raining. And raining, and raining (and raining some more). Heavy downpours and storm clouds may sound like a gloomy forecast to some, but here in Paso Wine Country, we say bring it on! More rain = more vines, and more vines = more wines! Although we are loving this wet winter and all that it promises to bring to our verdant fields, we’re also experiencing a bit of cabin fever—which is not something us Central Coasters are used to dealing with. When you can’t kayak, hike, horseback ride, or simply stroll through the vineyard admiring the birds, what else is there to do? We say, try these 5 fun rainy day activities sure to whet your thirst for Paso Wine.
1. Do Downtown
Mapping and Directions to Bijou Lifestyle Boutique: speedfind.com/bijou
Mapping and Directions to Lusso Della Terra: speedfind.com/LDT
Mapping and Directions to Tudor Wines: speedfind.com/TudorWines
2. Get Your Comfort Food On
Mapping and Directions to Fish Gaucho: speedfind.com/FishGaucho
Mapping and Directions to Catch Seafood: speedfind.com/CatchSeafood
Mapping and Directions to Pappy McGregor’s: speedfind.com/PappyMcGregorsPub
Mapping and Directions to Pasolivo Downtown: speedfind.com/PasolivoPaso
3. Take a (Lonnnng) Wine Bath
Yes, you are reading that correctly. No, I don’t suggest you pour your best case of Cabernet Sauvignon into the bathtub (I’m getting a panic attack just thinking about it). However, I do suggest you put your iPhone on “airplane mode,” light a few candles, pop the cork on that super expensive bubble bath, and pour yourself a nice, big glass of “me time.” When it rains it pours, and that’s quite all right! Forget those sunny days you used to spend romping through the outside world. Who says you can’t have just as much fun pampering yourself inside? Extra credit: Buy a fun drugstore nail polish or an adult coloring book for the ultimate evening of self-care and appreciation.
Our picks for “me time” wine:
Harmony Cellars 2014 Sangiovese: GOLD MEDAL at the Wine Makers Challenge, an international event held in San Diego.
Mapping and Directions to Harmony Cellars: speedfind.com/HarmonyCellars
Sextant 2013 Passage GSM: 94 points Wine Enthusiast
Mapping and Directions Sextant’s Paso Robles location: speedfind.com/SextantWines
Mapping and Directions toSextant’s San Luis Obispo location: speedfind.com/Sextant
HammerSky 2013 Party of Four Estate Grown blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah: 90 points Wine Enthusiast
Mapping and Directions to HammerSky: speedfind.com/HammerSkyVineyards
4. Take stock
Take stock and add these wines to your cellar:
Chronic Cellars 2015 Pink Pedals: 97 points Best Rosé Monterey International Wine Competition
Mapping and Directions to Chronic Cellars: speedfind.com/ChronicCellarsWinery
Michael Gill Cellars 2013 Tempranillo Tantrum: Gold Medal 2015 Pacific Rim International Wine Competition Best of Class, Best of Red Wines 2015 Jerry Mead’s New World International Wine Competition Call to place an order. (805) 239-1668
Mapping and Directions to Michael Gill Cellars: speedfind.com/MichaelGillCellars
Écluse 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Lock Vineyard: Double Gold San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Mapping and Directions to Écluse Wines: speedfind.com/EcluseWines
Cayucos Cellars 2012 Petite Syrah: Simply scrumptious flavors that you will want to have on hand for that special day. This winery is so uber-boutique that they do not go to competitions.
Mapping and Directions to Cayucos Cellars: speedfind.com/CayucosCellars
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.
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