You open your cellar in 2019 only to realize—wow! Perhaps you see cobwebs or a whole slew of dusty bottles. So much for starting the New Year off with a fresh start. No one wants to be predictable, boring, blasé. Why should your wine tastes stagnate while the rest of you reaches for new heights in the New Year? If you feel like you’ve lost your wine mojo and could use a little re-boot, we have just the treatment.
Shake up your Tastebuds
Paso Robles is all about wine adventure and shaking things up. Make a pact with your friends and go wine tasting with one caveat: You can only purchase wines you’ve never tried. This means perhaps you purchase wines with a varietal that you can barely pronounce or you just go for a brand that you’ve never ventured to sip. If you’re already well-versed in the world wine (lucky you), try to stick to wineries in a totally different area of Paso Robles. Normally hit the westside? Try the eastside of Paso. Whatever your go-to is, get creative and do the opposite.
If you haven’t ventured out to Chimney Road Road in Paso Robles, now’s your chance! Head out to Dubost Ranch Winery for a rustic and rural experience that is totally unique to Paso Wine Country. Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder did just that recently for the filming of the movie, Destination Wedding.
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Mapping and Directions to Dubost Winery
Go Coastal
Paso Robles reds are king, but there’s so much more to explore on the Central Coast! Namely—the coast! So head west with Harmony – it’s perhaps the smallest town in California- (and cool climate varietals) in your sights. You’ll not only experience the calming clarity that comes with chill ocean breezes and sultry sunsets. You’ll savor the bright, acidic coastal wines you’ve been craving after a December full of velvety cabs. Tip: You’ll also want to wines of Edna Valley, just south of the Cuesta Grade such as Sextant Wines. Just six miles from the Pacific, these chardonnay and pinot noir offerings are world renowned for a reason.
Harmony Cellars in Harmony (south of Cambria) is the perfect cool-climate wine escape this winter. Refresh your senses with wines crafted in a whole different microclimate.
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Mapping and Directions to Harmony Cellars
Rethink your Wine Club
You may love your wine club, you may not. Now is the time to think about whether you’d like to add a new club to your wine shipments or perhaps put one on pause. Perhaps you’ve been intimidated to ask about a particular club or you don’t want to get sucked into a pushy pitch. Don’t fret! Paso Robles is known for its no-pressure (no pushy sales-tactic) vibe. Also, wine clubs are as unique as the wineries! There’s a club for every personality.
Rangeland Wines offers four different clubs, including two that offer up their own beef and lamb. How novel is that?
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Mapping and Directions to Rangeland Wines
Get Educated
Whether you subscribe to a new wine magazine or just “favorite” a few new blogs, do your reading. Wine education does not have to be dry or boring. It can be incredibly fun. Consider starting your own wine blog (or personal, analog journal) to inspire the formation of new neurons. All of this sound like too much “work?” Simply make the resolution to follow 4 new wine accounts on Instagram this year: a sparkling wine producer, white producer, a rose producer, and a red producer. Easier than spark notes!
Want to get educated in Bubbles? Check out Rava Wines, where Sparkling Wines are taken very, very seriously. Sparkling Blanc de Blanc 2015 is a lively bead of refined bubbles and displays a beautiful pale straw color. Exquisite aromas of toasted almond and creamy Anjou pear are accented by aromatic floral notes.
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Mapping and Directions to Rava Wines
Make room for more
You can’t make room for new Paso Robles wine if your storage space is already crowded to the ceiling with bottles and bags. Consider having a “wine swap” with some friends. Bring duplicate bottles, stuff you love (but already know like the back of your hand), or just bottles that were gifted to you years ago but never really fit your flavor profile. Not only will you have a fun party, everyone will leave with something totally new and fresh.
You should certainly pour a good bottle of Paso Robles wine during your wine swap party! Pop open a bottle of Oso Libre 2015 Osezno Zinfandel, aged 36 months in seasoned Hungarian oak. Yes, you’ll have to tell people this bottle is not up for grabs. (This won 96 points Double Gold – San Francisco International Wine Competition!)
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Mapping and Directions to Oso Libre Winery
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.
Looking for a place to stay in Paso Robles?
The Adelaide Inn is an iconic, lo
cally 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
Majestically set among vineyards, olive groves and fruit baring orchards, the 20-acre Allegretto Vineyard Resort is a world unto itself, offering breathtaking settings that inspire and bring joy to all who choose this memorable wine country haven. Featuring 171 rooms and suites, on-site spa, grand ballroom, wine tasting room, and inspired culinary creations at Cello, the resort’s full service restaurant.
Directions: speedfind.com/Allegretto
La 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
Paso Robles Vacation Rentals, also known as PasoStay.com assists guests in creating memories and wonderful experiences by providing quality privately owned vacation home rentals in Paso Robles Wine Country. With over 90 vacation homes to choose from, small enough for a couple’s romantic getaway to large homes amongst local vineyards and olive orchards, PasoStay.com has the perfect option for you. Feel free to call 805-423-9174 to talk with a local expert or book online at PasoStay.com.
Directions: speedfind.com/PasoRoblesVacationRentals