FOMO is a harsh mistress. If you’re worried summer will be over before you know it (and you still haven’t broken out those cute sandals), listen up. An “endless summer” may be impossible, but you can plan on having a great summer in Paso Robles Wine Country if you take the time to get out there and enjoy it while it lasts. Mark your calendar for these upcoming summer wine events and know—whole heartedly—that you did the season right! The best part? Plenty of Paso wine events are reoccurring, so if you do miss one, you can head back to the next. Take that FOMO!
1. Goal: Become a Winemaker (sort of)
Fancy yourself a winemaker, or perhaps just a wine enthusiast who likes to get hands on? Join Opolo in the barrel room for a blending event you won’t soon forget. The group will gather around graduated cylinders and don lab coats, too! This is your chance to taste, mix and create what you deem to be the perfect blend. Plus, every new “winemaker” will get to create a magnum of their own special Bordeaux blend to take home. An expert tasting panel will even judge your wines and find the best blend in the group. The winemaker with the winning blend will receive an etched double magnum of their unique Opolo blend as a trophy. Just don’t let all this excitement go to your head.
Make it happen: July 21 + Jul 28 from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Mapping and Directions to Opolo Vineyard
2. Goal: Get the VIP Treatment
Wine education is at your fingertips when you visit Sextant Winery in Paso Robles. Enjoy an exclusive private seated tasting in their new VIP room, where you can view the wine as it transforms from fruit to finished product. This isn’t for just anybody. By booking an appointment, you’ll get a personalized tasting featuring a selection of current release and library vintages, too. We think you are extra special, indeed!
When: By appointment only.
Make it Happen: Book your VIP tasting by calling (805) 542-0133 or go to https://sextantwines.com/visit/
Mapping and Directions to Sextant Winery
3. Goal: Turn the Phone Off
It can be hard to unplug when social media alerts beep and boop 24/7, but Jada Winery has made this modern woe a little easier to handle. When the twilight in Paso Robles is this nice, it just makes sense to unplug and unwind. Join Jada for twilight hours, featuring live music, wine by the glass (or bottle), and food available for purchase. Summer evenings in Paso Robles are warm, whimsical, and full of fabulous flavors. So leave your jacket at home, but do bring those dancing shoes!
When: Friday, August 10th; 5-7pm with Matt Suarez
Mapping and Directions to Jada Vineyard
4. Goal: Tailgate, the Paso Way
This is not your average tailgate affair. Nosh and sip before Templeton Concerts in the Park at Rangeland Winery and make your next evening out into a date night to remember. Sliders and nachos made with grass-fed estate beef and yummy sides (provided by Nature’s Touch) are available to grab-and-go! You can also hang for a while and see what’s new: the winery will feature a different red each week for $25 or less, a Rose priced at $15, and glasses of wine are $5 (red or white). Yes, that’s the sound of your pocketbook cheering! Just follow that barbecue smell.
When: Every Wednesday through August from 4:30-6:30
Mapping and Directions to Rangeland Winery
5. Goal: Brunch Like You Mean It
Have you tried Tooth and Nail Winery’s bold and brash Anti-Brunch yet? There’s a reason why it’s wildly popular (so popular in fact) that it’s now being offered Saturdays and Sundays! Enjoy amazing food pairings all day from Chef Brenen’s new menu paired with insanely delicious wines. Breakfast might include eggs, chorizo, home fries’ and salsa, avocado toast, or beignets with rum caramel and seasonal berries! Plus, there’s food served all day long, including tomato and burrata salad, barbecued tacos, and more. Of course, all this grub is paired with Tooth and Nail wines so you can have the most epic summer pairing ever.
When: Saturdays and Sundays all summer long.
Mapping and Directions to Tooth and Nail 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 [email protected] or follow her on instagram @flavorslo.
Looking for a place to stay in Paso Robles?
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
Directions: speedfind.com/Allegretto
Directions: speedfind.com/LaBellasera
Directions: speedfind.com/PRWine.HamptonInn
Directions: speedfind.com/Lekai | vrbo.com/701796
Directions: speedfind.com/JustinWine
Directions: speedfind.com/PasoRoblesVacationRentals