Tips for a Perfect Paso Wine Tasting Picnic

Grab that wicker basket and your favorite blanket: Here are 5 tips for a perfect Paso Wine tasting picnic.

Indulge in the perfect Paso Wine Tasting Picnic. From tips on packing the perfect lunch to enjoying made-to-order food at local wineries, indulge in exquisite wines, breathtaking scenery, and sunny skies. Explore top-notch restaurants for to-go options and don’t forget to include locally produced olive oil in your spread. Complete your picnic with wines from over 300 wineries, whether you bring your own or purchase on-site. Plan your unforgettable picnic adventure in Paso Robles and create lasting memories in this idyllic wine destination.

Plan for the weather

Sunny skies ahead: Paso Robles is known for lots of warm and sunny days, so be sure to bring sunscreen and light clothing to stay comfortable. Kiamie Wine Cellars offers the perfect picnic setting with rolling hills, vineyards and panoramic views. Bring your own lunch and they’ll provide the wine! The vineyard estate—located in a mountainous region of Paso’s westside—is blessed with optimal climate conditions, including warm days and cool nights that contribute to the development of rich and complex wines. Most Paso Robles wineries boast their own outdoor seating areas to take advantage of the gorgeous scenery, so you can soak up every drop of ambiance. Whether you kick back on the lawn with a blanket, claim a picnic table with friends or relax into a lawn chair, you’re sure to understand why summer is such a popular time to visit Paso. Note: A wide-brimmed sun hat usually comes in handy—and always bring a jacket for those cool, coastal breezes come sundown!

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Let the winery do the serving

Table for two: Paso Robles Wine Country is known for world-class wines, so it makes sense that many local wineries offer made-to-order food to pair with those awesome offerings. Yes, you read that last sentence correctly: many Paso wineries feature sit-down restaurants ready to serve you! The picnic comes to you at Villa San Juliette, a winery known for elegant Bordeaux wines and upscale, chef-driven dishes. The winery’s seasonal menu includes fresh baked rosemary focaccia, charcuterie, caesar salad topped with either white anchovies, chicken or Tiger shrimp and a famous VSJ wine Country cheeseburger served with a side of fries. Of course, if you wanted to go a little fancier for a first date or anniversary, you could order up a plate of crab cakes, sumptuous duck fettuccine or the “frutti di mare,” a romantic dish of fresh lobster tail, clams, mussels and white wine broth. Crazy to think you can get all this at a winery, right? Sometimes it’s best not to question a good thing.

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Grab some goodness to-go

Easy lunch: A hub of great cuisine, Paso Robles Wine Country is a foodie’s dream. Don’t miss our incredible restaurants, many of which offer top tier to-go grub. If you’re heading to a winery that doesn’t serve substantial food, simply stop over in downtown Paso along your route. Fish Gaucho offers up a fun twist on Mexican fare while Pappy McGregor’s is all about elevated comfort food that really sticks to your gills. Looking for something lighter? Thomas Hill Organics is ground zero for farm fresh flavors reflecting the juiciest crops of the season. Note: downtown Paso Robles is also home to incredible, walkable wine tasting rooms. Swing by one of these convenient haunts while your food is being made. Two birds, one stone, right? Hayseed and Housdon is home to a way-cool tasting garage on Railroad Street, a stone’s throw from downtown. If you’re looking for a fabulous and easy food and wine experience, all you’d need to do is bring your to-go order to this welcoming hangout. Dogs are invited to partake in the picnic, too.

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Don’t forget the wine

Wine or bust: This tip is pretty obvious, but it had to be said. A picnic in Paso Robles Wine Country wouldn’t be complete without the wine! Visit one of our more than 250 wineries to select a few bottles to go or simply purchase a bottle at the tasting room and spread out with friends. Of course, you can always enjoy a wine flight at the tasting bar, but many wineries also offer wines by the glass, allowing you to take your party to a grassy area or picnic table.

When their kitchen is closed (Monday through Thursday) Lone Madrone is a great place to unwind with a picnic basket and a shared bottle.  These vineyard-specific wines are truly unique to Paso Robles, and the scenery—featuring stately oaks, native wildflowers and rolling hills—aint bad either! Cheers to a picnic made in heaven.

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Essential extras

All the fixings: Besides some extra napkins and silverware, you’ll also want to include Paso’s lesser-known (but very delicious) local offerings in your picnic spread. Be sure to pack a small bottle of locally produced olive oil for dipping bread or drizzling over your dishes. You won’t regret it! Pasolivo is a fabulous olive oil choice, featuring a range of Paso-grown EVOOs that lead from soft and buttery to intense and peppery. At Still Waters Vineyards, shop world class wines as well as estate-sourced olive oil selections. The best part? This pastoral winery provides a gorgeous backdrop for your next Paso picnic. With a large green meadow boasting acres of lush gardens, you’ll want to linger till sunset. We think that’s a great idea, too!

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Conclusion

FAQs

1. Are there any wineries in Paso Robles Wine Country that offer on-site dining options?
   Yes! Many wineries in Paso Robles Wine Country have sit-down restaurants where you can enjoy made-to-order food paired with their exceptional wines. One such example is Villa San Juliette, known for its elegant Bordeaux wines and upscale, chef-driven dishes.
2. What are some recommended restaurants in downtown Paso Robles for grabbing food to-go before heading to a winery?
   Downtown Paso Robles has a variety of incredible restaurants that offer delicious food to-go. Fish Gaucho offers a fun twist on Mexican fare, Pappy McGreagors specializes in elevated comfort food, and Thomas Hill Organics is known for farm-fresh flavors. These options allow you to grab a satisfying meal to enjoy during your wine country picnic.
3. Can I bring my own picnic lunch to Paso Robles wineries?
   Absolutely! Many wineries in Paso Robles Wine Country welcome visitors to bring their own picnic lunches. Kiame Wines, for example, offers a picturesque picnic setting with rolling hills and vineyards where you can bring your own lunch, and they will provide the wine.
4. Can I purchase wine at the wineries to enjoy during my picnic?
   Yes, definitely! Paso Robles Wine Country is home to more than 250 wineries, and most of them offer the option to purchase bottles of wine to enjoy during your picnic. You can also opt for a wine flight at the tasting bar or choose wines by the glass to accompany your picnic spread.
5. Are there any local products from Paso Robles that I should include in my picnic?
   Absolutely! Paso Robles is known for its locally produced olive oil, which adds a delightful flavor to your picnic. Pasolivo and Still Waters Vineyards are two places where you can find excellent olive oil selections. Don’t forget to pack a small bottle for dipping bread or drizzling over your dishes.

Photo by Kateryna Hliznitsova on Unsplash