As winter marches on and the tourists continue to thin out, wine country settles into a calm, peaceful rhythm. Shorter lines, less crowded tasting rooms, and special deals mark this chill time of year, when vines grow dormant and the soil prepares for another harvest yet to come. Now is the perfect time for locals to get out there and enjoy this luscious landscape that attract so many visitors from around the world. Don’t let this choice moment pass you by, and it will go quickly! So grab your coat and get out there, already! Be sure to check out these wineries participating in Go Local Wine Deals throughout January. After all, you live here. Why not play here, too?
Foodie Fun at Cass
Fabulous estate Rhone and Bordeaux wines collide with satisfying grub at Cass Winery, located off Paso Robles’ dusty Backroads Wine Trail. If you haven’t sampled the food or enjoyed a long, relaxing afternoon on their covered veranda, you don’t know what you’ve been missing. Even though the temperatures are chilly, you’ve still got to eat, right? This January, take 25 percent off food and wine purchases just for being a local SLO County resident! As if we weren’t lucky enough…
Historic vines and majestic oaks mark this incredible boutique Westside Paso Robles winery. A unique cluster of microclimates come together to create a gorgeous canvas for award-winning winemaker Damian Grindley. This month, sip the award-winning winemaker’s stable of Bordeaux and Rhone wines and be sure to ask about their current Go Local Wine Deal. When the view is this breathtaking, winter sounds like the perfect time for a picnic!
Templeton is a little slice of old fashioned Americana and Clavo Cellars totally fits into that warm, picture-postcard vibe. Stop by and meet winemaker Neil Roberts, who specializes in terroir driven single varietal wines, including Albarino, Grenache Blanc, Vermentino, Zinfandel, Malbec, and Petite Sirah. This January, locals can enjoy two-for-one tastings and a host of other goodies. Just follow the winery on social media for updates and pop-up sales! Or, as I recommend, pop in and say hi.
Harmony Cellars may not technically be in Paso Robles (indeed, it is located between Cayucos and San Simeon in the tiny historic dairy town of Harmony), but the winery produces incredible boutique wines alongside the rest of them! This January, pick up three bottles of wine and get your fourth bottle of equal or lesser value for just 5¢. The tasting room’s serene setting is a sight to behold and their winery dog is quite friendly! Get ready to relax and remember why you live in such a magical place!
Located off Adelaida Road in west Paso Robles, Lone Madrone produces a rainbow of small lot wines in a casual-cool setting. Whether you want a bottle of Picpoul Blanc or a good glass of Zinfandel, this is your one-stop hangout for delicious blends, unexpected varietals, and even hard cider. Don’t take my word for it—head out to the barn-turned-tasting room today and see (and taste) for yourself. This January, take 15 percent off all wine purchases—a very nice idea indeed, when paired with a gorgeous vineyard view.
Sextant Winery in Edna Valley knows how to get our attention! The tasting room will give out a choice of free brownie or free “Seven Layer Sextant Bar” with purchase of a tasting. Whether you stop by the Edna Valley locale or swing by their equally posh tasting room in Paso Robles, you know you’re going to get a killer collection of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay (sourced from their Edna Valley vineyard) , as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and Zin (grown in Paso Robles). Yes, we are talking about the best of both worlds here, people. Deal on!
A note to you lazy bones out there: Whatever you do, don’t stay home this January. I know it’s easy to sink into a post-holiday slump of Netflix and nachos, but I firmly believe we locals should enjoy the wine country experience just as heartily as our out-of-town friends. Happy dealing, neighbors!
This blog was written by Hayley Thomas, food and wine writer for New Times and PasoRoblesWineries.net. You can reach her at [email protected].
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